Tithi Q&A
Q.1. What is a Tithi?
Answer: Tithi is calculated from the position of the Moon and the Sun. It is a lunar day, which changes based on the phases of the Moon (Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha).
Q.2. How many Tithi are there in a month?
Answer: There are 30 Tithi in a lunar month – 15 of Shukla Paksha and 15 of Krishna Paksha.
Q.3. How many types of Paksha are there?
Answer: Two types:
- Shukla Paksha – from Amavasya to Poornima (Moon grows).
- Krishna Paksha – from Poornima to Amavasya (Moon wanes).
Q.4. Why is Tithi important?
Answer: Every Tithi has its own special significance and quality. Auspicious works, Puja, fasting, marriage etc. are done only after seeing the correct Tithi.
Q.5. Which Tithi are considered auspicious?
Answer: Dwitiya, Tritiya, Panchami, Saptami, Dashami, Ekadashi, Dwadashi and Trayodashi are considered auspicious for many works.
Q.6. What are the inauspicious dates?
Answer: Amavasya, Poornima (for some works), Chaturdashi and Ashtami are considered inauspicious for many works.
Q.7. How long is a Tithi?
Answer: Generally the duration of Tithi is between 19 to 26 hours. It varies according to the movement of the Sun and Moon.
Q.8. Which dates are auspicious for marriage?
Answer: Dwitiya, Tritiya, Panchami, Saptami, Dashami, Ekadashi, Trayodashi and Poornima are considered auspicious for marriage (according to Nakshatra and Yoga).
Q.9. Which dates are special for fasting and vrat?
Answer: Ekadashi (fast), Chaturthi (Ganesh Puja), Shashthi (Skanda Puja), Ashtami (Durga Puja), Poornima (Satyanarayana Vrat) and Amavasya (Pitru Tarpan) are special.
Q.10. How is the date counted?
Answer: A difference of 12° between the Sun and the Moon completes one date.