What is Nakshatra?
The Second Limb of Panchangam - Complete Guide to 27 Lunar Mansions
📖 Introduction to Nakshatra
Nakshatra refers to the 27 lunar mansions or star constellations through which the Moon travels. Each Nakshatra spans 13°20' (360° ÷ 27 = 13.33°) of the celestial sphere.
The Nakshatra in which the Moon is placed at the time of a person's birth is called their Janma Nakshatra (Birth Star). This is crucial for determining personality traits, marriage compatibility, and auspicious timings.
Each Nakshatra is divided into 4 Padas (quarters). 27 × 4 = 108 Padas, distributed across 12 Rasis (zodiac signs).
⭐ Importance of Nakshatra
Birth Star
Naming, personality traits
Marriage Match
10 Porutham matching
Muhurtham
Auspicious timing
Fasting
Nakshatra Vratas
Astrology
Horoscope readings
📋 27 Nakshatras Table
| # | Tamil | Sanskrit | Lord | Deity | Rasi | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | அசுவினி | Ashwini | Ketu | Ashwini Kumaras | Aries | Deva |
| 2 | பரணி | Bharani | Venus | Yama | Aries | Manushya |
| 3 | கார்த்திகை | Krittika | Sun | Agni | Aries/Taurus | Rakshasa |
| 4 | ரோகிணி | Rohini | Moon | Brahma | Taurus | Manushya |
| 5 | மிருகசீரிஷம் | Mrigashira | Mars | Soma | Taurus/Gemini | Deva |
| 6 | திருவாதிரை | Ardra | Rahu | Rudra | Gemini | Manushya |
| 7 | புனர்பூசம் | Punarvasu | Jupiter | Aditi | Gemini/Cancer | Deva |
| 8 | பூசம் | Pushya | Saturn | Brihaspati | Cancer | Deva |
| 9 | ஆயில்யம் | Ashlesha | Mercury | Nagas | Cancer | Rakshasa |
| 10 | மகம் | Magha | Ketu | Pitrus | Leo | Rakshasa |
| 11 | பூரம் | Purva Phalguni | Venus | Bhaga | Leo | Manushya |
| 12 | உத்திரம் | Uttara Phalguni | Sun | Aryaman | Leo/Virgo | Manushya |
| 13 | ஹஸ்தம் | Hasta | Moon | Savitar | Virgo | Deva |
| 14 | சித்திரை | Chitra | Mars | Vishwakarma | Virgo/Libra | Rakshasa |
| 15 | சுவாதி | Swati | Rahu | Vayu | Libra | Deva |
| 16 | விசாகம் | Vishakha | Jupiter | Indra-Agni | Libra/Scorpio | Rakshasa |
| 17 | அனுஷம் | Anuradha | Saturn | Mitra | Scorpio | Deva |
| 18 | கேட்டை | Jyeshtha | Mercury | Indra | Scorpio | Rakshasa |
| 19 | மூலம் | Moola | Ketu | Nirriti | Sagittarius | Rakshasa |
| 20 | பூராடம் | Purva Ashadha | Venus | Apas (Water) | Sagittarius | Manushya |
| 21 | உத்திராடம் | Uttara Ashadha | Sun | Vishvadevas | Sagittarius/Capricorn | Manushya |
| 22 | திருவோணம் | Shravana | Moon | Vishnu | Capricorn | Deva |
| 23 | அவிட்டம் | Dhanishta | Mars | Ashta Vasus | Capricorn/Aquarius | Rakshasa |
| 24 | சதயம் | Shatabhisha | Rahu | Varuna | Aquarius | Rakshasa |
| 25 | பூரட்டாதி | Purva Bhadrapada | Jupiter | Aja Ekapad | Aquarius/Pisces | Manushya |
| 26 | உத்திரட்டாதி | Uttara Bhadrapada | Saturn | Ahirbudhnya | Pisces | Manushya |
| 27 | ரேவதி | Revati | Mercury | Pushan | Pisces | Deva |
🌟 Detailed 27 Nakshatras Guide
1
Ashwini
Horse-headed twins
🌍 Rasi:
Aries
🪐 Lord:
Ketu
🙏 Deity:
Ashwini Kumaras
💫 Traits:
Speed, energy, healing ability, courage
✓ Best for:
Medicine, travel, new beginnings
2
Bharani
Bearer
🌍 Rasi:
Aries
🪐 Lord:
Venus
🙏 Deity:
Yama
💫 Traits:
Firmness, morality, self-control, creativity
✓ Best for:
Arts, writing, legal work
3
Krittika
Cutter
🌍 Rasi:
Aries/Taurus
🪐 Lord:
Sun
🙏 Deity:
Agni
💫 Traits:
Determination, leadership, criticism, honesty
✓ Best for:
Military, cooking, leadership roles
4
Rohini
Red one
🌍 Rasi:
Taurus
🪐 Lord:
Moon
🙏 Deity:
Brahma
💫 Traits:
Beauty, creativity, prosperity, charm
✓ Best for:
Arts, acting, agriculture, business
5
Mrigashira
Deer head
🌍 Rasi:
Taurus/Gemini
🪐 Lord:
Mars
🙏 Deity:
Soma
💫 Traits:
Research, love, gentleness, seeking
✓ Best for:
Research, poetry, counseling, teaching
6
Ardra
Moist one
🌍 Rasi:
Gemini
🪐 Lord:
Rahu
🙏 Deity:
Rudra
💫 Traits:
Transformation, intelligence, intensity, analysis
✓ Best for:
Technology, research, criticism
7
Punarvasu
Return of light
🌍 Rasi:
Gemini/Cancer
🪐 Lord:
Jupiter
🙏 Deity:
Aditi
💫 Traits:
Honesty, renewal, faith, generosity
✓ Best for:
Teaching, spirituality, counseling
8
Pushya
Nourisher
🌍 Rasi:
Cancer
🪐 Lord:
Saturn
🙏 Deity:
Brihaspati
💫 Traits:
Nurturing, prosperity, spirituality, helpfulness
✓ Best for:
Banking, teaching, social service
9
Ashlesha
Embrace
🌍 Rasi:
Cancer
🪐 Lord:
Mercury
🙏 Deity:
Nagas
💫 Traits:
Intelligence, mystery, strategy, deep thinking
✓ Best for:
Psychology, astrology, research
10
Magha
Mighty
🌍 Rasi:
Leo
🪐 Lord:
Ketu
🙏 Deity:
Pitrus
💫 Traits:
Authority, tradition, dignity, leadership
✓ Best for:
Government position, leadership, traditional arts
11
Purva Phalguni
Former red one
🌍 Rasi:
Leo
🪐 Lord:
Venus
🙏 Deity:
Bhaga
💫 Traits:
Creativity, beauty, pleasure, enjoyment
✓ Best for:
Arts, entertainment, marriage
12
Uttara Phalguni
Latter red one
🌍 Rasi:
Leo/Virgo
🪐 Lord:
Sun
🙏 Deity:
Aryaman
💫 Traits:
Honesty, friendship, helpfulness, generosity
✓ Best for:
Marriage, contracts, partnerships
13
Hasta
Hand
🌍 Rasi:
Virgo
🪐 Lord:
Moon
🙏 Deity:
Savitar
💫 Traits:
Craftsmanship, intelligence, humor, skill
✓ Best for:
Crafts, healing, commerce
14
Chitra
Brilliant
🌍 Rasi:
Virgo/Libra
🪐 Lord:
Mars
🙏 Deity:
Vishwakarma
💫 Traits:
Creativity, beauty, art, architecture
✓ Best for:
Design, construction, jewelry
15
Swati
Sword
🌍 Rasi:
Libra
🪐 Lord:
Rahu
🙏 Deity:
Vayu
💫 Traits:
Independence, flexibility, business acumen, uniqueness
✓ Best for:
Business, travel, self-employment
16
Vishakha
Forked branch
🌍 Rasi:
Libra/Scorpio
🪐 Lord:
Jupiter
🙏 Deity:
Indra-Agni
💫 Traits:
Determination, ambition, resolve, success
✓ Best for:
Competition, politics, business
17
Anuradha
Following Radha
🌍 Rasi:
Scorpio
🪐 Lord:
Saturn
🙏 Deity:
Mitra
💫 Traits:
Friendship, devotion, cooperation, loyalty
✓ Best for:
Friendship, partnership, teamwork
18
Jyeshtha
Eldest
🌍 Rasi:
Scorpio
🪐 Lord:
Mercury
🙏 Deity:
Indra
💫 Traits:
Authority, protection, seniority, ability
✓ Best for:
Leadership, protection, administration
19
Moola
Root
🌍 Rasi:
Sagittarius
🪐 Lord:
Ketu
🙏 Deity:
Nirriti
💫 Traits:
Research, roots, foundation, medicine
✓ Best for:
Medicine, research, spirituality
20
Purva Ashadha
Former invincible one
🌍 Rasi:
Sagittarius
🪐 Lord:
Venus
🙏 Deity:
Apas (Water)
💫 Traits:
Victory, confidence, inspiration, influence
✓ Best for:
Speaking, writing, media
21
Uttara Ashadha
Latter invincible one
🌍 Rasi:
Sagittarius/Capricorn
🪐 Lord:
Sun
🙏 Deity:
Vishvadevas
💫 Traits:
Lasting success, honesty, determination, responsibility
✓ Best for:
Government work, leadership, service
22
Shravana
Hearing
🌍 Rasi:
Capricorn
🪐 Lord:
Moon
🙏 Deity:
Vishnu
💫 Traits:
Listening, learning, wisdom, music
✓ Best for:
Education, music, spirituality
23
Dhanishta
Wealthy
🌍 Rasi:
Capricorn/Aquarius
🪐 Lord:
Mars
🙏 Deity:
Ashta Vasus
💫 Traits:
Wealth, music, group effort, ambition
✓ Best for:
Music, business, teamwork
24
Shatabhisha
Hundred healers
🌍 Rasi:
Aquarius
🪐 Lord:
Rahu
🙏 Deity:
Varuna
💫 Traits:
Healing, secrecy, solitude, research
✓ Best for:
Medicine, research, technology
25
Purva Bhadrapada
Former blessed feet
🌍 Rasi:
Aquarius/Pisces
🪐 Lord:
Jupiter
🙏 Deity:
Aja Ekapad
💫 Traits:
Spirituality, intensity, reform, boldness
✓ Best for:
Spirituality, social service, reform
26
Uttara Bhadrapada
Latter blessed feet
🌍 Rasi:
Pisces
🪐 Lord:
Saturn
🙏 Deity:
Ahirbudhnya
💫 Traits:
Deep spirituality, wisdom, compassion, patience
✓ Best for:
Meditation, yoga, service
27
Revati
Wealthy
🌍 Rasi:
Pisces
🪐 Lord:
Mercury
🙏 Deity:
Pushan
💫 Traits:
Guidance, nurturing, protection, travel
✓ Best for:
Travel, animal care, guidance
🔮 Nakshatra Nature Types
The 27 Nakshatras are classified into three nature types:
- Deva (Divine) - Ashwini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Shravana, Revati - Excellent for auspicious activities
- Manushya (Human) - Bharani, Rohini, Uttara, Purva, Vishakha, Purva Ashadha, Uttara Ashadha, Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada - Good for general activities
- Rakshasa (Demon) - Krittika, Ashlesha, Magha, Chitra, Jyeshtha, Moola, Dhanishta, Shatabhisha - Avoided for some auspicious activities
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How is Nakshatra calculated?
Moon's current position (degree) ÷ 13°20' = Nakshatra number. The Moon stays in each Nakshatra for approximately one day (about 24 hours).
Which Nakshatras are best for marriage?
Rohini, Mrigashira, Magha, Uttara, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Moola, Uttara Ashadha, Uttara Bhadrapada, and Revati are the 11 best Nakshatras for marriage. These are called "Vivaha Nakshatras".
What is Chandrashtamam?
Chandrashtamam is the day when Moon transits the 8th Nakshatra from one's birth star. This day is generally avoided for auspicious activities.
🔍 What's Your Nakshatra?
Find your birth star using your birth date, time, and place
⭐ Find Nakshatra 📅 Today's Calendar