The 27 Nakshatras: list, ruling planets and what they are used for
AstroVeds · Updated 12 November 2026
Nakshatras are the 27 lunar mansions of Vedic astrology. Your birth nakshatra — the one the Moon was in when you were born — is used more often in daily practice than almost anything else in the chart: for choosing a name, matching for marriage, picking muhurats and working out the Vimshottari dasha.
How nakshatras are measured
The zodiac's 360° is divided into 27 equal nakshatras of 13°20' each. Every nakshatra has four padas (quarters) of 3°20', so 108 padas cover the zodiac and nine padas fit in each rashi. That is why one rashi holds two and a quarter nakshatras.
All 27 nakshatras and their lords
The ruling planet decides which Vimshottari dasha you are born into:
- 1. Ashwini (अश्विनी) — ruling planet: Ketu, begins in Aries
- 2. Bharani (भरणी) — ruling planet: Venus, begins in Aries
- 3. Krittika (कृत्तिका) — ruling planet: Sun, begins in Aries
- 4. Rohini (रोहिणी) — ruling planet: Moon, begins in Taurus
- 5. Mrigashira (मृगशिरा) — ruling planet: Mars, begins in Taurus
- 6. Ardra (आर्द्रा) — ruling planet: Rahu, begins in Gemini
- 7. Punarvasu (पुनर्वसु) — ruling planet: Jupiter, begins in Gemini
- 8. Pushya (पुष्य) — ruling planet: Saturn, begins in Cancer
- 9. Ashlesha (आश्लेषा) — ruling planet: Mercury, begins in Cancer
- 10. Magha (मघा) — ruling planet: Ketu, begins in Leo
- 11. Purva Phalguni (पूर्व फाल्गुनी) — ruling planet: Venus, begins in Leo
- 12. Uttara Phalguni (उत्तर फाल्गुनी) — ruling planet: Sun, begins in Leo
- 13. Hasta (हस्त) — ruling planet: Moon, begins in Virgo
- 14. Chitra (चित्रा) — ruling planet: Mars, begins in Virgo
- 15. Swati (स्वाति) — ruling planet: Rahu, begins in Libra
- 16. Vishakha (विशाखा) — ruling planet: Jupiter, begins in Libra
- 17. Anuradha (अनुराधा) — ruling planet: Saturn, begins in Scorpio
- 18. Jyeshtha (ज्येष्ठा) — ruling planet: Mercury, begins in Scorpio
- 19. Mula (मूल) — ruling planet: Ketu, begins in Sagittarius
- 20. Purva Ashadha (पूर्वाषाढ़ा) — ruling planet: Venus, begins in Sagittarius
- 21. Uttara Ashadha (उत्तराषाढ़ा) — ruling planet: Sun, begins in Sagittarius
- 22. Shravana (श्रवण) — ruling planet: Moon, begins in Capricorn
- 23. Dhanishta (धनिष्ठा) — ruling planet: Mars, begins in Capricorn
- 24. Shatabhisha (शतभिषा) — ruling planet: Rahu, begins in Aquarius
- 25. Purva Bhadrapada (पूर्व भाद्रपद) — ruling planet: Jupiter, begins in Aquarius
- 26. Uttara Bhadrapada (उत्तर भाद्रपद) — ruling planet: Saturn, begins in Pisces
- 27. Revati (रेवती) — ruling planet: Mercury, begins in Pisces
What your nakshatra is used for
- Naming: each pada has a starting syllable (naam akshar) used for a baby's name.
- Matching: Tara, Yoni, Gana and Nadi in the 36-point milan all come from the two birth nakshatras.
- Dasha: the lord of your birth nakshatra starts your Vimshottari dasha.
- Muhurat: the day's nakshatra decides whether it suits marriage, travel or a purchase.
Try it yourself
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my birth nakshatra?
It is the nakshatra of the Moon at your time of birth. Make your free Kundli to see it with its pada, or use our name-to-rashi tool for the nakshatra that matches your name's first syllable.
Which is the 28th nakshatra, Abhijit?
Some systems add Abhijit between Uttara Ashadha and Shravana for muhurat work. The standard 27-nakshatra scheme used for dasha and matching leaves it out.
Are some nakshatras 'gand mool'?
Yes. Ashwini, Ashlesha, Magha, Jyeshtha, Mula and Revati are called gand mool nakshatras; a shanti puja is traditionally done for babies born in them.