A paksha is one of the two fortnights of a Vedic lunar month. Shukla Paksha is the bright (waxing) half, from Amavasya to Purnima; Krishna Paksha is the dark (waning) half, from Purnima back to Amavasya. Each paksha contains 15 tithis. The two pakshas have different ritual qualities — Shukla is generally considered auspicious for new starts; Krishna for completion, release, and ancestor work.
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Paksha
A lunar fortnight — either Shukla (waxing) or Krishna (waning).