The 27 Nakshatras
Each nakshatra (lunar mansion) has its own deity, symbol, ruling planet and naming syllables. Tap one to learn its meaning and favourable activities.
There are 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions); the Moon spends about a day in each. Every nakshatra has a presiding deity, symbol, ruling planet, gana and four baby-naming syllables (one per pada).
What is a nakshatra?
A nakshatra is a lunar mansion — one of 27 equal segments of the zodiac, each 13°20′ wide, through which the Moon travels roughly one per day on its month-long circuit. Where the Sun-sign zodiac of twelve rashis frames the year, the nakshatras frame the Moon's faster rhythm, and it is the Moon's nakshatra at a given moment that shapes the daily panchang, the choice of muhurat, and much of Vedic birth astrology.
Each nakshatra carries a distinct character: a presiding deity, a symbol, a ruling planet (which orders the Vimshottari dasha), a gana (deva, manushya or rakshasa temperament), a nadi and yoni used in marriage matching, and four padas (quarters), each linked to a navamsa sign and a naming syllable used at namkaran. The Moon's nakshatra at birth is your janma nakshatra, and the day's nakshatra is read alongside the tithi and vaara to judge what activities are favoured.
Below are all twenty-seven in order, from Ashwini to Revati. Tap any to read its story, deity, personality traits, favourable activities, the four padas and its naming syllables.
Reference attributes follow traditional Vedic (Jyotish) sources and are provided for learning. For religious observance and muhurat, consult a qualified pandit.