Nakshatra Calculator
The nakshatras are 27 divisions of the Moon’s path, against 12 signs. That is why a nakshatra identifies position more finely — and why the Vimshottari dasha starts from it.
What this calculator tells you
This gives your birth nakshatra and its pada. The 360° of the sky is divided into 27 equal parts of 13°20’ each. Whichever part the Moon occupied at your birth is your nakshatra. Its ruling planet is given alongside.
How the calculation works
The Moon’s sidereal position (after the Lahiri ayanamsa) is divided by 13°20’ — the resulting index is the nakshatra. Each nakshatra is further divided into 4 padas of 3°20’. The ruling planets follow a fixed order — Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury — repeating every nine nakshatras.
How to read the result
The nakshatra lord is also the first lord of your Vimshottari dasha — so it sets the first major period of your life. The pada is what the navamsa (D9) is built from. Marriage matching is based on nakshatra, not on the Moon sign.
Common questions
How does the nakshatra relate to dasha?
Directly. The Vimshottari dasha begins from the birth nakshatra, and how far the Moon had travelled through it decides how much of the first period was already spent.
Is the nakshatra more important than the sign?
In many respects, yes. A sign spans 30°, a nakshatra 13°20’ — so it is finer. Both dasha and marriage matching rest on it.
What is a pada?
One of four equal quarters of a nakshatra. Changing pada changes the navamsa, which is why an accurate birth time matters.