Indian astrology is also known by the name of Jyotish or Jyotisha astrology, Vedic astrology and Hindu astrology. It is an ancient system through which the movements of the celestial bodies are studied, along with the divisions of time dependent thereon. Indian Jyotish astrology is one of the six branches of Vedanga, the secondary disciplines of the Vedic religion. It revolves around the visible or sidereal zodiac, which is totally different from the tropical zodiac of the western astrology.
In case of sidereal zodiac, an ayanamsa adjustment is made to ensure the gradual precession of the vernal equinox. However, Hindu astrology does make use of the tropical zodiac, but only for predicting the course of nature. It has been present in the Indian subcontinent since the ancient times, becoming much like a part of a continuous holistic approach to living. Infact, it seems to be a fundamental practice that has originated from the ancient spiritual customs of India.