AAGO Nakshatra Finder
Find your baby's Nakshatra and Pada
Enter the date and time of birth. We show the janma Nakshatra, the Pada, the Rashi and the letter the name can start with.
How it works
- Your clock time and time zone are turned into the exact moment of birth.
- We calculate where the Moon was in the sky at that moment, and apply the Lahiri ayanamsa to get its position among the stars.
- Each Nakshatra is 13°20′ wide and each Pada 3°20′. The Pada the Moon was in gives the starting syllable.
The starting letters follow the widely used Chudamani table, the same as our Nakshatra name pages. Some almanacs differ for a few Nakshatras, so please confirm the final choice with your elders or priest. This is general information, not a full horoscope.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my baby's Nakshatra from the date and time of birth?
Your baby's janma Nakshatra is the star the Moon was in at the moment of birth. Enter the date and time of birth above and we work out the Moon's position at that exact moment. The sky is split into 27 Nakshatras, each divided into 4 Padas, and the Pada gives the starting letter for the name.
Why do I need the exact birth time?
The Moon moves through one Nakshatra in about a day, and through one Pada in about six hours. So the date alone is not enough to know the Pada, and near a change even the Nakshatra can differ by a few hours.
Does the place of birth change the Nakshatra?
Not directly. The Moon's star depends only on the exact moment of birth, which is the same everywhere in the world. The place matters only to turn your clock time into that moment, so we ask for the time zone. Born in India, keep India (IST).
Which method does this calculator use?
It calculates the Moon's true position and uses the Lahiri (Chitrapaksha) ayanamsa, which is the standard used in Indian panchangams. We checked it against the Swiss Ephemeris, a reference used by astrologers, for thousands of dates.
My family's panchangam gave a different Nakshatra. Why?
Some almanacs use a different ayanamsa, or round the times differently, and a few round the birth time. If the result is close to a change, a small difference can move the Nakshatra or Pada. Your family priest's reading, based on your tradition, is the one to follow.
Is the birth detail saved?
No. The calculation runs in your browser, and the date, time and place are not sent to us or stored.