The Panchangam is the traditional Hindu almanac. For every day it lists the five limbs of time, Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Yoga and Karana, along with sunrise and sunset, Rahu Kalam, Yamagandam, Gulika Kalam and auspicious windows such as Abhijit Muhurta. Choose your city to see today's Panchangam calculated for your location.
The five limbs
Pancha means five and Anga means limb. The Tithi is the lunar day, based on the angle between the Sun and Moon; there are thirty in a lunar month. The Vara is the weekday, ruled by a planet. The Nakshatra is the lunar mansion the Moon is passing through. The Yoga is one of 27 combinations of the Sun's and Moon's longitudes. The Karana is half of a Tithi. Together they describe the quality of the day.
Why the Panchangam is local
The Hindu day begins at sunrise, not midnight, and sunrise depends on where you are. A Tithi or Nakshatra can change in the middle of the day, so the same date can have a different Panchangam in Chennai and in Delhi. That is why we calculate it for your city rather than show one national table.
Rahu Kalam, Yamagandam and Gulika
The daylight hours are divided into eight parts. On each weekday one part is Rahu Kalam, considered unsuitable for starting new work; others are Yamagandam and Gulika Kalam. Their clock times change every day with sunrise and sunset. Many families avoid starting journeys, signing papers or beginning ceremonies in these windows.
Good times in the day
Abhijit Muhurta, around local noon, is widely considered auspicious for most activities except on Wednesdays in some traditions. The Panchangam also shows Brahma Muhurta before dawn, the Choghadiya periods used in western India, and the Hora of each planet.
Calendar schools
Panchangams follow different calculation schools. Drik Panchangams use modern astronomical positions, while Vakya Panchangam, still followed in parts of Tamil Nadu, uses traditional verses. Months may be counted as Amavasyant (ending at new Moon) or Purnimant (ending at full Moon). Choose your school so festival dates match your temple calendar.
Read today's Panchangam
Choose your city. Search for your town so sunrise and timings are local.
Check the five limbs. Note the Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga and Karana and when each ends.
Avoid the difficult windows. Note Rahu Kalam, Yamagandam and Gulika Kalam.
Pick a good time. Use Abhijit Muhurta or a favourable Choghadiya for important starts.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Tithi?+
A Tithi is a lunar day: the time it takes for the Moon to gain 12 degrees on the Sun. There are 15 Tithis in the waxing half (Shukla Paksha) and 15 in the waning half (Krishna Paksha).
What is Rahu Kalam today?+
Rahu Kalam is about one and a half hours long and its time depends on the weekday and your local sunrise and sunset. Today's time for your city is shown at the top of the page.
Is Rahu Kalam the same everywhere?+
No. It is based on local sunrise and sunset, so it differs between cities and changes slightly every day.
Why does the Panchangam start at sunrise?+
In the Hindu calendar the day begins at sunrise. The Tithi, Nakshatra and other limbs that prevail at sunrise usually name the day.
What is Abhijit Muhurta?+
Abhijit Muhurta is a window of about 48 minutes around local noon, considered auspicious for starting most activities.
What is the difference between Drik and Vakya Panchangam?+
Drik Panchangam uses modern astronomical calculations; Vakya Panchangam uses traditional formulae and can differ by a few hours. Many Tamil temples still follow Vakya.
What are Amavasyant and Purnimant months?+
In the Amavasyant system, used in South and West India, the month ends at the new Moon. In the Purnimant system, used in much of North India, it ends at the full Moon.
What is Yamagandam?+
Yamagandam is another daily period considered inauspicious for new beginnings. Like Rahu Kalam, its time depends on the weekday and local sunrise.
What is Choghadiya?+
Choghadiya divides the day and night into eight parts each, labelled good, neutral or unfavourable. It is widely used in Gujarat and Rajasthan for choosing quick Muhurtas.
Can I see the Panchangam for another date?+
Yes. Use the date picker to see any day, or open the monthly calendar for a whole month.
Which city should I choose?+
Choose the city where you are today, or where the ceremony will take place.
Does the Panchangam show festivals?+
Yes. Festivals and vratas falling on the day are listed, and the Festivals page shows the dates for the whole year.