Panchang Today serves as your daily guide for planning with clarity, drawing from the time-tested wisdom of the Hindu calendar. It goes beyond simply identifying good and bad times; it helps you understand the Moon's mood, the nature of the star, and how to navigate your day with less friction. Staying connected to these rhythms keeps us rooted in our culture and aids in making mindful choices in work, family matters, travel, and prayers. Some days feel like a gentle breeze, others like a sticky summer afternoon. Today offers a mix of both. Below are the important Panchang details for May 21, 2026, for India.
Date and Day Details
May 21, 2026, is a Thursday, traditionally linked with Guru's grace, learning, counsel, and steady progress. The lunar date begins with Shukla Paksha Panchami (fifth day of the bright fortnight), which ends at 08:26:48, after which Shukla Paksha Shashthi (sixth day) takes over. Panchami in the bright half carries a clean, growing energy. Think of a sapling that has taken root and now seeks sunlight and structure. It supports skill-building, disciplined routines, starting study schedules, and settling practical matters at home. Since the tithi changes at 08:26:48, keep early morning for planning and small beginnings, and push heavier commitments into the later part of the morning when Shashthi's steadier “service and responsibility” flavor begins.
The nakshatra today is Pushya, ending at 02:49:26, followed by Ashlesha. Pushya is presided over by Brihaspati, the teacher of the gods. It is nourishing by nature, like a well-watered field. Pushya encourages activities requiring patience and care, such as mentoring, joining a course, cleaning up documentation, or having a sincere family conversation. It is also favorable for acts of support, feeding, donating, or helping someone without making a show of it. Late night brings Ashlesha, a serpent-energy nakshatra known for sharp instincts and tight boundaries. This shift suggests your mind may become more intense and private as the night deepens. Keep conversations clean and avoid emotional probing after the day's work ends.
The Moon stays in Cancer at 3.54 degrees today. Cancer is the Moon's own sign, so feelings run close to the surface, and the need for emotional safety becomes strong. You may prefer familiar food, familiar people, and familiar ways of doing things. On such a day, even a small comment can sting, and a small kindness can heal. The Moon sign transition occurs on May 23, 2026, at 02:08:03, when it moves to Leo, so for today, the Cancer tone remains dominant across India. Use it well. Cook, organize your space, check on elders, and do your work with care rather than speed.
Yoga is Ganda until 10:58:36, followed by Vriddhi. Ganda can bring knots, delays, or awkward timing, especially in the first half of the day. Vriddhi, as the name suggests, supports growth, improvement, and expansion once it arrives. Karans also show the day's practical texture. Balava runs until 08:26:48, then Kaulava continues until 19:20:52, and then Taitila begins. Kaulava is helpful for steady effort, teamwork, and routine tasks. Taitila suits refinement, polishing, and completing pending items. The cosmic message is simple: start gently, build momentum after mid-morning, and finish cleanly by night.
Auspicious Timings (Shubh Muhurat)
Auspicious timings are not magic tricks; they are like catching the right wind for your sail. Use them for tasks that matter, especially when you want fewer obstacles and better focus.
Brahma Muhurta runs from 03:46:07 to 04:28:11. This is a quiet, sattvic time. If you have been postponing prayer, yoga, or even a serious reading habit, this is where you reclaim it. Even 20 minutes of japa or silent breathing can reset the mind for the whole day.
Pratah Sandhya is from 04:07:09 to 05:10:15. It is ideal for Surya arghya, a short walk, and setting your intention for the day. Abhijit Muhurta, from 11:27:47 to 12:21:43, is a strong window for important calls, submitting an application, starting a meeting, or making a respectful request to seniors. Simple, direct actions work best.
In the afternoon, Vijay Muhurta is from 14:09:35 to 15:03:31. This one supports victory through effort. Use it for negotiations, presentations, interviews, or anything where you want your competence to show. Keep your words measured.
Evening brings Godhuli Muhurta from 18:38:46 to 18:59:48, and Sayahana Sandhya from 18:38:46 to 19:41:52. Light a lamp, offer a simple prayer, and let the day's restlessness settle. Nishita Muhurta is from 23:33:14 to 00:15:18, a deep night window suited for inward practices and sincere sankalpa, not for noisy social chatter.
A big support today comes from Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga, Amrit Siddhi Yoga, and Ravi Yoga, all running from 05:10:15 to 02:49:01 (next day). This is like having a helpful current under your boat. If you need to start a long-pending task, do it in this stretch. Amrit Kalam from 20:47:25 to 22:17:49 is a sweet pocket for family bonding, study, or devotional reading.
Choghadiya also gives handy cues. Day auspicious periods include Shubh at 05:10, Laabh at 11:54, Amrit at 13:35, and Shubh at 16:57. Night auspicious periods include Amrit at 18:38, Laabh at 23:54, Shubh at 26:32, and Amrit at 27:51. Pick one and act with full attention.
Inauspicious Timings
Rahu Kaal today is from 13:35 to 15:16. This is the time linked with Rahu's smoky, confusing influence, when things can look tempting but carry hidden conditions. It is not meant for launching new ventures, signing contracts, making big purchases, or locking important financial decisions. If you must work, do routine tasks. File papers, clear your inbox, review notes, and avoid ego clashes.
A simple remedy during Rahu Kaal is to sit quietly for a few minutes and chant the Rahu mantra, “Om Raam Rahave Namaha”. You can also do a short meditation or read a few verses of a prayer that calms you. Keep your wallet closed today during this window, especially for online shopping or impulse spending.
The detailed inauspicious timing for Rahu Kaal is 13:35:34 to 15:16:38. Gulika Kaal is from 08:32:22 to 10:13:26. Treat this as a period for caution. Do not escalate a disagreement at home or at the workplace. If a message annoys you, reply later.
Yamaganda runs from 05:10:15 to 06:51:18. Early morning impatience can lead to silly mistakes, like forgetting keys, misreading a time, or getting into a needless argument while commuting. Slow down. Varjyam is from 11:45:01 to 13:10:29, a time to avoid risky decisions and over-promising. If you are meeting someone important, keep your commitment realistic.
Dur Muhurtam appears twice: from 09:39:55 to 10:33:55 and again from 15:03:31 to 15:57:31. Do not start confrontational conversations here. Postpone disciplinary talks, legal steps, or harsh feedback if you can.
Baana is from 11:47:15 to 05:09:53 (next day). It is a long influence, so keep your actions clean and avoid shortcuts. Vidaal Yoga runs from 05:10:15 to 02:49:01 (next day), and Aadal Yoga is from 02:50:01 to 05:09:53 (next day). These yogas hint at sudden distractions and uneven focus, especially late. Finish key tasks earlier.
Choghadiya inauspicious periods are also worth respecting. Day inauspicious periods include Rog at 06:51, Udveg at 08:32, and Kaal at 15:16. Night inauspicious periods include Rog at 21:16, Kaal at 22:35, and Udveg at 25:13. If you cannot avoid these windows, keep to maintenance work and stay polite. That is the safest path.
Rahu Kaal Timings Across India
Rahu Kaal varies by geographic location across India because it is calculated from local sunrise, and sunrise differs from place to place due to longitude. Even within the same state, the start and end can shift slightly. The table below shows Rahu Kaal for major Indian cities so you can follow the timing closest to where you are and plan accordingly.
- Mumbai: 14:13 - 15:51
- Delhi (NCR): 14:00 - 15:42
- Bengaluru: 13:51 - 15:27
- Hyderabad: 13:49 - 15:27
- Chennai: 13:40 - 15:16
- Ahmedabad: 14:15 - 15:55
- Pune: 14:08 - 15:46
- Kolkata: 13:12 - 14:52
- Jaipur: 14:04 - 15:46
- Kochi: 13:55 - 15:30
- Lucknow: 13:44 - 15:26
- Indore: 14:02 - 15:42
- Guwahati: 13:00 - 14:42
- Chandigarh: 14:02 - 15:45
- Surat: 14:14 - 15:53
- Visakhapatnam: 13:30 - 15:08
- Nagpur: 13:49 - 15:28
- Coimbatore: 13:53 - 15:28
- Varanasi: 13:35 - 15:16
- Bhubaneswar: 13:21 - 15:00
Sunrise, Sunset, Moonrise, and Moonset
Sunrise today is at 05:10:26, and sunset is at 18:38:15. The Sun's steady arc reminds us that effort must be regular, not dramatic. If you have been waiting for motivation, do not. Begin with small discipline after sunrise, even if it is just tidying your desk, finishing a pending payment, or writing down your top three tasks.
Moonrise is at 09:28:21 AM, and moonset is at 11:31:14 PM. With the Moon in Cancer, the mind is like water in a clay pot; it takes the pot's shape. Choose your surroundings carefully. Good company, simple food, and a calmer evening routine will support your emotional health. If you are feeling heavy by night, step away from loud screens and arguments. A quiet walk on the terrace or near a patch of trees can do more than you think.
This long day from 05:10:26 to 18:38:15 also suits steady work blocks. Do your most demanding tasks before late evening, and reserve the night for family, study, and prayer. The Moon stays up late, so you may feel alert. Use it to read, reflect, and sleep with a lighter mind.
Vrat/Festival Information and Recommendations
No major Vrat or festival is observed today. The Hindu month in the amanta system is Adhik Jyeshtha, a period that often carries a reflective, corrective quality. People tend to notice what is unfinished, what is cluttered, what has been avoided. Not a bad thing. It is like summer heat showing you where the house needs better airflow.
With Shukla Paksha Panchami moving into Shashthi at 08:26:48, plan the day in two gears. Early hours are for intention and light beginnings. Later hours favor responsibility and follow-through. Pushya nakshatra supports nourishment and guidance, so relationships improve when you speak gently and do something practical. A small act counts: buying fruit for home, checking on a sibling, or listening without interrupting. Cancer Moon can make you protective, even possessive. Ask yourself: are you caring or controlling? There is a difference.
For career and work, the day asks for steady output. Ganda Yoga until 10:58:36 can bring minor snags, like a delayed reply, a rescheduled meeting, or a misunderstanding in a group chat. Do not take it personally. After Vriddhi begins, your efforts can show visible improvement. Your boss will notice the person who stays composed, delivers on time, and does not spread tension. Keep your promises small and solid.
Spiritually, today rewards simple discipline. If you can, use Brahma Muhurta from 03:46:07 to 04:28:11 for prayer, and use the evening Sandhya from 18:38:46 to 19:41:52 for a lamp and gratitude. During Rahu Kaal from 13:35 to 15:16, avoid new starts and chant “Om Raam Rahave Namaha” a few times to keep the mind clear.
Close the day like you would close a window before rain. Put one pending task to bed, speak one kind sentence at home, and set out your essentials for tomorrow. Actionable advice: choose one auspicious window, either 11:27:47 to 12:21:43 or 20:47:25 to 22:17:49, and use it for a single meaningful step you have been delaying.
