INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Vedic vs Western Astrology API: Technical Comparison
Sidereal vs tropical zodiac. Nakshatras vs aspects. Which system should your API support?
January 7, 2026
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16 min read
The Fundamental Difference: Zodiac Systems
The core technical difference between Vedic and Western astrology is the zodiac system used for calculations.
Vedic (Sidereal)
- Reference: Fixed stars
- Ayanamsa: ~24 degrees (Lahiri)
- Origin: India, 5000+ years
- Moon sign: Primary importance
- Nakshatras: 27 lunar mansions
- Dasha: Planetary periods
Western (Tropical)
- Reference: Vernal equinox
- Ayanamsa: 0 degrees
- Origin: Greece/Rome, 2000 years
- Sun sign: Primary importance
- Aspects: Planetary angles
- Transits: Current positions
The Ayanamsa Gap
Due to Earth's axial precession, the tropical and sidereal zodiacs have drifted apart by approximately 24 degrees. This means:
Example: Born April 10
- Western: Sun in Aries (20 degrees)
- Vedic: Sun in Pisces (26 degrees - after 24 degree ayanamsa correction)
Same birth date, different zodiac signs!
API Implementation Differences
Vedic API Endpoints
/v2/astrology/birth-chart- Rashi chart with sidereal positions/v2/astrology/navamsa- D9 divisional chart/v2/astrology/dasha- Vimshottari periods/v2/astrology/nakshatra- Moon's lunar mansion/v2/astrology/kundli-match- 36 Gunas compatibility/v2/astrology/panchang- Hindu calendar elements/v2/astrology/doshas/*- Mangal, Kaal Sarp detection
Western API Endpoints
/v2/western/natal-chart- Tropical positions/v2/western/aspects- Planetary aspects/v2/western/transits- Current planetary transits/v2/western/synastry- Relationship compatibility/v2/western/composite- Combined relationship chart/v2/western/progressions- Secondary progressions/v2/western/solar-return- Birthday chart
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Vedic | Western |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Divisional Charts (D1-D60) | Yes (16+) | No |
| Nakshatras (27) | Yes | No |
| Dasha Periods | Yes | No |
| Planetary Aspects | Limited | Detailed |
| Progressions | No | Yes |
| Panchang/Calendar | Yes | No |
| Muhurta/Electional | Yes | Limited |
| Compatibility/Matching | 36 Gunas | Synastry |
Market Considerations
When to Use Vedic
- - Indian market (800M+ believers)
- - Matrimonial platforms
- - Hindu calendar apps
- - Traditional astrology apps
- - Southeast Asian markets
When to Use Western
- - US/European markets
- - Sun sign horoscope apps
- - Dating apps (compatibility)
- - Wellness/lifestyle apps
- - Media/content publishers
Supporting Both Systems
Modern astrology APIs should support both systems. Vedika API provides:
- 45 Vedic endpoints: Complete jyotish calculations (Swiss Ephemeris)
- 15 Western endpoints: Tropical calculations (Swiss Ephemeris)
- Auto-detection: AI detects zodiac system from user's question
- Dual responses: Show both sidereal and tropical positions
Technical Implementation
Vedic (Sidereal) Flag:
SEFLG_SIDEREAL | SEFLG_LAHIRI // Swiss Ephemeris flag
Western (Tropical) Flag:
// No sidereal flag - uses tropical by default
Support Both Zodiac Systems
Vedika API provides 45 Vedic and 15 Western endpoints. One integration, global market coverage.
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