What is the meaning of Panchang? (पंचांग का अर्थ क्या है?)

In Hindu Calendar Panchang is an essential part, which follows traditional units of Hindu rituals, and presents important tithi’s and calculates in a tabulated form. Panchang is always used for Jyotish shastra too.The Panchang is mainly made up of five parts. These five parts are Tithi, Nakshatra, Var, Yoga and Karan. Here in daily panchang, you get information about auspicious time, Rahukal, sunrise and sunset time, date, Karan, constellation, position of Sun and lunar planet, Hindu month and aspect etc.

Five parts of Panchang: Tithi, Var, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karan:

Tithi: According to Hindu period calculation, the time it takes for 'lunar inclinations' to move 12 degrees above the 'sun line' is called the tithi. Tithi names - Pratipada, Dwitiya, Tritiya, Chaturthi, Panchami, Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, Dashami, Ekadashi, Dwadashi, Trayodashi, Chaturdashi, Amavasya / Poornima.

Nakshatra: A star cluster in the sky circle is called Nakshatra. It consists of 27 Nakshatras and nine planets are owned by these Nakshatras. Names of 27 Nakshatras - Ashwin Nakshatra, Bharani Nakshatra, Kritika Nakshatra, Rohini Nakshatra, Mrigashira Nakshatra, Ardra Nakshatra, Punavasu Nakshatra, Pushya Nakshatra, Ashlesha Nakshatra, Magha Nakshatra, Purva Phalphaguni Nakshatra, UttaraphalguniNakshatra, Hasta Nakshatra, Chitra Nakshatra, Swati Nakshatra, Visakha Nakshatra, Anuradha Nakshatra, Jyeshtha Nakshatra, Moola Nakshatra, Purvashada Nakshatra, Uttarashadha Nakshatra, Shravan Nakshatra, Ganda Nakshatra, Shatabhisha Nakshatra, Purvabhadrapada Nakshatra, Uttarabhadra Nakshatra, Uttarabhadra Nakshatra.

Var: Var means day. There are seven heads in a week. These are named after the seven warren planets - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

Yoga: Like the constellation, there are 27 types of yoga. It counts special calculations for the separating distance of the Sun and Moon.

Karan: There are two Karanas on a date. In the first half of a date and in the latter part of a date. There are a total of 11 Karanas whose names are as follows - Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitil, Gar, Vanij, Vishti, Shakuni, Chatushpad, Nag and Kistughan. Vishti Karan is called Bhadra and auspicious work in Bhadra is considered taboo.

The basic purpose of Hindu Panchang is for selecting auspicious moments to check various Hindu festivals and auspicious Muhurta for different reasons.