What is Panchang?
Panchang (also spelled Panchangam) is the traditional Hindu calendar and almanac. "Pancha" means five and "Anga" means limb — it has five elements: Tithi (lunar day), Vara (weekday), Nakshatra (star), Yoga, and Karana. Consulting the Panchang before starting any important work is an essential part of Vedic tradition.
Why Check Daily Panchang?
The Panchang helps you choose auspicious timings for marriage, business launch, travel, property purchase, and other important life events. It also warns about inauspicious periods like Rahu Kaal and Yamaganda when important activities should be avoided.
The Five Elements of Panchang
1. Tithi (Lunar Day): There are 30 Tithis in a lunar month — 15 in Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) and 15 in Krishna Paksha (waning moon). Each Tithi has specific qualities and is suitable for different activities.
2. Vara (Weekday): Each day of the week is ruled by a planet — Sunday (Sun), Monday (Moon), Tuesday (Mars), Wednesday (Mercury), Thursday (Jupiter), Friday (Venus), Saturday (Saturn). The ruling planet influences the day's energy.
3. Nakshatra (Lunar Mansion): The Moon transits through 27 Nakshatras in a month. Each Nakshatra has unique qualities affecting agriculture, travel, business, and ceremonies.
4. Yoga (Luni-Solar Day): There are 27 Yogas formed by the combined longitude of Sun and Moon. Some Yogas like Vishkumbha and Vajra are inauspicious, while Siddha and Shubha are auspicious.
5. Karana (Half Tithi): Each Tithi has two Karanas. There are 11 Karanas total — 7 moveable (Chara) and 4 fixed (Sthira).
Rahu Kaal — When to Avoid Important Work
Rahu Kaal is a daily period of approximately 90 minutes considered inauspicious for starting new ventures. It occurs at different times each day: Monday 7:30-9am, Tuesday 3-4:30pm, Wednesday 12-1:30pm, Thursday 1:30-3pm, Friday 10:30am-12pm, Saturday 9-10:30am, Sunday 4:30-6pm (approximate, varies by location).
Abhijit Muhurta — The Auspicious Midday Period
Abhijit Muhurta is a highly auspicious period occurring around solar noon each day. It lasts approximately 48 minutes and is considered one of the most powerful times for starting important work, except on Wednesdays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which Panchang is most accurate?
A: COSMIQ PRO uses astronomical calculations based on your exact location for maximum accuracy.
Q: Is Panchang different for different cities?
A: Yes — sunrise-based calculations like Rahu Kaal and Hora vary by location. COSMIQ PRO personalizes Panchang to your city.
Q: What is the difference between Panchang and Calendar?
A: The Gregorian calendar is solar-based. Panchang is lunisolar — tracking both Sun and Moon positions for astrological significance.