The word “tithi” is actually a Sanskrit word meaning a lunar day. Some may confuse the word “tithi” with “samasthiti”. Although both sound similar, these two words carry different meaning. The former connotes the time taken when moon increase it’s instance from the sun by 12° whereas the latter means to stand in balanced stillness. “Tithi” plays a crucial role amongst Hindus’ in their day today life as well as special activities in selecting the good “muhurta”. In other words, the “tithi” forms the basis for identifying auspicious and inauspicious “muhurtas” for important occasions.
A brief historical preview of the hindu “Panchang” calendars will help explain what is “tithi” precisely. “Panchang” is a traditional hindu calendar which is of utmost importance in Vedic astrology. It is an ancient time reckoning system used for, among other things, predicting the dates of Hindu festivals. Panchang” is a Sanskrit word, literally meaning “having five limbs” or “five attributes”. The five attributes are namely tithi, nakshatra, Vara, Yoga, and Karana depend upon Moon’s motions. The accuracy of these attributes depends on the Moon’s motions which were considered most crucial in determining “panchang”, because the Moon is the fastest among all heavenly entities.
As we know, the moon takes about 30 days (a month) to orbit Earth clockwise and makes 360° full circle around earth. The Moon will move about 12° (which is known “tithi”) in the sky each day (or about 24 times its own diameter). A day or two after the new phase, the thin crescent begins to appear where we can see a small part of the Moon’s illuminated hemisphere. The moon has moved itself into a position where it now reflects a little sunlight toward earth along one side. The bright crescent growths in size on successive days when the Moon moves farther and farther around the sky away from the direction of the Sun.
Because the motions of the sun and the moon are constantly varying in speed, you can see the duration of a “tithi” always alters. Sometimes a tithi might begin and end on the same day wherein there will be two tithis on a day; Sometimes a tithi might overlap into the next day which might result two same tithis on two consecutive days. The duration of tithi can be as long as 26 hours and as less as 21 hours 34 minutes and 24 seconds. There are 15 “tithis” in the waxing cycle of the moon (shukla paksha) and 15 tithis in the waning cycle of the Moon (Krishna paksha). The Amavasya “tithi” (No moon or new moon) occurs when the longitudes of the sun and the moon are equal. When the moon orbit 12 degrees east from the sun, the first “tithi” happen which is known as Pratipada “tithi”. Likewise, the second tithi happens on the next 12 degrees of the Moon away from the Sun i.e 12 to 24 degrees.
Only Amavasya “tithi” and Purnami “tithi” have its own name whereas the other 14 tithis during Shulka paksha as well Krishan paksha are named based on numbers in sanskrit The same name is repeated for both waxing and wanning phase of moon for 14 other tithis. They are as follows:
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Pratipada (the first day after Amavasi or Poornami) or tamil known as “prathamai. The word “pratha” is means primary
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Dwitiya (the first day after Amavasi or Poornami). The word “Dwi” carries the meaning of two.
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Tritiya (third day after Amavasi or Poornami). The word “Tri” means three
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Chaturthi (fourth day after Amavasiya or Poornami). The word “Chatur” means four
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Panchami (fifth day after Amavasiya or Poornami). The word “Pancha” means five
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Shasti (sixth day after Amavasiya or Poornami). The word “Shan” means six
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Saptami (seventh day after Amavasiya or Poornami). The word “Sapta” means seven
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Ashtami (eighth day after Amavasiya or Poornami). The word “Ashta” means eighth
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Navami (ninth day after Amavasiya or Poornami). The word “Nava” means nine
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Dasami (tenth day after Amavasiya or Poornami). The word “Dasa” means ten
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Ekadashi (eleventh day after Amavasiya or Poornami). The word “Eka” means first and “dasa” means ten.
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Dwadashi (twelfth day after Amavasiya or Poornami). The word “Dwi” means two and “dasa” means ten
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Trayodashi (thirteenth day after Amavasiya or Poornami). The word “Tri” means three and “dasa” means ten
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Chaturdashi (fourteenth after Amavasiya or Poornami). The word “Chatur” means four and “dasa” means ten
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Purnima or full moon / Amavasiya or new moon.
As mentioned earlier, in Indian tradition, picking a good “muhurta” to celebrate festivals or daily activities is a custom and of course “tithi” play important role. In that aspect, Purnima always has a special place in hindu religion (also other religion) and considered very auspicious especially good for worship and observing religious vows. There are 12 Purnima days per year and each of them has their own significance. For instance, Guru Purnima is observed every year once on the full moon day (Purnima) which falls in the Hindu month of Ashadha (Aadi month in tamil calendar) to honour the spiritual and traditional teachers or gurus, as per Hindu customs.
Akshaya Tritiya, also known as “Akti” or “Akha Teej”, is an hindu spring festival. It falls on the third tithi (lunar day) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Vaisakha (in tamil known as “vaikasi” month). It is regionally observed as an auspicious day by Hindus as it signifies “never ending prosperity”. On Ekadashi “Ttithi” (the eleventh lunar day of each of the two lunar phases – Shukla Paksa and the Krishna Paksa), Lord Vishnu”s devotees keep a strict fast and break their fast on the next day after sunrise. Devotees can choose to observe fasting without water or with only eatig fruits.
Also one can see most of the Indian festivals commemorate the birthdays of deities which based on the lunisolar calendar of Tithi. For instance, Lord Rama’s birthday falls on the Shukla Navami Tithi of Chaitra (in the tamil known as “chithirai”) whereas Lord Krishna’s birthday falls on the Krishna Ashtami Tithi of the Shravana month (Avani month in tamil calendar). Hindus also believe that celebrating your birthday as per Tithis can benefit you in myriad forms.
Some are keen in selecting good time to arrange prayers or celebration. It’s up to one’s preference. One my point of view, those who believe in ancient vedic astrology, it is advisable to see the good “muhurta” to initiate any good things in their life i.e moving new house and begin business. Otherwise, everyday is good day and do good deed more. Definitely, universe reflects good to you.
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