
Ah, the first Sunday of 2026 – January 3, to be precise – and it’s like the universe decided to kick off the year with a full moon flourish, bathing Delhi in Pausha Purnima’s silvery glow that feels like a fresh slate wrapped in a warm shawl. This Panchang isn’t the usual mid-winter meh; it’s a luminous launchpad, with the full moon’s bounty beaming down on Ardra’s stormy spark and Brahma Yoga’s creative cradle, turning a chilly day into a canvas for quiet conquests and communal cheers. No massive mela to crowd your calendar, but Shakambhari Purnima’s veggie vows and Arudra Darshan’s Shiva salute invite you to savour the simple: A family fast that fills the soul or a solo sankalpa that seeds the year ahead. Whether you’re dodging Rahu Kaal’s morning mischief or diving into Abhijit for a lucky midday leap, imagine it as your cosmic coffee ritual – steaming with possibility, just strong enough to shake off the holiday haze. From sunrise’s soft nudge to sunset’s satisfied sigh, here’s the starry scoop on a Sunday that’s more about mindful magic than manic must-dos – sip it slow, and let the muhurats make your 2026 debut dazzling.
Today’s Core Elements: Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga & Karana
These aren’t dusty dates – they’re the day’s dynamic diary, dishing directions for decisions that feel divinely dialled-in.
- Tithi: Pausha Purnima Full moon day from sunrise until 3:32 PM, then Pratipada. Purnima, the moon’s majestic peak, pulses with plenitude – a prime pick for Shakambhari fasts or full-hearted havans that harvest harmony. It’s the tithi that teaches: Bounty blooms in balance, so honor the harvest with humility. Shun the scatter; savour the sacred—mantra mood: “Om Chandraya Namah” to channel the lunar largesse.
- Nakshatra: Ardra until 5:27 PM, then Punarvasu. Rudra’s teary tempest tempers Ardra’s transformation – potent for purges, pilgrimages, or pursuits that pour out the old, its storm-cloud symbol stirs renewal. Afternoon Punarvasu renews with quiver-quiet quests for abundance. Invoke the rain for radical resets; let the rainbow follow.
- Yoga: Brahma until 9:05 AM, then Indra. Brahma’s creative cradle cradles dawn doers – dawn on those decisions with divine daring. Indra’s thundering triumphs thunder post-morning; it’s a yoga for the bold: Strike early, steady later.
- Karana: Bava until 3:32 PM, Kaulava thereafter. Bava balances beginnings for the bright half; Kaulava kindles kinship for collaborative kicks. Begin with balance, no blunders.
This stellar squad? A symphony of subtle shifts – play it right, and your Sunday sings.
Sunrise, Sunset & Moon Phases: Your Daily Dose of Daylight Drama
These aren’t mere markers; they’re the universe’s way of saying “rise and align.” For New Delhi:
- Sunrise: 7:14 AM IST – Greet the golden hour with a gentle stretch; Ravi’s regal radiance rolls in right on time.
- Sunset: 5:37 PM IST – As the light lingers like a lazy lover, unwind with a walk – Purnima’s edge softens in the glow.
- Moonrise: 5:28 PM – Evening aura for emotional equanimity; the full orb calls for calm closures.
- Moonset: No Moonset – a lingering lunar love letter through the night.
Moon in Gemini? It’s chatty and curious – perfect for pruning plans and polishing potentials.
Shubh Muhurat: Golden Gates for Good Deeds
Muhurats are like VIP passes to the day’s best vibes – flash them for fortune’s favor.
- Brahma Muhurta: 5:59 AM – 6:52 AM – Pre-dawn poetry for pranayama or puja; clarity crystallises in the quiet.
- Abhijit Muhurat: 12:05 PM – 12:46 PM – Your midday miracle, mighty for meetings or minor milestones – lock in those loose threads.
- Amrit Kaal: 8:33 AM – 9:58 AM – Nectar nectar for nourishing nods – a family feast or friendly favor fits flawlessly.
Extras to etch in: Vijaya Muhurta (3:23 PM – 4:06 PM) for victory vibes; Godhuli (5:37 PM – 6:03 PM) for grounding graces like a golden-hour gratitude journal.
Inauspicious Timings: The Subtle Sidesteps
These are the day’s dim spots – dip out gracefully, no drama.
- Rahu Kaal: 9:50 AM – 11:08 AM – Morning advisory: Avoid adventures or arguments; opt for oasis-like oases.
- Yama Gandam: 1:43 PM – 3:01 PM – Afternoon no-go for new nods; nurture yourself with a gentle start.
- Gulikai Kalam: 7:14 AM – 8:32 AM – Dodge the drama; it’s a dip for decisions, so defer if it feels off.
- Dur Muhurat: 7:14 AM – 7:56 AM – Fleeting flubs; fast-forward for smoother sails.
- Varjyam: ~9:58 AM – 11:46 AM – Mid-morning meh for major moves; light loads only.
Ganda Moola? Minimal murmur – a soft shanti if sensitivities stir.
For a fast-forward feel, here’s your 3 January 2026 Panchang cheat sheet:
- Sunrise: 7:14 AM – Dawn’s delightful debut.
- Sunset: 5:37 PM – Evening’s easy exhale.
- Moonrise: 5:28 PM – Evening aura awakening.
- Moonset: No Moonset – Lingering lunar love.
- Abhijit: 12:05 PM – 12:46 PM – Luck’s lunch-hour lock.
- Brahma: 5:59 AM – 6:52 AM – Pre-sunrise serenity session.
- Rahu: 9:50 AM – 11:08 AM – Mid-morning muffle.
- Yama: 1:43 PM – 3:01 PM – Gentle afternoon glide.
- Gulikai: 7:14 AM – 8:32 AM – Low-key lull for breakfast.
- Dur: 7:14 AM – 7:56 AM – Quick-quit quarter.
- Varjyam: ~9:58 AM – 11:46 AM – Early ease era.
Panchang in your pocket – primed for puja or just a peaceful ponder.
Festivals, Vrats & Stellar Surrounds for January 3
Spotlit: Shakambhari Purnima – Goddess of greens honoured with veggie vows and harvest havans for health and abundance; Arudra Darshan shades Shiva’s cosmic dance with Nataraja nods and Nandi fasts. Pausha Purnima Vrat parana at Pratipada pradosh; Anvadhan accents ancestral aartis.
Vikram Samvat 2083 (Kalayukta), Shaka 1947 (Vishvavasu) in Pausha (Purnimanta)/Margashirsha (Amanta). Dakshinayan Hemant Ritu, Sun in Dhanu. Favorable Chandrabalam for Dhanu, Makara, etc.; Tarabalam spans stars – consult your janma nakshatra for tailored boons.
Anandadi Yoga: Varied; Ravi Yoga radiates resolve. Chandra Vasa south – southward soothes.
Harnessing the 3 January 2026 Panchang: Purnima’s Plentiful Pulse
Weave this Panchang beyond altars: Brahma mornings? Brainstorm boldly. Ardra’s renewal? Refresh radically. Families: Time Shakambhari stories to Amrit Kaal for fertile futures.
Remedies: Greens for Shakambhari grace; copper for Ravi radiance. In 2026’s tempo, Panchang is your ally – adaptable, not absolute.
As Ravivar rests to Sarvartha Siddhi, muse: What abundance will you awaken under Ardra’s storm? The stars safeguard the sincere.
3 January 2026 Panchang pursuits? Drop your Purnima pledges or queries below – from muhurat matches to rashi reads, we’re here. Namaste, and may the full moon fill your year!
(Published: January 3, 2026 | Updated with real-time alignments)