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Hindu Panchang Guide: Panchangam Meaning, Kalachakra, Ritus, Tithis & Planets

The Panchang is a traditional Hindu calendar used to determine daily planetary positions and their effects. It helps determine favourable and unfavourable timings for activities on a given day, month, or year.

Panchang is prepared for an entire samvatsaram (year) and acts as a daily reference guide.

Purpose of Panchang

The Hindu Panchang demonstrates how planets and celestial bodies influence time and human actions. It guides individuals in determining when to perform or avoid important activities in daily life.

It is commonly used to:

• Identify auspicious timings
• Avoid inauspicious periods
• Plan personal and religious activities

Meaning of Panchangam

The word Panchangam means "five parts" or "five limbs." They are: Tithi, Varam, Nakshatram, Yogam, and Karanam.

Panchang and Almanack

Panchang is similar to an almanack in its purpose. Like an almanack, it provides time-based astronomical and calendrical information used for planning and decision-making.

Panchangam and Siddhanta Bhagam

Panchangam belongs to Siddhanta Bhagam, the branch that explains time, motion, and celestial order. It studies how planetary movements influence matter, nature, and life through time.

Time and Cosmic Processes

All changes in the universe occur within the framework of time. Creation (Srishti), protection (Sthithi), and destruction (Laya) operate under this eternal force. These changes arise from subtle cosmic energy acting on matter.

Planets and Their Speeds in the Zodiac

Kalachakra: The Vedic System of Time

Kalachakra explains the Vedic method of tracking time, also known as Kaala Swaroopa. It describes time as a continuous cycle divided into multiple measurable units.

The twelve units of Vedic time (Kaala Swaroopa) are:

Yugam, Samvatsaram, Ayanam, Ritu, Masam, Paksham, Ahoratram, Yama, Muhurta, Vigati, Prana, Truti

Key Time Units Used in Panchangam

For Panchangam calculations, a smaller set of six time units is commonly used. These units help track time from the annual to the daily level.

Ayanas: The Two Half-Year Periods

Ayanas divide the year into two equal time periods based on the Sun's movement. They indicate the Sun's northward and southward journey.

Ritus: The Six Seasons

The Vedic system recognises six seasons, unlike the four-season system used in Europe. Each Ritu spans two lunar months.

Masam: The Lunar Month

Masam refers to a lunar month in the Panchang system. Twelve lunar months together form one Samvatsaram (year).

The twelve lunar months are:

Chaitra (March–April), Vaisakha (April–May), Jyeshta (May–June), Ashadha (June–July), Sravana (July–August), Bhadrapada (August–September), Aswayuja (September–October), Kartika (October–November), Margasira (November–December), Pushya (December–January), Magha (January–February), Phalguna (February–March)

Solar Months in Panchang

Solar months are based on the Sun's movement through the Zodiac signs. There are twelve solar months in a year for those who follow the solar calendar.

What Is Sankramanam?

A solar month begins when the Sun moves from one Rasi to the next. This transition, occurring roughly every 30 days, is called Rasi Sankramanam. For example, the Sun moving from Meena (Pisces) to Mesha (Aries) is called Mesha Sankramanam. Entry into Vrushabha (Taurus) is called Vrushabha Sankramanam. Each Sankramanam marks the start of a new solar month.

Paksham: The Lunar Fortnight

Paksham refers to a fifteen-day division of the lunar month. Each lunar month is divided into two Pakshas based on the Moon's phases.

Each Paksham consists of fifteen days and plays a key role in Panchang calculations.

How Tithi Is Calculated in Panchang

Tithi in Panchang is calculated using the angular distance between the Sun and the Moon. Each Tithi represents a 12-degree difference in their longitudinal positions.

A full lunar cycle covers 360 degrees and is divided into 30 Tithis. This calculation comes from dividing 360 degrees by 12 degrees.

To calculate a Tithi:

1. Note the Moon's longitudinal position
2. Note the Sun's longitudinal position
3. Subtract the Sun's position from the Moon's position
4. Divide the result by 12 degrees

The resulting value indicates the current Tithi. Tithis are linked to the Moon's phases. Shukla Paksha covers the waxing phase from New Moon to Full Moon, while Krishna Paksha covers the waning phase from Full Moon to New Moon.

Each Paksha contains 15 Tithis. A Tithi does not follow a fixed 24-hour duration and can begin or end at any time of the day.

Panchang Today on Zodiaq

Panchang on Zodiaq gives accurate daily Panchangam details in one place. It helps you check today's tithi, paksha, month, and planetary movements as per the Hindu Panchang.

The online Panchang is updated daily and follows the traditional Panchang calendar system. You can rely on Zodiaq for precise Hindu Panchang information without manual calculations.

Online Panchangam Calendar for Today and Tomorrow

The Panchangam calendar on Zodiaq covers today and tomorrow with clear daily insights. You can view the Panchangam tomorrow to plan with confidence.

This online Panchang includes:

• Daily Panchang details
• Monthly Panchang calendar view
• Easy access to Hindu Panchang dates

The Panchang calendar is designed for quick reference and accurate time-based guidance.