Panchang means "five limbs". It is the traditional Hindu almanac used to find auspicious times (muhurat) for weddings, griha pravesh, starting a business and festivals. Each day is described by five things:
- Tithi: the lunar day, based on the angle between the Sun and the Moon. There are 30 tithis in a lunar month, 15 in Shukla paksha (waxing) and 15 in Krishna paksha (waning). Purnima is the full moon and Amavasya the new moon.
- Vaar: the weekday, each ruled by a graha (Ravivaar by Surya, Somvaar by Chandra, and so on).
- Nakshatra: the lunar mansion the Moon is passing through. There are 27, from Ashwini to Revati, each 13°20' wide.
- Yoga: one of 27 combinations made by adding the longitudes of the Sun and the Moon.
- Karan: half of a tithi. There are 11 karans, and they repeat through the month.
Why a muhurat matters to many families
For important events, families look for a day where the tithi, nakshatra and yoga are favourable. They also avoid periods like Rahu kaal. An astrologer can match the panchang with your own kundli, for example by checking the transit Moon against your birth Moon, to suggest a time that suits you personally.
Panchang timings change with your city, because sunrise is different in every place. Always use timings for your own location.
This article is general information about traditional Vedic astrology. It is not a prediction for you personally and not a substitute for professional advice.