About Leicester Panchang
All timings on this page are calculated for Leicester, England, UK (52.64°N, 1.14°W), and shown in UK time, switching automatically between GMT and BST for summer time, using the Lahiri ayanamsa. Sunrise and sunset use the upper edge of the Sun with standard refraction, so they may differ by a minute or two from other almanacs.
Tithi
A tithi is a lunar day: the time the Moon takes to move 12° ahead of the Sun. There are 30 tithis in a lunar month: 15 in Shukla Paksha (waxing) ending at Purnima, and 15 in Krishna Paksha (waning) ending at Amavasya. The tithi at sunrise is the one that governs the day.
Nakshatra, Yoga and Karana
The nakshatra is the lunar mansion the Moon is passing through (27 in all). Yoga is formed by adding the longitudes of the Sun and Moon, and a karana is half of a tithi. Together with the weekday (vara), these make the five limbs (pancha anga) that give the Panchang its name.
Rahu Kaal, Yamaganda and Gulika Kaal
The time from sunrise to sunset is divided into eight equal parts. One part each day belongs to Rahu, Yama and Gulika; these periods are traditionally avoided for starting new ventures, travel or important purchases.
Choghadiya
Choghadiya divides the day and the night into eight periods each. Amrit, Shubh and Labh are considered good, Char is neutral, and Rog, Kaal and Udveg are considered unfavourable. It is widely used in Gujarat and Rajasthan for choosing a good time.