The Telugu calendar, or Panchangam (పంచాంగం), is a lunisolar calendar based on the positions of the sun and moon. The word "Panchangam" itself means "five limbs," referring to the five key elements it tracks: Tithi, Varam, Nakshatram, Yogam, and Karanam. It is essential for determining auspicious times (muhurtam) for festivals, ceremonies, and other significant events.
The Telugu calendar operates on a 60-year cycle, with each year having a unique name. The new year, known as Ugadi, typically falls in March or April.
A year is divided into 12 lunar months, starting from Chaitram and ending with Phalguna. Each month begins on the day after the new moon (Amavasya) and lasts about 29.5 days.
Each month is split into two fortnights or Pakshams. The waxing period from the new moon to the full moon is called Shukla Paksham (శుక్ల పక్షం), and the waning period from the full moon to the new moon is called Krishna Paksham (కృష్ణ పక్షం).
A Tithi is a lunar day, defined by a 12-degree longitudinal difference between the moon and the sun. There are 15 Tithis in each Paksham, such as Padyami, Vidiya, Tadiya, etc. The 15th Tithi of Shukla Paksham is Pournami (Full Moon), and the 15th of Krishna Paksham is Amavasya (New Moon).
The zodiac is divided into 27 Nakshatrams or constellations. The Nakshatram is the constellation in which the moon is located at any given time. Each Nakshatram has a specific duration and is considered highly important for astrological purposes.
Yogam is calculated from the sum of the longitudes of the sun and moon, while Karanam is half of a Tithi. These are more technical aspects used by astrologers for finer predictions and determining auspicious timings.