Today's Astrological Timeline
All times in IST (Delhi, UTC+5:30) · NOW indicator shows current IST time
Deity of the Day · Moon · Chandra
Shiva · शिव
Tithi
S2 Dvitiya
Shukla Paksha
Nakshatra
Mrigashirsha
✓ Auspicious
Yoga
Sukarma
✓ Auspicious yoga
Karana
Kaulava
Half-tithi period
Vara
Somvaar
Moon · Chandra rules this day
Sunrise · Sunset
↑ 5:33 am
↓ 7:02 pm (Delhi/IST approx.)
Rahu Kaal
7:30am – 9:00am
Avoid new beginnings
Yamaganda
9:00am – 10:30am
Inauspicious window
Abhijit Muhurta
11:44am – 12:28pm
Most auspicious window
Gulika Kaal
7:30am – 9:00am
Inauspicious
Brahma Muhurta
4:24am–5:12am
Wake · meditate · pray
Disha Shool
East
Avoid travel this way
Moonrise ~
7:26am
Approx. IST
Tithi Ends ~
4:49pm IST
Approximate
Nakshatra Ends ~
12:02pm IST
Approximate
Moon Rashi
Vrishabha (Taurus)
Chandra Rashi
Sun Rashi
Vrishabha (Taurus)
Surya Rashi
Choghadiya — Muhurta Guide
Day & night each split into 8 slots of ~90 min
Bottom = Day · Top = Night · Times IST approx.
Hora — Planetary Hours
24 hours each ruled by a planet · Hora 1 starts at sunrise (6am)
12, 3, 6, 9 at standard clock positions · 6am at right (3 o'clock)
Panchang Summary for May 18, 2026
- Date
- Monday, 18 May 2026
- Tithi
- S2 Dvitiya
- Tithi ends ~
- 4:49pm IST
- Paksha
- Shukla Paksha
- Nakshatra
- Mrigashirsha
- Nakshatra ends ~
- 12:02pm IST
- Nakshatra pada
- 1
- Yoga
- Sukarma
- Karana
- Kaulava
- Vara (day)
- Somvaar
- Moon phase
- New Moon
- Moon Rashi
- Vrishabha (Taurus)
- Sun Rashi
- Vrishabha (Taurus)
- Sunrise
- 5:33 am IST
- Sunset
- 7:02 pm IST
- Moonrise ~
- 7:26am IST
- Brahma Muhurta
- 4:24am – 5:12am IST
- Rahu Kaal
- 7:30am – 9:00am IST
- Yamaganda
- 9:00am – 10:30am IST
- Gulika Kaal
- 7:30am – 9:00am IST
- Abhijit Muhurta
- 11:44am – 12:28pm IST
- Disha Shool
- East (avoid travel)
- Pradosh Kaal
- Not today
- Panchak
- Not active
- Nautapa
- Not active
- Sankranti
- None today
- Vikram Samvat
- 2083
Understanding Hindu Panchang
The five sacred limbs and daily elements of the Hindu almanac
What is Panchang? (पंचांग)
Panchang means "five limbs": Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Yoga, and Karana. These five elements define the quality of each moment, guiding Hindus on when to begin journeys, perform ceremonies, start businesses, or observe fasts. Read the full guide →
Choghadiya (चौघड़िया): Everyday Muhurta
The most widely used daily timing guide. Each day and night is split into 8 slots ruled by a planet, from Amrit (best) to Udveg (avoid). Millions check it before travel, surgery, or important decisions. Read the full guide →
Rahu Kaal (राहु काल)
A 90-minute window each day ruled by Rahu, the north lunar node. Starting new work, business meetings, surgeries, or journeys during Rahu Kaal is considered inauspicious. Today: 7:30am – 9:00am. Read the full guide →
Disha Shool (दिशा शूल): Directional Inauspiciousness
Each weekday has an inauspicious direction for travel. Today's Disha Shool: East. Traditional remedy: eat curd (दही) before traveling in this direction to neutralise the effect. This applies especially to long-distance journeys.
Brahma Muhurta (ब्रह्म मुहूर्त)
The "Creator's Hour," the 48 minutes before sunrise (4:24 am – 5:12 am IST approx). Considered the most powerful time for meditation, yoga, prayer, and Vedic study, when the mind is calmest. Read the full guide →
Hora (होरा): Planetary Hours
The day is divided into 24 planetary hours, each ruled by one of the seven classical planets in a fixed sequence. The first hora of each day belongs to the day's ruling planet — today's Monday is ruled by Moon · Chandra. Jupiter, Venus, and Moon horas are auspicious for starting ventures; Saturn and Mars horas are better for endurance tasks.
Nakshatra (नक्षत्र) — The 27 Lunar Mansions
The zodiac is divided into 27 equal segments of 13°20' each, called Nakshatras. The Moon's position at birth defines your Janma Nakshatra — central to Vedic astrology, name selection, marriage matching, and muhurta. Today's Nakshatra: Mrigashirsha (Pada 1), presided over by deity Soma, quality: Mridu.
Tithi (तिथि) — The Lunar Day
A Tithi is the time taken by the Moon to gain 12° on the Sun. There are 15 tithis in each paksha (fortnight) — Shukla (waxing) and Krishna (waning). Special tithis: Ekadashi (11th, fasting), Purnima (full moon), Amavasya (new moon), Chaturthi (Ganesha), Pradosh (13th, Shiva). Today: S2 Dvitiya.
Panchak (पंचक)
A 5-day inauspicious period when the Moon transits the last two rashis — Kumbha (Aquarius) and Meena (Pisces). During Panchak, tradition advises avoiding: collecting wood or grass, traveling south, construction/roofing, buying new beds, and cremation (if possible). If unavoidable, a remedial Puja is recommended first. Panchak occurs approximately once a month.
Nautapa (नौतपा) — Nine Scorching Days
Nautapa occurs each year when the Sun enters Rohini Nakshatra (around May 25). The first 9 days of this transit are called Nautapa — traditionally the hottest stretch of the Indian summer. Ancient meteorological lore: if it stays hot and dry during Nautapa, expect a strong monsoon; if it rains during Nautapa, the monsoon may be weak or delayed.
Sankranti (संक्रान्ति) — Solar Transition
Sankranti marks the Sun entering a new rashi (zodiac sign), occurring approximately once a month. All 12 Sankrantis are auspicious for charity, holy dips, and new beginnings. The most celebrated is Makar Sankranti (Sun entering Capricorn, ~Jan 14), marking the end of winter solstice and the start of Uttarayan. It is celebrated as Lohri, Pongal, Bihu, and Uttarayan across India.
Vikram Samvat (विक्रम संवत)
The Hindu lunisolar calendar established by Emperor Vikramaditya. It runs 56–57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar. Today falls in VS 2083. This is the official calendar of the Government of India (as Saka Samvat) and is used for all religious festivals, muhurtas, and Panchang calculations.