What is Panchang?
Panchang (Sanskrit pañcāṅga, “five limbs”) is the classical Hindu almanac. It describes any given day through five time-elements derived from the positions of the Sun and Moon, and is the basis for fixing festivals, vrat and auspicious timing (muhurta).
The five limbs
A panchang lists five elements for each day: Tithi (lunar day), Nakshatra (the constellation the Moon occupies), Yoga (a Sun–Moon angular combination), Karana (half a tithi) and Vaara (the weekday). Together they fingerprint the day astronomically.
How it is calculated
Every limb is a function of the true (drik) longitudes of the Sun and Moon. A tithi completes each time the Moon gains 12° on the Sun; a nakshatra each 13°20′ of the Moon’s motion. Because the elements are measured from sunrise, the exact tithi and nakshatra in force — and when they change — depend on your date and location.
Why it matters
Festivals and vrat are defined by tithi and nakshatra rules, not by fixed Gregorian dates, so the panchang is what converts a rule like “Chaitra Shukla Pratipada” into an actual calendar date. It also underpins muhurta — choosing an auspicious window for an activity.
Related tools
FAQ
What are the five parts of panchang?
Tithi (lunar day), Nakshatra (lunar mansion), Yoga, Karana and Vaara (weekday).
Does panchang change by location?
Yes. Because the limbs are reckoned from local sunrise, the tithi/nakshatra in force and their transition times shift with longitude and latitude.