What is Ayanamsa? — Lahiri vs Raman vs KP

Ayanamsa (अयनांश) is the angular difference between the Tropical zodiac (used in Western astrology) and the Sidereal zodiac (used in Vedic astrology). This difference exists because of the precession of equinoxes — the slow wobble of Earth's axis.

The current Ayanamsa is approximately 24° — meaning the Vedic zodiac is shifted about 24° behind the Western zodiac. This is why your Vedic Sun sign may differ from your Western Sun sign.

Popular Ayanamsa systems: Lahiri (Chitrapaksha) — official standard adopted by the Government of India for the Rashtriya Panchang. KP (Krishnamurti) — used in KP astrology system. Raman — used by B.V. Raman's followers.

AstroMangal uses the Lahiri Ayanamsa, which is the most widely accepted standard in Indian Vedic astrology.