Learn · Panchang & muhurta

What is Nakshatra?

A nakshatra is one of the 27 lunar mansions — equal 13°20′ divisions of the 360° zodiac. The nakshatra of a given moment is simply the one the Moon is passing through.

27OF 13°20′ EACHTHE MOON CROSSES ONE IN ABOUT A DAY1PADA2PADA3PADA4PADAAshwini0° to 13°20′4 PADAS OF 3°20′the pada is what names a child (naam akshar)27 × 4 = 108PADAS AROUND THE ZODIAC
Twenty-seven equal divisions of the Moon’s path; the Moon spends about a day in each, and each is quartered into padas.
Count27, each 13°20′ of the ecliptic
Padas4 per nakshatra, 3°20′ each
The Moon crosses onein about a day
Setsthe birth star, the naam akshar, muhurta

27 mansions, 4 padas each

The zodiac is split into 27 nakshatras from Ashwini to Revati; each is further divided into four padas (quarters) of 3°20′. The Moon crosses roughly one nakshatra per day.

How it is found

Take the Moon’s sidereal longitude and divide by 13°20′; the integer part gives the nakshatra and the remainder the pada. Like all panchang limbs it is read at sunrise and its end-time is when the Moon leaves that segment.

Where it is used

The birth nakshatra fixes the first syllable of a traditional name and the Vimshottari dasha sequence. Certain nakshatras (the Gand Mool group) and combinations with weekdays create special muhurtas such as Ravi/Guru Pushya.

Related

Today’s Nakshatra Muhurat dates Kundali

Questions

How many nakshatras are there?

27 lunar mansions, each spanning 13°20′ of the zodiac and divided into four padas.

What is a pada?

A quarter of a nakshatra (3°20′). The Moon’s pada refines its position and is used in naming and chart calculations.