Common questions about Hindu Panchang, muhurat timings, and how location affects calculations.
What is Hindu Panchang?+
Panchang is the traditional Vedic almanac with five limbs — Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana, and Vara — used to determine auspicious and inauspicious timings for daily life and rituals.
Why does location matter for Panchang?+
Sunrise, sunset, and muhurat windows depend on your geographic coordinates and timezone. The same calendar date can show different tithi endings in Delhi versus Mumbai or abroad.
What is Rahu Kaal?+
Rahu Kaal is a daily inauspicious period ruled by Rahu. Starting new ventures, travel, or important ceremonies during this window is traditionally avoided.
What is Abhijit Muhurat?+
Abhijit Muhurat is a brief midday window centred on solar noon and considered highly auspicious. It is often used when no other muhurat is available for an important task. Note that Abhijit Muhurat is not observed on Wednesday.
What is Choghadiya and how do I use it?+
Choghadiya divides the day and night into eight time bands each, labelled Amrit, Shubh, Labh, Char, Rog, Kaal, and Udveg. Amrit, Shubh, and Labh are auspicious for starting work, travel, and ceremonies, while Rog, Kaal, and Udveg are best avoided.
How accurate are these Panchang calculations?+
Timings are computed with modern astronomical algorithms using the Lahiri (Chitrapaksha) ayanamsa and your exact latitude, longitude, and timezone. Sunrise, sunset, tithi, and nakshatra transition times are calculated to the minute for your selected location.
What are Rahu Kaal, Yamaganda, and Gulika Kaal?+
These are three inauspicious periods of the day derived from the weekday. Rahu Kaal is the most widely observed; Yamaganda and Gulika Kaal are additional windows during which starting important new work is traditionally avoided.