Last updated · Swiss Ephemeris, Lahiri ayanamsa
Karka (Cancer) Rashi: Lord Moon, Nakshatras, Name Letters and Moon Dates
What is Karka rashi?
Karka (Cancer) is the 4th of the 12 sidereal rashis, spanning 90°–120° of the zodiac. Its lord is Moon, its element water (jala) and it is a chara (movable) sign.
The Moon is in Karka now, until 3 November 2026, 3:46 AM IST. In 2026 the Sun is in Karka from 16 July 2026, 11:39 PM IST to 17 August 2026, 7:58 AM IST.
Which planet rules Karka rashi?
Moon rules Karka. The table lists the sign's fixed facts.
| Rashi | Karka (Cancer) |
| Number in the zodiac | 4 |
| Sidereal span | 90°–120° |
| Lord (swami) | Moon |
| Element (tattva) | Water (Jala) |
| Nature | Chara (movable) |
| Symbol | a crab |
| Nakshatras | Punarvasu pada 4, Pushya padas 1–4, Ashlesha padas 1–4 |
Which nakshatras are in Karka?
Punarvasu pada 4, Pushya padas 1–4, Ashlesha padas 1–4.
Which letters do Karka rashi names start with?
Hi, Hu, He, Ho, Da (ड), Di (ड), Du (ड), De (ड), Do (ड). Baby names by nakshatra
When is the Moon in Karka next?
| Moon enters | Moon leaves | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 51 h 45 min | ||
| 50 h 19 min | ||
| 50 h 19 min |
When does the Sun enter Karka?
The Sun's entry into a sidereal sign is the Karka Sankranti. Dates are for the sidereal (Lahiri) zodiac used in Indian calendars, not the Western tropical zodiac.
| Year | Sun enters | Sun leaves |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ||
| 2027 |
The other rashis
Frequently asked questions
- Who is the lord of Karka rashi?
- Moon is the lord of Karka (Cancer).
- Which nakshatras fall in Karka?
- Punarvasu pada 4, Pushya padas 1–4, Ashlesha padas 1–4.
- What are the name letters for Karka rashi?
- Hi, Hu, He, Ho, Da (ड), Di (ड), Du (ड), De (ड), Do (ड).
- When is the Moon in Karka?
- The Moon is in Karka now, until 3 November 2026, 3:46 AM IST.
- When is the Sun in Karka in 2026?
- In 2026 the Sun is in Karka from 16 July 2026, 11:39 PM IST to 17 August 2026, 7:58 AM IST.
- Is Karka the same as Cancer in Western astrology?
- It is the same twelfth of the zodiac by name, but Indian astrology measures it in the sidereal zodiac, which is now about 24° behind the tropical zodiac of Western astrology, so the Sun enters Karka about three weeks later than Western Cancer begins.
Positions: sidereal (nirayana) zodiac, Lahiri (Chitrapaksha) ayanamsa, Swiss Ephemeris with its data files. Times are Indian Standard Time (IST, UTC+05:30), the moment the Moon or Sun crosses the boundary, truncated to the minute; the same instant holds everywhere, only the clock time differs. Lord, element and nature: Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, chapter 4. How we calculate