What is Tithi?
A tithi is a lunar day — the time it takes the moon to move 12° ahead of the sun. There are 30 tithis in a lunar month, 15 in each fortnight.
Tithi explained
A tithi is defined by the angular distance between the Moon and the Sun. Each time the Moon gains 12° on the Sun, one tithi is complete. Since the Moon moves at a varying speed, a tithi can last anywhere from about 19 to 26 hours — so it does not match a 24-hour day.
There are 30 tithis in a lunar month, numbered 1–15 within each paksha (fortnight): Pratipada, Dwitiya, Tritiya, Chaturthi, Panchami, Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, Dashami, Ekadashi, Dwadashi, Trayodashi, Chaturdashi, and then Purnima (full moon) or Amavasya (new moon).
Because a tithi can be shorter or longer than a solar day, a tithi may occasionally be skipped (kshaya tithi) or repeated across two days (vriddhi tithi) — a key reason festival dates sometimes need careful calculation.
Spiritual significance
Each tithi carries a distinct energy and is linked to a deity, making certain days naturally suited to particular practices — Chaturthi to Ganesha, Ekadashi to Vishnu, Chaturdashi (Krishna paksha) to Shiva. Observing the tithi is observing the moon's influence on the mind.
Why it matters in daily life
The tithi determines almost every fast and festival: Ekadashi (11th), Pradosh (13th), Purnima (15th bright), Amavasya (15th dark), Sankashti Chaturthi (4th dark). Knowing the tithi tells you what to observe today.
The Bhagavad Gita connection
The Moon — whose motion defines the tithi — is named by Krishna as His own splendour among the stars, and as the nourisher of all life.
“Among the stars I am the moon.”
Related festivals & observances
See Tithi in today's Panchang
Now that you understand it, see it live in today's Panchang for your city — and ask Krishna what today is inviting you toward.