Aaj ka Panchang
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Calendar
Upcoming Festivals
Major Hindu festival dates for 2026
The five limbs of Panchang
Panchang means "five limbs" (pancha + anga) — the five elements that make up the traditional Hindu almanac. Vara is the weekday, ruled by a planet. Tithi is the lunar day, measured by the angle between the sun and moon, and determines many festival and fasting dates. Nakshatra is the lunar mansion the moon occupies, one of 27 divisions of the sky. Yoga combines the positions of both sun and moon into 27 auspicious/inauspicious periods. Karana is half a Tithi, used for finer timing of rituals.
| Limb | What it measures |
|---|---|
| Vara | Day of the week, each ruled by a planet |
| Tithi | Lunar day — angular distance between sun and moon |
| Nakshatra | One of 27 lunar mansions the moon occupies |
| Yoga | Combined sun-moon position, 27 named periods |
| Karana | Half of a Tithi, used for finer ritual timing |
Frequently asked questions
What is Panchang?
Panchang literally means "five limbs" — Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Yoga, and Karana. Together they form the traditional Hindu almanac used to determine auspicious timings.
Why might these values differ from my local Panchang?
This site calculates Panchang using standard astronomical formulas evaluated at the current moment, not at your local sunrise, which is the traditional reference point in most printed Panchangs. For exact muhurat timing, consult a local Panchang or priest.
What's the difference between Vikram Samvat and Shaka Samvat?
Vikram Samvat is a lunar-based era widely used in North Indian calendars, beginning around Chaitra. Shaka Samvat is the solar-based era used in India's official National Calendar, beginning around 22 March.