What is Nakshatra?
Nakshatras are the 27 lunar mansions that divide the zodiac — a finer layer than the twelve rashis.
A Nakshatra is one of 27 segments the Moon travels through, each about 13°20′ wide. Your birth (Janma) Nakshatra is the one the Moon occupied at your birth.
Where nakshatras are used
- Naming ceremonies (the first syllable often comes from the nakshatra pada).
- Vimshottari Dasha, which is calculated from the birth nakshatra.
- Muhurat and Kundli matching (Nakshatra Koota).