Panchak means group of ‘Five’ (Panch). In every month, it is period of five days when Moon transits from Aquarius & Meen rashis respectively.

Dhanishtha (Last two parts), Shatbhisha, Purvabhadrapada, Utrabhadrapada and Revati are five Nakshatras principally four and a half Nakshatras are known as a Panchak. In other words the duration of placement of Moon in Aquarius or Pisces is known as Panchak. It is also called Dhanishtha Panchak. According to some people the person who is born in Dhanishtha Nakshatra of Panchak may be physically challenged. In some places, the first hald of Dhanishtha Nakshatra is considered inauspicious.

Five Prohibited Tasks during Panchak
There are fives tasks which are prohibited to perform during Panchak. Traveling in south direction, restoring fuel, funeral of body, building house and making bed are not considered auspicious to do during Panchak.
According to Astrology if you perform any task during these Nakshatras you may have to repeat it for five times.

Panchak according to Hindu Shastras
According to the famous vedic scripture of Astrology “Rajmartanda” collecting and restoring fuel, making bed, building roof of the house and traveling in south direction during Panchak increase the fear of fire (Pyrophobia) within the person. In the presence of Shatbhisha conflicts may occur in the native’s life, in Purvabhadrapada he may suffer from health diseases, in Utrabhadrapada he may have to pay fine and in Revati he may get economic loss.

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According to another famous text “Muhurtaganapati” foundation of pillars for marriage is also prohibited during the period of Panchak.
The text of “Jyotisagar” mentions that these tasks are also prohibited in the presence of Shravana Nakshatra. However many people do not agree with this opinion of “Jyotisagar”. “Niryasindhu” permits restoration of fuel in the presence of Shravana Nakshatra.

Rishi Garg believes that auspicious or inauspicious whatever task you may perform are repeated five times if you perform them during Panchak. If the person expires during the period of Panchak then make 4 or 5 dummies with flour or kusha and put them on the death bed. The dummies are also burnt precisely during the funeral of the body.

Period of Panchak 2010-11 in Hindu Panchang

Other prohibited Tasks during Panchak
Do not cut wood, break straws, travel in south direction, cure the effects of evil spirits, foundation of pillars, collect grass, bronze, brass, wood. Do not take retirement, resign, start business or accept higher position during this period. Also, do not build roof top of your house, make bed. If they are urgent then seek the advice of an expert or experienced astrologer or his help to cure the malefic influence of Panchak. Prohibited time for Panchak.

According to the spiritual text the auspicious events like Marriage, Mundan, entering to a new house, welcome of a new bride, construction of house and Upnayan sanskara are prohibited during this period . The Panchak Nakshatras are not considered during the festivals of Raksha Bandhan and Bhaiya dooj

इस लेख को हिंदी में पढ़े : “क्या है पंचक What is Panchak ”
Other related article : ” Muhurutha for Cremation Samskara”