panchangas

Panchanga, literally “five limbs,” is a traditional Hindu calendar almanac used to track time and plan religious and social activities. Its core comprises five elements: tithi (lunar day), vara (weekday), nakshatra (lunar mansion), yoga (a calculation derived from the Sun and Moon’s longitudes), and karana (half a tithi). A tithi is determined by the moon’s position relative to the sun, a vara by the day of the week, a nakshatra by the Moon’s position in one of the lunar mansions, yoga by a sum of celestial longitudes, and karana by halving a tithi. Some versions also display masa (solar month), rasi (zodiac sign) of the Moon, lagna (ascendant), and sunrise times, along with other astrological indicators.

Panchangas are used to determine muhurta, or auspicious moments, for rites, temple ceremonies, weddings, and other major activities. They may also indicate inauspicious days or periods, such as rahu kala, in certain regional calendars. The system is not monolithic; there are regional variants and naming conventions across India, including Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, and Odia panchangas, each adapting the five limbs to local calendars and observances. Daily panchangas are published in newspapers and calendars, often tailored to local holidays and fasting days.

Origins lie in Hindu astrology and Vedanga Jyotisha, with the five-limb framework forming a core method in traditional timekeeping and omens. The Panchanga remains a widely used reference in daily life, religious rites, and astrological consultations.