April 3, 2026
What is Panchangam? The Hindu Almanac Explained Simply
Panchangam is the Hindu calendar system with 5 elements: Tithi, Vaaram, Nakshatra, Yogam, and Karanam. Learn what each means and how to read a panchangam.
A Panchangam (పంచాంగం) is the traditional Hindu calendar and almanac used across India for thousands of years. The word comes from Sanskrit: pancha (five) + angam (limb/part) — referring to its five essential components.
The Five Limbs (Pancha Angam)
1. Tithi (తిథి) — Lunar Day
A tithi is the time it takes for the Moon to gain 12° over the Sun. There are 30 tithis in a lunar month — 15 in the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) and 15 in the waning phase (Krishna Paksha). Key tithis include Amavasya (new moon), Pournami (full moon), and Ekadashi (11th day, sacred to Vishnu).
2. Vaaram (వారం) — Day of the Week
The seven days of the week, each ruled by a planet:
- Aadivaram (Sunday) — Surya (Sun)
- Somavaram (Monday) — Chandra (Moon)
- Mangalavaram (Tuesday) — Kuja (Mars)
- Budhavaram (Wednesday) — Budha (Mercury)
- Guruvaram (Thursday) — Guru (Jupiter)
- Shukravaram (Friday) — Shukra (Venus)
- Shanivaram (Saturday) — Shani (Saturn)
3. Nakshatra (నక్షత్రం) — Lunar Mansion
The nakshatra occupied by the Moon at any given time. There are 27 nakshatras, and the Moon spends roughly one day in each. The nakshatra determines the auspiciousness of the day for specific activities.
4. Yogam (యోగం) — Luni-Solar Combination
There are 27 yogams, calculated from the combined longitude of the Sun and Moon. Each yogam has a name and a quality — some are auspicious (like Siddha Yogam), others inauspicious (like Vyatipata).
5. Karanam (కరణం) — Half-Tithi
Each tithi is divided into two karanams, giving 60 karanams in a lunar month. There are 11 types of karanams — 4 fixed and 7 rotating. Karanams help determine fine-grained auspiciousness for activities like travel, trade, and ceremonies.
How to Use a Panchangam
Panchangam is consulted for:
- Muhurta selection — finding auspicious times for weddings, house warmings, starting a business
- Festival dates — most Hindu festivals are based on the lunar calendar, not the solar one
- Daily guidance — knowing the tithi, nakshatra, and yogam helps in planning important activities
- Rahu Kalam and Yamagandam — inauspicious periods to avoid for new beginnings
Why Panchangam Varies by Location
Because panchangam is based on the actual positions of the Sun and Moon as seen from a specific location, the exact timings of tithi changes, nakshatra transitions, and sunrise/sunset differ from city to city. A panchangam calculated for Hyderabad will have slightly different timings than one for Chennai or New York.
Our panchangam tool calculates precise timings for 65+ cities worldwide, so you always get the correct panchangam for your location.