The nakshatras are 27 equal sections of the ecliptic, each 13°20′ wide. They are named after the star groups behind the Moon's path. The Moon takes about 27.3 days to go round, so it stays in one nakshatra for about a day (from about 19 to 26 hours). Each nakshatra is also divided into four padas (quarters) of 3°20′.
List of the 27 nakshatras
| # | Nakshatra | Ruling planet | Deity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashwini | Ketu | Ashwini Kumaras |
| 2 | Bharani | Venus | Yama |
| 3 | Krittika | Sun | Agni |
| 4 | Rohini | Moon | Brahma |
| 5 | Mrigashira | Mars | Soma |
| 6 | Ardra | Rahu | Rudra |
| 7 | Punarvasu | Jupiter | Aditi |
| 8 | Pushya | Saturn | Brihaspati |
| 9 | Ashlesha | Mercury | Nagas |
| 10 | Magha | Ketu | Pitris |
| 11 | Purva Phalguni | Venus | Bhaga |
| 12 | Uttara Phalguni | Sun | Aryaman |
| 13 | Hasta | Moon | Savitar |
| 14 | Chitra | Mars | Tvashta |
| 15 | Swati | Rahu | Vayu |
| 16 | Vishakha | Jupiter | Indra-Agni |
| 17 | Anuradha | Saturn | Mitra |
| 18 | Jyeshtha | Mercury | Indra |
| 19 | Mula | Ketu | Nirriti |
| 20 | Purva Ashadha | Venus | Apas |
| 21 | Uttara Ashadha | Sun | Vishvedevas |
| 22 | Shravana | Moon | Vishnu |
| 23 | Dhanishtha | Mars | Vasus |
| 24 | Shatabhisha | Rahu | Varuna |
| 25 | Purva Bhadrapada | Jupiter | Aja Ekapada |
| 26 | Uttara Bhadrapada | Saturn | Ahir Budhnya |
| 27 | Revati | Mercury | Pushan |
Types of nakshatra and what suits them
- Dhruva (fixed): Rohini, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha, Uttara Bhadrapada. Good for foundations, house-building, coronations and long-term work.
- Chara (moving): Punarvasu, Swati, Shravana, Dhanishtha, Shatabhisha. Good for travel, buying a vehicle and short-term jobs.
- Kshipra (swift): Ashwini, Pushya, Hasta. Good for trade, medicine, buying and starting a business. Pushya is often called the king of nakshatras.
- Mridu (soft): Mrigashira, Chitra, Anuradha, Revati. Good for arts, friendship, music and engagements.
- Ugra (fierce): Bharani, Magha, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha, Purva Bhadrapada. Better for tough or competitive tasks, not for ceremonies.
- Tikshna (sharp): Ardra, Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Mula. Not recommended for starting auspicious events.
- Mishra (mixed): Krittika, Vishakha. Mixed results.
Gandmool nakshatras
Ashwini, Ashlesha, Magha, Jyeshtha, Mula and Revati are called Gandmool. A child born in these is often given a special Gandmool shanti puja. Our daily panchang shows the nakshatra with its start and end time so you can check this.
Nakshatra in everyday life
Many families note the janma nakshatra (the Moon's nakshatra at birth) for naming a baby, matching horoscopes and picking the first letter of a name. Pushya on a Thursday (Guru Pushya) or Sunday (Ravi Pushya) is considered excellent for buying gold or starting new work.
Questions people ask
How many nakshatras are there?
27, each 13°20′ wide. Some traditions also count a 28th, Abhijit, between Uttara Ashadha and Shravana.
How is the Moon's nakshatra found?
Divide the Moon's sidereal longitude by 13°20′. The whole number plus one gives the nakshatra number.
Which nakshatra is best for buying gold?
Pushya is the most favoured, especially Guru Pushya and Ravi Pushya. Rohini, Hasta and Revati are also considered good.
What is Gandmool?
A group of six nakshatras (Ashwini, Ashlesha, Magha, Jyeshtha, Mula and Revati) at the junction of signs, where a birth is said to need a shanti puja.