What is today's nakshatra?

Today's nakshatra is the lunar mansion currently occupied by the Moon. The Moon transits through all 27 nakshatras in approximately 27.3 days, spending roughly one day in each. The current nakshatra influences the quality of the day for activities, rituals, and personal decisions based on Vedic astrology principles.

How long does each nakshatra last?

Each nakshatra spans 13 degrees and 20 minutes of the zodiac. The Moon takes approximately 24 hours to transit through one nakshatra, but this varies because the Moon's speed is not constant — it moves faster at perigee (closest to Earth) and slower at apogee (farthest). Transit duration ranges from about 20 to 28 hours.

Columbus

Data calculated for 2026-04-05 using Swiss Ephemeris | Lahiri Ayanamsa

TL;DR

Nakshatra is the Moon's position among the 27 lunar mansions. Today the Moon is in Vishakha (Pada 3), ruled by Jupiter, until 14:38.

Today's Nakshatra — Vishakha

Columbus • 2026-04-05

Today's nakshatra creates 9 different effects

Depending on YOUR birth Moon, Vishakha brings Sampat (wealth), Vipat (obstacles), or Mitra (friendship). The same day that brings luck to one person may challenge another.

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Current Nakshatra Details

Nakshatra	Vishakha
Pada	3
Ruling Planet	Jupiter
Pada Lord	Mercury
End Time	14:38

What is a Nakshatra?

Nakshatras are the 27 lunar mansions that the Moon traverses during its monthly cycle (Brihat Samhita). Each Nakshatra spans 13°20' of the zodiac (360° / 27 = 13.33°). The Moon stays in each Nakshatra for approximately one day, making it the fastest-changing panchang element.

Each Nakshatra is further divided into 4 Padas (quarters) of 3°20' each. The Pada determines the navamsha sign and adds specificity to predictions. The Nakshatra Lord (ruling planet) determines the Vimshottari Dasha sequence at birth.

The 27 Nakshatras

#	Name	Lord	Deity	Nature
1	Ashwini	Ketu	Ashwini Kumaras	Light (Laghu)
2	Bharani	Venus	Yama	Fierce (Ugra)
3	Krittika	Sun	Agni	Mixed (Mishra)
4	Rohini	Moon	Brahma	Fixed (Sthira)
5	Mrigashira	Mars	Soma	Soft (Mridu)
6	Ardra	Rahu	Rudra	Sharp (Tikshna)
7	Punarvasu	Jupiter	Aditi	Movable (Chara)
8	Pushya	Saturn	Brihaspati	Light (Laghu)
9	Ashlesha	Mercury	Nagas	Sharp (Tikshna)
10	Magha	Ketu	Pitris	Fierce (Ugra)
11	Purva Phalguni	Venus	Bhaga	Fierce (Ugra)
12	Uttara Phalguni	Sun	Aryaman	Fixed (Sthira)
13	Hasta	Moon	Savitar	Light (Laghu)
14	Chitra	Mars	Tvashtar	Soft (Mridu)
15	Swati	Rahu	Vayu	Movable (Chara)
16	Vishakha	Jupiter	Indra-Agni	Mixed (Mishra)
17	Anuradha	Saturn	Mitra	Soft (Mridu)
18	Jyeshtha	Mercury	Indra	Sharp (Tikshna)
19	Mula	Ketu	Nirriti	Sharp (Tikshna)
20	Purva Ashadha	Venus	Apah	Fierce (Ugra)
21	Uttara Ashadha	Sun	Vishvadevas	Fixed (Sthira)
22	Shravana	Moon	Vishnu	Movable (Chara)
23	Dhanishta	Mars	Vasus	Movable (Chara)
24	Shatabhisha	Rahu	Varuna	Movable (Chara)
25	Purva Bhadrapada	Jupiter	Aja Ekapada	Fierce (Ugra)
26	Uttara Bhadrapada	Saturn	Ahir Budhnya	Fixed (Sthira)
27	Revati	Mercury	Pushan	Soft (Mridu)

Explore Nakshatras in Depth

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