Plain-language guides to the panchang, tithi, nakshatra, Rahu Kaal, Choghadiya, vrats and festivals. Every article is written for families, not for astrologers.
What is Panchang? The Five Limbs ExplainedWhat a Hindu panchang is, its five parts (tithi, vara, nakshatra, yoga, karana), how to read it and how to use it every day.Tithi: The 30 Lunar Days of the Hindu CalendarWhat tithi means, how it is calculated, the 15 tithis of Shukla and Krishna paksha, why a tithi can last 19 to 26 hours, and tithi kshaya and vriddhi.The 27 Nakshatras: Names, Lords and MeaningList of all 27 nakshatras with ruling planet and deity, how the Moon's nakshatra is found, and which nakshatras are good for what.Yoga in Panchang: The 27 Nitya YogasWhat yoga means in a panchang (not the exercise), how it is calculated and the 27 yogas, with the nine that are generally avoided.Karana in Panchang: 11 Karanas and Bhadra (Vishti)What karana means, the 7 repeating and 4 fixed karanas, why Vishti (Bhadra) is avoided, and how it affects Raksha Bandhan and Holika Dahan.Rahu Kaal: Meaning, Calculation and What to AvoidWhat Rahu Kaal is, how it is calculated from sunrise and sunset, the weekday table, what to avoid and what is fine, with Yamaganda and Gulika.Choghadiya: Meaning, the 7 Types and How to Use ThemWhat Choghadiya is, the seven types (Amrit, Shubh, Labh, Char, Udveg, Rog, Kaal), how the day and night order works, and which time to pick for what.Abhijit Muhurat: Meaning, Time and When to Use ItWhat Abhijit Muhurat is, how its time is calculated around midday, why it is called the most auspicious time of the day, and when it is not used.Hindu Months: Amanta vs Purnimanta, Adhika Maas and SamvatThe 12 Hindu months from Chaitra to Phalguna, the difference between Amanta and Purnimanta systems, Adhika Maas, and Vikram and Shaka Samvat.Ekadashi Vrat: Complete Guide to Rules, Vidhi, Parana and FoodA complete guide to Ekadashi fasting: why it is kept, vrat rules, puja vidhi, what to eat and avoid, parana time, Smarta and Vaishnava dates and who can skip.Pradosh Vrat: Meaning, Puja Vidhi, Katha and BenefitsA guide to Pradosh Vrat for Lord Shiva: what it is, the Pradosh Kaal puja time, vidhi, the types by weekday and the story behind it.Sankashti Chaturthi: Vrat Vidhi, Moonrise and KathaA guide to Sankashti Chaturthi for Lord Ganesha: what it is, how the fast is kept, why moonrise matters, Angarki Sankashti and the story.Pitru Paksha: Meaning, Dates, Shraddha and Tarpan RulesWhat Pitru Paksha is, how shraddha dates are decided by the tithi of passing, tarpan and pind daan, what to do and avoid, and Sarva Pitru Amavasya.
Ekadashi stories
Kamada EkadashiVaruthini EkadashiMohini EkadashiApara EkadashiNirjala EkadashiYogini EkadashiDevshayani EkadashiKamika EkadashiShravana Putrada EkadashiAja EkadashiParsva EkadashiIndira EkadashiPapankusha EkadashiRama EkadashiDevutthana EkadashiUtpanna EkadashiMokshada EkadashiSaphala EkadashiPausha Putrada EkadashiShattila EkadashiJaya EkadashiVijaya EkadashiAmalaki EkadashiPapmochani EkadashiPadmini EkadashiParama Ekadashi