# Krittika Nakshatra

> Krittika is the 3rd of the 27 nakshatras. It spans 26°40' Aries to 10°00' Taurus in the sidereal zodiac, is ruled by the Sun, presided over by Agni, fire, and its symbol is a razor or flame.

Computed 2026-10-22T23:32:26.520Z. Canonical page: https://www.selfgazer.com/nakshatras/krittika

## Facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number | 3 of 27 |
| Sidereal span | 26°40' Aries to 10°00' Taurus |
| Tropical span in 2026 (Lahiri 24°14'02") | 20°54' Taurus to 4°14' Gemini |
| Ruling planet | Sun |
| Deity | Agni, fire |
| Symbol | A razor or flame |
| Name means | The cutters |

## The Quality of Krittika

Krittika is the blade and the flame of Agni. It cuts away what is false and cooks what is raw, so its manner is direct and purifying. The same fire that clarifies can scorch, and the work of Krittika is to keep its honesty warm.

*Can you say the clear thing in a way that also cares for the person hearing it?*

## Padas

| Pada | Sidereal span | Navamsa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | 26°40' Aries to 0°00' Taurus | Sagittarius |
| 2 | 0°00' Taurus to 3°20' Taurus | Capricorn |
| 3 | 3°20' Taurus to 6°40' Taurus | Aquarius |
| 4 | 6°40' Taurus to 10°00' Taurus | Pisces |

## When the Moon Is in Krittika

| Enters (ET) | Leaves (ET) | Enters (IST) | Leaves (IST) | Enters (UTC) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oct 27, 6:09 AM ET | Oct 28, 3:56 AM ET | Oct 27, 3:39 PM IST | Oct 28, 1:26 PM IST | 2026-10-27 10:09 |
| Nov 23, 3:32 PM ET | Nov 24, 12:55 PM ET | Nov 24, 2:02 AM IST | Nov 24, 11:25 PM IST | 2026-11-23 20:32 |
| Dec 21, 2:38 AM ET | Dec 22, 12:15 AM ET | Dec 21, 1:08 PM IST | Dec 22, 10:45 AM IST | 2026-12-21 07:38 |
| Jan 17, 12:12 PM ET | Jan 18, 10:35 AM ET | Jan 17, 10:42 PM IST | Jan 18, 9:05 PM IST | 2027-01-17 17:12 |

## Questions

### What Is the Lord of Krittika Nakshatra?

The Sun rules Krittika, the 3rd of the 27 nakshatras. In the Vimshottari dasha system, someone born with the Moon in Krittika begins life in the Sun period.

### Where Is Krittika Nakshatra in the Zodiac?

Krittika spans 26°40' Aries to 10°00' Taurus in the sidereal zodiac, 13°20' of arc. With the Lahiri ayanamsa in 2026, that corresponds to 20°54' Taurus to 4°14' Gemini in the tropical zodiac.

### What Are the Deity and Symbol of Krittika?

The presiding deity of Krittika is Agni, fire. Its symbol is a razor or flame. The name means "the cutters".

### What Are the Four Padas of Krittika?

Pada 1 runs 26°40' Aries to 0°00' Taurus (navamsa Sagittarius); Pada 2 runs 0°00' Taurus to 3°20' Taurus (navamsa Capricorn); Pada 3 runs 3°20' Taurus to 6°40' Taurus (navamsa Aquarius); Pada 4 runs 6°40' Taurus to 10°00' Taurus (navamsa Pisces).

### When Is the Moon in Krittika Next?

The Moon is next in Krittika from October 27, 2026 at 6:09 AM ET (3:39 PM IST) until October 28, 2026 at 3:56 AM ET (1:26 PM IST). It returns about every 27.3 days.

### When Is the Sun in Krittika in 2027?

The Sun enters Krittika on May 11, 2027 at 3:56 PM ET (1:26 AM IST on May 12) and leaves on May 25, 2027 at 12:14 PM ET (9:44 PM IST), using the Lahiri ayanamsa.

## Method

Sidereal positions from Selfgazer's ephemeris (VSOP87 and ELP via Astronomy Engine, apparent positions held to the Swiss Ephemeris within half an arcminute) minus the true Lahiri ayanamsa, defined as 23°15'00.658" on March 21, 1956 (Indian Astronomical Ephemeris). Nakshatras are 27 equal divisions of 13°20' from 0° sidereal Aries; padas are quarters of 3°20'.

Source: [Selfgazer](https://www.selfgazer.com/nakshatras/krittika). Free to cite with a link to the source page.