The 27 nakshatras: names, ruling planets, deities and traits
The 360° zodiac is divided into 27 equal parts of 13°20′ each, called nakshatras or lunar mansions. Here are all 27, with their planets, deities and traits.
Nakshatras are the 27 lunar mansions of Vedic astrology. Each spans 13°20′ of the zodiac and has 4 padas. Your birth nakshatra is the one the Moon occupied when you were born; it shapes your temperament, your dasha sequence, your traditional name syllable and kundli matching.
All 27 nakshatras at a glance
| # | Nakshatra | Rashi | Lord | Deity | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashwini | Aries | Ketu | Ashwini Kumaras | Chu Che Cho La |
| 2 | Bharani | Aries | Venus | Yama | Li Lu Le Lo |
| 3 | Krittika | Aries / Taurus | Sun | Agni | A I U E |
| 4 | Rohini | Taurus | Moon | Brahma | O Va Vi Vu |
| 5 | Mrigashira | Taurus / Gemini | Mars | Soma | Ve Vo Ka Ki |
| 6 | Ardra | Gemini | Rahu | Rudra | Ku Gha Ng Chha |
| 7 | Punarvasu | Gemini / Cancer | Jupiter | Aditi | Ke Ko Ha Hi |
| 8 | Pushya | Cancer | Saturn | Brihaspati | Hu He Ho Da |
| 9 | Ashlesha | Cancer | Mercury | Nagas | Di Du De Do |
| 10 | Magha | Leo | Ketu | Pitris | Ma Mi Mu Me |
| 11 | Purva Phalguni | Leo | Venus | Bhaga | Mo Ta Ti Tu |
| 12 | Uttara Phalguni | Leo / Virgo | Sun | Aryaman | Te To Pa Pi |
| 13 | Hasta | Virgo | Moon | Savitar | Pu Sha Na Tha |
| 14 | Chitra | Virgo / Libra | Mars | Vishvakarma | Pe Po Ra Ri |
| 15 | Swati | Libra | Rahu | Vayu | Ru Re Ro Ta |
| 16 | Vishakha | Libra / Scorpio | Jupiter | Indra–Agni | Ti Tu Te To |
| 17 | Anuradha | Scorpio | Saturn | Mitra | Na Ni Nu Ne |
| 18 | Jyeshtha | Scorpio | Mercury | Indra | No Ya Yi Yu |
| 19 | Mula | Sagittarius | Ketu | Nirriti | Ye Yo Bha Bhi |
| 20 | Purva Ashadha | Sagittarius | Venus | Apas | Bhu Dha Pha Dha |
| 21 | Uttara Ashadha | Sagittarius / Capricorn | Sun | Vishvadevas | Be Bo Ja Ji |
| 22 | Shravana | Capricorn | Moon | Vishnu | Ju Je Jo Gha |
| 23 | Dhanishta | Capricorn / Aquarius | Mars | Vasus | Ga Gi Gu Ge |
| 24 | Shatabhisha | Aquarius | Rahu | Varuna | Go Sa Si Su |
| 25 | Purva Bhadrapada | Aquarius / Pisces | Jupiter | Aja Ekapada | Se So Da Di |
| 26 | Uttara Bhadrapada | Pisces | Saturn | Ahir Budhnya | Du Tha Jha Da |
| 27 | Revati | Pisces | Mercury | Pushan | De Do Cha Chi |
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Why your nakshatra matters
- Dasha: your Vimshottari dasha sequence starts from the lord of your birth nakshatra.
- Naming: a baby's name traditionally begins with the syllable of the birth pada.
- Kundli matching: several of the 36 gunas (gana, yoni, nadi) come from the nakshatra.
- Muhurat: the day's nakshatra is checked before auspicious events.
Frequently asked questions
How many nakshatras are there?
27. Some traditions add a 28th, Abhijit, used in naming and muhurat.
How is the birth nakshatra calculated?
By dividing the Moon's sidereal longitude at birth by 13°20′. The free nakshatra calculator does this instantly.
Which is the most auspicious nakshatra?
Pushya is widely considered the most auspicious, especially for new beginnings and purchases, though every nakshatra has its strengths.
What is the difference between a nakshatra and a rashi?
A rashi (sign) spans 30°, a nakshatra 13°20′. Each rashi holds two and a quarter nakshatras, so the nakshatra gives finer detail.