Tithi vs Date: Why Hindu Calendar Dates Change
Learn the difference between tithi and Gregorian date, why Hindu festival dates shift, and why local panchang matters.
A Gregorian date begins at midnight, but a tithi is a lunar measure based on the angular distance between the Sun and Moon.
Quick Comparison
Gregorian date
A civil date is fixed by the clock and timezone, beginning at midnight.
Tithi
A tithi changes when the Moon moves 12 degrees ahead of the Sun, so it can begin or end at any time of day.
Festival timing
Most Hindu festivals follow tithi plus observance rules such as sunrise, sunset, midday, or midnight.
Why It Matters
Panchang timing is not just a date label. It depends on astronomical positions, local sunrise and sunset, timezone, and observance rules. That is why Tithi provides both explainers and location-aware panchang pages.
Check the Current Panchang
For today's local values, use Tithi Today, Panchang by City, or the full Tithi app.
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Calculate Your Panchang Today
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