Today's Tithi Calculator

A tithi is a Vedic lunar day, defined as the time it takes for the Moon to gain 12 degrees on the Sun. Unlike a Gregorian calendar date which is always exactly 24 hours, a tithi can last 19–26 hours. This means a single Gregorian date may contain parts of two different tithis, and occasionally a short tithi can skip entirely if it falls entirely within one night. The tithi at sunrise is usually the one recorded for that day in the panchang.

The tithi is calculated from the angular difference between the Moon and Sun in the sidereal zodiac: Tithi Number = floor((Moon Longitude − Sun Longitude + 360°) mod 360° ÷ 12°). The result ranges from 0 to 29, representing the 30 tithis of the lunar month. Tithis 0–14 are Shukla Paksha (Pratipada through Purnima) and 15–29 are Krishna Paksha (Pratipada through Amavasya). Our calculator uses Lahiri ayanamsa for sidereal conversion.

The most auspicious tithis for new ventures are: Pratipada (1st - ruled by Moon, blessed by Brahma), Dwitiya (2nd - Venus, good for business), Tritiya (3rd - good for marriage and new projects), Panchami (5th - Mercury, excellent for education), Saptami (7th - Sun, good for travel and art), Dashami (10th - Jupiter, dharmic works), Ekadashi (11th - Vishnu, highly auspicious), and Purnima (15th - the most auspicious tithi overall for important new beginnings). Avoid starting new work on Chaturthi, Ashtami, Chaturdashi, and Amavasya.

Ekadashi (the 11th tithi) is one of the most sacred days in Hinduism. It occurs twice a month - once in Shukla Paksha and once in Krishna Paksha. Both are considered highly auspicious and are dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Fasting on Ekadashi (eating only fruits and non-grain foods) is believed to cleanse sins, boost spiritual merit, and earn Vishnu's blessings. There are 24 named Ekadashis in a year, each with its own story from the Puranas. The most famous are Nirjala Ekadashi (no water fast), Devutthana Ekadashi (marking Vishnu's awakening from cosmic sleep), and Mokshada Ekadashi.

Purnima, the 15th tithi of Shukla Paksha, is considered the most auspicious tithi in Vedic tradition. The Full Moon represents the peak of lunar energy when the Moon is at maximum illumination and influence. Major Hindu festivals like Holi, Buddha Purnima, Guru Purnima, Sharad Purnima, and Kartik Purnima all fall on Purnima. It is the ideal day for charity, fasting, rituals, pilgrimage, and spiritual practice. The Moon's gravitational influence is strongest on Purnima, affecting the body's water content and emotional energies.

Amavasya (new moon) is the 30th tithi, when the Moon and Sun are in conjunction. This tithi is considered 'Pitru-ruled' - a time when the veil between the living world and the ancestor world is thinnest. It is the most important day for Shraddha (ancestor worship), Pitru Tarpan, and Pind Daan. Starting new ventures, marriages, or major decisions is traditionally avoided on Amavasya because the Moon's light (representing clarity, mind, and guidance) is absent. The dark moon period is considered spiritually powerful for internal practices but unfavorable for external new beginnings.

Tithi is one of the five elements of Panchang used to calculate Muhurat (auspicious timing for ceremonies and activities). The other four are Vara (weekday), Nakshatra (lunar mansion), Yoga (lunisolar combination), and Karana (half-tithi). A good muhurat requires all five elements to be favorable. For example, a wedding muhurat might require: Shukla Paksha, an auspicious tithi (Dwitiya, Tritiya, Panchami, Saptami, Dashami, Dwadashi, or Trayodashi), a favorable nakshatra (Rohini, Mrigashira, Hasta, etc.), and a strong vara. Certain tithis like Chaturthi, Ashtami, Chaturdashi, and Amavasya are avoided for ceremonies.

A tithi lasts the time it takes for the Moon to gain exactly 12 degrees on the Sun. Since the Moon travels about 12–15 degrees per day (varying because its orbit is elliptical), tithis are not uniform in length. When the Moon is near perigee (closest to Earth), it moves fastest - about 15°/day - making tithis shorter (roughly 19–20 hours). When the Moon is near apogee (farthest from Earth), it moves slowest - about 11°/day - making tithis longer (about 26 hours). On average a tithi is about 23.6 hours, slightly less than a solar day of 24 hours.