Planetary Positions API

Planetary Positions

The Planetary Positions API returns the precise sidereal positions of all major Vedic astrological planets for a given date, time, and geographic location. This is a foundational endpoint in the AstroInsight API suite — the planetary longitude and sign data it provides underpins virtually every higher-level astrological calculation, from birth chart generation and Dasha computation to transit analysis and compatibility matching.

What This API Does

This endpoint computes the exact sidereal positions of the nine Vedic grahas (planets) — including the two lunar nodes — for the specified date, time, and coordinates. Positions are calculated using the selected Ayanamsha to convert tropical (Western) longitudes to the sidereal (Vedic) zodiac. The result is a complete snapshot of the sky as seen from the given location at the given moment, expressed in the sidereal coordinate system used in Jyotish (Vedic astrology).

Data Returned

The response provides positional data for all nine Vedic planets, typically including:

• Planet name — Sun (Surya), Moon (Chandra), Mars (Mangal), Mercury (Budha), Jupiter (Guru), Venus (Shukra), Saturn (Shani), Rahu (North Node), Ketu (South Node)

• Sidereal longitude — The precise degree and minute position within the sidereal zodiac (0°–360°)

• Zodiac sign (Rashi) — The sidereal sign the planet occupies (Aries through Pisces)

• Degree within sign — The planet's position expressed as degrees and minutes within its current sign

• Nakshatra — The lunar mansion (star constellation) the planet occupies, along with its pada (quarter)

• Nakshatra lord — The ruling planet of the Nakshatra

• Retrograde status — Whether the planet is currently in retrograde motion

• House position — The astrological house the planet occupies relative to the Ascendant (if applicable)

• Ayanamsha value — The sidereal correction applied, as per the selected system

Main Use Cases

• Birth chart (Kundali) generation — Supplying the planetary position data required to construct a Vedic natal chart (Lagna chart) for any date, time, and place of birth

• Transit analysis — Tracking the current or future positions of planets relative to a natal chart to identify significant astrological transits and their effects

• Dasha and Antardasha calculation — Providing the Moon's Nakshatra position, which is the starting point for computing the Vimshottari Dasha (planetary period) sequence

• Compatibility and synastry — Comparing planetary positions between two charts for Kundali Milan (marriage compatibility) and other synastry analyses

• Astrological research and tools — Serving as a raw data source for custom astrological algorithms, research applications, and chart rendering engines

• Muhurta and electional astrology — Identifying favourable planetary configurations for selecting auspicious moments for important activities

Key Functionality

• All nine Vedic grahas — Returns positions for the complete set of Jyotish planets in a single response: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu

• Sidereal coordinate system — All longitudes are expressed in the sidereal zodiac using the selected Ayanamsha, in strict accordance with Vedic astrology methodology

• Nakshatra-level precision — Each planet's position is resolved down to the Nakshatra and pada level, enabling Nakshatra-based calculations such as Dasha, compatibility, and muhurta

• Retrograde detection — Flags planets currently in retrograde motion, a key factor in Vedic chart interpretation and transit analysis

• Configurable Ayanamsha — The X-Ayanamsha header allows selection of the sidereal correction system (e.g., Lahiri, Raman, KP), ensuring compatibility with different Vedic astrology traditions and software

• Location and time aware — Accepts full date, time (to the second), latitude, longitude, and timezone offset, enabling accurate position calculations for any moment and place in history or the future

• Multi-language support — The Accept-Language header enables planet names, sign names, and Nakshatra names to be returned in the preferred regional or vernacular language