Guide
Shukla Chaturthi: lunar day, degrees and local timing
Shukla Chaturthi is lunar day 4 of the waxing half of the Moon's cycle. It runs from 36° to 48° of Moon–Sun separation. A tithi follows this changing angle rather than midnight, so its start and end times vary. Check your city's panchang for the local timing.
Draft · specialist source review requested
Where does Shukla Chaturthi fall in the lunar cycle?
It is tithi 4 of 30. The interval begins at 36° and ends as the separation reaches 48°. This is a difference in celestial longitude, not the Moon's height above the horizon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Lunar day | 4 of 30 |
| Half of the cycle | Shukla (waxing) |
| Starts at | 36° Moon–Sun separation |
| Ends at | 48° Moon–Sun separation |
| Angular span | 12° |
| First half (karana) | 36° to 42° |
| Second half (karana) | 42° to 48° |
Method: subtract the Sun’s geocentric longitude from the Moon’s, wrap the result to 0–360°, and divide by 12°. Add one to the whole-number result to get the tithi number. The new interval owns the exact boundary.
When does Shukla Chaturthi start in my city?
Choose your city and date in the daily panchang. It lists the tithi at sunrise and each change before the next sunrise, in your chosen time zone. The angle changes continuously, so do not assume that a tithi lasts exactly 24 hours.
How can I use this lunar day?
Use the lunar day to follow the rhythm of the waxing Moon. For a religious observance, check which instant your tradition uses: sunrise is common, but it is not the rule for every festival. A tithi alone cannot establish whether a contract, trip or treatment will go well.
Questions about Shukla Chaturthi
Does Shukla Chaturthi begin at midnight?
No. It begins when the Moon–Sun angle crosses its starting boundary. The local clock time changes from cycle to cycle.
Why do two calendars show different dates?
They may use different time zones, sunrise locations or observance rules. Compare the underlying start and end times before comparing the civil-date label.
Is Shukla Chaturthi a personality type?
No. This page identifies a lunar interval. It does not establish character, health or future events for someone born during it.
What can I explore next?
Browse the tithi directory, check your local panchang, or see today's sky. The calculation method explains the astronomy and its limits.
Sources and method
The tables use the lunar-angle, weekday or ninefold-division definitions described above. Astronomy Engine supplies the positions used by our calculators. Interpretations are cultural context, not guaranteed outcomes.
How we calculate
Is astrology a guarantee of what will happen?
No. These calculations locate celestial bodies; astrology is a reflection and timing tradition, not evidence of guaranteed health, financial or relationship outcomes.
How are these results calculated?
Positions come from Astronomy Engine, an open-source astronomy library, and are checked against Swiss Ephemeris in our methodology tests. Western readings use the tropical zodiac; Vedic readings subtract the Lahiri ayanamsa. Terms are defined in the glossary.
Next: compare your birth chart, see today's sky, or make a private vision board.