Panchang for Kolkata
Wednesday, 20 August 2025 • बुधवार
Today's Cosmic Insight
AuspiciousAs the dawn unfurls on this Wednesday, the day carries a unique tapestry woven from the threads of Krishna Dwadashi, the waning twelfth moon. A time for introspection and release, the Dwadashi encourages us to gently let go of what no longer serves, preparing the ground for new beginnings. The active Karana, Taitila, supports endeavors that require skill and artistry, making the first half of the day favorable for creative pursuits and practical tasks that demand a delicate touch. Under the gentle gaze of Punarvasu Nakshatra, the celestial abode of renewal and return, the Moon invites us to seek comfort and healing. This lunar mansion, associated with abundance and nourishment, encourages us to mend what is broken, both within ourselves and in our surroundings. With the Moon in its second Pada, a sense of groundedness prevails, helping us to focus on the present moment and find stability amidst the waning lunar phase. The presence of Siddhi Yoga, a harbinger of accomplishment and success, blesses this day with the potential for fruition. Activities initiated under this Yoga are likely to bear positive results, particularly those aligned with growth and learning. As Wednesday, ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication and intellect, merges with the Siddhi Yoga, it amplifies the day's potential for insightful conversations, skillful negotiations, and the pursuit of knowledge. Embrace the day's energies by focusing on tasks that require precision, clear communication, and a touch of artistry, allowing the combined influences to guide you towards harmony and fulfillment.
Panchang Elements
Auspicious Times
Inauspicious Times
Current Time Period
Panchang for Kolkata on Wednesday, 20 August 2025 shows Krishna Dwadashi tithi (Krishna Paksha) with Punarvasu nakshatra in Pada 2. The yoga for this day is Siddhi and the karana is Taitila. Sunrise occurs at 05:14 AM and sunset at 06:04 PM.
What is Panchang? पंचांग
The word Panchang comes from Sanskrit — Pancha (five) + Anga (limbs). It is the traditional Vedic calendar system that has been used across the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years to track lunar days, stellar positions, and cosmic rhythms. Every day in the Hindu calendar is defined by these five elements working together.
Tithi तिथि
The lunar day — determined by the angular distance between the Sun and Moon. There are 30 tithis in a lunar month, 15 in each paksha (Shukla and Krishna). Each tithi carries its own energy: some are ideal for beginnings, others for completion or rest. Festivals like Ekadashi, Amavasya, and Purnima are all tithi-based.
Nakshatra नक्षत्र
The lunar mansion — the Moon's position among 27 star clusters along the ecliptic. Each nakshatra spans 13°20' of the zodiac and has a ruling deity, planet, and distinct character. Nakshatras are central to muhurat selection, birth chart interpretation, and compatibility matching in Vedic astrology.
Yoga योग
The luni-solar combination — calculated from the sum of the Sun's and Moon's longitudes divided into 27 equal parts. Each yoga has a name and nature (auspicious, neutral, or inauspicious). Yogas like Siddha, Amrita, and Shubha are considered favorable, while Vyaghata and Vajra call for caution.
Karana करण
Half of a tithi — each tithi has two karanas, giving 60 karanas in a lunar month. Of the 11 karana types, 4 are fixed (Shakuni, Chatushpada, Naga, Kimstughna) and 7 are movable. Karanas help fine-tune the auspiciousness of a tithi for specific activities.
Vara वार
The weekday — each vara is ruled by a planet: Ravivara (Sun), Somavara (Moon), Mangalavara (Mars), Budhavara (Mercury), Guruvara (Jupiter), Shukravara (Venus), Shanivara (Saturn). The ruling planet influences the character of the day and which activities are most favored.
Why Check the Panchang Daily?
For centuries, families, priests, and astrologers across India have consulted the Panchang before making any significant decision. It isn't superstition — it's a systematic method of aligning human activity with natural cycles.
Muhurat Selection
Find the most auspicious time for weddings, griha pravesh, mundan, namkaran, and other samskaras. The right muhurat combines a favorable tithi, nakshatra, yoga, and karana while avoiding Rahu Kaal.
Business & Finance
Start a new business, sign contracts, make investments, or open accounts during auspicious tithis and nakshatras. Many Indian businesses still consult the Panchang before major financial decisions.
Festival & Vrat Dates
Hindu festivals follow the lunar calendar — Diwali, Navratri, Karva Chauth, Ekadashi, and Pradosh Vrat dates all come from the Panchang. Accurate tithi calculations ensure you observe these on the correct day.
Daily Puja & Rituals
Know the ruling deity of the day, the appropriate mantras for the current nakshatra, and whether the tithi supports your planned worship. Brahma Muhurat and Abhijit Muhurat are the day's most sacred windows.
Travel & Journeys
Vedic tradition recommends checking the Panchang before long journeys. Certain nakshatras (like Ashwini, Mrigashira, Pushya, Revati) are considered ideal for travel, while Rahu Kaal should be avoided for departures.
Education & Learning
Vidyarambha (beginning of education) and joining a new course or school are traditionally timed using the Panchang. Nakshatras ruled by Mercury and Jupiter are especially valued for intellectual pursuits.
Panchang for Kolkata
This Panchang is calculated specifically for Kolkata using precise geographic coordinates (22.57°N, 88.36°E). Sunrise in Kolkata on this day is at 05:14 AM and sunset at 06:04 PM — all time-dependent elements including tithi end times, Rahu Kaal, Yamaghanda, Gulika Kaal, Abhijit Muhurat, and Brahma Muhurat are derived from these local sun timings.
Because the Panchang is location-sensitive, the same date can show different tithi or nakshatra transition times in different cities. A tithi that ends at 3:42 PM in Kolkata may end at a different time in another city due to the difference in sunrise. This is why it's important to use a Panchang calculated for your specific city rather than a generic national Panchang.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is today's tithi in Kolkata?
The tithi on Wednesday, 20 August 2025 in Kolkata is Krishna Dwadashi (Krishna Paksha). Tithi determines the nature of the lunar day and is used for festival observance, muhurat timing, and daily planning.
What is today's nakshatra in Kolkata?
The nakshatra in Kolkata on 20 August 2025 is Punarvasu (Pada 2). Nakshatras are the 27 lunar mansions used in Vedic astrology for muhurat selection, birth chart analysis, and daily planning.
What time is Rahu Kaal on 20 August 2025 in Kolkata?
Rahu Kaal in Kolkata on 20 August 2025 is from 11:39 to 13:16. Rahu Kaal is a daily inauspicious period lasting approximately 90 minutes, calculated from the local sunrise time. It is considered unfavorable for starting new ventures, signing contracts, or beginning journeys. The timing shifts each day of the week based on a fixed planetary order.
Is 20 August 2025 auspicious for starting new work?
The auspiciousness of any day depends on the combination of all five Panchang elements. On 20 August 2025 in Kolkata, the tithi is Krishna Dwadashi, the nakshatra is Punarvasu, and the yoga is Siddhi. For the best results, plan important activities during Abhijit Muhurat (11:14 – 12:05) and avoid Rahu Kaal (11:39 – 13:16). For a detailed muhurat analysis, use our Muhurat Finder.
How is Panchang different for each city?
The Panchang changes from city to city because all time-based calculations depend on the local sunrise and sunset. Sunrise in a western city like Mumbai occurs later than in an eastern city like Kolkata — this shifts the timing of Rahu Kaal, Yamaghanda, Gulika Kaal, Brahma Muhurat, Abhijit Muhurat, Choghadiya, and Hora. Even tithi and nakshatra transition times can fall on different sides of midnight, making a tithi "today" in one city but "tomorrow" in another. Always use a Panchang calculated for your specific location.
What is Abhijit Muhurat and when is it ?
Abhijit Muhurat is a universally auspicious period of approximately 48 minutes occurring around midday. It is considered favorable for almost all activities — starting new work, signing documents, travel, and religious ceremonies. In Kolkata on 20 August 2025, Abhijit Muhurat falls between 11:14 and 12:05. The word "Abhijit" means "victorious" — it is named after the auspicious nakshatra that rules this time window.