Loading...
Loading...
The first and most important limb of the Panchang — the angular relationship between Sun and Moon that shapes every ritual, festival, and muhurta in Hindu tradition.
A Tithi is a lunar day — the time it takes for the Moon to gain 12 degrees of angular distance ahead of the Sun. Unlike solar days which are based on Earth's rotation, tithis are purely luni-solar: they measure the ever-changing geometric relationship between our two luminaries. There are 30 tithis in a lunar month, 15 in the waxing half (Shukla Paksha) and 15 in the waning half (Krishna Paksha). Each tithi has its own deity, planetary ruler, category, and suitability for different activities.
The angular distance between the Moon and Sun (Moon° − Sun°) ranges from 0° to 360°. Dividing this by 12° gives the tithi number. At New Moon (Amavasya), this distance is 0°. At Full Moon (Purnima), it is 180°. The Moon moves approximately 13.2° per day while the Sun moves about 1°, so the Moon gains roughly 12° daily — almost exactly one tithi per day.
D = (Moon_longitude - Sun_longitude + 360) mod 360
Tithi_number = floor(D / 12) + 1
If Tithi 1-15 → Shukla Paksha
If Tithi 16-30 → Krishna Paksha
Tithi changes when D crosses the next multiple of 12°
Suppose the Moon is at sidereal longitude 87.5° and the Sun is at 42.3°. The angular difference = 87.5 − 42.3 = 45.2°. Dividing by 12°: 45.2 / 12 = 3.767. Taking floor + 1 = 4. So the running tithi is Shukla Chaturthi (the 4th tithi). The tithi will end when the difference reaches 48° (4 × 12°).
Moon = 87.5\u00b0, Sun = 42.3\u00b0
D = (87.5 - 42.3 + 360) mod 360 = 45.2\u00b0
Tithi = floor(45.2 / 12) + 1 = floor(3.767) + 1 = 3 + 1 = 4 (Shukla Chaturthi)
Tithi ends when D = 48° (4 × 12°)
From New Moon to Full Moon. The Moon grows brighter each night. Angular distance: 0° to 180°. Considered more auspicious for new beginnings, expansive activities, and celebrations.
From Full Moon to New Moon. The Moon wanes each night. Angular distance: 180° to 360°. Suited for introspective work, remedies, Pitri karmas, and dissolution-oriented activities.
Each tithi has a presiding deity and a planetary lord. The deity governs the spiritual quality of the day, while the planetary lord influences its material effects. These associations are consistent across both Shukla and Krishna Paksha (e.g., Pratipada is always ruled by Agni/Sun, whether waxing or waning).
| # | Tithi | Deity | Planet | Category | Degrees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pratipada | Agni | Sun | Nanda | 0\u00b0\u201312\u00b0 |
| 2 | Dwitiya | Brahma | Moon | Bhadra | 12\u00b0\u201324\u00b0 |
| 3 | Tritiya | Gauri | Mars | Jaya | 24\u00b0\u201336\u00b0 |
| 4 | Chaturthi | Ganesha | Mercury | Rikta | 36\u00b0\u201348\u00b0 |
| 5 | Panchami | Sarpa (Nagas) | Jupiter | Purna | 48\u00b0\u201360\u00b0 |
| 6 | Shashthi | Kartikeya | Venus | Nanda | 60\u00b0\u201372\u00b0 |
| 7 | Saptami | Surya | Saturn | Bhadra | 72\u00b0\u201384\u00b0 |
| 8 | Ashtami | Rudra | Rahu | Jaya | 84\u00b0\u201396\u00b0 |
| 9 | Navami | Durga | Mars | Rikta | 96\u00b0\u2013108\u00b0 |
| 10 | Dashami | Dharma | Sun | Purna | 108\u00b0\u2013120\u00b0 |
| 11 | Ekadashi | Vishnu | Moon | Nanda | 120\u00b0\u2013132\u00b0 |
| 12 | Dwadashi | Vishnu | Mercury | Bhadra | 132\u00b0\u2013144\u00b0 |
| 13 | Trayodashi | Kamadeva | Jupiter | Jaya | 144\u00b0\u2013156\u00b0 |
| 14 | Chaturdashi | Shiva | Saturn | Rikta | 156\u00b0\u2013168\u00b0 |
| 15 | Purnima | Chandra | Venus | Purna | 168\u00b0\u2013180\u00b0 |
The 30 tithis are classified into five groups of six, cycling in a fixed pattern: Nanda, Bhadra, Jaya, Rikta, Purna. Every 1st/6th/11th is Nanda, every 2nd/7th/12th is Bhadra, and so on. Each category has a distinct character that profoundly affects muhurta selection.
Auspicious. Good for celebrations, starting education, religious ceremonies, marriage negotiations, and joyful gatherings.
Benefic. Favorable for house construction, purchasing property, agriculture, long-term investments, and activities seeking stability.
Mixed to strong. Good for competitive activities, legal battles, overcoming enemies, sports, and assertive undertakings.
Inauspicious. Avoid starting new ventures, marriages, and auspicious ceremonies. Suitable for destructive activities: demolition, clearing debts, ending contracts, and tantric remedies.
Highly auspicious. Excellent for completing tasks, fulfilling promises, grand celebrations, charity, and spiritual practices. Purnima (15th) and Panchami (5th) are particularly powerful.
The 30th tithi when Sun and Moon are conjunct (0° separation). The darkest night. Sacred to the Pitris (ancestors). Tarpanam (ancestral offerings), Shani and Rahu remedies, and Tantric sadhana are especially potent. New ventures and auspicious ceremonies are generally avoided. However, Deepawali Amavasya (Kartik) is an exception where Lakshmi puja is performed.
The 15th tithi of Shukla Paksha when Sun and Moon are in exact opposition (180°). The brightest night. Considered the most auspicious tithi overall. Satya Narayan Vrat, Guru Purnima, Buddha Purnima, Sharad Purnima, and Holi all fall on Purnima. Excellent for charity, spiritual practices, fasting, and community gatherings.
The most revered fasting tithi, sacred to Lord Vishnu. Both Shukla and Krishna Ekadashis are observed with strict fasting (Nirjala or with fruits). There are 24 named Ekadashis in a year, each with unique significance: Nirjala Ekadashi (Jyeshtha Shukla) is the strictest, Vaikuntha Ekadashi (Margashirsha/Dhanu Shukla) opens the gates of Vaikuntha, and Devshayani/Devuthani Ekadashis mark Vishnu's cosmic sleep cycle. The Dwi-tithi rule applies uniquely here: if Ekadashi is Vriddhi, the second day is observed.
Sacred to Lord Ganesha. Shukla Chaturthi is auspicious (Vinayaka Chaturthi), while Krishna Chaturthi is observed as Sankashti Chaturthi (monthly Ganesha fasting day). The great Ganesh Chaturthi festival falls on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi. Moon sighting on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi is traditionally avoided (Chandra Dosha).
Sacred to Lord Shiva. Krishna Chaturdashi is Maha Shivaratri (the Great Night of Shiva), one of the most important Hindu festivals. Being a Rikta tithi, it is generally inauspicious for worldly activities but supremely powerful for Shiva worship, meditation, and spiritual transformation.
A Kshaya Tithi (elided/skipped tithi) occurs when the Moon moves so fast that an entire 12° segment is traversed between two consecutive sunrises — the tithi begins and ends within the same solar day, so it never "exists" at sunrise. This happens because the Moon's speed varies between ~11.8°/day (at apogee) and ~15.4°/day (at perigee). When the Moon is near perigee and moving rapidly, it can cover more than 12° of elongation in one solar day, causing the next tithi to be "skipped."
Example: Tithi 5 at sunrise → Tithi 7 at next sunrise (Tithi 6 skipped!)
Tithi 6 began and ended between sunrises — it never existed at any sunrise
A Vriddhi Tithi (augmented/repeated tithi) occurs when the Moon moves so slowly that the same tithi spans across three sunrises — it prevails at sunrise on two consecutive days. This happens when the Moon is near apogee. In practice, Kshaya tithis are somewhat rare (a few per year) and Vriddhi tithis occur when the Moon is at its slowest near apogee.
Example: Tithi 9 at sunrise → Tithi 9 again at next sunrise (repeated!)
Moon moved so slowly that two sunrises passed before 12° was covered
When a festival falls on a Vriddhi (repeated) tithi, the question arises: on which of the two days should the observance take place? The Dwi-tithi rule provides the answer. For Ekadashi, the second day is chosen (to ensure the fast extends correctly into Dwadashi for Parana). For all other tithis, the first occurrence is chosen. This rule is critical for determining the correct date of festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Maha Shivaratri, and all Ekadashi observances.
When Ekadashi is Vriddhi, the fast is observed on the second day. This ensures the fast extends correctly into Dwadashi for proper Parana timing.
For Ganesh Chaturthi, Shivaratri, Navaratri, and all other festivals, the first occurrence is chosen when the tithi is Vriddhi.
Tithi is the primary factor in selecting an auspicious moment (muhurta). Different tithis are suited for different activities based on their category, deity, and inherent nature. Here is a practical guide:
| Activity | Good Tithis | Avoid | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage | 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13 | 4, 8, 9, 14, Amavasya | Bhadra and Purna tithis preferred |
| Griha Pravesh | 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13 | 4, 8, 9, 14, Amavasya | Same as marriage; Dwitiya and Dashami excellent |
| Business Start | 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11 | 4, 8, 9, 14 | Nanda tithis bring joy to commerce |
| Education | 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 11 | 4, 9, 14, Amavasya | Panchami (Saraswati) is ideal |
| Surgery | 4, 9, 14 | 8, Amavasya, Purnima | Rikta tithis suit cutting/removal |
| Fasting / Vrat | 11 (Ekadashi), Purnima, Amavasya, 4, 8 | - | Ekadashi for Vishnu, Chaturthi for Ganesha |
| Charity / Dana | Purnima, 5, 10, 11, 15 | 4, 9, 14 | Purna tithis amplify merit |