Shubh Muhurat for Hindu weddings — Nakshatra + Lagna + Tithi rules
The classical rules for picking an auspicious wedding muhurat: bride-groom nakshatra compatibility, lagna (ascendant), tithi, and weekday rules
What makes a wedding muhurat auspicious
A Hindu wedding muhurat is auspicious if it satisfies multiple classical criteria at once: (1) the tithi is favourable (out of: Pratipada, Dwitiya, Tritiya, Panchami, Shashthi, Dashami, Ekadashi of either paksha); (2) the nakshatra is one of the auspicious set (Rohini, Mrigashira, Magha, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Mula, Uttara Ashadha, Shravana, Revati); (3) the Lagna (ascendant) is well-aspected, with the 7th-house unoccupied by Rahu/Ketu/Mars/Saturn/afflicted; (4) the yoga of the day is favourable; (5) the karana is favourable; (6) the day-lord is favourable (Mon/Wed/Thu for general auspicious-ness, Tue for action, Fri for Venus-tied work, Sat for discipline, Sun for state-functions). Live Panchang provides data for (1)-(6)—the actual candidate-selection requires a Jyotish pandit for birth-chart-specific analysis.
Bride and Groom birth-nakshatra matching
The 'Ashtakoot Milan' is the classical 8-criteria scoring between bride and groom birth-charts—a Jyotish-side of marriage-muhurat. The 8 criteria are Varna (spiritual-compatibility), Vashya (influence), Tara (star-harmony), Yoni (sexual-compatibility), Graha-Maitri (planetary-friendship), Gana (temperament), Bhakoot (love-vs-health-balance), Nadi (physiological). Each is scored 0-8 points; total max 36. Score ≥18 is acceptable; ≥25 is good. Live Panchang doesn't compute the full Ashtakoot (that's a Jyotish-pandit task), but it shows the bride and groom's birth-nakshatra on the marriage page.
Practical rules for winter wedding muhurat
Winter weddings (Oct-Mar in north India) traditionally favour the Rohini and Mrigashira nakshatras—those are 'fire-natured' nakshatras that thrive in colder weather. Avoid Magha during winter (Magha is ruled by the Pitrs, the ancestors; winter weddings on Magha traditionally need extra Pitru puja). Spring weddings (Apr-Jun): any auspicious nakshatra works. Summer weddings (Monsoon, Jul-Sep): avoid Ardra (heavy rain); prefer Hasta.
Frequently asked questions
Q: My wedding is on Rohini-2 — is that okay? A: Yes. Q: My wedding is on Bharani — is that okay? A: Bharani is typically considered inauspicious for marriage (associated with Yama and restraint). Check with a local pandit. Q: My cousin's wedding is on Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi — what does that day mean? A: Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi is one of the 24 standard Ekadashis, called 'Mokshada Ekadashi' (also 'Vaikunta Ekadashi' when paired with specific nakshatras). It's a fasting day for Vaishnavas; for weddings, check your pandit if the day is working for both families. Q: We got married on Vishti karana — is that bad? A: Vishti is the inauspicious karana. Most panchang-makers recommend postponing the wedding if Vishti touches the wedding time. Some families do an additional puja to offset. Check with your pandit.
Editorial process
Reviewed by Vaid-Pandit Kashmiri Lal Sharma (BVB Varanasi Shastri). Drafted against the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra and Muhurta Chintamani (the canonical muhurat-selection texts). Reviewed annually.
Spoke pages — deep dives
Editorial + reviewer
Drafted by Sahil (livepanchang.in), reviewed by Vaid-Pandit Kashmiri Lal Sharma on 5 September 2026.