Panchang Glossary
Key Vedic astronomy terms used in the Hindu Panchang — what they mean and why they matter.
Tithi
तिथि
A tithi is one of 30 lunar days in a Hindu lunar month, determined by the angular distance between the Sun and Moon.
Nakshatra
नक्षत्र
A nakshatra is one of 27 lunar mansions that the Moon transits through during its sidereal orbit.
Yoga
योग
A yoga is one of 27 luni-solar combinations formed by adding the longitudes of the Sun and Moon.
Karana
करण
A karana is half of a tithi — there are 11 karanas that cycle through the lunar month in a fixed pattern.
Rahu Kaal
राहु काल
Rahu Kaal is an inauspicious 90-minute window each day ruled by the shadow planet Rahu, widely avoided for new beginnings.
Choghadiya
चौघड़िया
Choghadiya divides daylight and nighttime into 8 slots each, classifying them as auspicious, neutral, or inauspicious.
Paksha
पक्ष
A paksha is a lunar fortnight — Shukla Paksha (waxing, bright half) or Krishna Paksha (waning, dark half).
Muhurat
मुहूर्त
A muhurat is an auspicious time window selected by analyzing the alignment of tithi, nakshatra, yoga, karana, and planetary positions.
Sunrise & Sunset
सूर्योदय-सूर्यास्त
Precise sunrise and sunset times anchor the entire panchang system — all daily time divisions begin from the moment of sunrise.
See these terms in action on today's city panchang pages.