Astrology Glossary
What is Ayanamsa?
अयनांश - Ayanamsha
The Precession Correction in Vedic Astrology
Ayanamsa Definition
Ayanamsa (Sanskrit: अयनांश, "part of the path") is the angular difference between the Tropical (Western) and Sidereal (Vedic) zodiacs, currently approximately 24 degrees. This difference occurs due to Earth's axial precession. Vedic astrology subtracts the Ayanamsa from Tropical positions to get Sidereal positions. Lahiri Ayanamsa is the official standard in India.
Common Ayanamsa Systems
| System | Value (2025) | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Lahiri (Chitrapaksha) | ~24.17 deg | Official Indian standard, most common |
| Raman | ~22.50 deg | Used by BV Raman followers |
| KP (Krishnamurti) | ~23.99 deg | KP astrology system |
| True Chitra | ~24.08 deg | Based on star Spica position |
Why It Matters
If your Western Sun sign is Aries, your Vedic Sun sign might be Pisces (shifted back by ~24 degrees). This explains why your Western and Vedic readings may differ:
Example: Sun at 10 degrees Aries (Tropical) = Sun at ~16 degrees Pisces (Sidereal with Lahiri)
Get Your Sidereal Chart
Generate your Vedic Kundali with proper Lahiri Ayanamsa correction.
Generate Free Kundali