A Panchang is the traditional Vedic almanac that lists the five limbs of the day — Tithi (lunar day), Vaara (weekday), Nakshatra (lunar mansion), Yoga, and Karana — along with sunrise, sunset, and inauspicious periods like Rahu Kaal.

Rahu Kaal is a roughly 90-minute window each day traditionally considered inauspicious for starting new activities. It is calculated by dividing the time between sunrise and sunset into eight parts; the specific part assigned to Rahu varies by weekday.

Choghadiya splits each day and night into eight ~90-minute slots, each ruled by a planet and classified as auspicious (Amrit, Shubh, Labh), neutral (Chal), or inauspicious (Udveg, Rog, Kaal). It is used to pick a favourable muhurat for an activity.

Does Panchang differ by location?

Yes. Sunrise, sunset, Rahu Kaal, and several time-bound elements depend on your latitude and longitude. AstroVeena computes the Panchang live for your location using Swiss Ephemeris.

What is Abhijit Muhurat?

Abhijit Muhurat is the eighth of the fifteen muhurtas between sunrise and sunset — the roughly 48-minute window straddling solar noon. It is considered universally auspicious for starting important work, capable of removing many doshas, and is observed on every day except, in some traditions, Wednesday.

What is the difference between Vikram Samvat and Shaka Samvat?

Both are Hindu calendar eras. Vikram Samvat is about 57 years ahead of the Gregorian year and is widely used in North India. Shaka Samvat, the era of the Indian national calendar, runs about 78 years behind the Gregorian year. Both increment at Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, the lunar new year in spring.

What are Tara Bala and Chandra Bala?

Tara Bala is the strength of the day’s ruling star (Nakshatra) counted in a nine-fold cycle from your birth or the day’s Moon nakshatra; Vipat, Pratyak and Naidhana taras are inauspicious. Chandra Bala is the strength of the Moon judged by its sign relative to the Moon sign; positions 1, 3, 6, 7, 10 and 11 are considered favourable. Both are used to decide whether a day suits a new undertaking.

Today's Vedic Panchang

The five elements (पञ्चाङ्ग) of the Vedic day — Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana, and Vaara — calculated for your current location and date. Inauspicious periods (Rahu Kaal, Yamaganda, Gulika) are highlighted.

Computing today's Panchang for your location…

The Five Limbs of the Panchang

Panchang (पञ्चाङ्ग) literally means “five limbs” — the five astronomical elements that define the quality of a Vedic day. Each is computed from the precise positions of the Sun and Moon at sunrise for your location.

Tithi तिथि

The lunar day — the time the Moon takes to move 12° ahead of the Sun. There are 30 tithis in a lunar month, split into the waxing Shukla Paksha and the waning Krishna Paksha. Tithi governs the suitability of fasts, vratas and ceremonies.

Vaara वार

The weekday, each ruled by a planet — Sunday by the Sun, Monday by the Moon, and so on. The ruling planet colours the quality of the day and determines timings such as Rahu Kaal and Hora.

Nakshatra नक्षत्र

The lunar mansion — one of 27 star segments of 13°20′ the Moon occupies. The Nakshatra at sunrise shapes the day’s temperament and is central to muhurta (electional) astrology.

Yoga योग

One of 27 combinations derived from the summed longitudes of the Sun and Moon. Certain yogas (such as Vyatipata and Vaidhriti) are avoided for auspicious work.

Karana करण

Half a tithi — there are 11 karanas, of which Vishti (Bhadra) is shunned for new beginnings. Each tithi contains two karanas.

The Hindu Calendar & Samvats

The Vedic calendar is luni-solar. Months are reckoned by the Moon (the Amanta month runs from one new moon to the next) while the year is anchored to the Sun. AstroVeena shows three eras: Vikram Samvat (≈ Gregorian + 57, North India), Shaka Samvat (≈ Gregorian − 78, the national era) and Kali Samvat (≈ Gregorian + 3101). Each lunar year also carries a name from the 60-year Jovian cycle (Samvatsara). When a lunar month contains no solar sankranti it repeats as an Adhik Maas (leap month).

Choosing an Auspicious Time

Abhijit Muhurat, the window around solar noon, is broadly auspicious for beginnings. The day’s inauspicious windows — Rahu Kaal, Yamaganda and Gulika Kaal — are each one-eighth of the daylight, assigned by weekday, and are traditionally avoided for new ventures. Disha Shool marks the direction unfavourable for travel that day. For finer electional timing, consult the day’s Choghadiya and Hora.