Understanding Panchangam: Tithi, Nakshatra and Muhurtham

The five limbs

Panchangam means 'five limbs' — tithi, vara, nakshatra, yoga and karana. Together they describe the quality of a given day and help identify auspicious timings.

What matters most day to day

• Tithi — the lunar day, important for vratams and festivals

• Nakshatra — the star, used for personal sankalpam

• Muhurtham — auspicious windows for ceremonies

Regional traditions differ in how these are calculated. A good temple system keeps the regional setting explicit so devotees always see the tradition they follow.