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.
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.
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FAQ
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.