Windows to plan around · Ujjain
Panchak Today — Is Panchak On Now?
Panchak — the five-day stretch when the Moon crosses the last five nakshatras.
Panchak, meaning “the group of five”, is the roughly five-day period each month when the Moon crosses the final five nakshatras: Dhanishta, Shatabhisha, Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada and Revati. Despite its reputation, the traditional caution applies to five specific acts rather than everyday life as a whole.
In force now
Yes. Panchak is running right now.
- Current window
- Wed 21 Oct 2026, 6:55 AM → Sun 25 Oct 2026, 7:22 PM
- Ends
- 7:22 PM · Sun 25 Oct 2026
The end time is exact. The start is the half-way point of Dhanishta, computed from the nakshatra’s span, so it can differ from a printed almanac by a few minutes.
Times are calculated for Ujjain, the traditional Indian reference. The lunar factors hold across India; only sunrise-based times vary by location.
What Panchak actually is
During a lunar month, the Moon crosses 27 nakshatras, fixed sections of the sky that each span about a day. The final five lie in Kumbha (Aquarius) and Meena (Pisces), and Panchak is the Moon’s passage through this part of the sky. It occurs about every 27 days and lasts a little under five days. Because it depends only on the Moon’s position, Panchak occurs worldwide at the same moment; only the local clock time changes by timezone.
The five acts classically avoided
The traditional caution covers five acts: laying a house roof or beams; collecting or storing firewood and fuel; making or setting up a bed or cot; travelling south (the direction of Yama); and cremation, for which a customary remedy is prescribed rather than a prohibition. Many communities also postpone weddings and housewarmings, so the muhurat finder excludes Panchak for those events. Work, study, travel in other directions, worship, medical treatment, buying and selling are unaffected.
When Panchak begins and ends
Panchak begins halfway through Dhanishta. This nakshatra crosses the Capricorn–Aquarius boundary, placing its first half outside Panchak and its second half inside. Panchak ends when Revati gives way to Ashwini. The times above use the Moon’s actual position for the reference place shown. The start is accurate to within a few minutes of the published almanac, and the end to the minute.
Raja Panchak, Agni Panchak and the rest
Some almanacs name Panchak according to the weekday on which it begins: Roga Panchak on Sunday, Raja Panchak on Monday, Agni Panchak on Tuesday, Mrityu Panchak on Saturday, and so on. Raja Panchak is considered favourable rather than cautionary. These names vary by region and are not part of the core rule, so the page shows the period itself and leaves the label to your family tradition.
FAQ
What is Panchak?
Panchak is the period of roughly five days each month when the Moon travels through the last five nakshatras — Dhanishta (second half), Shatabhisha, Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada and Revati. It recurs about every 27 days.
What should not be done during Panchak?
Five things classically: roofing a house, storing firewood or fuel, making or setting up a bed, travelling south, and cremation (for which a remedy is prescribed). Ordinary work, study, worship, medical care and travel in other directions are unaffected.
Is it safe to travel during Panchak?
Yes, with one traditional exception: journeys towards the south are the ones classically set aside. Travel in every other direction carries no Panchak caution.
Can a marriage take place during Panchak?
Many families avoid it, and our muhurat finder screens Panchak days out of its wedding-adjacent categories, but the classical prohibition names only the five acts above. This is a matter for your family tradition and your priest.
How is Panchak calculated?
From the Moon’s real position. It starts at the halfway point of Dhanishta — where the Moon enters Aquarius — and ends when Revati gives way to Ashwini. Pure ephemeris arithmetic, no AI.
Related timings
Daily Panchang by city
Today’s tithi, nakshatra and timings for major Indian cities.