Significance of Lunar Days

In a Hindu Lunar calendar, a month is calculated based on movement of the Moon in the Zodiac. A Tithi is considered a lunar day and there are 30 tithis in a lunar month. There are 14 tithis between every new Moon (known as Amavasya) and full Moon (known as Poornima). A lunation is completed in a fortnight and is called a Paksha. The fortnight between a New Moon day and a Full Moon day is considered a Shukla paksha or waxing Moon phase and the second fortnight is the Krishna paksha or the waning Moon phase.

Hindu names of Tithis in a Paksha:

Day 1: Pratipada –

In waxing Moon phase, ruler of the day is Kubera. Generally considered inauspicious for attending events, but this day is good for for renovation of houses, planning, publishing, borrowing money and travelling to foreign land. In the waning phase, ruler of the day is Goddess Durga. The day is good for taking up medical treatment and overcoming hindrances but should avoid negotiations and auspicious events.

Day 2: Dwitiya –

In waxing Moon phase, ruler of the day is Vivadeva. This day is good for beginning projects accomplishing goals, marriage and buying assets but stay away from conflicts. In the waning phase, ruler of the day is God Vayu. The day is good for construction and pilgrimage.

Day 3: Tritiya –

In waxing Moon phase, ruler of the day is God Shiva. This day is good for beginning projects or education, learning music, moving to a new house but avoid conflicts. In the waning phase, ruler of the day is God Agni. The day is good for learning music, house warming and construction of building.

Day 4: Chaturthi –

In waxing Moon phase, ruler of the day is Ganesha. This day is good for overcoming difficulties and obstacles but avoid auspicious events. In the waning phase too, ruler of the day is Ganesha. This day is good for worshipping Ganesha and demolition of buildings but should avoid auspicious events.

Day 5: Panchami –

In waxing Moon phase, ruler of the day is Lalitha Tripura Sundari. This day is good for auspicious events at home but avoid any harmful activities. In the waning phase, ruler of the day is Devas. The day is good for remedy rituals and pilgrimage but should avoid harmful activities.

Day 6: Shashti –

In waxing Moon phase, ruler of the day is God Muruga. This day is good for fasting, starting new employment and purchasing valuables. In the waning phase, ruler of the day is Mars. This day is good for real estate activities and medical treatment but should avoid marriage celebrations.

Day 7: Saptami –

In waxing Moon phase, ruler of the day is The Sun. This day is good for constructing houses, cultivating crops and marriage celebration. In the waning phase, ruler of the day is the sages. The day is good for overcoming obstacles and installing deities but should avoid marriage celebrations and undertaking activities.

Day 8: Ashtami –

In waxing Moon phase, ruler s of the day is Goddess Pratyangira, Durga and Varahi. This day is good for ancestral ritual and spiritual practices but must not take up negotiations for medical treatment. In the waning phase, ruler of the day is God Kala Bhairava. On this day auspicious activities or medical treatments should be avoided.

Day 9: Navami –

In waxing Moon phase, ruler of the day is Goddess Saraswati. This day is good for fighting rivals and enemies but should not take up journeys or negotiations. In the waning phase, ruler of the day is Yama. This day is good for fighting out with enemies but should avoid auspicious events, journeys and negotiations.

Day 10: Dashami –

In waxing Moon phase, ruler of the day is God Veerabhadra. This day is good for auspicious events, starting new ventures and house warming but should avoid disputes and litigations. In the waning phase, ruler of the day is Jupiter. This day is good for auspicious events and meeting important persons but avoid disputes and litigations.

Day 11: Ekadashi –

In waxing Moon phase, ruler of the day is God Vishnu. This day is good for fasting, trading and marriage but should avoid disputes and litigations. In the waning phase, ruler of the day is God Vishnu. This day is good for purchasing valuables and fasting.

Day 12: Dwadashi –

In waxing Moon phase, ruler of the day is God Vishnu. This day is good for planning for projects, donating and monetary gains but avoid unplanned spending. In the waning phase, ruler of the day is Venus.

Day 13: Trayodashi –

In waxing Moon phase, ruler of the day is God Shiva. This day is good for writing new books, pradosham rituals, learning dance and remedies for attaining prosperity but avoid disputes. In the waning phase, ruler of the day is Nandi. This day is good for doing Pradosham.

Day 14: Chaturdashi –

In waxing Moon phase, ruler of the day is God Rudra. This day is good for spiritual practices but avoid conflicts, litigations, and journey. In the waning phase, ruler of the day is God Shiva. This day is good for overcoming obstacles.

Day 15: Poornima/Amavasya –

In Poornima ruler of the day is God Arunachala. This day is good for auspicious events, purchasing valuables, food donation and meditation. In Amavasya ruler of the day is Goddess Kali. This day is good for ancestral rituals, meditation, donating food but should avoid marriage celebrations.