Panchang

Understanding Panchang- Auspicious Dates & Timings

Panchang, or Panchanga, is a Hindu calendar used in Indian astrology. It contains important Hindu dates and timings marked for each month of the Hindu year. The Panchangam meaning comes from the two Sanskrit words: “Panch” means “Five,” and “Anga” means “limbs” or “parts.” Scroll down to learn more about its significance, types, usage and much more.

Elements of Panchang

The five elements constituting Indian Panchang are Tithi, Nakshatram, Yoa, Karna, and Var. Below is their meaning and significance in detail:

• Tithi (Lunar Day)

The Tithi represents the lunar day or phase of the moon in a lunar month. Todays tithi is calculated based on the position of the Sun and the Moon’s stages. Of all the 30 tithis, some are considered auspicious, while others are believed to bring bad omens. A tithi is divided into five categories: Nanda, Bhadra, Jaya, Rikhta, and Poorna.

• Nanda (Ananda or Happy) Tithi: Pratipada (1st), Shashti (6th), Ekadashi (11th)
• Bhadra (Arogya or Healthy) Tithi: Dwitya (2nd), Saptami (7th), Dwadashi (12th)
• Jaya (Victory or Winning) Tithi: Tuesday- Tritiya (3rd), Ashtami (8th), Trayodashi (13th)
• Rikhta (Nashta or Loss) Tithi: Saturday- Chaturthi (4th), Navami (9th), Chaturdashi (14th)
• Poorna (Sampoorna or Full or New Moon) Tithi: Thursday- Panchami (5th), Dashami (10th), Amavasya (New Moon) or Purnima.

• Nakshatram (Lunar Mansion)

The next of the five most important elements of Panchangam is the Nakshatras, or constellations. In astrology Panchang, there are 27 nakshatras in total that are used to determine auspicious timings or shubh muhurat. Astrologers calculate today nakshatra and tithi based on the position of the Moon in the sky.

• Yoga (Conjunction)

The longitudes of the Sun and Moon combined make a yoga. In Panchangam, there are 27 yogas in total, each associated with a different planetary influence. Also known as ‘Nitya yogas, ’ these yogas change daily along with the position of the Sun and Moon. Let us have a look at all the Yogas.

1. Vishkambha: Signifies strength, overcoming obstacles and focused determination.
2. Priti: Represents love, affection and harmony in relationships.
3. Ayushman: Symbolises long life and good health.
4. Saubhagya: Sign of prosperity, luck and good fortune.
5. Shobhana: Indicates beauty, elegance and charm.
6. Atiganda: Suggests transformation, change and major shifts.
7. Sukarma: Denotes positive actions, good deeds and karma.
8. Dhriti: Represents patience, strong willpower and determination.
9. Shoola: Indicates pain, challenges and the need for inner strength.
10. Ganda: Suggests confusion and indecisiveness.
11. Vriddhi: Signifies growth, expansion and progress.
12. Dhruva: Represents stability, constancy and unbreakable principles.
13. Vyaghata: Indicates sudden changes and conflicts.
14. Harshana: Signifies joy, happiness and comfort.
15. Vajra: Symbolises inner- strength, focus and determination.
16. Siddhi: Denotes accomplishments, success and goals.
17. Vyatipata: Indicates unforeseen events, disturbances and challenges.
18. Variyan: Represents luxury, comfort and wealth.
19. Parigha: Signifies obstacles, restrictions and frustrations.
20. Shiva: Represents spiritual wisdom and the divine’s blessings.
21. Siddha: Indicates fulfilment, perfection, and spiritual attainment.
22. Sadhya: Signifies achievements and goal completion.
23. Shubha: Denotes auspiciousness, positivity and favourable outcomes.
24. Shukla: Symbolises purity, clarity and brightness.
25. Brahma: Represents creative energy, innovation and intelligence.
26. Indra: Signifies power, authority and leadership qualities.
27. Vaidhriti: Brings obstacles and challenges but gives chances to overcome them.

• Karna (Half-Day)

Karna is an essential element of the Indian Panchang, representing half of a tithi. There are eleven karnas in total, each spanning a specific duration during the lunar month or cycle. The 11 Karnas are further divided into Fixed Karanas and Movable Karanas.

• Fixed Karnas: The fixed karnas do not change their position with the movement of the Sun and Moon and happen only once a month. The four fixed Karnas are Shakuni, Chatushpada, Naga and Kaustuva.
• Movable Karnas: The movable karnas occur eight times a month and change their position with the Moon as it orbits the Earth. The seven movable karnas are Bava, Baklava, Kaulava, Taitila, Gara, Vanija and Vishti.

• Var (Weekday)

The Var, also known as Vara, refers to the seven days of the week. In Panchangam calendar each day is associated with a particular planet(graha) and has its own characteristics and influences.

This element is often considered when planning religious observances and other activities, as it is believed that the ruling planet of the day can influence the result of the undertaken actions.

Timings in Panchang- Auspicious and Inauspicious

Is today auspicious day in Hindu calendar? Luckily, the vedic panchang timings solve this query and guide you to the day's most auspicious and inauspicious timings. By taking note of the timings, you can easily plan their daily activities.

Auspicious Time

Below are all the good or shubh muhurats followed in daily and todays panchang:

• Abhijeet Nakshatra: According to astrology panchang, the Abhijit Nakshatra is considered one of the auspicious times. Many astrologers and pandits consider this time period for starting new tasks, doing auspicious rituals and determining the good time tomorrow for pooja.
• Amrit Kalam: Amrit Kalam is one of the best chogadiya (a period that divides the day into eight parts). Amrit Kalam usually lasts up to one and a half hours and is considered auspicious for doing all kinds of work.

Inauspicious Time

Let us explore what different kinds of inauspicious timings todays panchang follows:

• Gulikai Kalam: The Gulikai Kalam is considered one of the inauspicious times of the day. This period lasts for 1.5 hours and is believed to be unsuitable for performing auspicious activities such as weddings and celebrations. Many people also avoid performing inauspicious activities such as performing the last rites (daah sanskar).
• Yamaganda Kalam: Similar to the Gulikai Kalam, the Yamaganda Kalam lasts for 1.5 hours each day. Associated with Yamaraj (the god of death), this time period signifies the end of a life cycle. For this reason, people perform all death-related activities, such as last rites or cremation, during this time.
• Dur Muhurtam: Dur Muhurtam is yet another inauspicious time period noted in the daily and todays panchanga. This period is calculated based on the time of sunrise on that day and usually lasts up to 48 minutes. As per astrology panchanga, one should avoid starting any new work, business, or deals during this time.
• Varjyam Kalam: Varjyam Kalam is an inauspicious time period that occurs every day and is calculated based on every nakshatra. One should avoid performing marriages, celebrations, annaprashan sanskara, shifting to a new house, or travelling during this time period.
• Rahu Kalam: Rahu Kaalam is an inauspicious period associated with the malefic planet Rahu. This time frame is not suitable for performing any good activities or deeds. However, if the task has already been started, then there is no harm in continuing that. It is advised to avoid beginning a new task or activity during this Rahu Kaal chart muhurat.

Types of Pachangam

Let’s explore the most used types of Panchangams and their significance.

• Dainik Panchang

Dainik Panchang is also known as today's panchang in english. It is a widely used type of Panchangam that provides essential information for a specific day. For example, finding today good time for pooja. It includes details like todays Tithi, Vaar, Nakshatra, Yoga and Karana, sunrise, sunset and other important planetary positions.

• Tomorrow Panchang

Tomorrow Panchangam is similar to Daily Panchang, providing information regarding the essential elements for the upcoming day. It allows people to plan in advance for important events, ceremonies or personal activities. For instance, if a person wants to conduct a pooja the next day, this type of panchangam will help him decide what is the tomorrow good time for pooja.

• Month Panchang

Month Panchang is yet another interesting types of panchangam. This panchang helps people to have an overview of the auspicious and inauspicious days, festivals and other important astrological events for the entire month. One can find all the important Tithis, Muhurats, festivals and Vrats marked for the entire month on the basis of the Hindu Year.

• ISKCON Panchang

ISKCON Panchang is a Panchangam prepared by the famous International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The ISKCON Panchang often includes special dates related to the worship of Lord Krishna and other significant Vaishnava (Hare Krishna) festivals alongside the usual sunrise, sunset, tithis, nakshatras and rashis.

• Chandrabalam

Chandrabalam is an important column for Panchangam that denotes the strength and auspiciousness of the Moon during a particular day. Chandrabalam is divided into five categories, indicating different levels of auspiciousness for today panchanga. This part of the Panchangam enables people to make informed decisions and seek favourable outcomes in goals.

Significance of Panchang

The Panchang meaning in english, holds immense significance and is an integral part of the Hindu culture. This is because it provides information on suitable and unsuitable timings for various activities, such as weddings, religious ceremonies, festivals, housewarming events and naming occasions.

In addition to finding tomorrow good time for pooja, Panchang plays a vital role in Vedic astrology, enabling astrologers to construct accurate horoscopes and make predictions about an individual’s life. In today’s busy world, the online Panchnagam remains a valuable tool for staying connected with traditional values and customs and naturally connecting with the universe.

Uses of Panchang

The Vedic Panchang serves a wide range of essential purposes in Hindu culture, making it a valuable tool for decisions regarding various aspects of life. The primary uses of Panchang include the following:

• Planning Festivals and Religious Observances: It helps in coordinating various festivals according to Lunar and planetary positions, ensuring that they are celebrated on the most appropriate and spiritually important day. You can look for today good time for pooja in online panchangam as well.
• Astrological Guidance: By analysing the birth charts and considering the planets’ positions, people today nakshatra and rashi, look for guidance in career, relationships, health, and spirituality.
• Agricultural Activities: Farmers rely on Panchang to plan their agricultural activities, such as sowing, harvesting and irrigation, to maximise crop yield and agricultural success.
• Health and Well-being: Panchang has a special column called Chandrabalam, which represents the auspiciousness of the Moon and is a daily reminder to take precautions for good health.

Kaal Garna- How To Read Panchang For Muhurat

Muhurat is an auspicious or favourable time or moment carefully chosen for conducting specific activities or events. In the context of Panchang, Muhurat Calculation or Kaal Garna involves the precise selection of a favourable period based on the planets' motion, speed and position. Calculating Muhurat involves the following steps:

1. The first step is to identify the event's purpose for which Muhurat needs to be calculated. Different activities have different astrological requirements, and the Muhurat must be selected accordingly.
2. The Panchang is then consulted to find the desired date for the Tithi, Yoga, today nakshatra and rashi and Karana. These elements are crucial in determining the auspiciousness of Muhurat.
3. The positions of the planets and their influences on the selected date are then considered. This is done to look for beneficial alignments to ensure a favourable Muhurat.
4. Next, malefic planetary periods are identified, and that particular date is avoided for Muhurat. Based on all the considerations, an auspicious Muhurat is selected.