The Hindu almanack (panchang) describes five elements – Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Vara and Karana. Tithi is the time taken by the Moon to move 12 degrees away from the Sun. To put it in simple words, a Tithi is a lunar day, and the Tithi calendar relates to the Hindu lunar calendar. There are 30 tithis between Krishna Paksha (waning phase) Pratipada and Shukla Paksha (waxing phase) Purnima, albeit the length of each lunar day varies. Tithi can last anywhere from 21.5 hours to 26 hours. In astrology, Tithis have a specific significance.

Tithis are used to determine auspicious timings or Muhurat in Hindu culture. There are auspicious and inauspicious tithis, and each is deemed more favourable for certain purposes than others. When choosing a Muhurta, it’s important to know the distinction between Nakshatra and Tithi, as both of them relate to our mental state. The Tithi is reigned by Jala Tattvaor, the water element, and Venus represents one’s mental state, whether they are enthusiastic, weary, frightened, anxious, irritated, or peaceful. The Nakshatra is reigned by Vayu Tattvaor, the air element and Saturn. It predicts whether the mind will have a good or unpleasant experience. Tithis are used to determine the likelihood of an event’s success. It also reveals whether or not people are willing to contribute to the venture. The fifteen Tithis are further classified into five groups. These include

  • Nanda Tithi – ruled by Fire
  • Bhadra Tithi – Ruled by Earth
  • Jaya Tithi – Ruled by Akash
  • Rikta – Ruled by Water
  • Purna – Ruled by Vayu

Let us understand what these Tithis are in detail

1st Tithi -Pratipada

Pratipada or Padyami is the first Tithi.The presiding deity of this Tithi is Brahma. This is a Nanda Tithi ruled by fire and grants immense blessings. This Tithi is propitious for all religious and auspicious rituals, festivals, weddings, journeys, house construction, rewards and recognition, real estate transaction, moving to a new home, etc. The Moon is stronger during Krishna Paksha Pratipada, while it is weaker during Shukla Paksha Pratipada. Hence conducting all auspicious ceremonies such as marriage, fasting, housewarming, etc. should be avoided during Shukla Paksha Pratipada. The governing Nitya Devi is Kameshwari.

The Kameshwari Nithya Devi mantra is as follows:

“Aim HreemShreem Am Aim SaKa La HreemNityaklinneMadadraveSauh Am Kameshvari Nitya Shri PadukamPujayamiTarpayami Namah.”

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2nd Tithi – Dwithiya

The Ashwini Devtas were born on this Tithi. Vidhatha is the ruler of Dwitiya Tithi. This is a Bhadra Tithi implying that it is an ideal Tithi to start new ventures. This Tithi is auspicious for beginning music education, laying the foundation for commercial and residential purposes, marriage, starting a new career or job, Vastu karma, etc. One should avoid oiling on this Tithi. The ruling Nithya Devi is Bhagamalini.

The BhagamaliniNithya Devi mantra is as follows:

“Aim HreemShreem Am Aim BhagaBhugeBhaginiBhagodariBhagamale
BhagavaheBhagaguhyeBhagayOniBhaganipaatini
SarvabhagavaShankariBhagarupeNityaklinneBhagasvaroope
SarvaniBhaganiMeHyaanayaVarade Rete Surete
BhagaklinneKlinnadraveKledayaDravayaAmoghe
BhagavicceKshubhaKshobhayaSarvasathvanBhageshwari
Aim Blum Jem Blum Bhem Blum Maum Blum Hem Blum
Hem KlinneSarvaniBhagani Me VashamaanayaStreem Hara BlemHreemAam
Bhagamalini Nitya Shri PadukamPujayamiTarpayami Namah.”

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3rd Tithi – Trithiya

On Trithiya Tithi, Lord Parusharama was born. The Lord of Trithiya Tithi is Vishnu. This is a Jaya Tithi which grants victory to the one born on this Tithi. Trithiya is an auspicious tithi to commence commercial activities, marriage, music lessons, sculpting, shifting to a new home, undertaking journeys, construction activities etc. This is also an ideal day to cut hair and nails and shave. Nithyklinna is the ruling Nithya Devi for Trithiya Tithi.

The Nithyaklinna Mantra is as follows:

“Aim HreemShreemNityaklinneMadadraveSvaha
imNityaklinna Nitya Shri PadukamPujayamiTarpayami Namah.”

4th Tithi -Chaturthi.

Lord Ganesha was born on Chaturthi Tithi. The Lord of this Tithi is Yama. This is a Rikta Tithi and hence is not considered good for auspicious activities. This Tithi is auspicious for activities use of fire, weapons, eliminating enemies, removing obstacles, cleaning, polishing, etc. Bherunda is the ruling Nithya Devi for this Tithi.

The Bherunda Nithya Devi Mantra is as follows:

“Aim HreemSHreemEem Om KromBhromKraumJhmraum
CchraumJraumSvahaEemBherunda Nitya
Shri PadukamPujayamiTarpayami Namah,”

5th Tithi -Panchami

On this Tithi, Goddess Saraswati and the Nagas were born. The Moon is the ruler of Panchami Tithi. This is a Poorna Tithi and hence is auspicious for medical activities such as administering medicine, removing poison, surgery, healing, marriage, commencing business activities, etc. On the other hand, this is an inauspicious Tithi for lending money as one may incur a loss if they lend money on a Panchami Tithi. Vahnivasini is the ruling Nithya Devi of this Tithi.

The mantra for Vahnivasini Nithya Devi is as follows:

“AimHreemSreem um omHreem
Vahnivaasinyai Namaha um Vahnivaasini
SreePadukaamPoojayaamiTharpayaami”

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6th Tithi -Shasthi.

This is the Tithi on which Lord Karthikeya was born. Lord Karthikeya or Agni rules this Tithi. This is a Nanda Tithi and therefore blesses immense happiness and prosperity. This is an auspicious tithi considered ideal for investiture ceremonies, construction, real estate and Vastu karma activities, starting residence in a new home, and wearing new garments and jewellery. On the other hand, this is an inauspicious Tithi for marriages, body oil massage, oil massage therapies, woodwork, etc. The presiding Nithya Devi is Mahavajreshwari.

The Mantra for Mahavajreshwari Nithya Devi is as follows:

“AimHreemShreem Um HreemKlinne Aim Krom
NityamadadraveHreemUm Mahavajreshvari
Nitya Shree PadukamPoojayami Tharpayami Namah.”

7th Tithi -Saptami

Sun God was born on this Tithi. This Tithi is presided by Lord Indra. This is a Bhadra Tithi and is ideal for the commencement of new activities, weddings, buying vehicles for transportation, Grahapravesh, bride’s Grahapravesh, Upanayana, Vastu karma, debates, buying jewellery, travelling, starting exercise programs, etc. Shivadoothi is the ruling Nithya Devi of this Tithi.

The Shivadoothi Mantra is as follows:

“Aim HreemShreemShivadootyai Namaha
Arum Shivadoothi Nitya
ShreePadukamPoojayami Tharpayami Namah.”

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8th Tithi -Ashtami

Lord Krishna and Goddess Durga were born on this Tithi. The presiding deity of this Tithi is the Vasus. This is a Jaya Tithi, and hence it bestows victory. This is an auspicious Tithi for fortification and defence activities, architecture, dance, debate, writing, studying arts, commencing business, sports, construction activities, craft-related activities, gems and jewellery, etc. The Nithya Devi ruling this Tithi is Twaritha.

The mantra for Twaritha Nitya Devi is as follows:

“Aim HreemShreemAroomOm Hreem Hum Khe Cha
KsheheKshahStreem Hum KshemHreem PhatAroom
Thwarithaa Nithya SreePaadukaamPoojayamiTharpayaami Namaha”

9th Tithi -Navami

Lord Rama and Goddess Sita were born on this Tithi. The presiding deity is the Naga or the Serpent. This is a Rikta Tithi and hence is not considered good for auspicious activities. However, this Tithi is considered ideal for competitions, debates, physical exercise, elimination of enemies, hunting, weapon building, construction, violent activities, tool works, alcohol consumption, etc. This is considered inauspicious for starting a business or other auspicious ventures. Kulasundari is the presiding Nithya Devi of this Tithi.

The Kulasundari Mantra is as follows:

“Aim HreemSHreemAlum Aim KleemSauh
Alum Kulasundari Nitya
ShreePadukamPujayamiTarpayami Namah.”

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10th Tithi – Dashami

The Ashta Dikpalakas (The Lords of eight directions) were born on Dashami Tithi. The presiding Deity of this Tithi is Dharma. This is a Poorna Tithi and hence is considered auspicious for completion of work, government-related work, marriage, music, buying new garments, vehicles and jewellery, Grahapravesh, Bride’s Grahapravesh, journeys, religious functions, spiritual activities, donations, and other virtuous deeds. The presiding Nitya Devi of this Tithi is Nitya.

The Mantra is as follows:

“Aim HreemShreemAloomHasakalaradaim
Hasakalaradeemhasakalaradauh
Aloom Nithya Shree PaadukaamPoojayaamiTharpayaami Namaha”

11th Tithi – Ekadasi.

Lord Kubera, the god of wealth and prosperity, was born on Ekadashi Tithi. The presiding deity of Ekadashi Tithi is Rudra. This is a Nanda Tithi and hence is the most auspicious Tithi. This Tithi is ideal for fasting and worship, weddings, pilgrimage, spiritual activities, festivities, journeys, debates, Vastu related activities, defence activities, woodworks and crafts, etc.

The ruling Nitya Devi of this Tithi is Neelapathaka.

The Neelapathaka mantra is as follows:

“Aim HreemSHreememHreemPhremSroom
KromAamKlim Aim Bloom Nityamadadravey
Hum PhremHreemEmNeelapathaka Nitya
ShreePadukaamPoojayami Tharpayami Namaha.”

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12th Tithi -Dwadashi

This is the birth Tithi of Lord Vishnu’s incarnation of Vaamana. The presiding deity is Aditya, or the Sun God. This is a Bhadra Tithi and hence is auspicious for commencing new activities or work. Also, This is an auspicious Tithi for all religious functions, fulfilment of vows, lighting the sacred fire, buying vehicles, road construction, construction of new homes, Grahapravesh, nourishment, etc. This is not an inauspicious Tithi for weddings. Oil bath is prohibited on this Tithi.

Vijaya is the ruling Nitya Devi of this Tithi.

The mantra is as follows:

“Aim HreemShreemaim BhamarayoomAim Vijaya
Nitya ShreePaadukaamPoojayami Tharpayami Namah.”

13th Tithi -Thrayodashi.

This is the birth Tithi of Dharma. The presiding deity of this Tithi is Manmatha or Cupid. This Tithi is also known as Pradosham and is auspicious for conducting the worship of Lord Shiva during Pradosham timings. This is a Jaya Tithi, and as its name suggests, bestow victory or success. This is an auspicious day to commence new business, architectural work, music education, wear new clothes and ornaments, fulfil vows and promises, etc. One must avoid travelling, Grahapravesh, Yagyopaveet during Shukla Paksha Trayodashi.

The presiding Nithya Devi for this Tithi is Sarvamangala.

The Sarvamangal Mantra is as follows:

“Aim HreemShreem Om Svoum Om Sarvamangala
Nitya Shree PaadukaamPoojayamiTharpayaami Namaha”

14th Tithi – Chaturdashi

Chaturdashi is the birth Tithi of Lord Narasimha and Lord Shiva. The presiding deity of this Tithi is Kali. This is a Rikta Tithi and hence is considered inauspicious for auspicious activities. This Tithi is considered inauspicious for journeys, haircutting, manicure, important commercial activities, etc. On the other hand, this day can be ideal for routine activities and reading scriptures.

The presiding Nitya Devi of this Tithi is Jwalamalini.

The Nithya Devi mantra is as follows:

“Aim HreemShreemAumOm Namo bhagavatiJvalamalini
Devadevisarvabhootasamharakaarikejaathavedasijvalantijvalajvala
prajvalaprajvalaHraamHreemHromm Ra RaRaRaRaRaRa
Jvalamalini Hum Phat Svahaaumjvalamaalininithya
Sreepaadukaampoojayami Tharpayami Namaha”

15th Tithi -Amavasya

This is the birth tithi of Lord Shani. The presiding deity for this Tithi is the the Viswadevas. This is a Poorna Tithi; hence is inauspicious for any activities except conducting religious worship and religious rituals, performing charity acts, and rites for the departed souls.

The presiding Nitya Devi of this Tithi is Chitra.

The Nithya Devi mantra is as follows:

“Aim HreemShreem Aha Chkaum aha Chithraa Nithya
Sreepaadukaampoojayami Tharpayami Namaha”

16th Tithi -Poornima.

Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Hanuman, Lord Buddha and Gayatri Devi were born on this Tithi. The presiding deities are the Vishwadevas. This is a Poorna Tithi and is auspicious for the completion of any work or activities. This is an auspicious Tithi to commence key commercial activities, construction works, the commencement of new positions and work, spiritual rituals, household work, jewellery making, travel, nurture, sacrificial ceremonies, etc.

The presiding Nithya Devi for this Tithi is Shodashi/Mahanithya/Sri Vidya – Goddess Nithya.

The Nithya Devi mantra is as follows:

“Aim HreemShreemAham
Ka Ye Yee La Hreem Ha Sa Ha La Hreem Sa Ka La Hreem
AhamShodaseeMahaa Nithya
Sreepaadukaampoojayami Tharpayami Namaha”

Auspicious and Inauspicious Tithis

When certain Tithis combine with specific days or Varas, they are considered auspicious, and one can successfully accomplish their goals on this day. The combination is as follows:

Nanda  1st Tithi,  6thTithi,

11th Tithi

Friday
Bhadra 2nd Tithi 7th Tithi 

12th Tithi 

Wednesday
Jaya  3rd Tithi 8th Tithi

13th Tithi 

Tuesday
Rikta 4th Tithi 9th Tithi

14th Tithi 

Saturday
Purna 5th Tithi 10th Tithi

15th and 30th Tithis 

Thursday
If the Nanda Tithis – Pratipada, Shasti, and Ekadashi fall on a Friday, it is considered to be highly propitious for auspicious activities. Similarly, for all other Tithis, the specific combination proves to be highly auspicious.

In the same way, certain combinations of days are considered inauspicious as they pose obstacles to accomplishing success. There are three such inauspicious days, i.e. Daghda, Visha and Hutashan. Below is a chart of the combination of Tithis, days and the inauspicious days.

Inauspicious combinations:

Inauspicious Days Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Daghda 12th Tithi 11th Tithi 5th Tithi 3rd Tithi 6th Tithi 8th Tithi 9th Tithi
Visha 4th Tithi 6th Tithi 7th Tithi 2nd Tithi 8th Tithi 9th Tithi 7th Tithi
Hutashan 12th Tithi 6th Tithi 7th Tithi 8th Tithi 9th Tithi 10th Tithi 11th Tithi

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