In-depth articles that explain every part of the panchangam from first principles — with worked examples, interactive figures and live calculators. The most thorough Tamil panchangam reference available anywhere.
Core concepts
14Abhijit Muhurtam, the auspicious window at solar noon
Abhijit Muhurtam is the most auspicious period of the day, powerful enough to override Rahu Kalam. Learn what it is, how it is calculated from sunrise and sunset, and when you can rely on it.
8 min readHow to calculate Rahu Kalam yourself, step by step
Learn how to calculate rahu kalam in four steps. All you need is sunrise, sunset and the weekday. Includes figures, a worked example and a calculator you can try with your own city.
8 min readGowri Panchangam: the day's 8 segments explained step by step
Gowri Panchangam divides daylight into 8 segments. Five are auspicious, three are inauspicious. Learn to read the table, find the good windows for your weekday, and understand why durations change with the season.
8 min readWhen there is no good time today, what to do
What do you do when your schedule clashes with every Nalla Neram window? Learn four proven strategies from the Tamil tradition: symbolic start, Abhijit Muhurtam, shift the day, or pick the least compromised slot.
6 min readWhen Nalla Neram and Rahu Kalam overlap, what do you do?
Some weekdays have a good Gowri segment right in the middle of Rahu Kalam. Which one wins? Learn which weekdays have overlap, why it happens, and what the tradition recommends.
7 min readRahu Kalam day by day, every weekday explained
See when rahu kalam falls for each weekday. Monday through Sunday with part number, example time and practical tips. Based on the Tamil eighths rule.
8 min readWhat Rahu Kalam actually applies to, and what it does not
Rahu Kalam does not forbid everything. It governs new beginnings, not everyday routines. Learn what the tradition actually says, with examples of what to avoid and what you can safely do.
7 min readThe 27 Nakshatras, your birth star and the lunar mansions
Nakshatra is panchangam's second limb: the Moon's position in 27 lunar mansions along the sidereal zodiac. Each nakshatra spans 13°20′ and has four quarters (padas). Your birth nakshatra determines your zodiac sign, tarabalam, chandrashtamam, and marriage compatibility. Learn all 27 names, the calculation, and the significance.
11 min readYamagandam, Kuligai and Rahu Kalam, the three avoid-windows
There are three daily inauspicious windows in Tamil tradition, not just one. Learn the difference between Rahu Kalam, Yamagandam and Kuligai, when they fall, how they are calculated, and why the rest of the day is free.
7 min readVara: the weekday and its ruling planet
Vara is the weekday, panchangam's simplest limb. See all seven planetary rulers, the Rahu Kalam and hora connections, and why vara alone needs no calculation.
8 min readWhat is Nalla Neram? The auspicious windows explained
Nalla neram is the five auspicious time windows during the day according to Tamil Gowri Panchangam. Learn what it is, how it is calculated, and how it relates to rahu kalam.
8 min readWhat is Rahu Kalam? The complete explanation from myth to minute
Rahu kalam is the daily time period in Tamil astrology when new beginnings are avoided. Learn what it is, where it comes from, how it is calculated, what it applies to, and what it does not.
9 min readWhat is Tithi, the lunar day that governs the Hindu calendar
Tithi is the most important element of panchangam: the lunar day defined by the angle between Moon and Sun. 30 tithis per month, two pakshas, and the tithi at sunrise names the day. Learn all 30 names, the calculation, and which tithis matter most.
10 min readYoga and Karana, the two most overlooked elements of the panchangam
Panchangam means five limbs, but most people only check tithi and nakshatra. Learn what yoga (27 types) and karana (11 types) are, how they are calculated, and which are auspicious or inauspicious.
8 min read
Calendar
3Why Do Tamil Festival Dates Move? Solar vs Lunar Calendar Explained
Pongal falls on January 14 every year, but Deepavali drifts between October and November. The reason: Tamil months follow the Sun (sankranti), but festivals and observances follow the Moon (tithi and nakshatra). Learn how the 29.53-day synodic month creates the shift, and how our engine computes both in real time.
9 min readThe Tamil calendar, 12 solar months, 60 Jovian years
The Tamil calendar is a sidereal solar calendar: its 12 months follow the Sun's path through the zodiac, and each year belongs to a 60-name Jovian cycle (samvatsara). Learn all 12 months, when they start, why they vary in length, and how the year's name is determined.
10 min readValarpirai and Theipirai: the two fortnights of the Tamil month
The Tamil lunar month splits into two fortnights: Valarpirai (Shukla Paksha, waxing, tithi 1–15) and Theipirai (Krishna Paksha, waning, tithi 16–30). Learn how the two pakshas govern observances, auspiciousness, and the amanta vs purnimanta month-counting systems.
8 min read
Calendar structure
2Puthandu, Tamil New Year
Puthandu is Tamil New Year, falling on Chithirai 1, the day the Sun enters the sidereal sign Mesha (Aries). Learn why the date is so stable, how it differs from Ugadi and Gudi Padwa, and the traditions that mark the day.
9 min readThe 60-year Tamil cycle, from Prabhava to Akshaya
Every Tamil year carries a name, not just a number. The 60-year Brihaspati cycle assigns each year one of 60 Sanskrit names, from Prabhava to Akshaya, before repeating. Learn why the cycle is 60 years long, see all 60 names, and find out which year we are in now.
10 min read
How it works
2How this panchangam is calculated, step by step, fully open
This calendar uses no hidden API or copied tables. Here we explain every step: the NOAA solar algorithm, the Meeus lunar model, the Lahiri ayanamsa, and how the five panchangam elements are computed, so you can verify it yourself.
11 min readThirukanitham and Vakya, the two panchangam traditions
Tamil panchangam comes in two traditions: Vakya uses inherited verse tables, Thirukanitham computes from modern astronomy. Learn the difference, why it matters, and which method this calendar uses.
10 min read
Your sign
2Chandrashtamam, the days when the Moon is against you
Chandrashtamam is the 2–3 days each month when the Moon transits your 8th zodiac sign. Learn what it is, how it is calculated from your birth nakshatra, what to avoid, and when it next affects you.
7 min readTarabalam, the 9 taras and what each means for you
Tarabalam reveals whether a day is favourable for you based on your birth nakshatra. Learn the 9 taras, how they are calculated, and what they mean for planning important events.
7 min read
Daily guidance
3How to read panchangam step by step, decode your own day
A practical guide that walks through every element of a panchangam entry: vara (weekday), tithi (lunar day), nakshatra (star), yoga, and karana. Includes a worked example and personal checks like tarabalam and rahu kalam.
9 min readRasi Palan, how to read today's Moon transit forecast
Rasi palan is the daily forecast in Tamil astrology based on the Moon's transit relative to your birth sign (janma rashi). Learn what it is, how it differs from Western horoscopes, and how we compute it astronomically.
8 min readTarabalam or chandrabalam, which should you check?
Tarabalam and chandrabalam both assess whether the Moon's position is favourable for you. Learn the difference, when to check which, and why chandrashtamam always takes priority.
7 min read
Birth star
5Find your birth nakshatra from your birth date
Your birth nakshatra (janma nakshatra) is the nakshatra the Moon occupied at your exact moment of birth. Learn how to find it from your birth date, time, and place, what the pada means, and how nakshatra differs from rashi and lagnam.
8 min readLagnam, the ascendant and why birth time matters
Lagnam is the rashi (zodiac sign) rising on the eastern horizon at the exact moment and place of birth. It changes roughly every 2 hours, making it the most time-sensitive element of the birth chart. Learn what lagnam is, how it is calculated, and why it is critical for jathakam and muhurtham.
8 min readWhat your nakshatra says about you, characteristics of all 27 birth stars
Each of the 27 nakshatras carries a ruling deity, ruling planet, symbol, gana (deva, manushya, or rakshasa), and traditional character qualities. Explore the complete reference, from Ashwini to Revathi, and understand what your birth star reveals according to classical Jyotish.
10 min readNakshatra Pada, the star's four quarters
Each of the 27 nakshatras is divided into four padas (quarters) of 3 degrees 20 minutes. The 108 padas correspond to the 108 navamsas in the D-9 chart and determine the naming syllable at namakaranam. Complete reference table of all 108 padas, navamsa rashis, and syllables.
7 min readRashi vs Western Zodiac, Why They Don't Match
Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac fixed to equinoxes. Tamil and Vedic astrology use the sidereal zodiac fixed to actual star positions. The gap, called ayanamsa, is about 24 degrees today, so most people shift back by one sign. Learn why your Western sign and your Jyotish rashi disagree, and what each system actually measures.
8 min read
Auspicious timing
5Starting a business at the right time - Tamil muhurtham for new ventures
Opening a shop, signing a partnership, making the first sale - Tamil tradition times every business beginning by muhurtham. Learn which panchangam elements matter, how business muhurthams differ from wedding muhurthams, and practical advice for diaspora entrepreneurs.
8 min readGriha Pravesam, choosing the right time to enter your new home
Griha pravesam is the Tamil house-warming ceremony, the formal first entry into a new home at an auspicious muhurtham. Learn the three types, which panchangam elements govern timing, preferred months and nakshatras, the milk-boiling ritual, and how diaspora families adapt the ceremony.
9 min readNamakaranam, the Tamil naming ceremony and how the birth star guides the name
Namakaranam is the traditional Hindu naming ceremony. In Tamil tradition, the baby's name is chosen based on the birth nakshatra and pada, each of the 27 nakshatras has designated starting syllables. Learn the ceremony, the full syllable table, timing, and modern practice.
8 min readSuba Muhurtham, choosing the right time for a Tamil wedding
Suba muhurtham is the narrow auspicious time window when all five panchangam elements align for a Tamil wedding. Learn which tithis, nakshatras, yogas, karanas, and weekdays favour weddings, which Tamil months to prefer, and how families plan 6-12 months ahead.
10 min readTravel muhurtham, when to start a journey according to Tamil tradition
Yatra muhurtham is the Tamil practice of choosing an auspicious departure time for important journeys. Learn how Rahu Kalam, tarabalam, chandrashtamam, and weekday direction rules determine whether your departure time is favourable.
7 min read
Horoscope matching
5Dina, Gana, Yoni and Rasi Porutham in Depth
Dina porutham tests star compatibility, Gana matches temperament, Yoni compares animal symbols, and Rasi evaluates zodiac positions. Learn the calculation method, tables and exceptions for each of the four poruthams.
9 min readWhen horoscopes don't match, what do you do?
When jathagam porutham gives a low score or a critical porutham like Rajju fails, families face a difficult decision. This article explains what 'not matching' really means, what pariharam options exist, and how a deeper horoscope analysis can reveal compatibility that the simpler 10-porutham system misses.
7 min readPorutham vs Gun Milan, two systems for horoscope compatibility, one answer
South Indian porutham (10 checks) and North Indian Gun Milan / Ashtakoota (8 dimensions, 36 points) serve the same goal: checking horoscope compatibility before marriage. Both use the 27 nakshatras but weight and calculate differently. Learn the differences, see the side-by-side comparison, and find out which system your family should follow.
7 min readRajju Porutham, the one you cannot compromise on
Rajju porutham checks whether the bride and groom's birth nakshatras belong to different rajju (life-cord) groups. Learn the five rajju segments, the complete 27-nakshatra mapping, why rajju is the most non-negotiable of the ten poruthams, and which exceptions are recognised.
7 min readThe 10 poruthams explained, the complete system for horoscope matching
Porutham is the Tamil system for checking horoscope compatibility before marriage. Learn all 10 poruthams, Dina, Gana, Mahendra, Stree Deergha, Yoni, Rasi, Rasi Adhipathi, Vasya, Rajju, and Vedhai, with calculation methods, importance levels, and practical guidance for families.
10 min read
Observances & fasts
7Amavasai and Pournami, new moon and full moon in the Tamil calendar
Amavasai (new moon) and Pournami (full moon) mark the two endpoints of the lunar month. Learn about tarpanam, ancestor rituals, temple visits, and how these two days are computed from the Moon–Sun angle.
10 min readFestival vs muhurtham, when is it a date, and when is it a time?
A Tamil festival (pandigai) is a date. A muhurtham is a precise time window. These two concepts are frequently conflated, but they govern entirely different decisions. Learn the difference, when each applies, and how the panchangam's five elements determine them.
9 min readKarthigai Deepam, the nakshatra-based festival of lights
Karthigai Deepam is the Tamil festival of lights, falling when the Karthigai nakshatra (Krittika/Pleiades) prevails during the full moon in Karthigai month. Learn about the monthly and annual observance, the Maha Deepam at Tiruvannamalai, and how it differs from Deepavali.
9 min readWhat is Sankatahara Chaturthi, Ganesha's monthly obstacle-remover day
Sankatahara Chaturthi is the 4th tithi of krishna paksha (waning moon), Ganesha's monthly fasting day. Learn why it falls only once a month, how the fast is broken after moonrise, and how it differs from the annual Vinayaka Chaturthi festival.
9 min readWhat is Ekadasi, the eleventh-day fast
Ekadasi is the 11th tithi of each lunar fortnight, the most widely observed fasting day in the Hindu calendar. Learn when it falls, why there are two per month, the most famous Ekadasi names, and how the timing depends on your city.
10 min readWhat is Pradosham, Shiva's twilight worship
Pradosham is the 13th tithi of each fortnight, an evening dedicated to Shiva worship in the twilight window (pradosha kala). Learn about the seven types of Pradosham, Maha Pradosham, Sani Pradosham, and how the timing is computed.
9 min readWhat is Sashti, Murugan's sacred sixth day
Sashti is the 6th tithi of each fortnight, dedicated to Lord Murugan (Kartikeya). Learn about the monthly fast, Skanda Sashti festival, Subramanya Sashti, and how the date is computed from the Moon–Sun angle.
9 min read
Tamil diaspora
3Tamil festivals abroad, same date, different sunrise
Do you celebrate Deepavali and Pongal on the same day in London as in Chennai? Yes, but the sunrise is different. Learn why the festival date is global, which rituals depend on your local time, and how to adapt.
9 min readPanchangam abroad: what changes and what does not
Using a panchangam from Tamil Nadu while living abroad? Some elements still apply. Others do not. See exactly what follows your location and what stays the same worldwide, with numbers from three cities on the same day.
9 min readRahu Kalam abroad: why your time is not the same as in Chennai
Rahu kalam follows sunrise where you actually are. See why the window falls at a different clock time in London or Toronto than in Chennai, with figures, a worked example and a calculator for your own city.
9 min read