What a Tithi Means
A Tithi (lunar day) is one step in the Moon's month. It is not the same as a civil date. A civil date runs from midnight to midnight. A Tithi runs by the angle between Chandra (Moon) and Surya (Sun).[1]
Each Tithi spans 12 degrees of Sun-Moon distance. When the Moon moves another 12 degrees away from the Sun, the next Tithi begins.[1] This is why the start and end times shift each day. One Tithi may end in the morning. Another may end late at night.
The Panchang reads the Tithi active at sunrise for daily use.[2] That is why your city matters. Delhi sunrise and Chennai sunrise are not the same. For a month view, use the full tithi calendar for the month. For today's five limbs, open the complete aaj ka panchang.
The 15 Tithi Names
The same 15 names repeat in both halves of the lunar month. They run once in Shukla Paksha (waxing fortnight). They run again in Krishna Paksha (waning fortnight).
| Tithi | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pratipada | A first step. Good for setting the month in motion. |
| Dwitiya | A pair or bond. Good for support and shared work. |
| Tritiya | Skill and growth. Good for craft, study, and planning. |
| Chaturthi | Obstacle work. Good for prayer before hard tasks. |
| Panchami | Learning and grace. Good for study and calm choices. |
| Shashthi | Care and strength. Good for health and protection prayers. |
| Saptami | Sun force. Good for energy, travel, and clear action. |
| Ashtami | Deep power. Good for discipline and inner work. |
| Navami | Brave action. Good for effort and firm decisions. |
| Dashami | Completion. Good for wins, duty, and public work. |
| Ekadashi | Fasting and prayer. Best known for Sri Vishnuji vrat (fasting vow). |
| Dwadashi | Rest and return. Good for ending a fast well. |
| Trayodashi | Clean-up and worship. Known for Pradosh (twilight worship) in the evening. |
| Chaturdashi | Release. Good for strong prayer and closing old weight. |
| Purnima or Amavasya | Full moon or new moon. Good for prayer and family rites. |
Why Tithi Matters
Most Hindu fasts and festivals follow Tithi, not the English date.[3] Ekadashi (11th lunar day) is kept twice each lunar month. Chaturthi (4th lunar day) is used for Sri Ganeshji prayers. Purnima (full moon) and Amavasya (new moon) guide many family rites.
This is why festival dates move each year. Diwali, Holi, Guru Purnima, and Maha Shivaratri follow the Moon. The Gregorian calendar follows the Sun. The two systems do not line up in the same way each year.
For event timing, Tithi is only one part. Nakshatra (lunar mansion), Yoga, Karana, Vara (weekday), Rahu Kaal (inauspicious window), and Choghadiya (daily time window) also matter. Check aaj ka choghadiya for quick day windows. Use the muhurat (auspicious moment) finder for major work.
Shukla and Krishna Paksha
Paksha means a fortnight. Shukla Paksha (waxing fortnight) is the bright half. It starts after Amavasya and moves toward Purnima. The Moon grows brighter each night.[4] This half often supports new starts, study, buying, and family work.
Krishna Paksha (waning fortnight) is the dark half. It starts after Purnima and moves toward Amavasya. The Moon grows smaller each night.[4] This half often supports clean-up, prayer, quiet work, and finishing old tasks.
Neither Paksha is bad. They serve different needs. Shukla Paksha builds. Krishna Paksha releases. A good Panchang reading asks what you are trying to do, then checks the day's Tithi with the full sky.
Sources & References
- [1]Surya Siddhanta, Surya Siddhanta (8th century CE), Ch. 2
- [2]Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (classical Sanskrit tradition), Ch. 24
- [3]Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (classical Sanskrit tradition), Ch. 86
- [4]Government of India, Rashtriya Panchang and Classical Panchang Tradition (1957)