Paksha
A paksha is a fortnight of the lunar month. Shukla Paksha is the bright half from new moon to full moon; Krishna Paksha is the dark half from full moon to new moon.
The two halves of the month
The Moon waxes for about fifteen days after the new moon: this is Shukla Paksha, ending on Purnima. It then wanes for another fifteen: Krishna Paksha, ending on Amavasya. Each half has its own count of tithis from Pratipada (first) to Chaturdashi (fourteenth), followed by the full or new moon.
Amanta and purnimanta months
North India (purnimanta) ends the month on the full moon, so Krishna Paksha comes first in a month. The South, Gujarat and Maharashtra (amanta) end the month on the new moon, so Shukla Paksha comes first. The festivals fall on the same days; only the month name attached to a Krishna Paksha differs. Hastro lets you pick the convention in the top bar and defaults it by region.
FAQ
Which paksha is better for auspicious work?
Shukla Paksha is generally preferred, and the days near Amavasya are avoided, but a strong tithi and nakshatra in Krishna Paksha are also acceptable in most rule books.
Why does the month name change in the middle of my calendar?
If you are in a purnimanta region, the new month begins after the full moon, so the Krishna Paksha you see belongs to the next month by name.
ബന്ധപ്പെട്ടവ: Tithi Amavasya Purnima Adhik Maas