The Lunar Day

Thithis are based on the distance of Moon from Sun. Sun’s orbital path is
the ecliptic. Other planets have different orbits. When Moon is in
conjunction with Sun (we are aware that the paths of all planets are almost
identical with that of Sun), which means they are at the same point of the
zodiac, New Moon occurs. When the luminaries are 180 degrees away, it is
Full Moon. In short, if Moon is approaching the Sun, it is waning. If it is
moving away from the Sun, it is waxing.

To calculate the lunar day:

Find the distance of Moon from Sun. If Moon’s longitude is more than 180
degrees, subtract 180. Divide the distance by 15 and the quotient + 1 is the
number of the Lunar Day.
For instance, if Sun is in Virgo 22 and Moon is in Aquarius 14. Moon is 142
degrees away from Sun (314 – 172). When we divide 142 by 15, the
quotient is 9. So, it is the 10th lunar day, called Dhasami (9 + 1).
If Sun is in Scorpio 10 and Moon is in Leo 16, the distance of Moon from
Sun is 276. 276 – 180 = 96. Dividing 96 by 15, we get the quotient 6.
Therefore, the thithi is 6 + 1 = 7, Sapthami.

Importance of the lunar day:

Lunar day is considered for Muhurtha or fixing time for auspicious events.
Certain lunar days are auspicious and others are bad depending on the event.
Generally, Prathama, Ashtami and Navami are avoided for all occasions. In,
North India, Navami is not considered as bad.
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