What is a kshaya tithi?

A tithi that begins after one sunrise and ends before the next. No sunrise belongs to it, so the calendar never names a day after it and it appears to be skipped.

What is a vriddhi tithi?

A tithi that is current at two consecutive sunrises. Two civil days carry its name, so the calendar appears to repeat it.

Why do tithis have different lengths?

The Moon moves faster near perigee and slower near apogee, and the Sun's speed also varies a little. A tithi therefore lasts anywhere from about 19 to about 26 hours, while a civil day is always about 24 hours.

If a festival's tithi is kshaya, is the festival cancelled?

No. The festival is still kept on the day whose ritual window the tithi covers, even though no sunrise belongs to it. The rationale on festival pages flags a kshaya tithi when it affects the decision.

If a festival's tithi is vriddhi, which of the two days is used?

The window rule decides. If both days qualify, the festival's tie-break (the earlier day or the later day) settles it.

Kshaya and vriddhi tithis: when the calendar skips or repeats a tithi

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Kshaya and vriddhi tithis

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