Panchang Today is your steady compass for the day, drawn from the Hindu calendar’s time-tested spiritual wisdom. It reveals the Moon’s position, active energies, and when the day opens for new work or asks you to pause. In a busy Indian routine of commutes, meetings, family calls, and deadlines, this guidance keeps you connected to your cultural roots and helps you choose with care, not impulse. Plan prayer, purchases, travel, and tough conversations with better timing. Below are the important Panchang details for May 20, 2026, for India.
Date & Day Details
May 20, 2026, falls on Wednesday, a Budhvar day, good for learning, paperwork, trade, and clear communication, if you keep your mind from scattering. The lunar day is Shukla Paksha 4 (Chaturthi), ending at 11:06:55, after which Shukla Paksha 5 (Panchami) begins. Chaturthi carries the fragrance of Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Spiritually, this tithi asks you to clear clutter, finish pending tasks, and begin again with humility. People may speak more directly today as the Moon grows in brightness, boosting confidence. Still, before 11:06:55, keep your ego in check. Chaturthi rewards sincerity, not show.
The Nakshatra is Ardra, ending at 06:11:49, then moving into Punarvasu. Ardra is linked to Rudra, the storm form of Shiva, bringing intense thoughts, sudden mood shifts, and a desire for truth. It is good for research, troubleshooting, deep study, and breaking stubborn habits. Early morning till 06:11:49 may feel restless, so avoid fights at home or in work chats. Once Punarvasu starts, the tone softens. Punarvasu is connected with Aditi, the motherly force that restores and renews. After the shift, conversations become kinder, and tangled plans find simple solutions.
The Moon sign is Gemini 19.22 for most of the day, transitioning at 22:38:55 into Cancer. A Gemini Moon makes the mind quick, craving news, updates, gossip, and facts. Use it well for emails, interviews, presentations, and revision. At 22:38:55, when the Moon enters Cancer, emotions deepen. Suddenly, you care more about who said what and why it felt personal. Nighttime is better for family bonding, quiet music, and rest.
Yoga today is Shula, ending at 14:10:03, followed by Ganda. Shula feels sharp like a thorn, productive for decisive action and cutting waste, but it can make people blunt. Ganda has a knot-like quality, so keep schedules flexible in the afternoon, and double-check directions and documents.
Karan begins with Visti till 11:06:55, then Bava till 21:42:34, followed by Balava. Visti is traditionally tricky for starting new ventures, so use the morning for planning and preparation. Bava supports steady work and practical progress through the day. Balava at night suits lighter tasks, sorting, and winding down.
Auspicious Timings (Shubh Muhurat)
To make the day feel less rushed, start with sacred quiet. Brahma Muhurta runs from 03:46:21 to 04:28:29 on May 20, 2026. This is the best window for japa, meditation, study, and setting intentions. The mind is like a still lake then. Even fifteen minutes of prayer or breathwork can change the tone of your entire Wednesday.
Pratah Sandhya is from 04:07:25 to 05:10:37, suited for morning puja, Surya arghya, and reading something that steadies you. Right after comes Ravi Yoga from 05:10:37 to 06:11:26, supporting confident beginnings. Place an important call, submit an application, or start a study plan in this stretch.
Vijay Muhurta runs from 14:09:17 to 15:03:09. Use it for tasks where you want a win: a meeting with a clear outcome, a negotiation, or a difficult follow-up you have been avoiding.
Evening brings gentle blessings. Godhuli Muhurta is from 18:38:15 to 18:59:19, and Sayahana Sandhya stretches from 18:38:15 to 19:41:27. These are lovely for lighting a diya, offering gratitude, and calming the household mood.
Nishita Muhurta is from 23:33:11 to 00:15:19 on May 21, powerful for intense spiritual practices and silent prayer. Amrit Kalam follows later, from 01:59:32 to 03:27:28, a sweet window for healing intentions and heartfelt wishes.
Choghadiya also offers supportive pockets. During the day, look to Laabh @ 05:10, Amrit @ 06:51, Shubh @ 10:13, and Laabh @ 16:56 for smooth progress. At night, Shubh @ 19:56 and Amrit @ 21:15 feel calm and helpful. Laabh @ 26:32 is late-night gain energy, useful if you study or work in quiet hours.
Inauspicious Timings
Rahu Kaal today is from 11:54 to 13:35, specifically 11:54:26 to 13:35:23. Rahu creates confusion, temptation, and impulsive choices. Avoid signing contracts, buying expensive items, taking loans, or starting new ventures during this window. Keep your wallet closed, even if an offer looks shiny. Use Rahu Kaal for routine work, cleaning, organizing files, and inner protection. Sit for a few minutes, breathe slowly, and chant the Rahu mantra: Om Raam Rahave Namaha. Shadow time becomes lighter when you stay aware.
Gulika Kaal is from 10:13:28 to 11:54:26, bringing delays and minor obstacles, so avoid launching something brand new then. Yamaganda runs from 06:51:34 to 08:32:31, often seen as a period to avoid risky travel decisions and arguments. Keep your words measured in the morning rush.
Dur Muhurtam is from 11:27:41 to 12:21:41, overlapping with Rahu Kaal, so be extra careful around late morning. Varjyam appears from 17:12:26 to 18:36:00, a time when plans can feel stuck. Avoid confrontations, avoid starting a fresh purchase, and do not send that angry message.
Baana (Nripa) runs from 05:10:37 to 10:51:37, a traditional caution window. Vidaal Yoga is noted from 04:12:26 to 05:10:15 on May 21, so if you are awake early tomorrow, keep intentions simple and avoid hasty beginnings in that slot.
Choghadiya inauspicious periods during the day are Kaal @ 08:32, Rog @ 11:54, and Udveg @ 13:35. At night, watch Udveg @ 18:37, Rog @ 23:54, Kaal @ 25:13, and Udveg @ 27:51. In these patches, do less, listen more, and let the mind settle before you act.
Rahu Kaal Timings Across India
Rahu Kaal changes from place to place across India because it is calculated using local sunrise, which differs by longitude. The table below shows Rahu Kaal for major Indian cities so you can follow the timing that fits your location.
- Mumbai: 12:34 - 14:12
- Delhi (NCR): 12:17 - 13:59
- Bengaluru: 12:15 - 13:51
- Hyderabad: 12:12 - 13:49
- Chennai: 12:05 - 13:40
- Ahmedabad: 12:35 - 14:15
- Pune: 12:30 - 14:08
- Kolkata: 11:32 - 13:12
- Jaipur: 12:23 - 14:04
- Kochi: 12:21 - 13:55
- Lucknow: 12:02 - 13:44
- Indore: 12:22 - 14:02
- Guwahati: 11:19 - 13:00
- Chandigarh: 12:18 - 14:02
- Surat: 12:34 - 14:13
- Visakhapatnam: 11:53 - 13:30
- Nagpur: 12:09 - 13:48
- Coimbatore: 12:18 - 13:53
- Varanasi: 11:54 - 13:35
- Bhubaneswar: 11:42 - 13:21
Sunrise, Sunset, Moonrise & Moonset
Sunrise is at 05:10:50 and sunset at 18:37:45. These are daily doors. Sunrise is a clean slate. If possible, step into a balcony or open space, offer water to the Sun in your mind, and set one intention for the day. Your body responds to this rhythm more than you think.
Moonrise is at 08:19:04 AM and moonset at 10:44:25 PM. With the Moon rising in the morning, emotions and thoughts pick up speed quickly, especially with the Moon in Gemini for most of the day. It is good for studying, writing, sales calls, and clearing inboxes. As night advances, the Moon’s pull can make you replay conversations. Do not overthink. Let the mind empty out like a river after rain.
Between 05:10:50 and 18:37:45, keep major outdoor or travel plans aligned with cooler, steadier parts of the day. After 10:44:25 PM, energy naturally dips. Give yourself permission to sleep on time so tomorrow does not start with fatigue.
Vrat/Festival Information & Recommendations
Vinayaka Chaturthi Vrat is observed today, based on Shukla Paksha Chaturthi, monthly Ganesha worship. This falls in the Hindu month of Adhik Jyeshtha (amanta), a month that often feels like an extra spiritual pocket in the calendar, encouraging deeper sadhana and cleaner habits.
Vinayaka, the beloved Ganapati, clears obstacles and teaches us to face them with grace. On Chaturthi, people keep a simple vrat, offer durva grass, modak or any homemade sweet, and read or listen to Ganesh stories. You can do it quietly too: a small diya, a few minutes of sincere prayer, and a promise to correct one daily habit is enough.
Because Shukla Paksha 4 (Chaturthi) lasts till 11:06:55, keep the morning for vrat sankalp, puja, and steady work. Ardra Nakshatra till 06:11:49 can stir emotions, so if fasting, stay hydrated and avoid heated conversations at home. After Punarvasu begins, the day becomes more forgiving. Good time to mend a relationship with a simple message. Why hold on to pride when a soft word can fix the mood?
Work and career reward clarity today. Gemini Moon supports communication, but Shula Yoga till 14:10:03 can make your tone sharp. Speak with respect, even if in a hurry. Your boss will notice the one day you stay calm under pressure. Financially, avoid impulsive online shopping, especially around 11:54 to 13:35. Save receipts, check subscriptions, and postpone big commitments.
Spiritually, keep it simple. Chant Ganesh mantra for a few rounds, then add Om Raam Rahave Namaha during Rahu Kaal if anxious. In the evening, use 18:38:15 to 19:41:27 for peaceful lamp lighting and gratitude. Close the day by writing down one obstacle you will face directly this week and one small step you will take tomorrow to clear it. Actionable advice: Start your Ganesh puja before 11:06:55, avoid new deals from 11:54 to 13:35, and end the evening with one honest apology or one pending call completed.
