What is "paksha"

n. (context Hinduism English) A fortnight in a month of the Hindu lunar calendar.

Paksha (or pakṣa: ) refers to a fortnight or a lunar phase in a month of the Hindu lunar calendar.

Literally meaning "side", a paksha is the period either side of the Full Moon Day ( Purnima). A lunar month in the Hindu calendar has two fortnights, and begins with the New moon, ( Amavasya). The lunar days are called tithis and each month has 30 tithis, which may vary from 20 – 27 hours. A paksha has 15 tithis, which are calculated by a 12 degree motion of the Moon. The first fortnight between New Moon Day and Full Moon Day is called Shukla Paksha, the period of the brightening moon ( waxing moon), and the second fortnight of the month is called Krishna Paksha, or the period of the fading moon ( waning moon). Nimach Panchang begin new lunar month from first day of Krishna Paksha while Gujarat Panchang begin new lunar month from first day of Shukla Paksha.