The Hindu almanack organises each day around five limbs: tithi (lunar day), vara (weekday), nakshatra (lunar mansion), yoga (a combined sun-moon calculation), and karana (half-tithi). Together, they paint a picture more granular than any solar calendar. Monday, March 23, 2026, is a particularly layered day on that calendar. It falls on Somwar, sacred to Lord Shiva, carries Shukla Paksha Panchami energy, and hosts a rare Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga window after sundown.
| Panchang Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, 23 March 2026 |
| Vara (Weekday) | Somwar (Monday) |
| Tithi | Shukla Paksha Panchami until 6:38 PM, then Shashthi begins |
| Paksha | Shukla Paksha (Waxing Moon) |
| Nakshatra | Krittika until 8:49 PM, then Rohini |
| Yoga | Vishkambha until 12:21 PM, then Prithi |
| Karana | Balava until 6:38 PM, then Kaulava |
| Month (Amanta) | Chaitra |
| Month (Purnimanta) | Chaitra |
| Vikram Samvat | 2083 Siddharthi |
| Shaka Samvat | 1948 Parabhava |
| Ayana | Uttarayan |
| Ritu (Season) | Vasant (Spring) |
Sun and Moon Timings
On March 23, the tithi is Shukla Paksha Panchami, the fifth day of the waxing moon in the bright fortnight, and it holds until 6:38 PM. After that, Shashthi takes over for the night. We are deep in the Chaitra month under both the Amanta and Purnimanta reckoning, which marks the opening of the Hindu new year cycle. Vikram Samvat 2083 Siddharthi is in effect, and Shaka Samvat 1948 Parabhava governs the national calendar.
The sun rises at 6:31 AM and sets at 6:35 PM, almost perfect equinox symmetry, fitting since the March equinox just passed. The moon rises at 9:14 AM and sets late at 11:21 PM, travelling through Vrishabha (Taurus), a sign associated with steadiness and material comfort. The solar position is Meena (Pisces), the final sign of the zodiac, a time of letting go before the new cycle of Aries begins.
| Sun and Moon | Time |
|---|---|
| Sunrise | 6:31 AM |
| Sunset | 6:35 PM |
| Moonrise | 9:14 AM |
| Moonset | 11:21 PM |
| Sun Sign (Surya Rasi) | Meena (Pisces) |
| Moon Sign (Chandra Rasi) | Vrishabha (Taurus) |
Somvar Vrat and the Significance of Monday
March 23 is Somwar, Monday, and the listed vrat for the day is Somvar Vrat, observed by devotees of Lord Shiva. Mondays carry the energy of Chandra (the Moon), which is today positioned in Vrishabha, a sign it rules particularly well. Fasting on this day, offering bilva leaves, and reciting the Shiva Panchakshara mantra are traditional observances believed to bring inner peace, relational harmony, and blessings for those seeking a life partner.
For observers of the fast, it is worth noting that the Amrit Choghadiya opens the morning from 6:31 to 8:02 AM, an ideal window for morning puja before breaking into the day's activities.
Nakshatra and Yoga
Krittika nakshatra governs the day until 8:49 PM, after which Rohini takes over. Krittika, associated with the Pleiades star cluster and the deity Agni (fire), carries an energy of purification, courage, and sharp discernment. It is considered a mixed nakshatra, suitable for bold actions, new ventures, and cutting away what no longer serves, but not ideal for beginning long-term projects requiring patience. Rohini, which begins at 8:49 PM, is among the most auspicious nakshatras in the entire lunar calendar, favoured for love, beauty, creativity, and material prosperity.
The yogas shift mid-day. Vishkambha yoga, considered inauspicious, holds until 12:21 PM. Prithi yoga then takes over for the rest of the day, bringing a more stable and constructive energy. The transition around noon is significant: morning work sessions should be wrapped up before the Dur Muhurat window at 12:57 PM, and fresh starts are better placed in the early afternoon Char Choghadiya (2:03 to 3:34 PM) or the auspicious Labh window (3:34 to 5:04 PM).
An important auspicious combination also activates on this day: Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga is formed by the pairing of Rohini nakshatra with Somwar (Monday). This begins at 8:49 PM and lasts until 6:30 AM on March 24.
Auspicious Times to Use and Times to Avoid
The most valuable planning information in any panchang is the precise identification of auspicious and inauspicious periods.
Auspicious Periods on March 23 2026
| Muhurat or Period | Time | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Brahma Muhurat | 4:54 AM to 5:42 AM | Meditation, prayer, spiritual study |
| Amrit Choghadiya (Morning) | 6:31 AM to 8:02 AM | Morning puja, auspicious starts |
| Shubh Choghadiya | 9:32 AM to 11:03 AM | Routine work, study, creative output |
| Abhijit Muhurat | 12:09 PM to 12:57 PM | Important decisions, key tasks |
| Char Choghadiya | 2:03 PM to 3:34 PM | Travel, movement, new starts |
| Labh Choghadiya | 3:34 PM to 5:04 PM | Financial decisions, learning |
| Amrit Kaal | 6:35 PM to 8:04 PM | Offerings, important conversations |
| Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga | 8:49 PM to 6:30 AM (next day) | Purchases, agreements, long-term plans |
Brahma Muhurat (4:54 to 5:42 AM) is universally considered the gold standard for meditation, study, and spiritual practice. Rising during this pre-dawn window is said to align the mind with cosmic clarity before the world's noise intrudes.
Abhijit Muhurat (12:09 to 12:57 PM) is the midday power window, named after Abhijit, the zenith star. Short but potent, it is considered auspicious for almost all activities except those involving journeys to the south.
Amrit Kaal (6:35 to 8:04 PM) arrives right at sunset and extends into the evening, making the early post-sunset hours particularly auspicious for important conversations, offerings, or beginning a new undertaking.
The most exceptional window of the day is Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga, which begins at 8:49 PM and extends until 6:30 AM the following morning. Sarvartha Siddhi, literally meaning the accomplishment of all purposes, is formed by the combination of Rohini nakshatra with Somwar (Monday). This is considered among the most powerful muhurtas in the lunar calendar, especially favoured for purchases, agreements, and anything you want to lock in for the long term.
Inauspicious Periods on March 23 2026
| Inauspicious Period | Time |
|---|---|
| Rahu Kaal | 8:02 AM to 9:32 AM |
| Varjyam | 9:45 AM to 11:13 AM |
| Yamaganda | 11:03 AM to 12:33 PM |
| Dur Muhurat | 12:57 PM to 1:45 PM |
| Gulika Kaal | 2:03 PM to 3:34 PM |
| Dur Muhurat | 3:22 PM to 4:10 PM |
Rahu Kaal (8:02 to 9:32 AM) should be strictly avoided for any auspicious initiation. It is followed by Varjyam (9:45 to 11:13 AM), which adds another caution to the mid-morning. Yamaganda (11:03 AM to 12:33 PM) and Gulika (2:03 to 3:34 PM) are additional inauspicious periods, and the two Dur Muhurat slots further narrow the optimal planning windows in the afternoon.
Full Day and Night Choghadiya for March 23 2026
| Choghadiya | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Amrut (Day) | 6:31 AM | 8:02 AM |
| Kaal (Avoid) | 8:02 AM | 9:32 AM |
| Shubh | 9:32 AM | 11:03 AM |
| Rog (Avoid) | 11:03 AM | 12:33 PM |
| Udveg (Avoid) | 12:33 PM | 2:03 PM |
| Char | 2:03 PM | 3:34 PM |
| Labh | 3:34 PM | 5:04 PM |
| Amrut (Evening) | 5:04 PM | 6:35 PM |
| Char (Night) | 6:35 PM | 8:04 PM |
| Rog (Night, Avoid) | 8:04 PM | 9:34 PM |
| Kaal (Night, Avoid) | 9:34 PM | 11:03 PM |
| Labh (Kaal Ratri) | 11:03 PM | 12:33 AM |
| Udveg (Avoid) | 12:33 AM | 2:02 AM |
| Shubh | 2:02 AM | 3:31 AM |
| Amrut | 3:31 AM | 5:01 AM |
| Char | 5:01 AM | 6:30 AM |
Forthcoming Muhurtas for Major Decisions
The panchang also projects forward for those planning significant life events. The next auspicious vehicle purchase date falls on March 23, 2026 itself, which aligns with the Sarvartha Siddhi window after 8:49 PM if the transaction can be timed accordingly. The next shubh vivah muhurat (auspicious marriage date) falls on April 15, 2026, and the next favourable grih pravesh or home purchase date is April 20, 2026. Both come after the final days of Holashtak and the inauspicious Khar Mas period.
| Event | Next Auspicious Date |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Purchase (Vahan Kharid) | 23 March 2026 (after 8:49 PM) |
| Auspicious Marriage Date (Vivah Muhurat) | 15 April 2026 |
| Home Purchase or Grih Pravesh | 20 April 2026 |
Chandrabalam: Which Zodiac Signs Benefit Most Today
Chandrabalam refers to the strength of the moon relative to your natal moon sign. With the moon in Vrishabha today, the signs with good chandrabalam until 6:30 AM on March 24 are Vrishabha, Karka, Simha, Vrischika, Dhanu, and Meena. Natives of these signs will find the day particularly supportive for new initiatives, travel, and important conversations.
| Rashi (Zodiac Sign) | Chandrabalam Status |
|---|---|
| Vrishabha (Taurus) | Good until 24 March 6:30 AM |
| Karka (Cancer) | Good until 24 March 6:30 AM |
| Simha (Leo) | Good until 24 March 6:30 AM |
| Vrischika (Scorpio) | Good until 24 March 6:30 AM |
| Dhanu (Sagittarius) | Good until 24 March 6:30 AM |
| Meena (Pisces) | Good until 24 March 6:30 AM |
Chandrashtama, which indicates an unfavourable moon position, applies today for those with natal moon in Chitra (last 2 padas), Swati, and Vishakha (first 3 padas). Those natives should avoid new beginnings and major decisions during this period.
As with all panchang guidance, these muhurtas work as a framework for intention and not as a guarantee. The Hindu almanack has always been a tool for aligning human effort with natural rhythm, not replacing it. March 23, 2026, ends with the stars in an unusually generous configuration. Plan accordingly.
