Articles

Rahu kalam: the inauspicious time of day

Rahu kalam is the part of the day “ruled” by Rahu. Daylight from sunrise to sunset is divided into eight parts, and one of them, different for each weekday, is considered unfavourable for beginnings. On average it lasts about an hour and a half.

JyotiSoft editorial team · dates checked by calculation

In short

Daylight is divided into 8 equal parts.
Order: Mon 2nd part, Tue 7th, Wed 5th, Thu 6th, Fri 4th, Sat 3rd, Sun 8th.
Its length depends on the season and latitude, not always exactly 90 minutes.
New undertakings are not started in Rahu kalam; continuing is fine.
Yamaganda and Gulika are two further segments of the day.

How to calculate Rahu kalam: four steps

Sunrise and sunset. Find the sunrise and sunset times in your city for the day — for example, on its panchang page.
One eighth of the day. (Sunset − sunrise) ÷ 8 = the length of one part. It is shorter in winter and longer in summer.
The part for the weekday. Rahu kalam is the 2nd part on Monday, the 3rd on Saturday, the 4th on Friday, the 5th on Wednesday, the 6th on Thursday, the 7th on Tuesday and the 8th on Sunday.
Yamaganda and gulika. Two more periods are counted the same way, only from other parts of the day. The calculator below shows all three.

Rahu kalam calculator for your city

Enter sunrise and sunset from any calendar or from your city's panchang page. The fields hold the example: Delhi, Wednesday 14 October 2026.

SunriseSunsetWeekday

How it is calculated

Take the time from sunrise to sunset in your city and divide it into eight equal parts. Rahu kalam is one of them: on Monday the second, Tuesday the seventh, Wednesday the fifth, Thursday the sixth, Friday the fourth, Saturday the third and Sunday the eighth. With sunrise at 6:00 and sunset at 18:00, Monday's Rahu kalam is 7:30–9:00 and Sunday's 16:30–18:00. In summer and winter the segment's length differs.

A worked example

Delhi, Wednesday 14 October 2026: sunrise at 06:21, sunset at 17:53. Daylight is 11 hours 32 minutes, or 692 minutes; one eighth is 86.5 minutes. On Wednesday Rahu kalam is the 5th part: 06:21 + 4 × 86.5 min = 12:07, until 13:33. Yamaganda is the 2nd part, 07:47–09:14; gulika the 4th, 10:40–12:07. The Delhi panchang takes sunrise to the second, so its limits can differ by a minute.

What to avoid

Tradition advises against starting important things in Rahu kalam: signing contracts, setting out on a journey, launching a business, buying expensive items, holding ceremonies. Continuing work already begun and keeping to your usual routine is fine.

Yamaganda and Gulika

Alongside Rahu kalam, the panchang lists Yamaganda (a segment associated with Yama) and Gulika kalam (Saturn's segment). In the JyotiSoft app, Yamaganda is marked as a time better not to set out on a trip, and Gulika kalam as a time better not to close deals.

Why times differ between sites

Rahu kalam depends on exact sunrise and sunset where you are. Calculated for another city or for a “standard” 6:00–18:00, the time shifts by tens of minutes. The JyotiSoft Mini App calculates it for your city from the exact sunrise and sunset.

Questions

How long is Rahu kalam?

One eighth of daylight — about an hour and a half, longer in summer, shorter in winter.

Is there a Rahu kalam at night?

Classically it is counted only for daylight; some traditions count a night one too.

Can I keep working during Rahu kalam?

Yes. It is the start of new important things that is avoided.

How do I find today's Rahu kalam?

In the panchang for your city — for example in the JyotiSoft Mini App.

What you can do next with your chart

Free

Chart calculator

Lagna, planets by sign and house, nakshatras and dashas — in a minute, no sign-up.

Calculate my chart — free

PDF · pay at once

Complete Natal Chart

Your whole chart in one document of 60–100 pages — to read, reread and share with people close to you.

Character, work, relationships, health, money
A Vedic interpretation of current and coming periods
An audio edition if you like

1499 ⭐

Buy

You pay with Telegram Stars right after the form; the PDF arrives in the chat.