What is Nakshatra?

A Nakshatra (நட்சத்திரம்) is a lunar mansion — one of 27 (or 28) divisions of the ecliptic through which the Moon travels in its monthly journey. Each Nakshatra spans 13°20′ of the sidereal zodiac. The Moon spends approximately one day in each Nakshatra, completing all 27 in about 27.3 days (one sidereal month).

The 27 Nakshatras are: Ashwini, Bharani, Krittika, Rohini, Mrigashira, Ardra, Punarvasu, Pushya, Ashlesha, Magha, Purva Phalguni, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Vishakha, Anuradha, Jyeshtha, Mula, Purva Ashadha, Uttara Ashadha, Shravana, Dhanishta, Shatabhisha, Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada, and Revati. Each is associated with a ruling planet, a presiding deity, and a quality (Deva/Manushya/Rakshasa gana).

In Tamil astrology, the Nakshatra in which the Moon was positioned at the time of birth is called the Janma Nakshatra (birth star). It forms the basis of the Tamil naming tradition (children are named using the syllables of their birth Nakshatra), Rasi-based horoscope matching in marriage, and the calculation of Dasha (planetary period) in Vimshottari Dasha system.

Each Nakshatra is divided into four Padas (quarters) of 3°20′ each. The 27 Nakshatras × 4 Padas = 108 Padas, which correspond to the 108 beads of a Japa mala. Navagraha worship, birth chart calculations, and Muhurtham selection all use Nakshatra Pada information for finer precision.

Some Nakshatras are auspicious for specific activities: Rohini and Pushya for new beginnings; Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha, and Uttara Bhadrapada for marriages; Hasta for craft and handwork. Others like Moola, Jyeshtha, and Ashlesha are avoided for auspicious ceremonies. The Panchang lists the current Nakshatra and its end time daily.

All 27 Nakshatras — Reference Table

The table below lists all 27 Nakshatras in order with their ruling planet (Nakshatra lord), presiding deity, and Gana (temperament) as used in Jyotish (Vedic astrology). Gana — Deva (divine), Manushya (human), or Rakshasa (fierce) — plays a key role in Nakshatra compatibility and marriage matching (Porutham).