Nakshatra Calculator
Enter your date, time and place of birth to find your janma nakshatra, the Moon's birth star among 27 lunar mansions. You will see the pada, ruling lord, deity and your moon sign. Near a boundary, a few minutes of birth time can change the star.
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What is a Nakshatra?
A Nakshatra is one of 27 lunar mansions: equal segments of the Moon's path along the ecliptic. Your Janma Nakshatra (birth star) is determined by the Moon's sidereal longitude at the moment you were born. It is a core building block of Jyotish personality analysis, often read together with your ascendant and the rest of the chart.
Each Nakshatra spans 13°20' and is subdivided into four padas (quarters). The pada refines themes within the same star, linking to divisional charts and dasha lordships in advanced work.
Why we use the Moon for your birth star
In classical usage, Janma Nakshatra almost always refers to the Moon's Nakshatra. Some traditions also highlight the ascendant's Nakshatra or other planets for specific rituals; this calculator follows the widespread Moon-based birth star for your D1 chart.
- Chandra Rasi is the Moon's sign (rashi), the twelvefold lunar zodiac placement.
- Your sidereal zodiac sign shown here is the same Moon sign in English sign names (e.g. Cancer).
- Accurate birth time fixes the Moon's degree and therefore your correct Nakshatra and pada.
Your nakshatra also sets the order of your planetary periods; see when each one runs with the Vimshottari dasha calculator. In kundli matching, several kootas, including Tara, Yoni, Gana and Nadi, are based on each partner's nakshatra.
Sidereal calculation
Our engine uses your sidereal D1 chart (Lahiri Ayanamsha family), consistent with the rest of TrustAstrology's Vedic tools. That means your birth star follows the star-based zodiac, which can differ from tropical Western placements.
Frequently asked questions
How many nakshatras are there?
There are 27 nakshatras, each covering 13°20' of the zodiac. Each is divided into four padas (quarters) of 3°20', which link to the D9 Navamsa chart and to dasha lordship.
Is my birth star the same as my Sun sign?
Not necessarily. Your Sun sign is where the Sun was; your birth star is where the Moon was among the 27 nakshatras. Both are meaningful but answer different questions.
Why is the Moon used for the birth star?
In classical usage, janma nakshatra almost always means the Moon's nakshatra. Some traditions also use the ascendant's nakshatra for specific rituals, but this calculator follows the Moon-based birth star.
What if my birth time is uncertain?
Near the boundary between two nakshatras or padas, a few minutes can change the result. If the Moon is far from a boundary, the star may still be stable with an approximate time.
Is this the same as today's nakshatra?
No. Your birth nakshatra is fixed from the moment you were born. Today's nakshatra is where the Moon is now; see it in the daily panchang.
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