What is Panchak?
Panchak is the roughly five-day stretch each month when the Moon transits the last five nakshatras — Dhanishtha (second half), Shatabhisha, Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada and Revati — i.e. the Moon in Aquarius and Pisces. Because these five come together, the period is called "Panchak" (a group of five) and certain activities are traditionally deferred during it.
The five types of Panchak
A Panchak takes its name and character from the weekday it begins on:
- Rog Panchak (begins Sunday) — associated with ill health; avoid starting anything that affects wellbeing.
- Raj Panchak (begins Monday) — considered comparatively favourable, good for property and administrative matters.
- Agni Panchak (begins Tuesday) — linked to fire, disputes and accidents; avoid risky or litigation-related starts.
- Chor Panchak (begins Friday) — associated with theft and loss; avoid large transactions and travel with valuables.
- Mrityu Panchak (begins Saturday) — the most cautioned; avoid risky ventures and journeys.
A Panchak beginning on Wednesday or Thursday carries no special dosha and is treated as an ordinary Panchak.
What is traditionally avoided during Panchak
Classical texts name five acts to defer in Panchak: travelling to the south, gathering wood or fuel, building a roof / thatching a house, making a bed or cot, and performing last rites (which, if unavoidable, are done with a special shanti). Routine work, worship, and auspicious samskaras are generally not blocked.
How the timings are calculated
Panchak begins the moment the Moon enters the second half of Dhanishtha (300°) and ends when it leaves Revati (360°). These are exact astronomical instants, the same everywhere on Earth — only the clock time differs by timezone, which is why you can set your location above. Times are computed with the Lahiri ayanamsha.
See also today's Panchang for the day's full reading and the monthly Panchang for Panchak alongside Gandmool and Bhadra.