Vedic Nirayana Panchangam Calculator

What is a Vedic Nirayana Panchangam?

The Vedic Nirayana Panchangam is a Hindu astrological calendar that provides important information for timing religious ceremonies and daily activities. It is based on the sidereal zodiac and includes five key elements: Tithi (lunar day), Nakshatra (lunar mansion), Yoga (a combination of solar and lunar movement), Karana (half of a Tithi), and Vara (weekday).

The Components of Panchangam

1. Tithi (Lunar Day): There are 30 Tithis in a lunar month, each approximately 12° of the longitudinal angle between the Sun and Moon.
2. Nakshatra (Lunar Mansion): There are 27 Nakshatras, each spanning 13°20' of the ecliptic.
3. Yoga: There are 27 Yogas, calculated by adding the longitudes of the Sun and Moon.
4. Karana: There are 11 Karanas, each representing half of a Tithi.
5. Vara (Weekday): The seven days of the week, each associated with a celestial body.

Calculation Formulas

The basic formulas for calculating Panchangam elements are:

Tithi:

\[Tithi = \frac{(Moon_{longitude} - Sun_{longitude})}{12°}\]

Nakshatra:

\[Nakshatra = \lfloor\frac{Moon_{longitude}}{13°20'}\rfloor + 1\]

Yoga:

\[Yoga = \frac{(Sun_{longitude} + Moon_{longitude})}{13°20'}\]

Karana:

\[Karana = \frac{Tithi}{2}\]

Where \(Moon_{longitude}\) and \(Sun_{longitude}\) are the celestial longitudes of the Moon and Sun, respectively.

Example Calculation

Let's consider a simplified example (note that actual calculations are much more complex):

• Sun's longitude: 60°
• Moon's longitude: 100°

Tithi calculation:

\[Tithi = \frac{(100° - 60°)}{12°} = 3.33\]

This corresponds to the 4th Tithi (Chaturthi) of the lunar phase.

Nakshatra calculation:

\[Nakshatra = \lfloor\frac{100°}{13°20'}\rfloor + 1 = 7 + 1 = 8\]

This corresponds to the 8th Nakshatra (Pushya).

Visual Representation

This diagram represents the four main elements of the Vedic Nirayana Panchangam, arranged in a circular format to symbolize their cyclical nature in Hindu astrology.