The 27 nakshatras: lunar mansions of Vedic astrology
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Nakshatras are the 27 lunar mansions of Vedic astrology. The Moon moves through about one nakshatra a day, and the one it was in when you were born is your birth star, or janma nakshatra. It shapes your Vimshottari dasha and is used in matching charts.
What a nakshatra is
The sidereal zodiac is cut into 27 equal parts of 13 degrees 20 minutes each. Each part is named after a group of stars near it, and each is split again into four padas (quarters) of 3 degrees 20 minutes. So every nakshatra pada falls inside one zodiac sign.
Each nakshatra has a ruling planet from the Vimshottari dasha cycle, a deity from Vedic lore and a symbol. Traditional texts also give each one a temperament, which we sum up in a few gentle words below.
The 27 nakshatras at a glance
Degrees are sidereal (Lahiri ayanamsa), measured from 0 degrees Aries. The lord is the planet that starts your dasha if your Moon sits in that nakshatra at birth.
| Nakshatra | Sidereal span | Lord | Deity | Symbol | Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Ashwini | 0°00' Aries to 13°20' Aries | Ketu | Ashwini Kumaras, the twin horsemen healers | a horse's head | quick, fresh starts, helpful |
| 2. Bharani | 13°20' Aries to 26°40' Aries | Venus | Yama, keeper of dharma and order | a cradle or womb | strong-willed, creative, responsible |
| 3. Krittika | 26°40' Aries to 10°00' Taurus | Sun | Agni, the fire god | a flame or a blade | sharp, honest, warm |
| 4. Rohini | 10°00' Taurus to 23°20' Taurus | Moon | Brahma (Prajapati), the creator | an ox cart | charming, artistic, growth-loving |
| 5. Mrigashira | 23°20' Taurus to 6°40' Gemini | Mars | Soma, the Moon nectar | a deer's head | curious, gentle, searching |
| 6. Ardra | 6°40' Gemini to 20°00' Gemini | Rahu | Rudra, the storm | a teardrop | intense thinker, renewing after storms |
| 7. Punarvasu | 20°00' Gemini to 3°20' Cancer | Jupiter | Aditi, mother of the gods | a quiver of arrows | hopeful, kind, returning home |
| 8. Pushya | 3°20' Cancer to 16°40' Cancer | Saturn | Brihaspati, teacher of the gods | a flower or a cow's udder | nurturing, wise, steady |
| 9. Ashlesha | 16°40' Cancer to 30°00' Cancer | Mercury | the Nagas, serpent beings | a coiled serpent | perceptive, private, magnetic |
| 10. Magha | 0°00' Leo to 13°20' Leo | Ketu | the Pitris, the ancestors | a royal throne | proud, traditional, dignified |
| 11. Purva Phalguni | 13°20' Leo to 26°40' Leo | Venus | Bhaga, god of good fortune and joy | the front legs of a bed | pleasure-loving, romantic, creative |
| 12. Uttara Phalguni | 26°40' Leo to 10°00' Virgo | Sun | Aryaman, god of friendship and contracts | the back legs of a bed | loyal, generous, dependable |
| 13. Hasta | 10°00' Virgo to 23°20' Virgo | Moon | Savitar, the Sun's bright energy | an open hand | skilful, witty, practical |
| 14. Chitra | 23°20' Virgo to 6°40' Libra | Mars | Tvashtar, the divine craftsman | a bright jewel | stylish, creative, a builder |
| 15. Swati | 6°40' Libra to 20°00' Libra | Rahu | Vayu, the wind | a young shoot swaying in the wind | independent, flexible, fair |
| 16. Vishakha | 20°00' Libra to 3°20' Scorpio | Jupiter | Indra and Agni together | a decorated archway | goal-driven, determined, focused |
| 17. Anuradha | 3°20' Scorpio to 16°40' Scorpio | Saturn | Mitra, god of friendship | a lotus | devoted friend, organiser, loyal |
| 18. Jyeshtha | 16°40' Scorpio to 30°00' Scorpio | Mercury | Indra, king of the gods | a round amulet or umbrella | protective, senior, resourceful |
| 19. Mula | 0°00' Sagittarius to 13°20' Sagittarius | Ketu | Nirriti | a bunch of roots | root-seeker, philosophical, rebuilding |
| 20. Purva Ashadha | 13°20' Sagittarius to 26°40' Sagittarius | Venus | Apas, the cosmic waters | a winnowing fan | confident, persuasive, refreshing |
| 21. Uttara Ashadha | 26°40' Sagittarius to 10°00' Capricorn | Sun | the Vishvadevas, the universal gods | an elephant's tusk | principled, patient, lasting |
| 22. Shravana | 10°00' Capricorn to 23°20' Capricorn | Moon | Vishnu, the preserver | an ear or three footprints | good listener, learner, respected |
| 23. Dhanishta | 23°20' Capricorn to 6°40' Aquarius | Mars | the eight Vasus, gods of abundance | a drum | rhythmic, musical, ambitious |
| 24. Shatabhisha | 6°40' Aquarius to 20°00' Aquarius | Rahu | Varuna, god of the waters | an empty circle | independent, scientific, reserved |
| 25. Purva Bhadrapada | 20°00' Aquarius to 3°20' Pisces | Jupiter | Aja Ekapada, the one-footed one | a two-faced figure | idealistic, intense, generous |
| 26. Uttara Bhadrapada | 3°20' Pisces to 16°40' Pisces | Saturn | Ahir Budhnya, serpent of the deep | twins | wise, calm, deep |
| 27. Revati | 16°40' Pisces to 29°60' Pisces | Mercury | Pushan, the guardian of travellers | a fish or a drum | kind, nourishing, gentle |
Today's nakshatra
Today the Moon is in Ashwini. You can see the live nakshatra, tithi and yoga for your own city on our daily panchang page.
How to find your birth nakshatra
You need your date, time and place of birth. Our free birth chart tool works out the sidereal position of your Moon and shows the nakshatra and pada, along with your current dasha. Nothing you type is sent anywhere: the maths runs in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
How many nakshatras are there?
There are 27 nakshatras in common use, each 13 degrees 20 minutes wide. Some traditions add a 28th, Abhijit, for timing work, but it is not used for birth charts or dashas.
How do I find my nakshatra?
Your nakshatra is the one your Moon was in at birth, in the sidereal zodiac. Enter your birth date, time and place in our free birth chart tool to see it with its pada.
What is a nakshatra pada?
Each nakshatra is split into four padas (quarters) of 3 degrees 20 minutes. The pada is used for name syllables and for the navamsa (D9) chart.
Which planet rules each nakshatra?
The lords repeat in the Vimshottari order Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury, three times round the zodiac. Ashwini, Magha and Mula are ruled by Ketu, for example.
For reflection and fun, not fate. We explain astrology as a tradition and a tool for reflection. It has not been shown to predict events.