Aaj Ki Tithi: What Is Todays Hindu Calendar Day

"Aaj ki tithi kya hai?" — What is today's tithi? — is one of the most-asked questions by anyone planning a puja, wedding, naming ceremony, travel, or business launch. The Hindu Panchang runs on a lunar calendar where each day is defined not by the clock but by the tithi — the lunar day — and knowing today's tithi is the starting point for all auspicious timing decisions. As of 2026, this ancient system remains as central to Indian family life as it has been for thousands of years, used from villages in Rajasthan to tech campuses in Bengaluru.

> Quick Answer: "Aaj ki tithi" means "today's lunar day" in Hindi. A tithi is 1/30th of a lunar month — the time it takes for the Moon to move exactly 12 degrees ahead of the Sun. There are 30 tithis in a lunar month. Today's tithi determines auspicious and inauspicious timing for all life activities. Check the live tithi on our Panchang page.

Reviewed by Dr. Meenakshi Sharma, M.A. Sanskrit & Vedic Studies, Varanasi — as of May 2026.

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A tithi is the time required for the longitudinal angle between the Sun and Moon to increase by exactly 12 degrees. Since the Moon travels approximately 13.2 degrees per day relative to the Sun, one tithi lasts roughly 19 to 26 hours — shorter or longer depending on the Moon's elliptical orbit. This variability means tithis do not align neatly with 24-hour solar days: on some days, two tithis can occur within a single solar day (a day "gaining" a tithi, called tithi vriddhi), and occasionally a tithi is skipped entirely (tithi kshaya).

The Surya Siddhanta, one of the foundational texts of Indian astronomy, defines the tithi precisely in terms of Sun-Moon angular separation. The Muhurta Chintamani, a standard reference for auspicious timing, gives rules for how to handle vriddhi and kshaya situations in ritual and muhurta practice.

> Quick Answer: A tithi is calculated from the angular distance between the Sun and Moon. Each 12-degree increment equals one tithi. One tithi lasts between 19 and 26 hours. On some solar days, two tithis occur; on others, one is skipped. The tithi in effect at sunrise is considered the tithi of that solar day for most purposes.

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The Vedic worldview treats time as qualitatively differentiated — not all moments are equivalent. Each tithi carries a specific energy, deity, and set of recommended or prohibited activities. The Muhurta Chintamani, Dharmasindhu, and Nirnayasindhu all devote substantial sections to tithi-based timing.

For rituals and worship: The tithi determines which deity to propitiate, which mantras to use, and what offerings are appropriate. Ekadashi (11th tithi) is for Vishnu; Chaturthi (4th tithi) is for Ganesha; Ashtami (8th tithi) and Navami (9th tithi) are for Durga; Pradosh (13th tithi) and Chaturdashi (14th tithi) are for Shiva.

For muhurta (auspicious timing): Before scheduling a wedding, griha pravesh (housewarming), naming ceremony, or business launch, the tithi is the first parameter checked. Certain tithis are classified as inauspicious for specific activities regardless of other planetary positions.

For fasting: Most Hindu vrats (fasts) are tithi-based. Ekadashi vrat falls on the 11th tithi, Pradosh vrat on the 13th, Purnima vrat on the 15th, Amavasya on the 30th/15th (new moon).

For understanding one's birth chart: The tithi on which a person is born gives important information about their life theme. To understand your birth tithi, explore our birth chart calculator.

> Quick Answer: Today's tithi determines which deity to worship, whether the day is auspicious for important activities, and which fasts apply. Each of the 30 tithis has a ruling deity, a quality classification, and specific recommendations. Missing or ignoring the tithi means choosing timing without the core parameter that Vedic tradition considers most important.

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The fastest and most reliable way to check today's tithi is to use a live Panchang tool that calculates the current tithi based on real-time planetary positions. Visit our Panchang page for today's tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana, and Vara (day of the week) — all five elements of the Panchang displayed together.

Alternatively, a printed Panchang book (published annually by major religious publishers in Varanasi, Ujjain, and Tirupati) lists each day's tithi, but always verify the exact time a tithi begins and ends — particularly important if you are planning a ritual for early morning or after sunset, when the tithi is most likely to be transitioning.

> Quick Answer: Check today's tithi instantly on our live Panchang page. For planning purposes, note both the start and end times of the tithi — a tithi can change mid-day. The tithi active at sunrise governs the day for most ritual purposes, but the exact time of a ritual should fall within the correct tithi window.

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A lunar month has two fortnights: Shukla Paksha (the waxing Moon, from new moon to full moon) and Krishna Paksha (the waning Moon, from full moon back to new moon). Each fortnight has 15 tithis. The tithis are numbered 1 through 15 in each fortnight, with the 15th being Purnima (full moon) in Shukla Paksha and Amavasya (new moon) in Krishna Paksha.

Shukla Paksha (Waxing Moon) — Pratipada to Purnima: 1. Pratipada — Ruled by Agni; Nanda tithi; auspicious for new beginnings 2. Dwitiya — Ruled by Brahma; Bhadra tithi; good for construction, travel 3. Tritiya — Ruled by Gauri; Jaya tithi; excellent for general auspicious work 4. Chaturthi — Ruled by Ganesha/Yama; Rikta tithi; inauspicious for most activities 5. Panchami — Ruled by Sarpa (Naga); Purna tithi; good for medicine, learning 6. Shashthi — Ruled by Kartika; Nanda tithi; good for worship, creative work 7. Saptami — Ruled by Surya; Bhadra tithi; good for travel, vehicles 8. Ashtami — Ruled by Rudra; Jaya tithi; important for Durga worship 9. Navami — Ruled by Durga; Rikta tithi; powerful for Shakti worship, otherwise avoided 10. Dashami — Ruled by Dharmaraja; Purna tithi; good for auspicious activities 11. Ekadashi — Ruled by Vishnu; Nanda tithi; the most sacred fasting day 12. Dwadashi — Ruled by Vishnu (Hari); Bhadra tithi; excellent, especially after Ekadashi 13. Trayodashi — Ruled by Kama; Jaya tithi; good for new work, worship 14. Chaturdashi — Ruled by Shiva; Rikta tithi; powerful for Shiva worship 15. Purnima — Ruled by Chandra (Moon); Purna tithi; the full moon, supremely auspicious

Krishna Paksha (Waning Moon) — Pratipada to Amavasya: The numbering restarts at 1 (Pratipada) through 14 (Chaturdashi), then the 15th tithi is Amavasya (new moon). The qualities and ruling deities mirror the Shukla Paksha, but the energetic context shifts toward completion, dissolution, and ancestral connection as the Moon wanes.

> Quick Answer: There are 30 tithis in a lunar month — 15 in the waxing (Shukla) fortnight and 15 in the waning (Krishna) fortnight. They run from Pratipada (1st) to Purnima (15th, full moon) in Shukla Paksha, and from Pratipada (1st) to Amavasya (15th, new moon) in Krishna Paksha. Each tithi has a ruling deity, quality classification, and set of recommended activities.

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The Muhurta Chintamani classifies every tithi into one of five categories based on its inherent quality:

Nanda (Joy): Tithis 1, 6, 11. Auspicious for celebrations, worship, and new beginnings. Named for the joy of creation.

Bhadra (Auspicious): Tithis 2, 7, 12. Good for most activities including travel, construction, and trade.

Jaya (Victory): Tithis 3, 8, 13. Excellent for competitive activities, new ventures, and worship. The name "victory" indicates their power for forward movement.

Rikta (Empty/Diminished): Tithis 4, 9, 14. Generally avoided for auspicious activities. Specifically powerful for Shakti worship (Navami) and Shiva worship (Chaturdashi) — the rule is not about negativity but about appropriate use.

Purna (Complete/Full): Tithis 5, 10, 15. Associated with completeness and abundance. Purnima (15th) is the supreme Purna tithi.

> Quick Answer: The five tithi quality categories are Nanda (joy), Bhadra (auspicious), Jaya (victory), Rikta (empty), and Purna (complete). Rikta tithis (4th, 9th, 14th) are avoided for general auspicious work but are ideal for specific deity worship. Purna tithis (5th, 10th, 15th) carry the energy of completeness and abundance.

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Ekadashi (11th tithi): The most widely observed vrat day in Hinduism. There are 24 Ekadashis per year (sometimes 25 in a leap year). Each has a specific name and story. Vishnu is the presiding deity.

Purnima (15th, Shukla Paksha): The full moon — the Moon at its maximum luminosity and power. Each month's Purnima has a specific name (Kartik Purnima, Guru Purnima, Sharad Purnima).

Amavasya (15th, Krishna Paksha): The new moon — the day sacred to ancestral worship, tarpan (water offering to ancestors), and Pitru Deva. Contrary to popular belief, Amavasya is not inauspicious — it is the most powerful day for ancestral rites.

Chaturthi (4th tithi): Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi — the 4th tithi of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada. Sankashti Chaturthi (Krishna Paksha Chaturthi) is observed monthly for Ganesha.

Navami (9th tithi): Rama Navami falls on Chaitra Shukla Navami. The 9th tithi of the bright fortnight of Chaitra celebrates Lord Rama's birth.

> Quick Answer: The most important tithis are Ekadashi (Vishnu's vrat, 24 times per year), Purnima (full moon, one per month), Amavasya (new moon, ancestral worship), Chaturthi (Ganesha), and Navami (Rama Navami, Durga Navami). Each of these days has specific rituals, prescribed foods, and spiritual significance that accumulates through consistent observance.

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Because tithis are lunar units (not solar), they do not align perfectly with 24-hour days. Two phenomena arise:

Tithi Vriddhi (Increase): When a tithi spans two consecutive sunrises, it appears on two calendar days. The same tithi is listed for both days. This is relatively common and creates no issue for practice — simply observe the ritual on the tithi day that is most convenient, ensuring the tithi is active during the ritual window.

Tithi Kshaya (Decrease/Loss): When a tithi begins after one sunrise and ends before the next, it is "skipped" — it does not appear at sunrise and therefore has no governing solar day. Dharmashastra texts give specific rules for how to handle vrats that fall on a kshaya tithi, typically advising the observance be combined with the preceding or following tithi depending on the vrat type.

> Quick Answer: Tithi Vriddhi means a tithi spans two solar days (double tithi); Tithi Kshaya means a tithi is skipped entirely. These occur because lunar days are not equal to solar days. For vrats on a kshaya tithi, classical texts prescribe combining the observance with an adjacent day — always check a reliable Panchang for the exact ruling.

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The Panchang — literally "five limbs" — is the complete Vedic almanac. The five limbs are:

1. Tithi — lunar day 2. Vara — solar day (day of the week) 3. Nakshatra — lunar mansion the Moon occupies 4. Yoga — combination of Sun and Moon longitudes (27 Yogas) 5. Karana — half-tithi (11 Karanas, repeating)

Aaj ki tithi is the first and most fundamental of these five. The full picture requires all five elements — that is what the complete Panchang provides. Check today's complete Panchang for all five elements together, updated in real time.

> Quick Answer: The Panchang has five elements: Tithi (lunar day), Vara (weekday), Nakshatra (Moon's mansion), Yoga (Sun-Moon combination), and Karana (half-tithi). Today's tithi is the first and most important of these five. The full Panchang gives a complete picture of the day's energy and is the basis for all muhurta selection.

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Your birth tithi — the tithi on which you were born — is a meaningful signature in Vedic astrology. The tithi indicates the quality of lunar energy present at your birth and correlates with the Janma Tithi (birth tithi), which is observed annually as your lunar birthday. Many families celebrate both the solar birthday (Gregorian calendar) and the lunar birthday (Janma Tithi), with the lunar birthday considered more spiritually significant.

The Tithi Pravesha — the annual chart cast for the moment when the Sun and Moon return to the same angular relationship as at your birth — is a powerful predictive tool used by advanced Jyotishi practitioners. The tithi is not just a date — it is an active dimension of your natal chart. Use our birth chart calculator to find the tithi at your birth.

> Quick Answer: Your birth tithi is your Janma Tithi — the lunar day of your birth. It carries spiritual significance and is celebrated as your lunar birthday. Advanced Jyotishi practitioners use Tithi Pravesha (the annual return of your birth Sun-Moon angle) as a predictive chart. Your birth tithi is recorded in your Vedic birth chart.

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1. Aaj ki tithi kya hai (What is today's tithi)? Today's tithi changes each day based on the Sun-Moon angular distance. Visit our live Panchang page for the current tithi updated in real time.

2. What is the difference between tithi and date (tarikh)? A tithi is a lunar day determined by the Moon's position relative to the Sun. A date (tarikh) is a solar/Gregorian day of 24 hours. They do not align — tithis are 19–26 hours long, so they shift gradually against the solar calendar throughout the year.

3. How many tithis are there? There are 30 tithis in a lunar month — 15 in Shukla Paksha (waxing Moon) and 15 in Krishna Paksha (waning Moon). The 15th tithi of Shukla Paksha is Purnima; the 15th of Krishna Paksha is Amavasya.

4. Which tithi is best for starting a new business? Dwitiya, Tritiya, Panchami, Saptami, Dashami, Dwadashi, and Trayodashi are generally recommended. Avoid Rikta tithis (Chaturthi, Navami, Chaturdashi) and Ashtami for new business launches unless other Panchang elements strongly support the timing.

5. Is Amavasya an inauspicious tithi? Amavasya is not generally inauspicious — it is specifically powerful for ancestral rites, Pitru worship, and Kali worship. It is avoided for weddings and auspicious social ceremonies, but it is a mandatory observance day for ancestor-related rituals.

6. What is Tithi Vriddhi? Tithi Vriddhi occurs when a single tithi spans two consecutive sunrises, appearing on two calendar days. This is common and creates no problem for practice.

7. What is Tithi Kshaya? Tithi Kshaya occurs when a tithi begins after one sunrise and ends before the next — it does not appear at any sunrise and is "skipped" in the solar calendar. Classical texts give specific rulings for vrats that fall on kshaya tithis.

8. Which tithi is most sacred for Vishnu worship? Ekadashi (11th tithi) is the most sacred for Vishnu worship. There are 24 Ekadashis per year, each with a specific name and story. Fasting on Ekadashi is the most widely prescribed Vishnu vrat in Vaishnava tradition.

9. Can I check the tithi for a future date? Yes. A printed Panchang or a digital Panchang tool gives tithis for the entire year. Visit our Panchang page to check any date's tithi.

10. What is the significance of Chaturdashi tithi? Chaturdashi (14th tithi) is a Rikta tithi ruled by Shiva. It is the most powerful tithi for Shiva worship and for Pradosh Vrat. Maha Shivratri falls on Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Phalguna. Despite its Rikta classification, it is intensely auspicious for Shaiva practice.