Nakshatra 1 of 27 · अश्विनी
Ashwini nakshatra
Ashwini (अश्विनी) is the 1st of the 27 nakshatras, spanning 0°00′–13°20′ Mesha. Ruled by Ketu with the ashwini kumaras (divine physicians) as presiding deity, it is a Swift (Kshipra) mansion — classically suited to works to be done quickly.
Ashwini at a glance
| Sanskrit name | Ashwini (अश्विनी) |
|---|---|
| Presiding deity | The Ashwini Kumaras (divine physicians) |
| Symbol | Horse's head |
| Vimshottari lord | Ketu |
| Gana | Deva gana |
| Saptadha class | Swift (Kshipra) |
| Moon-sign rashi | Mesha (Aries) 0°00′–13°20′ Mesha |
| Naming syllables | Chu, Che, Cho, La — one per pada, for the namakarana (naming) rite |
The character of Ashwini
The first mansion, named for the twin horse-headed healers of the gods. Swift (Kshipra) by class, Ashwini favours every work that benefits from speed: beginning journeys, healing and medicine, starting studies, trade. It is the classic star of recovery — what is begun here finishes quickly.
The four padas of Ashwini
Each nakshatra divides into four padas (quarters) of 3°20′. The pada fixes the navamsa rashi — the finer layer a birth chart reads — and the traditional naming syllable for a child born under it.
| Pada | Navamsa rashi | Naming syllable |
|---|---|---|
| Pada 1 | Mesha (Aries) | Chu |
| Pada 2 | Vrishabha (Taurus) | Che |
| Pada 3 | Mithuna (Gemini) | Cho |
| Pada 4 | Karka (Cancer) | La |
What Ashwini is classically suited for
In the seven-fold (Saptadha) classification, Ashwini is a Swift (Kshipra) mansion. The muhurta classics assign it:
works to be done quickly — healing, starting studies, short journeys, trade, selling.
This class is the first screen Bela applies to every muhurat date: the day's nakshatra must suit the activity before the finer rules (tithi, yoga, choghadiya, Rahu Kaal) are even checked. See it working on the muhurat date lists, where every date shows its nakshatra-suitability rule.
Ashwini days — August–September 2026
Days in the current Delhi panchang window whose sunrise nakshatra is Ashwini:
- 5 August 2026
- 1 September 2026
- 29 September 2026
Sunrise nakshatra is the classical day convention; exact end times are on the Delhi panchang. Tara Bala — whether Ashwini supports your birth star — is computed per profile in the Bela app.