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Why the same tithi can fall on two calendar days — and how the correct observation day is determined
A tithi lasts ~23 hours 37 minutes, which rarely aligns with a 24-hour solar day. When a tithi spans two calendar days, the question arises: on which day should the festival be observed? The answer depends on the Kala (time window) associated with each festival.
Default rule. The tithi prevailing at sunrise determines the day. Used for: Holi, Hanuman Jayanti, Dussehra, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj.
Middle 1/5th of daytime (~10:45 AM – 1:30 PM). Used when the deity was born at midday. Festivals: Ram Navami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Akshaya Tritiya, Hartalika Teej.
Sunset to ~96 minutes after (4 ghatis). For lamp-lighting and evening worship. Festivals: Diwali (Lakshmi Puja), Dhanteras, Karwa Chauth.
The 8th muhurta of the night (~11:40 PM – 12:28 AM). Deities associated with the deep night. Festivals: Janmashtami (Krishna born at midnight), Maha Shivaratri, Narak Chaturdashi.
4 ghatis (~96 min) before sunrise. For pre-dawn ritual baths and purification. Used for: Narak Chaturdashi (Abhyang Snan), Chhath Puja.