Vedic Astrology
The 27 Nakshatras
The lunar mansions of Jyotish: 27 equal divisions of the sidereal zodiac that the Moon visits each month, each with a ruling planet, a deity and a symbol.
Quick Answer
The Moon is in Purva Bhadrapada nakshatra, ruled by Jupiter, from October 22, 2026 at 11:19 AM ET (8:49 PM IST) until October 23, 2026 at 11:33 AM ET (9:03 PM IST), when it moves into Uttara Bhadrapada. Positions use the Lahiri ayanamsa.
Computed October 22, 2026 at 22:13 UTC. Lahiri ayanamsa 24°14'02".
All 27 Nakshatras
Each spans 13°20' of the sidereal zodiac. Spans are given in sidereal signs.
| Nakshatra | Sidereal Span | Lord | Deity | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Ashwini | 0°00' Aries to 13°20' Aries | Ketu | The Ashvins, twin healers | A horse's head |
| 2. Bharani | 13°20' Aries to 26°40' Aries | Venus | Yama, keeper of death and dharma | The yoni, a womb |
| 3. Krittika | 26°40' Aries to 10°00' Taurus | Sun | Agni, fire | A razor or flame |
| 4. Rohini | 10°00' Taurus to 23°20' Taurus | Moon | Prajapati (Brahma), the creator | An ox cart |
| 5. Mrigashira | 23°20' Taurus to 6°40' Gemini | Mars | Soma, the Moon's nectar | A deer's head |
| 6. Ardra | 6°40' Gemini to 20°00' Gemini | Rahu | Rudra, the storm | A teardrop |
| 7. Punarvasu | 20°00' Gemini to 3°20' Cancer | Jupiter | Aditi, mother of the gods | A quiver of arrows |
| 8. Pushya | 3°20' Cancer to 16°40' Cancer | Saturn | Brihaspati, teacher of the gods | A cow's udder |
| 9. Ashlesha | 16°40' Cancer to 0°00' Leo | Mercury | The Nagas, serpent beings | A coiled serpent |
| 10. Magha | 0°00' Leo to 13°20' Leo | Ketu | The Pitris, the ancestors | A royal throne |
| 11. Purva Phalguni | 13°20' Leo to 26°40' Leo | Venus | Bhaga, god of delight and shared fortune | The front legs of a bed |
| 12. Uttara Phalguni | 26°40' Leo to 10°00' Virgo | Sun | Aryaman, god of friendship and contracts | The back legs of a bed |
| 13. Hasta | 10°00' Virgo to 23°20' Virgo | Moon | Savitar, the creative sun | An open hand |
| 14. Chitra | 23°20' Virgo to 6°40' Libra | Mars | Tvashtar, the divine craftsman | A bright jewel |
| 15. Swati | 6°40' Libra to 20°00' Libra | Rahu | Vayu, the wind | A young shoot in the wind |
| 16. Vishakha | 20°00' Libra to 3°20' Scorpio | Jupiter | Indra and Agni together | A triumphal arch |
| 17. Anuradha | 3°20' Scorpio to 16°40' Scorpio | Saturn | Mitra, god of friendship | A lotus |
| 18. Jyeshtha | 16°40' Scorpio to 0°00' Sagittarius | Mercury | Indra, chief of the gods | A round amulet |
| 19. Mula | 0°00' Sagittarius to 13°20' Sagittarius | Ketu | Nirriti, goddess of dissolution | A bundle of roots |
| 20. Purva Ashadha | 13°20' Sagittarius to 26°40' Sagittarius | Venus | Apas, the waters | A winnowing fan |
| 21. Uttara Ashadha | 26°40' Sagittarius to 10°00' Capricorn | Sun | The Vishvedevas, the universal gods | An elephant's tusk |
| 22. Shravana | 10°00' Capricorn to 23°20' Capricorn | Moon | Vishnu, the preserver | An ear |
| 23. Dhanishta | 23°20' Capricorn to 6°40' Aquarius | Mars | The eight Vasus, gods of the elements | A drum |
| 24. Shatabhisha | 6°40' Aquarius to 20°00' Aquarius | Rahu | Varuna, lord of the cosmic waters | An empty circle |
| 25. Purva Bhadrapada (Moon now) | 20°00' Aquarius to 3°20' Pisces | Jupiter | Aja Ekapada, the one-footed goat | The front legs of a funeral cot |
| 26. Uttara Bhadrapada | 3°20' Pisces to 16°40' Pisces | Saturn | Ahir Budhnya, serpent of the deep | The back legs of a funeral cot |
| 27. Revati | 16°40' Pisces to 0°00' Aries | Mercury | Pushan, guardian of travelers | A fish |
The Sun's Nakshatra
The Sun is in Chitra until October 24, 2026 at 3:21 AM ET (12:51 PM IST). The Sun spends about two weeks in each nakshatra, and its yearly round through all 27 sets the solar calendar of many Indian festivals.
What the Nakshatras Describe
The nakshatras are older than the twelve signs in Indian astrology. They divide the Moon's monthly path into 27 mansions, one for each night or so of its round, and each takes its character from a deity of the Vedas and a simple image: a horse's head, a lotus, a drum. In a birth chart the Moon's nakshatra describes the texture of the mind and heart, and it opens the Vimshottari sequence of planetary periods.
Each nakshatra is read as a quality to understand and grow into. Its symbol and deity offer an image to reflect on, a way of seeing your own habits of attention more clearly. Find yours with the nakshatra calculator, or see the whole sidereal chart with the sidereal birth chart calculator.
Nakshatra Questions
What Is Today's Nakshatra?
The Moon is in Purva Bhadrapada nakshatra, ruled by Jupiter, from October 22, 2026 at 11:19 AM ET (8:49 PM IST) until October 23, 2026 at 11:33 AM ET (9:03 PM IST), when it moves into Uttara Bhadrapada. Positions use the Lahiri ayanamsa.
How Many Nakshatras Are There?
There are 27 nakshatras, each spanning 13°20' of the sidereal zodiac, from Ashwini at 0° Aries to Revati, which ends at 30° Pisces. Some traditions add a 28th, Abhijit, from 6°40' to 10°53'20" Capricorn, used mainly for choosing auspicious times.
Which Planets Rule the Nakshatras?
Nine planets rule three nakshatras each, in a repeating order: Ketu, Venus, the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury. Ashwini, Magha and Mula belong to Ketu; Revati, Jyeshtha and Ashlesha to Mercury.
How Do I Find My Nakshatra?
Your nakshatra is the one the Moon occupied at your birth, in the sidereal zodiac. Enter your birth date, time and place in the nakshatra calculator to find it with its pada, lord and Vimshottari periods.
How Long Does the Moon Stay in One Nakshatra?
About a day. The Moon travels roughly 13 degrees a day, so it crosses a 13°20' nakshatra in 22 to 27 hours depending on its speed, and returns to the same nakshatra every 27.3 days.
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