Panchang Calculator

The panchang (Sanskrit: pancha “five” + anga “limbs”) is the traditional Hindu almanac. For any given day it records five elements: the tithi (lunar day, measured by the angle between the Moon and the Sun), the vara (weekday), the nakshatra (the lunar mansion among 27 star groups the Moon occupies), the yoga (one of 27 combinations of solar and lunar longitude), and the karana (half of a tithi). Together these describe the astronomical character of the day and are used to fix festival dates, choose muhurats for weddings and housewarmings, and time daily worship.

Because the panchang follows the actual positions of the Sun and Moon, it changes with location: sunrise in Kolkata comes nearly an hour before Mumbai, which shifts every timing derived from it. Rahu Kaal, for example, is one-eighth of the daylight period, falling at a different slot each weekday — which is why a panchang for Delhi cannot simply be reused in Chennai.

Among the favourable windows, Brahma Muhurta begins about an hour and a half before sunrise and is considered the most conducive time for meditation, study, and japa, while the midday Abhijit muhurat is a safe default for starting new work. Rahu Kaal, Gulika Kaal, and Yamaganda are traditionally avoided for beginnings — though routine work already underway is not affected. Select a date and city above to see all of these calculated for your location.