16 February 2026 Tithi: The Core Details
On 16 February 2026, the prevailing tithi is Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi, active from 5:05 PM on February 15 until 5:34 PM on February 16. After 5:34 PM on February 16, the tithi transitions into Krishna Paksha Amavasya, which then continues until 5:30 PM on February 17. Since Chaturdashi is the tithi present at sunrise and for the majority of daylight hours on February 16, it is generally treated as the day’s primary tithi for most purposes.
The Full Panchang Context
According to the Panchang for this date, the Vikram Samvat year is 2082, and the Shaka Samvat year is 1947, named Vishvavasu. The Hindu month is Magha according to the Amanta calendar system (used in most of South India, Maharashtra, and Gujarat) or Phalguna according to the Purnimanta system (used in North India). This dual naming convention — where the same date falls in different named months depending on which regional calendar tradition you follow — is a common source of confusion when reading Panchang details from different regional sources.
Nakshatra on This Date
The Nakshatra (lunar constellation) on 16 February 2026 is Shravana until 8:47 PM, transitioning to Dhanishtha afterward and continuing until 9:16 PM the following day. This detail matters for anyone consulting a full Panchang for muhurat purposes, since Nakshatra combines with tithi to determine the overall auspiciousness of specific activities on a given day.
What Chaturdashi and Amavasya Represent
Chaturdashi, the fourteenth lunar day, is generally associated with intensity and transformation in Hindu tradition, and Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi specifically often precedes significant observances tied to the approaching new moon. Amavasya, the no-moon day that follows, is traditionally considered a time for ancestor worship (Pitru Tarpan), reflection, and — depending on the specific month — can carry additional significance, such as Mauni Amavasya or other month-specific Amavasya observances, depending on which lunar month it falls within.
Why Exact Timing Matters
Because the tithi transition on 16 February 2026 happens in the late afternoon (5:34 PM), any ritual or observance planned for the evening of this date should account for whether it falls before or after that transition point, since Chaturdashi-specific and Amavasya-specific observances carry different significance and are not interchangeable. This is particularly relevant for anyone planning a Pradosh Vrat, Shiv puja, or ancestor-related ritual around this date.
A Note on Location-Specific Variation
The timings given here reflect calculations for New Delhi, India. Tithi start and end times shift based on a location’s exact sunrise time, so readers in other cities — particularly those significantly east or west of New Delhi, or outside India entirely — should check a Panchang tool adjusted for their specific location before finalising any puja or ritual timing based on this date.