What is Panchak and why is it considered inauspicious?

Panchak is a period of approximately 2.5 days when the Moon transits through the last five nakshatras of the lunar cycle — Dhanishta, Shatabhisha, Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada, and Revati — all falling in the zodiac signs of Aquarius (Kumbha) and Pisces (Meena). Hindu Jyotish Shastra considers this period inauspicious for five specific activities: cremation (Mrityu Panchak), construction (Agni Panchak), travel in the south direction (Dakshin Panchak), purchasing beds or mattresses (Roga Panchak), and making thatch roofs (Chore Panchak). The scriptural basis comes from the Muhurta Chintamani and Dharma Sindhu which advise caution during these nakshatras. If a death occurs during Panchak, the family must perform Panchak Shanti puja with five effigies made of kusha grass to prevent further deaths in the family — a belief rooted in the Garuda Purana”s teaching that souls departing during these nakshatras may pull other family members. The Panchak period occurs roughly every 27 days as the Moon completes its cycle through all 27 nakshatras.