Components of Panchang - Tithi

Panchang is the name for Hindu calander. Panchang is a Sanskrit  word made of two parts: pancha and anga. Pancha means five and anga means a part.

The panchang is, therefore, almanac made of five parts:  The lunar day called Tithi, Day of the week called Vara, Lunar mansion or nakshtra, Luni-solar day known as yoga and Half lunar day called Karana.

 Panchang especially records the movements of the sun and the moon. Traditionally no religious festival, family event, or even a civic affair is performed without first consulting a panchang to know the favorable movements of these celestial bodies.

Lunar Day (Tithi): 

Tithi is the name given to various angles formed by Sun and Moon. A Tithi is an exact lunar day, which is approximately the one-thirtieth of the time it takes the moon to orbit the earth(Lunar Month). The lunar month is divided into two fortnights known as Pakshas. The Shukla Paksha and The Krishna Paksha

There are 15 Tithis in the waxing cycle of the moon (Shukla Paksha) the bright half of the Moon, from the New Moon to the full Moon, and there are 15 Tithis in the waning cycle of the Moon ( Krishna Paksha) the dark half of the Moon, from the Full Moon to the New Moon.

The Tithi is based on a relationship between the Sun and the Moon. When Sun amd Moon are together at the same degree it is called Amavasya or New Moon.The first Tithi Pratipada is formed when moon moves away by 12 degrees from the Sun after the new Moon (Amavasya) or full Moon (Purnima). The second Tithi is the next 12 degrees of the Moon away from the Sun, 12 to 24 degrees and so on.

A particular day is ruled by the Tithi at sunrise, but the Tithi can change anytime of the day or night as it is not based on the solar day.

Tithis vary in duration from approximately 19 to 26 hours, according to the movement of the Moon. Each Tithi has a name, a ruling planet, and can be used in muhurta (picking a proper time).

Click HereTo Read More About Calculation of Tithi  

From astrological perspective the various Tithis are considered either auspicious or inauspicious for different events depending upon many other factors and combinations with Vara/Nakshtra. In general Tithis on the waxing or bright side of the lunar month (shukla-paksha) are considered conducive to growth, increase and prosperity and would be selected for such occasions as weddings, moving into new homes or starting businesses. Most religious festivals are held at these times and names of the festivals are even named after these Tithis. The moon's waning or dark side (krishna-paksha) is considered favourable for ancestor worship, and in general Hindu festivals are not held during this dark side of the lunar month, but there are important exceptions. 
PAKSHA RANDHRA TITHI:  

The 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 12th and 14th Tithi of both Shukla and Krishna Paksha are considered the Paksha Randhra or Chhidra Tithis or “partially infirm”.

Chhidra literally means a rent, hole or piercing and infers weakness or infirmity as a result of the hole. Beginning actions under a Paksha Chhidra Tithi indicates an unsure attitude and inherent weaknesses that are a source of ill feelings and unhappiness.

These tithis are not generally acceptable for the auspicious actuvities. But in unavoidable circumstances the ghatis mentioned below could be rejected for the auspicious activities

First 8 ghatis (3 hours 12 minutes) of Chaturthi.

First 9 ghatis(3 hours 36 minutes) of shashti.

First 14 ghatis (5 hours 36 minutes) of Ashtami.

First 25 ghatis (10 hours) of Navami.

First 10 ghatis (4 hours) of Dwadashi.

First 5 ghatis (2 hours) of Chaturdashi.

Converting the Tithi and Nadis to degrees of Sun/Moon separation, the following are the wholly unfavorable portions of the Paksha Chidra Tithis:

Paksha	4th Tithi	6th Tithi	8th Tithi	9th Tithi	12th Tithi	14th Tithi
Shukla Paksha	36º– 37º36’	60º– 61º48’	84º– 86º48’	96º– 101º	132º– 134º	156º– 157º
Krishna Paksha	216º– 217º36’	240º– 241º48’	264º – 266º48’	276º– 281º	312º– 314º	336º– 337º

For example, the first 8 Nadis of the 4th Tithi is unfavorable. The 4th Tithi runs from the time the Moon is 36 degrees from the Sun until it is 48 degrees from the Sun.

8 Nadis of twelve degrees is 8/60 x 12 = 1º36’ Adding 1.6 to the beginning of when the 4th Tithi runs, namely 36 degrees, gives 37º36’. Thus

when the Moon is 36 – 37º36’ degrees from the Sun, the unfavorable portion of the 4th Tithi in the Shukla Paksha prevails.

Exception: The negative effects of Paksha Chhidra are removed if the Moon is in the Lagna in Vargottama and Jupiter is in Simhasanamsa.

The Moon in Vargottama always gives strength to the Muhurta and, since it is the cause of the Tithis, to the Tithis as well.

Parva Tithis: 

8th,14th Amavasya purnima and sankranti are called Parva Tithis and should be avoided in Muhurta.

In Sanskrit Parva means a joint, break or knot; astrologically it refers to the four changes of the Moon (when the Moon is conjunct the Sun and when the Moon is 90, 180 and 270 degrees from the Sun) and to the four intermediate changes (when the Moon is 45, 135, 225 and 315 degrees from the Sun) that happen during the Parva Tithis. Additionally, the Tithi prevailing during Sankranti is also a type of joint Tithi that should be avoided. Actions taken during these Tithis encounter change and transitions that are not conducive to the

productivity of the event. If it is a radical transition or change that is desired, then Parva Tithis are quite favorable.

GalaGraha Tithis: Galagraha means “Seizing by the Throat”

4th,7th,8th,9th,13th and 14th Tithi in the Krishna Paksha(Dark Fortnight) Purnima and 1st of the Shukla Paksha are called Galagraha Tithis and should be avoided. 

Galagraha refers to “begun but immediately interrupted studies,” and is therefore particularly unfavorable for education.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF TITHIS: 
 

The Tithis are grouped into five groups: Nanda (happiness); Bhadra (fortunate); Jaya (triumph); Rikta (empty); and Purna (full).

Tithi group	Lord	Lunar Day	Result
Nanda Tithis (happiness)	venus	The 1st, 6th and 11th Tithis	Favorable for events designed towards gaining happiness, such as parties, releasing movies, entertainment, etc.
Bhadra Tithis (fortunate)	Mercury	the 2nd, 7th and 12th Tithis	Favorable for events designed to bring favor, success and wealth, such as beginning a job, starting a business, meeting an important person, etc.
Jaya Tithis (triumph)	Mars	the 3rd, 8th and 13th Tithis	Favorable for events designed to overcome obstacles or for thoseaimed at some high point of success, such as competitions,examinations, litigations or record-breaking efforts.
Rikta Tithis (empty)	Saturn	4th, 9th and 14th Tithis	Favorable for undesirable activities and any events that the performerwould want to feel the relief of being rid of something such aspurging, surgery, destroying an enemy, waste disposal, paying debts,etc
Purna Tithis (full)	Jupiter	5th, 10th and 15th Tithis	Favorable for anything designed to create a full measure or abundance, such as education, harvesting crops, minting money, etc.

The Nanda, Bhadra, Jaya, Rikta and Purna Tithis appear three times in each Paksha.

In the Shukla Paksha, the first set of Tithis is not very favorable as Moon is Balaheen and cosidered malefic, the second set is middling as Moon attains paksha bala and is significantly benefic, and the last set is most favorable as Moon is powerful .

In the Krishna Paksha, the first set of Tithis is most favorable as the Moon remains very beneficial, the second set is middling as Moon is again not significantly benefic or malefic, and the last set is the most unfavorable as the Moon is again significantly malefic.

Avoid If the lord of the Tithi is poorly disposed, even if the Tithi itself is favorable and

unblemished.

If the lord of the Tithi is well-disposed, no terribly ill reasons will come to distract from the performer’s productive attitude and happiness.