The 27 Nakshatras: Developer's Reference Guide

Nakshatras are the 27 lunar mansions that form the backbone of Vedic astrology. The Moon's nakshatra at birth determines the dasha sequence, compatibility scoring, and dozens of personalisation features. Here is the complete reference.

Getting nakshatra data from the API

// Get Moon nakshatra (janma nakshatra) from planet-details
const planets = await fetch(
  '/api/v1/horoscope/planet-details?' + new URLSearchParams({ api_key, dob, tob, lat, lon, tz })
).then(r => r.json())

const moonNakshatra = planets.response[2].nakshatra  // index 2 = Moon
// → "Krittika"

// Get today's nakshatra from panchang
const panchang = await fetch(
  '/api/v1/panchang/panchang?' + new URLSearchParams({ api_key, dob: today, tob: '12:00', lat, lon, tz })
).then(r => r.json())

const todayNakshatra = panchang.response.nakshatra.name
// → "Rohini" (changes every ~27 hours)

All 27 Nakshatras

The nakshatra lord determines which planet's Vimshottari dasha period activates when the Moon transits this nakshatra.

The pada system

Each nakshatra is divided into 4 padas (quarters) of 3°20' each, mapped to the signs of the zodiac starting from Aries. The Moon's pada at birth tells you the navamsa position and adds a layer of personality nuance beyond the nakshatra name. The API returns the pada number (1–4) in the planet-details and panchang responses.

Features you can build with nakshatra data

• Janma nakshatra personalisation — greet users by their birth star, show nakshatra deity and qualities
• Nakshatra compatibility — use /matching/nakshatra-match to check Tara koota and Yoni koota
• Daily nakshatra alerts — notify users when today's panchang nakshatra matches their janma nakshatra (auspicious day)
• Muhurta checking — certain nakshatras are auspicious for travel, weddings, business — expose this as a feature
• Vastu mapping — /utilities/nakshatra-vastu-details returns vastu direction and element for each nakshatra