About Chandrashtamam
Chandrashtamam is the period when the Moon transits the 8th house from your birth Rasi — equivalently, when the Moon occupies the 17th Nakshatra counted from your Janma Nakshatra. It is traditionally considered unfavourable for beginning important activities, and typically occurs about once a month for one to two days. For full daily details, also see our Hindu Panchangam and Tarabalam & Chandrabalam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chandrashtamam?
It is the period when the transiting Moon is in the 8th house (8th Rasi) from your birth Rasi — or when the day's Nakshatra is the 17th from your birth Nakshatra. It is considered inauspicious for starting important activities and occurs about once a month for roughly one to two days.
How is the Chandrashtama Nakshatra calculated?
Count 17 Nakshatras from your birth star, counting your star as the first — that 17th Nakshatra is your Chandrashtama Nakshatra. Whenever the Moon transits it, it is Chandrashtamam for you. For example, for Chitra the Chandrashtama Nakshatra is Krittika.
Is it based on Nakshatra or Rasi?
Both methods are traditionally used. The Nakshatra method uses the 17th star from your Janma Nakshatra; the Rasi method uses the 8th sign from your Janma Rasi. This calculator shows both, with exact start and end times for your location.
How often does Chandrashtamam occur?
Because the Moon completes the zodiac in about 27.3 days, Chandrashtamam occurs roughly once a month — about one day by the Nakshatra method, and about two to two-and-a-half days by the Rasi method.