27 Nakshatras List: Names, Lords, Dates and Meaning
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The 27 nakshatras are the lunar mansions of Vedic astrology. The zodiac is split into 27 equal parts of 13°20’ each, and every part is named after a star or star group the Moon passes through. Your birth nakshatra (Janma nakshatra) is the one the Moon was in when you were born. After your Moon sign, it is the most personal point in your chart.
Below is the complete list, how to find yours, and what the nakshatra is used for.
The 27 nakshatras list
| # | Nakshatra | Zodiac span (sidereal) | Lord | Deity | Gana |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashwini | 0°00’ to 13°20’ Aries | Ketu | Ashwini Kumaras | Deva |
| 2 | Bharani | 13°20’ to 26°40’ Aries | Venus | Yama | Manushya |
| 3 | Krittika | 26°40’ Aries to 10°00’ Taurus | Sun | Agni | Rakshasa |
| 4 | Rohini | 10°00’ to 23°20’ Taurus | Moon | Brahma | Manushya |
| 5 | Mrigashira | 23°20’ Taurus to 6°40’ Gemini | Mars | Soma | Deva |
| 6 | Ardra | 6°40’ to 20°00’ Gemini | Rahu | Rudra | Manushya |
| 7 | Punarvasu | 20°00’ Gemini to 3°20’ Cancer | Jupiter | Aditi | Deva |
| 8 | Pushya | 3°20’ to 16°40’ Cancer | Saturn | Brihaspati | Deva |
| 9 | Ashlesha | 16°40’ to 30°00’ Cancer | Mercury | Nagas | Rakshasa |
| 10 | Magha | 0°00’ to 13°20’ Leo | Ketu | Pitris (ancestors) | Rakshasa |
| 11 | Purva Phalguni | 13°20’ to 26°40’ Leo | Venus | Bhaga | Manushya |
| 12 | Uttara Phalguni | 26°40’ Leo to 10°00’ Virgo | Sun | Aryaman | Manushya |
| 13 | Hasta | 10°00’ to 23°20’ Virgo | Moon | Savitr | Deva |
| 14 | Chitra | 23°20’ Virgo to 6°40’ Libra | Mars | Vishvakarma | Rakshasa |
| 15 | Swati | 6°40’ to 20°00’ Libra | Rahu | Vayu | Deva |
| 16 | Vishakha | 20°00’ Libra to 3°20’ Scorpio | Jupiter | Indra and Agni | Rakshasa |
| 17 | Anuradha | 3°20’ to 16°40’ Scorpio | Saturn | Mitra | Deva |
| 18 | Jyeshtha | 16°40’ to 30°00’ Scorpio | Mercury | Indra | Rakshasa |
| 19 | Mula | 0°00’ to 13°20’ Sagittarius | Ketu | Nirriti | Rakshasa |
| 20 | Purva Ashadha | 13°20’ to 26°40’ Sagittarius | Venus | Apas (waters) | Manushya |
| 21 | Uttara Ashadha | 26°40’ Sagittarius to 10°00’ Capricorn | Sun | Vishvedevas | Manushya |
| 22 | Shravana | 10°00’ to 23°20’ Capricorn | Moon | Vishnu | Deva |
| 23 | Dhanishta | 23°20’ Capricorn to 6°40’ Aquarius | Mars | Eight Vasus | Rakshasa |
| 24 | Shatabhisha | 6°40’ to 20°00’ Aquarius | Rahu | Varuna | Rakshasa |
| 25 | Purva Bhadrapada | 20°00’ Aquarius to 3°20’ Pisces | Jupiter | Aja Ekapada | Manushya |
| 26 | Uttara Bhadrapada | 3°20’ to 16°40’ Pisces | Saturn | Ahir Budhnya | Manushya |
| 27 | Revati | 16°40’ to 30°00’ Pisces | Mercury | Pushan | Deva |
Notice the pattern in the Lord column: Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, repeated three times. That same order drives the Vimshottari dasha, which is why your birth nakshatra decides which dasha you were born in.
How to find your nakshatra by date of birth
The Moon moves through one nakshatra in roughly one day, so a date alone isn’t enough near a changeover. You need your date, time and place of birth.
- Make your free Kundli.
- Your nakshatra and pada appear at the top of the result, next to your Moon sign.
- The planet table also shows the nakshatra of every planet, not just the Moon.
If you don’t know your birth time, a name-based guess is possible from the first syllable of your name. See the rashi by name chart, where each syllable is one nakshatra pada.
What the nakshatra is used for
- Personality and mind. The Moon’s nakshatra colours your emotional nature in finer detail than the Moon sign.
- Dasha timing. The Vimshottari dasha starts from the lord of your birth nakshatra.
- Kundli matching. Tara, Yoni, Gana and Nadi, four of the eight kootas worth 21 of 36 points, come from the nakshatra. Read how guna milan works and Nadi dosha.
- Naming a baby. The pada gives the first syllable of the name (namakshar).
- Muhurta. Choosing auspicious days for weddings, housewarming and new ventures depends on the day’s nakshatra.
Nakshatra padas
Each nakshatra has four padas of 3°20’. Since 27 × 4 = 108, there are 108 padas, and nine of them fit in every sign. The pada matters for three things: the name syllable, the Navamsa (D9) position, and fine details of Kundli matching such as Nadi dosha cancellation.
Gand Mool nakshatras
Six nakshatras sit where a water sign ends and a fire sign begins: Ashwini, Ashlesha, Magha, Jyeshtha, Mula and Revati. Tradition calls them Gand Mool and recommends a simple shanti puja when a baby is born under them. It’s a custom, not a curse. See our guide to the newborn Kundli.
Frequently asked questions
How many nakshatras are there?
There are 27 nakshatras in Vedic astrology. Each covers 13°20' of the zodiac, and together they make the full 360°. Some older texts add a 28th, Abhijit, used mainly in muhurta (choosing auspicious times).
How do I find my nakshatra by date of birth?
Your birth nakshatra (Janma nakshatra) is the one the Moon was in when you were born. The Moon moves through a nakshatra in about a day, so you need your date, time and place of birth. Our free Kundli tool shows your nakshatra and pada at the top of the result.
What is a nakshatra pada?
Each nakshatra is divided into four padas (quarters) of 3°20'. The pada sets your name syllable, and in the Navamsa chart it decides which sign the planet falls in.
Which nakshatra is the best?
No nakshatra is good or bad on its own. Pushya is traditionally the most auspicious for starting things, and Gand Mool nakshatras get extra care at birth, but every nakshatra has strengths and challenges.
Astrology is a traditional belief system. This article is for guidance and general information, not medical, legal or financial advice.