Nakshatra: the 27 lunar mansions
The nakshatra is the star group the Moon is passing through. There are 27, each 13 degrees 20 minutes wide, with a ruling planet, deity and symbol.
What a nakshatra is
Nakshatra = lunar mansion or star group. The Moon takes about 27 days to go once around the sky, so ancient astronomers divided its path into 27 stations, one for each night's stay. Each is named for a bright star or small group of stars in that part of the sky.
A full circle is 360 degrees, so each nakshatra is 13 degrees 20 minutes wide (360 divided by 27). The nakshatra is measured on the sidereal zodiac, which is fixed to the stars. This site uses the Lahiri (Chitrapaksha) ayanamsa.
Padas
Every nakshatra is divided into four equal quarters, called padas = feet. Each pada is 3 degrees 20 minutes. Four padas times 27 nakshatras gives 108 padas in all, which is why the number 108 is so familiar. Nine padas make one of the twelve zodiac signs.
Padas matter for names. Many families choose the first syllable of a baby's name from the pada of the Moon's nakshatra at birth.
How long a nakshatra lasts
The Moon does not move at a constant speed, so a nakshatra lasts roughly a day, but the length varies. It begins and ends at any hour. The site shows the exact start and end time of the nakshatra in your local time.
Ruling planets
The ruling planets follow a fixed repeating order: Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury. It begins at Ashwini and repeats three times through the 27 nakshatras. This same order is the basis of the Vimshottari dasha system.
The 27 nakshatras
Deities and symbols follow the standard lists. A few symbols differ among texts, and the alternatives are shown.
| No. | Nakshatra | Ruling planet | Presiding deity | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashwini | Ketu | Ashwini Kumaras (Ashvins) | Horse's head |
| 2 | Bharani | Venus | Yama | Yoni |
| 3 | Krittika | Sun | Agni | Knife or razor, flame |
| 4 | Rohini | Moon | Brahma (Prajapati) | Chariot or ox cart |
| 5 | Mrigashira | Mars | Soma (Chandra) | Deer's head |
| 6 | Ardra | Rahu | Rudra | Teardrop or gem |
| 7 | Punarvasu | Jupiter | Aditi | Bow and quiver |
| 8 | Pushya | Saturn | Brihaspati | Cow's udder, lotus or flower |
| 9 | Ashlesha | Mercury | Nagas | Coiled serpent |
| 10 | Magha | Ketu | Pitris (ancestors) | Royal throne |
| 11 | Purva Phalguni | Venus | Bhaga | Front legs of a bed |
| 12 | Uttara Phalguni | Sun | Aryaman | Back legs of a bed |
| 13 | Hasta | Moon | Savitar (Surya) | Hand |
| 14 | Chitra | Mars | Tvashtar (Vishvakarma) | Bright jewel or pearl |
| 15 | Swati | Rahu | Vayu | Young shoot swaying in the wind |
| 16 | Vishakha | Jupiter | Indra and Agni | Triumphal arch |
| 17 | Anuradha | Saturn | Mitra | Lotus or archway |
| 18 | Jyeshtha | Mercury | Indra | Circular amulet or earring |
| 19 | Mula | Ketu | Nirriti | Bunch of roots |
| 20 | Purva Ashadha | Venus | Apas (the waters) | Winnowing fan or elephant tusk |
| 21 | Uttara Ashadha | Sun | Vishvedevas | Elephant tusk or planks of a bed |
| 22 | Shravana | Moon | Vishnu | Ear or three footprints |
| 23 | Dhanishta | Mars | The eight Vasus | Drum |
| 24 | Shatabhisha | Rahu | Varuna | Empty circle |
| 25 | Purva Bhadrapada | Jupiter | Aja Ekapada | Front legs of a funeral cot, or a sword |
| 26 | Uttara Bhadrapada | Saturn | Ahir Budhnya | Back legs of a funeral cot, or twins |
| 27 | Revati | Mercury | Pushan | Fish or a pair of fish |
Some texts add a 28th, Abhijit, placed between Uttara Ashadha and Shravana. Most panchangs use 27 in daily calculations. Abhijit is better known as a time of day (see the Abhijit Muhurat page).
Nakshatra and the Hindu months
Each lunar month is named after the nakshatra in which the Full Moon falls. Chaitra comes from Chitra, Vaishakha from Vishakha, and Kartika from Krittika, for example. This links the sky to the calendar in a simple way.
How people use it
Your janma nakshatra (birth star) is the one the Moon was in when you were born. Families use it for naming, for horoscope matching and for the annual birthday puja. Many muhurat choices also consider the day's nakshatra. Some nakshatras are traditionally preferred for certain tasks, and views vary among traditions and astrologers. A priest can guide you on a specific event.