A Nakshatra, or lunar mansion, is one of the 27 equal divisions of the zodiac through which the Moon travels — each spanning 13°20' of the 360° circle. Where Western astrology emphasises the Sun sign, Vedic astrology (Jyotisha) places the Moon and its Nakshatra at the centre of a person's chart. Your janma nakshatra — the Nakshatra the Moon occupied at the moment of your birth — is one of the most personal and important elements of your Kundali.

The 27 Nakshatras

The 27 Nakshatras, in order, 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 has a presiding deity, a symbol, an animal, and a set of qualities that colour the temperament of those born under it.

Padas and Ruling Planets

Each Nakshatra is divided into four quarters called padas, each spanning 3°20'. The pada in which the Moon falls determines the Navamsa position and the first syllable traditionally used to name a child. Every Nakshatra is also ruled by one of the nine planets in a fixed sequence (Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury), and this rulership is the foundation of the Vimshottari Dasha — the planetary period system that maps the timeline of your life.

Why the Birth Star Matters

The janma nakshatra shapes personality, guides the traditional Telugu naming ceremony (namakaranam), and drives two key predictive systems: the Vimshottari Dasha and Nakshatra-based matchmaking (the Nadi, Bhakoot, and other kootas of guna milan are computed from the birth stars of the couple). It also underlies Tarabalam — the daily strength of the star used to pick auspicious timings.

Finding Your Nakshatra

Because the Moon moves quickly — changing Nakshatra roughly every day — an accurate birth date, time, and place are needed to determine your janma nakshatra and its pada. Mana Panchangam's Kundali generator computes your Nakshatra, pada, Moon sign, and full Vimshottari Dasha timeline from your birth details, so you don't have to look them up in a printed panchangam.