27 Nakshatras
Complete guide to the lunar mansions of Vedic astrology -- deity, ruling planet, and characteristics
In Vedic astrology, the sky is divided into 27 Nakshatras (lunar mansions), each spanning 13°20'. The Moon transits through one nakshatra approximately every day. Your birth nakshatra (the nakshatra the Moon was in at your birth) is one of the most important indicators of your personality, destiny, and karmic path.
Ashwini
#1Ruler: Ketu · Deity: Ashwini Kumara
0.0° – 13.3°
Bharani
#2Ruler: Venus · Deity: Yama
13.3° – 26.7°
Krittika
#3Ruler: Sun · Deity: Agni
26.7° – 40.0°
Rohini
#4Ruler: Moon · Deity: Brahma
40.0° – 53.3°
Mrigashira
#5Ruler: Mars · Deity: Soma
53.3° – 66.7°
Ardra
#6Ruler: Rahu · Deity: Rudra
66.7° – 80.0°
Punarvasu
#7Ruler: Jupiter · Deity: Aditi
80.0° – 93.3°
Pushya
#8Ruler: Saturn · Deity: Brihaspati
93.3° – 106.7°
Ashlesha
#9Ruler: Mercury · Deity: Naga
106.7° – 120.0°
Magha
#10Ruler: Ketu · Deity: Pitri
120.0° – 133.3°
Purva Phalguni
#11Ruler: Venus · Deity: Bhaga
133.3° – 146.7°
Uttara Phalguni
#12Ruler: Sun · Deity: Aryaman
146.7° – 160.0°
Hasta
#13Ruler: Moon · Deity: Savitar
160.0° – 173.3°
Chitra
#14Ruler: Mars · Deity: Tvashtar
173.3° – 186.7°
Swati
#15Ruler: Rahu · Deity: Vayu
186.7° – 200.0°
Vishakha
#16Ruler: Jupiter · Deity: Indra-Agni
200.0° – 213.3°
Anuradha
#17Ruler: Saturn · Deity: Mitra
213.3° – 226.7°
Jyeshtha
#18Ruler: Mercury · Deity: Indra
226.7° – 240.0°
Mula
#19Ruler: Ketu · Deity: Nirriti
240.0° – 253.3°
Purva Ashadha
#20Ruler: Venus · Deity: Apas
253.3° – 266.7°
Uttara Ashadha
#21Ruler: Sun · Deity: Vishve Deva
266.7° – 280.0°
Shravana
#22Ruler: Moon · Deity: Vishnu
280.0° – 293.3°
Dhanishta
#23Ruler: Mars · Deity: Vasu
293.3° – 306.7°
Shatabhisha
#24Ruler: Rahu · Deity: Varuna
306.7° – 320.0°
Purva Bhadrapada
#25Ruler: Jupiter · Deity: Aja Ekapada
320.0° – 333.3°
Uttara Bhadrapada
#26Ruler: Saturn · Deity: Ahirbudhnya
333.3° – 346.7°
Revati
#27Ruler: Mercury · Deity: Pushan
346.7° – 360.0°
What is a Nakshatra?
Nakshatras (constellations or lunar mansions) are the foundation of Vedic astrology. While Western astrology focuses primarily on signs (Rashis), Vedic astrology places equal emphasis on the Nakshatra system for prediction, compatibility, and muhurta (electional astrology).
Each Nakshatra has a ruling planet from the Vimshottari dasha sequence: Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury (repeating every 9 nakshatras). The nakshatra deity governs the specific energy and outcomes associated with that lunar mansion.
To find your birth nakshatra, calculate your free birth chart.