Drik and Vakya: why two panchangams disagree

Drik uses calculated astronomical positions; vakya follows traditional tables expressed in verses. The two methods can give different timings.

Two panchangams can differ for three reasons: the method (Drik or Vakya), the city, or the rule for the observance. The method changes both daily timings and some festival dates.

Vakya

Vakya calculations use traditional tables encoded in verses. Many Tamil almanacs follow this tradition, which remains part of many households' religious practice.

Drik

Drik calculations use astronomical positions computed by modern methods. This site computes them, with the Lahiri ayanamsha.

What may differ

Differences in calculated positions can change when a tithi or nakshatra ends. If a boundary lies near sunrise or an observance period, the two methods may assign the observance to different days.

Which to follow

Follow the calendar your family or temple keeps. Tamil households that go by the Vakya almanac keep its dates; the Drik times on this site then give the astronomical moment.