What is Tithi in Hindu Calendar? – Simple Guide

1. Tithi kya hoti hai? (simple meaning)

Tithi ko hum English calendar ke “date” jaisa samajh sakte hain, lekin yeh moon position ke hisaab se hoti hai, na ki clock ke hisaab se.

Jab Surya aur Chandra ke beech ka angle 12–12° se badhta hai, to ek–ek tithi complete hoti hai. Is tarah ek lunar cycle (poora moon se amavasya tak) 30 alag–alag tithi me banta hai.

2. Tithi ke do hisse – Shukla & Krishna paksha

Hindu calendar me mahina do paksha me divide hota hai:

• Shukla Paksha: Jab moon badhta hai (new moon → full moon).
• Krishna Paksha: Jab moon ghatt ta hai (full moon → new moon).

Har paksha me tithiyan:

• Pratipada (1),
• Dvitiya (2),
• Tritiya (3),
• Chaturthi (4),
• Panchami (5),
• Shashthi (6),
• Saptami (7),
• Ashtami (8),
• Navami (9),
• Dashami (10),
• Ekadashi (11),
• Dwadashi (12),
• Trayodashi (13),
• Chaturdashi (14),
• Purnima / Amavasya (15).

Shukla paksha ke end me Purnima aati hai, Krishna paksha ke end me Amavasya.

3. Tithi itni important kyon maani jati hai?

Hindu thought ke hisaab se moon ka mind aur emotions par strong effect hai. Isi wajah se har tithi ka ek spiritual mood maana jata hai – kuch tithi festival ke liye best, kuch vrat ke liye, kuch dhyaan / upvas ke liye.

• Chaturthi: Ganesh ji ki upasana, problem–removal ke liye.
• Ekadashi: Vishnu bhakti + upvas (mind–cleansing) ke liye.
• Purnima: Full moon – bhakti, satsang, teerth snan ke liye.
• Amavasya: Pitru–karma, shraddha etc. ke liye important.

Isliye jab bhi hum kehte hain “Diwali kab hai?” to jawab hota hai: “Kartik Krishna Amavasya” – sirf date nahi, tithi ke base par.

4. Tithi aur English date hamesha same kyon nahi hoti?

English calendar sun-based (solar) hai – 24 ghanta = ek din, lekin tithi moon-based (lunar) hai – Surya–Chandra ka angle jo bhi speed se badhega, us hisaab se.

Isi liye:

• Kabhi–kabhi ek English date me 2 different tithi aa sakti hain (subah alag, shaam alag).
• Ya kabhi ek tithi lagbhag 2 din tak feel ho sakti hai.

Isiliye puja–vidhi ke liye log seedha “tithi” dekhte hain, sirf English date nahi.

5. Tithi ko daily life me kaise use karein?

• Important vrat / puja plan karne se pehle panchang app ya calendar se tithi check karein.
• Apne janm–tithi ke din thoda sattvik khana, special puja, gratitude practice rakh sakte hain.
• Ekadashi, Purnima, Amavasya jaisi tithiyon par dhyaan, daan, japa ka thoda extra time de sakte hain.

Dheere–dheere jab aap tithiyon ko feel karna shuru karte hain, to ek natural rhythm develop hota hai – jisse mind, body, aur spiritual practice align me aane lagte hain.

6. Kuch important baatein (short me)

• Same tithi sab cities me exact same time par nahi start / end ho sakti – timezone aur longitude se thoda difference hota hai.
• Traditional puja ke liye local panchang, mandir ya pandit ka guidance best hota hai.
• Apps handy hote hain, lekin confusion me ho to local mandir se confirm karna safe hai.