Panchanga
The Hindu almanac, built from five astronomical 'limbs' for any given day.
The Panchanga ('five limbs') is the traditional Hindu calendar and almanac. For each day it records five quantities derived from the Sun and Moon: the tithi (lunar day), the vara (weekday), the nakshatra (Moon's mansion), the yoga (a Sun–Moon angle) and the karana (half-tithi).
Together these five describe the astronomical and ritual quality of a day. The Panchanga is the everyday reference for festivals, fasts and especially muhurta — choosing auspicious timing for events like weddings, travel or beginning new work.
Each limb shifts at its own pace, so every day carries a unique combination. Reading a Panchanga well means weighing the five together rather than judging by a single limb, and using it as practical guidance for timing rather than fortune-telling.
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