Garbhadhana is an important Hindu ceremony, which is performed at an auspicious time, to conceive a lucky and bright child. This is also the first and one of the Sanskara out of 16 important Sanskara mentioned in Hindu scriptures. This Sanskara ensures that conception, instead of being an accident, should be a pre-planned affair at an auspicious time with religious purity when a couple meets with objective of getting good progeny.
Notes: All timings are represented in 24-hour notation in local time of Columbus, United States with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
All time intervals are categorized into three
Nakshatra: All fixed Nakshatra i.e. Rohini (4), Uttara Phalguni (12), Uttara Ashadha (21), Uttara Bhadrapada (26), movable Nakshatra i.e. Swati (15), Shravana (22), Dhanishtha (23), Shatabhisha (24), gentle and friendly Nakshatra i.e. Mrigashira (5), Anuradha (17) and short Nakshatra i.e. Hasta (13) are considered auspicious for Garbhadhana.
Ashwini (1), Pushya (8), Punarvasu (7) and Chitra (14) are considered medium for Garbhadhana.
Tithi: Shukla Pratipada (1), Shukla Dwitiya (2), Shukla Tritiya (3), Shukla Panchami (5), Shukla Saptami (7), Shukla Dashami (10), Shukla Dwadashi (12), Shukla Trayodashi (13), Krishna Pratipada (16), Krishna Dwitiya (17), Krishna Tritiya (18), Krishna Panchami (20), Krishna Saptami (22), Krishna Dashami (25), Krishna Dwadashi (27), Krishna Trayodashi (28) are considered auspicious for Garbhadhana.
Days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are considered auspicious for Garbhadhana.
Lagna: Most authorities suggest leaving Mesha (1), Makara (10) Lagna for Garbhadhana.
Kundali: Aspect of Male planet i.e., Surya, Mangala or Brihaspati at Lagna is considered auspicious for Garbhadhana. No malefic Graha, including Rahu and Ketu should be residing in Lagna.
General: Conception should be done between fourth and sixteenth night from the day of menstruation. Conception on even nights, i.e. 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th and 16th nights, is said to give male child and on odd nights, i.e. 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th and 15th nights, from the day of menstruation is said to give female child.
Chandra and Tara Shuddhi: Proper Chandra and Tara Shuddhi for both male and female should be done. Janma Nakshatra for both partners should be avoided. Muhurta Chintamani recommends to avoid Ashtama Lagna of native Rashi and Native Lagna.
Nisheka (निषेक) is similar ceremony related to Garbhadhana. Nisheka is the first coitus between couple after marriage.