What is a Nakshatra?
A nakshatra is a star group (lunar mansion) in Vedic astrology. The sky is split into 27 nakshatras, and the Moon passes through about one each day. Your birth nakshatra - where the Moon was when you were born - is used for your nature, naming, and matching.
How it works
The Moon goes all the way around the sky in about 27 days. That circle is divided into 27 equal parts - each part is a nakshatra. Each nakshatra also has 4 smaller parts called padas.
Why it matters
Your birth nakshatra is used to understand your personality, to pick a starting letter for your name, and in marriage matching (it is a big part of Gun Milan).
Some examples
A few nakshatras are Ashwini, Rohini, Magha, and Revati. There are 27 in total, each with its own ruling planet and meaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nakshatras are there?
There are 27.
What is my birth nakshatra?
It is the nakshatra the Moon was in at your birth time and place - your kundali shows it.
What is a pada?
Each nakshatra has 4 padas (quarters); your exact pada fine-tunes the reading.
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For general information and reflection only - not professional advice. Results may vary.
Updated: June 2026 · Written by Amit Shinde, TithiSeva · Calculated with Swiss Ephemeris & Lahiri Ayanamsha.