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Chitra nakshatra
The fourteenth of the 27 lunar mansions of Vedic astrology. Its name means the brilliant one.
| Number | 14 of 27 |
|---|---|
| Meaning of the name | The brilliant one |
| Span | Kanya 23°20′ to Tula 6°40′ (sidereal) |
| Moon sign (rashi) | Kanya and Tula |
| Ruling planet | Mars |
| Deity | Tvashtar (Vishvakarma) |
| Symbol | A bright jewel |
| Main stars | Spica |
Padas and name letters
Each nakshatra has four padas (quarters) of 3°20′. A child born with the Moon in a pada is traditionally given a name starting with that pada's syllable.
| Pada | Syllable | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pe | Kanya from 23°20′ |
| 2 | Po | Kanya from 26°40′ |
| 3 | Ra | Tula from 0°00′ |
| 4 | Ri | Tula from 3°20′ |
Spellings and a few syllables vary between regional traditions; a family priest may use a slightly different list.
When the Moon is in Chitra
The Moon passes through Chitra about once every 27.3 days and stays about a day. Times are IST, to the minute; almanacs can differ by one.
2026
| Moon enters Chitra | Moon leaves |
|---|---|
| Sat 10 Jan, 3:39 pm | Sun 11 Jan, 6:12 pm |
| Sat 7 Feb, 12:23 am | Sun 8 Feb, 2:28 am |
| Fri 6 Mar, 9:29 am | Sat 7 Mar, 11:15 am |
| Thu 2 Apr, 5:38 pm | Fri 3 Apr, 7:24 pm |
| Thu 30 Apr, 12:16 am | Fri 1 May, 2:16 am |
| Wed 27 May, 5:56 am | Thu 28 May, 8:08 am |
| Tue 23 Jun, 11:53 am | Wed 24 Jun, 1:59 pm |
| Mon 20 Jul, 7:09 pm | Tue 21 Jul, 8:48 pm |
| Mon 17 Aug, 3:50 am | Tue 18 Aug, 4:58 am |
| Sun 13 Sep, 1:06 pm | Mon 14 Sep, 1:55 pm |
| Sat 10 Oct, 9:42 pm | Sun 11 Oct, 10:32 pm |
| Sat 7 Nov, 4:43 am | Sun 8 Nov, 5:52 am |
| Fri 4 Dec, 10:22 am | Sat 5 Dec, 11:48 am |
| Thu 31 Dec, 4:13 pm | Fri 1 Jan, 5:29 pm |
2027
| Moon enters Chitra | Moon leaves |
|---|---|
| Wed 27 Jan, 11:55 pm | Fri 29 Jan, 12:32 am |
| Wed 24 Feb, 9:38 am | Thu 25 Feb, 9:32 am |
| Tue 23 Mar, 7:49 pm | Wed 24 Mar, 7:25 pm |
| Tue 20 Apr, 4:40 am | Wed 21 Apr, 4:28 am |
| Mon 17 May, 11:29 am | Tue 18 May, 11:42 am |
| Sun 13 Jun, 4:59 pm | Mon 14 Jun, 5:27 pm |
| Sat 10 Jul, 10:51 pm | Sun 11 Jul, 11:04 pm |
| Sat 7 Aug, 6:25 am | Sun 8 Aug, 6:00 am |
| Fri 3 Sep, 3:53 pm | Sat 4 Sep, 2:49 pm |
| Fri 1 Oct, 2:11 am | Sat 2 Oct, 12:49 am |
| Thu 28 Oct, 11:35 am | Fri 29 Oct, 10:27 am |
| Wed 24 Nov, 6:52 pm | Thu 25 Nov, 6:16 pm |
| Wed 22 Dec, 12:25 am | Thu 23 Dec, 12:08 am |
Is Chitra your birth nakshatra?
Your janma nakshatra is the one the Moon was in when you were born. Find yours with the Moon sign calculator, or see which nakshatra the Moon is in today.