Today's Timings

What is a Panchangam?

A Panchangam is the traditional Tamil Vedic calendar used to identify favorable and unfavorable time windows each day. It is calculated from the actual positions of the Sun and Moon, along with the day of the week, to determine periods that are traditionally considered auspicious or inauspicious for starting important activities.

The word "Panchangam" comes from the Sanskrit for "five limbs," referring to the five elements of each day: Tithi (lunar day), Vaara (weekday), Nakshatra (lunar mansion), Yoga (Sun-Moon angle), and Karana (half-Tithi). Together, these elements form the basis for traditional timing guidance across South India and the Tamil diaspora.

What you'll see

• Rahu Kalam - a daily inauspicious window (roughly 1.5 hours) to avoid starting new activities
• Yamagandam - another inauspicious period, traditionally linked to Yama
• Gulikai Kalam - a third inauspicious window, associated with Saturn's influence
• Abhijit Muhurtham - a brief auspicious window around solar noon, considered ideal for new beginnings
• Sunrise and Sunset - the foundation for all timing calculations at your location

Want to understand the reasoning behind these periods? Read our guide to Rahu Kalam.

Explore more

• Get your Vedic birth chart - Moon sign, birth star, rising sign, and planetary placements from your exact birth time
• Check relationship compatibility - the traditional 10-point Porutham system for matching charts
• Find auspicious dates - score upcoming days for weddings, housewarmings, travel, and more