Panchangam
The Vedic lunar calendar — five elements of sacred time
Generate Monthly Panchangam
What Is a Panchangam?
Panchangam (Sanskrit: पञ्चाङ्गम्, "five limbs") is the traditional Vedic almanac that tracks five interdependent measures of time for each day:
| Element | Sanskrit | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tithi | तिथि | Lunar day — the angular relationship between Sun and Moon (30° = 1 Tithi). There are 30 Tithis in a lunar month. |
| Vara | वार | Weekday — each day ruled by a planet (Sunday = Sun, Monday = Moon, etc.). |
| Nakshatra | नक्षत्र | The lunar mansion occupied by the Moon — one of 27 equal segments of the sky. |
| Yoga | योग | The combined longitude of Sun and Moon divided into 27 equal parts. Each Yoga has a specific quality. |
| Karana | करण | Half a Tithi — 11 types (4 fixed, 7 moveable). Used especially in Muhurtam selection. |
Why the Panchangam Matters
The Panchangam is consulted daily across South and South-East Asia for:
- Selecting auspicious times (Muhurtam) for important activities
- Identifying inauspicious periods (Rahu Kalam, Yama Gandam, Gulika Kalam) to avoid
- Planning religious ceremonies, festivals and rituals
- Understanding the general quality of each day
For Muhurtam selection using the Panchangam, please contact us or see the Muhurtams page.
Inauspicious Periods
Each day has periods traditionally avoided for new undertakings:
- Rahu Kalam — 1.5 hrs ruled by Rahu
- Yama Gandam — 1.5 hrs ruled by Saturn
- Gulika Kalam — 1.5 hrs
Exact times vary by location and date.