☀️Shukla Paksha — Bright Fortnight
Shukla Paksha is the waxing phase of the Moon — from Amavasya (new moon) to Purnima (full moon). It has 15 Tithis: Pratipada through Purnima. The Moon grows in light each day. Shukla Paksha is generally considered more auspicious for new beginnings — starting a business, marriage, Griha Pravesh, new ventures and important initiations.
🌙Krishna Paksha — Dark Fortnight
Krishna Paksha is the waning phase of the Moon — from Purnima back to Amavasya. It also has 15 Tithis. The Moon decreases in light each day. Krishna Paksha is more suitable for completion, introspection, ancestor rituals, spiritual practice and clearing obstacles. Ekadashi in Krishna Paksha is considered a powerful fasting day.
🕐Why Does Tithi Change During the Day?
Tithi is based on the Moon moving 12 degrees away from the Sun — not on the clock. The Moon moves at variable speed due to its elliptical orbit. So a Tithi can last between 19 and 26 hours. This means one Tithi can end and another begin at any time during the day. Two Tithis can occur in one calendar day, or one Tithi can span two days.
🌙Tithi and Hindu Festivals
Almost all Hindu festivals follow the Tithi calendar. Diwali falls on Amavasya of Kartik month. Holi on Purnima of Phalguna. Ram Navami on Navami of Chaitra Shukla. Janmashtami on Ashtami of Bhadrapada Krishna. Ekadashi is observed on the 11th Tithi of both Pakshas — twice a month. The Tithi is therefore central to the entire Hindu calendar year.
🌟The 5 Types of Tithi
Nanda — joyful (Pratipada, Shashti, Ekadashi). Bhadra — auspicious for permanent works (Dwitiya, Saptami, Dwadashi). Jaya — good for victory (Tritiya, Ashtami, Trayodashi). Rikta — generally inauspicious (Chaturthi, Navami, Chaturdashi). Purna — complete and powerful (Panchami, Dashami, Purnima, Amavasya).
⭐Tithi in Birth Chart — Janma Tithi
Your birth Tithi — called Janma Tithi — carries lifelong significance in Vedic astrology. It influences personality, luck cycles and the best days for important work. Many families celebrate Tithi birthdays — the same lunar date each year — instead of or alongside the English calendar date. The Bhrigu tradition gives special importance to Janma Tithi for timing major decisions.
What Is Tithi?
Tithi is a lunar day in the Hindu calendar — the most fundamental unit of Vedic time. It is the time taken by the Moon to gain exactly 12 degrees of angular distance from the Sun. On average this is about 23.6 hours, but it varies because the Moon travels in an elliptical orbit. This means a Tithi can be as short as 19 hours or as long as 26 hours.
There are 30 Tithis in a complete lunar month. The first 15 — Pratipada through Purnima — fall in Shukla Paksha (waxing Moon). The next 15 — Pratipada through Amavasya — fall in Krishna Paksha (waning Moon). So each Tithi name repeats twice a month, once in each Paksha. Purnima (full moon) and Amavasya (new moon) each occur once a month.
Aaj Ki Tithi — Why It Matters
In Hindu culture, the Tithi is checked before any important activity. Marriage muhurat, Griha Pravesh, naming ceremonies, business launches, travel — all are chosen based on the Tithi alongside Nakshatra, Yoga and Karana. Certain Tithis are universally auspicious. Others are inauspicious for new starts. Some are powerful for specific purposes like ancestor rituals or spiritual practice.
The Tithi also determines Hindu festivals. Diwali, Holi, Ekadashi vrats, Janmashtami, Ram Navami — all fall on specific Tithis in specific months. This is why the Tithi is the backbone of the entire Hindu calendar system.
Tithi and Muhurat — The Connection
When an astrologer selects a Muhurat for a wedding, property purchase or business launch, the Tithi is the first filter. Certain Tithis are called Shubha Tithis — auspicious by nature. Others like Chaturthi and Navami (Rikta Tithis) are generally avoided. But no Tithi is absolutely forbidden — context matters. A skilled Vedic astrologer combines all five Panchang elements to find the best window.
For important decisions, check the full daily Panchang — which shows Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana, Rahu Kaal and Shubh Muhurat together. Also check today's Choghadiya for the best hour within the day.
Tithi in the Bhrigu Tradition
Astrologer Anil Bhargava follows the classical Bhrigu tradition of Vedic Jyotish. In this tradition, Tithi is not just a calendar entry — it is a living lunar energy that affects the mind, emotions and the quality of new beginnings. The Bhrigu system gives special importance to the Janma Tithi — the Tithi of your birth — for understanding your nature and lucky cycles.
For a personalised reading that combines today's Tithi with your birth chart, Dasha period and current planetary transits, book a consultation with Astrologer Anil Bhargava. Use the free kundali tool to generate your birth chart and discover your Janma Tithi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is today's Tithi?
Today's Tithi is shown in the card above for your location. It is a lunar day in the Hindu calendar — the time taken by the Moon to move 12 degrees from the Sun. The Tithi name, Paksha, end time and deity are all shown above.
What is aaj ki Tithi?
Aaj ki Tithi means today's Tithi in Hindi. Aaj means today, Tithi means lunar day. The current Tithi is shown above for your city with its Paksha, end time and deity. Tithi can change during the day so the timing shown is the end time for the current Tithi.
What is the difference between Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha?
Shukla Paksha is the waxing phase — new moon to full moon — generally more auspicious for new beginnings. Krishna Paksha is the waning phase — full moon to new moon — better for completion and introspection. Both have 15 Tithis each.
Why does Tithi change during the day?
Tithi is based on the Moon moving 12 degrees from the Sun — not on the clock. The Moon moves at variable speed. So a Tithi can last between 19 and 26 hours. One Tithi can end and another begin at any time during the day, not at midnight.
What are the 5 types of Tithi?
Nanda (Pratipada, Shashti, Ekadashi) — joyful. Bhadra (Dwitiya, Saptami, Dwadashi) — auspicious for permanent works. Jaya (Tritiya, Ashtami, Trayodashi) — good for victory. Rikta (Chaturthi, Navami, Chaturdashi) — generally inauspicious. Purna (Panchami, Dashami, Purnima, Amavasya) — complete and powerful.
What is the significance of Tithi in Vedic astrology?
Tithi is the most fundamental element of the Hindu Panchang. All Hindu festivals, vrats, birth anniversaries and muhurat calculations are based on Tithi. Each Tithi has a ruling deity, a nature and specific activities it favours or disfavours. Your Janma Tithi — birth Tithi — also carries lifelong significance.
