Tithi Calendar Nepal — Today's Tithi & Lunar Day

What Is a Tithi?

A tithi is a lunar day in the Hindu and Nepali calendar systems. It measures the angular distance between the Sun and the Moon — each 12-degree increase in the Moon's elongation from the Sun defines one tithi. Unlike a solar day, which is always approximately 24 hours, a tithi can range from about 19 to 26 hours depending on the Moon's orbital speed.

There are 30 tithis in a complete lunar month. The month is divided into two halves called pakshas: Shukla Paksha (the bright or waxing fortnight, from New Moon to Full Moon) and Krishna Paksha (the dark or waning fortnight, from Full Moon to New Moon). Each paksha contains 15 tithis.

The 15 Tithis of Each Paksha

Each paksha cycles through the same 15 tithi names, except for the final tithi which differs:

1. Pratipada — the first lunar day
2. Dwitiya — the second lunar day
3. Tritiya — the third lunar day (Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated on Shukla Tritiya of Vaishakha)
4. Chaturthi — the fourth lunar day (Ganesh Chaturthi)
5. Panchami — the fifth lunar day (Saraswati Puja on Shukla Panchami)
6. Shashthi — the sixth lunar day
7. Saptami — the seventh lunar day
8. Ashtami — the eighth lunar day (Durga Ashtami)
9. Navami — the ninth lunar day (Maha Navami)
10. Dashami — the tenth lunar day (Vijaya Dashami)
11. Ekadashi — the eleventh lunar day (major fasting day)
12. Dwadashi — the twelfth lunar day
13. Trayodashi — the thirteenth lunar day
14. Chaturdashi — the fourteenth lunar day (Maha Shivaratri)
15. Purnima (Shukla) / Amavasya (Krishna) — Full Moon or New Moon

Important Tithis for Festivals and Fasting

Several tithis hold special religious and cultural significance in Nepal:

• Ekadashi — The 11th tithi in both pakshas is the most widely observed fasting day, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Devout Hindus fast completely or eat only fruit and milk on Ekadashi.
• Purnima (Full Moon) — Many festivals fall on Purnima, including Guru Purnima, Buddha Purnima, and Raksha Bandhan. Full moon days are considered auspicious for charity and spiritual practices.
• Amavasya (New Moon) — Observed for pitru tarpan (ancestor worship) and Shradha rituals. Somvati Amavasya (when Amavasya falls on Monday) is especially significant.
• Ashtami — Durga Ashtami during Dashain is one of the most important days in the Nepali festival calendar. Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated on Krishna Paksha Ashtami of Bhadra.
• Chaturdashi — Maha Shivaratri falls on Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Falgun and is one of the holiest nights for Lord Shiva devotees.

Frequently Asked Questions