What is a Tithi?+
A Tithi (lunar day) is one slot in the Hindu calendar. We measure it from the Moon and Sun. Each Tithi spans 12 degrees between them. A lunar month holds 30 Tithis. Fifteen fall in Shukla Paksha (waxing fortnight). Fifteen fall in Krishna Paksha (waning fortnight). One Tithi lasts 19 to 26 hours. The Moon does not move at a fixed speed.
What are the names of the 30 Tithis?+
The 15 Tithi names repeat in both fortnights. They are Pratipada (1st lunar day), Dwitiya (2nd), Tritiya (3rd), Chaturthi (4th), Panchami (5th), Shashthi (6th), Saptami (7th), Ashtami (8th), Navami (9th), Dashami (10th), Ekadashi (11th lunar day), Dwadashi (12th), Trayodashi (13th), and Chaturdashi (14th). The 15th is Purnima (full moon) in Shukla Paksha. The 15th is Amavasya (new moon) in Krishna Paksha.
What is the difference between Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha?+
Shukla Paksha (waxing fortnight) is the bright half. It runs from new moon to full moon. The Moon grows brighter each day. Krishna Paksha (waning fortnight) is the dark half. It runs from full moon back to new moon. The Moon shrinks each day. We pick Shukla Paksha for new starts. We pick Krishna Paksha for quiet work and finishing tasks.
What is Ekadashi and why is it important?+
Ekadashi (11th lunar day) comes twice each lunar month. It falls once in Shukla Paksha and once in Krishna Paksha. It is the most loved fast day in Hindu life. People keep it for Sri Vishnuji. The fast brings spiritual merit and inner clean-up. There are 24 Ekadashi dates each year. Each one has its own name and meaning.
What is Purnima and Amavasya?+
Purnima (full moon) is the 15th day of Shukla Paksha. The Moon shines full and bright. It is a sacred day for prayer. Amavasya (new moon) is the 15th day of Krishna Paksha. The Moon is hidden from sight. Hindus offer prayers to the ancestors on this day. They call this Pitru Tarpan (offering to forefathers).
What is a Nakshatra and how does it relate to the calendar?+
A Nakshatra (lunar mansion) is one of 27 sky parts. Each one spans 13 degrees and 20 minutes. The Moon moves through one each day. The Nakshatra shows where the Moon sits in the sky. It also shapes the mood of the day. Each Nakshatra has its own god and ruling planet. Some bring luck. Some ask for care.
What is Yoga in the Panchang?+
Yoga in Panchang is not the kind of yoga you do on a mat. It is a sky measure from the Sun and Moon. There are 27 Yogas in all. Each one spans 13 degrees and 20 minutes. Some Yogas are good. Siddhi means success. Shubha means kind energy. Amrit means sweet nectar. Some are tough. Vyatipata and Vaidhriti ask for care.
What is Karana in the Hindu calendar?+
A Karana is a half Tithi. Each Tithi splits into two Karanas. Each one spans 6 degrees of Sun-Moon angle. There are 11 types of Karanas. Seven move in a steady cycle. They are Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, Gara, Vanija, and Vishti. Four are fixed. They are Kimstughna, Shakuni, Chatushpada, and Naga (serpent). Vishti (also called Bhadra) is the only Karana to avoid for new work.
How do Hindu festivals follow the Tithi calendar?+
Most Hindu festivals follow the Tithi and Vedic month (Masa). They do not follow the Gregorian date. Diwali falls on Krishna Amavasya in Kartika (October/November). Holi falls on Phalguna Purnima (February/March). Maha Shivaratri falls on Magha Krishna Chaturdashi. This is why festival dates shift by 10 to 15 days each year. They follow the Moon, not the Sun.
When does Diwali fall? Krishna Chaturdashi or Amavasya?+
Diwali is held on Krishna Amavasya (new moon) of Kartika. But Drik Panchang has a special rule. When Amavasya begins after sunset, the festival is held on the Chaturdashi day. So Diwali can land on either day. Naksham's calendar marks both possible days. Check your local custom for your region.
What is the difference between the Hindu and Gregorian calendar?+
The Gregorian calendar is a Sun calendar. Its months have 28 to 31 fixed days. The Hindu calendar is luni-solar. It uses the Moon for months and the Sun for years. Adhika Masa (extra lunar month) is added when needed. This keeps festivals in their right season. Naksham's engine spots Adhika Masa years on its own.
Does the calendar change based on location?+
The Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, and Karana names stay the same. They come from sky positions, not your city. But sunrise and sunset shift with your city. This changes which Tithi is active at sunrise. It also shifts Rahu Kaal (inauspicious window) and Choghadiya. Naksham reads each tithi from your local sunrise. We follow Drik Panchang convention.
What are Vrats and how do they relate to Tithis?+
Vrats (fasts) are sacred practices tied to set Tithis. Naksham marks all of them on your calendar. Ekadashi Vrat falls on the 11th Tithi (for Vishnu). Pradosh (twilight worship) falls on Trayodashi (for Shiva). Sankashti (obstacle removal) falls on Krishna Chaturthi (for Ganesha). Vinayaka Chaturthi falls on Shukla Chaturthi. Purnima Vrat is for the full moon. Amavasya is for ancestor offerings.
What is Vedic Masa (lunar month) and how is it determined?+
Vedic months come from the Moon's cycle. Each month runs from one Amavasya to the next (Amanta system). The 12 lunar months are Chaitra (March/April), Vaishakha (April/May), Jyeshtha (May/June), Ashadha (June/July), Shravana (July/August), Bhadrapada (August/September), Ashwina (September/October), Kartika (October/November), Margashirsha (November/December), Pausha (December/January), Magha (January/February), and Phalguna (February/March). Naksham adds Adhika Masa (extra lunar month) when the Sun stays in one Rashi for two new moons.
Can I view the calendar for past or future years?+
Yes. Tap the month arrows to move forward or back. Naksham covers any month from 1900 to 2100. Our Vedic math gives accurate sky positions across this whole range. You can plan ahead. You can look up old dates too.
How accurate is this Tithi calendar?+
Naksham gives accurate output within 1 to 2 minutes for India locations. We use the NOAA solar position model. We use Lahiri ayanamsa (sidereal correction). We anchor each tithi to your local sunrise. This follows Drik Panchang and Rashtriya Panchang convention. Our festival rules use Chandra masa (lunar month). The engine spots Adhika Masa on its own. So festivals stay in the right Vedic month.
Which festivals does Naksham auto-detect on the calendar?+
Naksham marks all major Hindu festivals. The list covers Vasant Panchami, Maha Shivaratri, Holi, Ram Navami, Akshaya Tritiya, Vat Savitri, Guru Purnima, Raksha Bandhan, Krishna Janmashtami, Hartalika Teej, Ganesh Chaturthi, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Mahalaya, Vijayadashami, Karva Chauth, Dhanteras, Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj, and Devuthani Ekadashi. The vrats list covers all 24 Ekadashis (with Vaikuntha, Mokshada, Devuthani, Nirjala by name), Sankashti and Angarki Sankashti, and Soma, Bhaum, and Shani Pradosh.
