Understanding the Gujarati Panchang & Choghadiya System
The Gujarati Panchang is an authentic Amanta lunar calendar system observed across Gujarat and Gujarati communities worldwide. Under this framework, each lunar month commences on the day following the New Moon (Sud Ekam) and concludes on the New Moon day (Amas). The calendar year begins in late autumn with Bestu Varas (Kartak Sud Ekam), immediately following Diwali and Chopda Pujan.
The Anatomy of Choghadiya (ચોઘડિયા)
In Gujarat, the Choghadiya system is the primary practical tool used by families, traders, and merchants to determine auspicious timings for travel, business inaugurations, contracts, and ceremonies without consulting an astrologer for every minor decision.
The word Choghadiya originates from the Sanskrit Chatur-Ghatika (meaning four Ghadis). Since one Ghadi equals 24 minutes, four Ghadis equal approximately 96 minutes (1.6 hours). Day is divided into 8 equal parts from local sunrise to sunset, and Night is divided into 8 equal parts from sunset to the next sunrise.
The Seven Types of Choghadiya
- Amrut (અમૃત - Auspicious): Ruled by the Moon. Best for all sacred ceremonies, initiation of education, medical treatments, and general activities.
- Shubh (શુભ - Auspicious): Ruled by Jupiter. Excellent for weddings, religious functions, signing important papers, and commencing new duties.
- Labh (લાભ - Auspicious): Ruled by Mercury. Highly favored for business openings, buying merchandise, financial investments, and entering commercial negotiations.
- Char (ચલ - Moderate): Ruled by Venus. Favorable for journeys, vehicle transit, travel, and activities requiring mobility.
- Udveg (ઉદ્વેગ - Inauspicious): Ruled by the Sun. Brings anxiety, governmental delays, and mental agitation; avoid starting new works.
- Kaal (કાળ - Inauspicious): Ruled by Saturn. Brings obstacles, material losses, and discord; strictly avoided for auspicious initiatives.
- Rog (રોગ - Inauspicious): Ruled by Mars. Associated with friction, health issues, and disputes; avoid medical surgeries and major agreements.
Semi-Technical Mechanics: Local Sunrise and Amanta Month Offsets
Because Choghadiya slots are calculated by dividing daylight and nighttime into eight equal segments, their exact starting and ending timestamps vary from city to city and day to day based on local solar declination and terrestrial latitude. For example, during summer in Ahmedabad, daytime Choghadiya slots are longer than 96 minutes, while in winter they are shorter. This engine calculates exact solar elevations and local sunrise intervals for precise municipal precision.
Decades of Precision
Proprietary ephemeris operating since 2004 computing exact local sunrise Choghadiyas and Gujarati Amanta Tithis.
100% Privacy
Calculations run in encrypted memory sessions and are never stored or shared.
Authentic Tradition
Engineered strictly under authentic Gujarati Panchang traditions and classical Surya Siddhantic Choghadiya rules.