Panchanga

Panchanga is a traditional Hindu calendar almanac used in Jyotisha, the Indian system of astrology. The term Panchanga literally means five limbs, reflecting its structure as a five-part framework for tracking time and determining auspicious dates and rites.

The five components are Vara (weekday), Tithi (lunar day), Nakshatra (lunar mansion), Yoga, and Karana. Vara indicates the day of the week. Tithi marks the lunar day, defined by the angular distance between the Sun and Moon, with about 30 tithis in a lunar month. Nakshatra denotes the Moon’s position in one of 27 or 28 lunar mansions, influencing auspiciousness for events. Yoga is a combined measure of the Sun’s and Moon’s longitudes that signals overall auspiciousness for activities. Karana is half a tithi and helps refine the timing window for rituals.

Calculation and use: Panchangas are part of the lunisolar Hindu calendar and are used to determine muhurta (auspicious timings), fasting days, temple rituals, and the dates of festivals. They are consulted daily by households and temples to schedule ceremonies and observances. Regional Panchangas exist across India in languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, and Bengali, and there can be variations in the exact calculations and the ayanamsa (the astronomical alignment adopted) used.

In practice, Panchanga serves as a practical guide for daily rites, pilgrimage timings, and festival planning within the broader tradition of Hindu calendrical and astrological arts.