ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Panchanga

Panchanga is like a special calendar that tells us important things about days and times. It is used in India and other countries to help people plan important events like weddings and religious festivals.

There are five things we need to know, or "panch," to create a panchanga. These are the day of the week, the nakshatra or lunar mansion, the tithi or lunar day, the karana or half-tithi, and the yoga or combination of the moon and the sun.

Let's start with the day of the week. There are seven days in a week, just like we learn in school. Each day is named after a different planet or celestial body, like the sun, moon, and Mars.

Next, we have the nakshatra. This is like a group of stars that the moon travels through in the night sky. There are 27 nakshatras in total, and each one has its own special meaning and energy.

The tithi is like a phase of the moon. There are 30 tithis in a lunar month, which is different from the regular calendar month we use. The tithi tells us whether the moon is full, new, or in between.

The karana is half of a tithi, or about 6 hours. It has a special influence on what we do during that time.

Finally, we have the yoga. This is the relationship between the moon and the sun, which affects our energy and emotions.

When we put all of these things together, we can create a panchanga that tells us the best times for important events like marriage, starting new projects, and even cutting our hair! It helps us connect with the natural rhythms of the universe and make the most of our time.