Panchang literally means "five limbs," and it refers to the five elements that together describe the astrological quality of any given day. The first is Tithi, the lunar day, based on the angular distance between the Sun and Moon; there are thirty Tithis in a lunar month, from Pratipada to Amavasya or Purnima. The second is Vara, the weekday, each ruled by a planet.
The third limb is Nakshatra, the lunar mansion the Moon occupies that day. The fourth is Yoga, one of twenty-seven combinations derived from the joint longitude of the Sun and Moon, with names like Siddhi (accomplishment) or Vyaghata (obstruction). The fifth is Karana, half of a Tithi, of which there are eleven types.
Together these five factors tell a practitioner whether a day is suitable for a particular purpose. The Panchang also lists sunrise and sunset, Rahu Kaal, festival dates, and planetary sign changes. For centuries it has been the everyday reference for Hindu households, and it remains the backbone of Muhurat selection and daily horoscope calculation.
This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Vedic astrology is a traditional belief system; nothing here is medical, legal, or financial advice.
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