Importance of Tithis - Lunar Fortnight of Hinduism

Tithi or the dates of a lunar calendar have a special significance in astrology. In Hindu culture, auspicious muhurtas (auspicious timings) are determined on the basis of tithis, along with some other variables. Various kind of auspicious works are categorised according to the determining tithis. These tithis also take into consideration the waning period of the moon called the Shukla paksha, and the waxing period of the moon which is called the Krishna paksha.

Pratipada Tithi

Chandra Kala; Amrita 

Presiding deity: Brahma.

It is a Nanda tithi which bestows happiness. 

 

This Tithi holds importance for work related to the construction of a house, moving into a new home, marriage, travelling, fame and nutrition. Moon is considered to be stronger during Krishna Paksha Pratipada (waning moon/decreasing), and weaker during Shukla Paksha Pratipada (waxing moon/increasing). Hence, all the auspicious work is performed like marriage, fasting, vaastu karma, house warming. should not be performed during Shukla Paksha Pratipada. It is auspicious for all types of religious and auspicious ceremonies, festivals, journeys, wedding, installation, observing a vow, accepting honours or a position, activities related to real estate and hair cutting. 

 

Dwitya Tithi  

 

Chandra Kala: Manada. 

Presiding deity: Vidhata. 

It is a Bhadra tithi which is good for starting any new work. 

 

Good for laying the foundation of house, factory, and other things of a permanent nature. Good for wedding, starting a job or any duty or the beginning of any work and wearing jewelry. Some work that is considered to be auspicious is related to marriage, travel, buying ornaments, learning music, matters related to state and country, vastukarma etc. The ritual of Tailabhyang (applying ceremonial oiling,) is prohibited on this tithi.

Tritya Tithi

Chandra Kala: Poosha. 

Presiding Deity: Vishnu. 

It is a Jaya Tithi and bestows victory. 

 

Auspicious day to start important businesses, wedding, the first music lesson, the first feeding of a child, construction. Good for the cuttings of one’s hair and nails and shaving. Auspicious work related to this tithi is music, sculpting, wearing bangles, food, moving to a new home, marriage, travel, matters related to state etc.

Chaturthi Tithi

Chandra Kala: Tusthi. 

Presiding deity: Yama 

It is a Rikta Tithi and not good for auspicious works. 

 

Good for the destruction of one’s enemies, the removal of obstacles, acts of combat, cleaning of the house, polishing, arguments, fight with the enemies, use of weapons and fire. Inauspicious day to start any important businesses. This Tithi is auspicious for work related to electronics, conquering of enemies, fire-related work, weapons etc. This tithi is in fact, considered to be good for brutal works.

Panchami Tithi

Chandra Kala: Pushthi. 

Presiding Deity: Moon 

It is a Poorna Tithi and good for completing any work. 

 

Favourable for administering medicine, the purging of poisons and surgery. Auspicious day to start important businesses, wedding and healing. This tithi is good for doing any auspicious work. This date is considered appropriate for all trends. This date is considered inauspicious for lending money. Anyone lending money incurs losses.

Shashthi Tithi

Chandra Kala: Rati. 

Presiding Deity: Karttikeya

It is a Nanda tithi which bestows happiness. 

 

Favourable for Coronation, Construction, activities related to the houses and real estate, jewellery making, starting friendship and starting war. Not very auspicious for marriage. This tithi is good for war-craft works, vastu karma, beginning to stay in a new home and wearing  new garments. This tithi is inauspicious for Tailabhyang, Abhyang, kashth karma, traffic, etc.

Saptami Tithi

Chandra Kala: Dhruti 

Presiding deity: Indra 

It is a Bhadra Tithi which is good for starting any new work. 

 

Activities, related to transportation; Buying conveyances, wedding, music, dance, debate, decoration and ornaments; the beginning of a journey, starting a war and physical exercise. This Tithi is auspicious for marriage, music-related work, construction and new ornaments. Travel, Bride’s access to home, shifting to a new home, state related work, Vastu karma etc. can also be done.

Ashtami Tithi

Chandra Kala: Sasichini 

Presiding deity: Vasu

It is a Jaya Tithi and bestows victory. 

 

Good for taking up arms, building of one’s defenses, and fortification, architecture, debate, dance. Auspicious day to start important businesses, sport, studying arts, activities related to houses and estates, studying and construction. This tithi is related to works like writing assignments, war related work, Vastu Karma, craft-related work, work related to gems, weapons or possession of weapons.

Navami Tithi

Chandra Kala: Chandrika

Presiding Deity: Serpent 

It is a Rikta Tithi and not good for auspicious works. 

 

Suitable for killing enemies, acts of destruction, and violence. Inauspicious day for important businesses. Good for arguments, competition, physical exercising, shooting etc. marksmanship and work with tools. This tithi is centered around activities such as hunting, fighting, gambling, building weapons, construction, preparation or consumption of alcohol, and all types of cruel deeds.

Dashmi Tithi

Chandra Kala: Kanta

Presiding Deity: Dharma. 

It is a Poorna Tithi and good for completing any work. 

 

Good for acts of virtue, religious functions, spiritual practices, and other pious activities, entering a home, to start important businesses, wedding, wearing jewels, journeys, activities, related to transportation, vehicles, houses and meeting important people. This tithi is good for work related to horses, elephants, marriage, music, garments, ornaments, travel, or government related works. It is also considered good for beginning to live in a new home, moving to a new home, bride welcoming into a new home.

Ekadashi Tithi

Chandra Kala: Jyostna. 

Presiding Deity: Rudra 

It is a Nanda tithi which bestows happiness. 

 

Fasting, worship, fulfilling promises, wedding, arguments, physical exercises, construction, pilgrimage, spiritual holidays, festivities, observing vows, decorating, arrival and departure. This tithi is good for fasts, religious work, festivals, Vastu Karma, war related work, craft, sewing, weaving and travel.

Dwadashi Tithi

Chandra Kala: Shree. 

Presiding Deity: The Sun 

It is a Bhadra Tithi 

 

Good for starting any new work. Auspicious for all religious ceremonies, the lighting of the sacred fire, and the performance of one’s duties. Fulfillment of promises, other auspicious activities. Avoiding taking oil bath and journeys. Wedding is not very auspicious. This tithi centers around the theme of work related to marriage, nutrition, cars, and work on roads. This tithi is not auspicious for construction of a new home, moving into a new home and travel.

Shukla Paksha - Tryodashi Tithi

Chandra Kala is Priti. 

Presiding Deity: Madan

It is a Jaya Tithi and bestows victory.

 

Also called Pradosham and very good for Pooja of Lord Shiva. Auspicious day to start important businesses, wearing new clothes and jewels, struggle, fulfillment of promises, starting a war, observing vows and sensual pleasures. This tithi related to the theme of war, military, weapons, flags, banners on the building work, state-related work, architectural work, and music. All kind of auspicious work can be done on this tithi. This tithi is not considered auspicious work related to travel, moving to a new home, wearing new clothes or ornaments and Upanayana ceremony.

Chaturdashi Tithi

Chandra Kala: Angada. 

Presiding Deity: Kali 

It is a Rikta Tithi and not good for auspicious works. 

 

Suitable for administering poison and calling of elements and spirits. Inauspicious day for any important businesses. Only do routine work and read scriptures. Avoid journeys, hair cutting and manicure. This tithi is very similar in theme to the tithi of Chaturthi. This tithi is about vanquishing of enemies so actions requiring aggression and cruelty are done on this tithi, including use of weapons, maintenance of weapons or an actual militaristic attack. Travel is prohibited on this tithi. 

Pournima

Chandra Kala is Poorna. 

Presiding Deity: Vishwadevas

It is a Poorna Tithi and good for completing any work. 

 

Auspicious day to start important businesses, constructions, accepting a position, the beginning of work, spiritual ceremonies, household work and physical activities. This tithi is considered good for work related to marriage, craft, artisan-ship, moulding ornaments. Also work related to war, sacrifice, water, travel, peace, and nurture can be carried out.

Amavasya

Chandra Kala: Poorna. 

Presiding Deity: Vishwadevas 

Poorna Tithi, not for auspicious events like marriage, but except religious ceremonies and worship. 

 

Inauspicious day for any work except religious ceremonies, charity and performing rites for the departed. Work related to Mahadana and Pitra Karma, or death related rituals can be performed on this Tithi. Not a good tithi for physical intimacy.