Religious FAQ

A tithi is a lunar day — the time it takes for the angular distance between the Sun and Moon (their longitudinal difference) to increase by 12 degrees is called one tithi. A full lunar month has 30 tithis — 15 in the bright fortnight (Pratipada to Purnima) and 15 in the dark fortnight (Pratipada to Amavasya). Since tithi length doesn't align exactly with the solar day (24 hours), a tithi's duration fluctuates between roughly 19 and 26 hours, and sometimes two tithis can transition within a single solar day.

Ekadashi is the eleventh lunar day of both the bright and dark fortnights of every lunar month, considered a specially meritorious day dedicated to Vishnu. According to the Puranas, fasting on this day purifies mind and body and cultivates sense-restraint. Each Ekadashi has its own mythological story and significance — Nirjala Ekadashi, for instance, is known for the strictest fast, while Devshayani Ekadashi is believed to mark the start of the four-month Chaturmasya vow.

The traditional Bengali panjika generally follows the ancient astronomical calculation methods called Surya Siddhanta and Bisuddha Siddhanta, which differ somewhat from the modern Western-astronomy-based (Drik Siddhanta) method. Based on the angular positions of the Sun and Moon, the five elements of the panchang — tithi, nakshatra, yoga, and karana — are determined. Note that the tithi/nakshatra data shown on this website is currently calculated approximately using a modern astronomical method (based on the Lahiri ayanamsha), which may differ slightly from an authentic Surya Siddhanta-based Bengali panjika.

Durga Puja is a five-day festival — Shashthi involves the Bodhon (awakening) and invocation of the goddess; Saptami includes the bathing and installation of the Navapatrika (nine plants); Ashtami features Kumari Puja and Sandhi Puja (at the junction of Ashtami and Navami); Navami involves the great yajna; and on Dashami (Vijaya Dashami), the goddess is immersed and Sindoor Khela is performed. Each day has its own rituals and significance.

'Panchang' (or panjika) literally means 'five limbs' — tithi, vara (day of the week), nakshatra, yoga, and karana. Together, these five elements give the complete astronomical description of any day. All five are considered when determining the auspicious moment (muhurat) for a puja, wedding, or any other auspicious occasion.

A lunar month is divided into two fortnights — the period from the new moon to the full moon is called Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the moon), and the period from the full moon to the new moon is called Krishna Paksha (the waning phase). Each fortnight has 15 tithis.

Purnima (the last tithi of the bright fortnight) symbolizing fullness and auspiciousness is the tithi of pujas and festivals — Lakshmi Puja, Guru Purnima, and Rasa Purnima fall on it. Amavasya (the last tithi of the dark fortnight) is the tithi of ancestral tarpan, Shiva-Shakti worship, and tantric sadhana — Kali Puja, for instance, is held on Amavasya. Many vows and observances revolve around the Purnima or Amavasya tithi.

To determine the muhurat of any puja or auspicious act, all five elements of the panchang — tithi, vara, nakshatra, yoga, and karana — are considered together. Traditionally, the auspicious time is found by taking the active period of the tithi and nakshatra within the day from sunrise to sunset, matched with the scriptural rules of the specific puja. The puja timings shown in this app are approximate, based on a modern astronomical calculation, so consulting a traditional panjika is advisable for exact auspicious times.

The essentials of mantra japa are purity, concentration, and regularity. The general practice is to sit in a clean place after bathing and chant the mantra distinctly, counting on a japa mala or the fingers, ideally with the guidance of a guru or a reliable source. The count is usually fixed — such as 108 times. Regular chanting in the morning or evening is believed to be more fruitful; ultimately devotion and sincerity are the real power of a mantra — rather than fearing an unintentional mispronunciation, one should continue chanting sincerely.

An aarti is an act of devotional offering performed by rotating a lamp before the deity, accompanied by song and circumambulation — a flame of ghee or oil or incense is used to invoke the deity's blessings. The custom of singing hymns with clapping turns the aarti into a festival in which all take part. Its chief purpose is to offer 'darshan' to the deity and to focus the devotee's mind on God. Note that some of the aarti lyrics in this app are still sample material — final texts will be included once legally cleared.

To reconcile the lunar months with the solar year, an extra lunar month is added every two and a half to three years; this is called Adhika masa or Malmas. During this month it is customary not to hold the principal pujas or festivals, while charity, bathing, and chanting the Lord's name are considered especially meritorious. The Puranas also call it 'Purushottama masa'. There is no extra month in 2026; the next one falls in 2028.

When first opened online, the necessary content (tithi-panjika, gods, mantras, festivals, etc.) is saved on the device. Afterwards, through the service worker the app can be used offline — viewing the calendar, reading gods and mantras, and searching all work from this offline cache. When content is updated or new data arrives, an online connection is again required.

On Ekadashi, grains and cereal-based foods (rice, wheat, pulses, etc.) are avoided, keeping a fast on fruits, dairy products, or a complete waterless fast — according to one's capacity. The fast is broken (parana) the next day on the Dwadashi tithi after sunrise. Many observe a lighter or partial fast considering their physical condition — the core purpose of the rule is sense-restraint and devotion.

The tithi-nakshatra and panjika data is calculated approximately using a modern astronomical computation (astronomy-engine, based on Lahiri ayanamsha), which may differ by a day or a few minutes from the Surya Siddhanta-based traditional Bengali panjika. The dates of festivals and pujas (such as Durga Puja or Ekadashi) have been cross-checked with universal calendars, but for muhurats and extremely precise tithi timings it is safer to follow the traditional panjika. For matters as important as worship, always consult a reliable pandit or panjika.

The Durga Puja held in autumn (the month of Ashwin) is called Sharadiya Durga Puja — Bengal's principal annual festival, known as 'Akal Bodhan' because the goddess was awakened before the season during Rama's war with Ravana. The puja held in spring (the month of Chaitra) is called Basanti Durga Puja, called 'Kalika' (regular) puja as it occurs in the proper season. Though the Sharadiya puja is far larger in scale, ritually the Basanti puja is regarded as the original or 'Kalika' puja. In 2026 the Basanti puja falls in Chaitra and the Sharadiya puja in Ashwin.