Rahu Kaal (also written Rahu Kalam or Rahukalam) is a period of about 90 minutes every day that is traditionally considered inauspicious for starting anything new. It is followed very widely in South India and increasingly across the country, especially for travel, purchases, interviews and signing documents.
Why is Rahu Kaal avoided?
In Vedic astrology Rahu is a shadow planet linked with confusion, obstacles and unexpected turns. The period it rules each day is believed to bring delays to anything begun within it. Work that is already underway can continue normally.
How Rahu Kaal is calculated
The time from your local sunrise to sunset is divided into 8 equal parts. Rahu Kaal is one of these parts, and which one depends on the weekday:
| Day | Part of the day | Typical time (6 am sunrise, 6 pm sunset) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 2nd | 7:30 to 9:00 am |
| Tuesday | 7th | 3:00 to 4:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5th | 12:00 to 1:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6th | 1:30 to 3:00 pm |
| Friday | 4th | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm |
| Saturday | 3rd | 9:00 to 10:30 am |
| Sunday | 8th | 4:30 to 6:00 pm |
The typical times are only a guide. Your real Rahu Kaal shifts with your sunrise and sunset, which change with the season and your location. A Rahu Kaal for Mumbai can differ from Kolkata by about half an hour.
What to avoid during Rahu Kaal
- Starting a new business, job or project
- Signing agreements or making large purchases
- Setting out on a journey, especially a long one
- Starting auspicious ceremonies
What is fine during Rahu Kaal
- Continuing work you have already started
- Daily routines, meals and household work
- Prayer and worship of Rahu or Durga, which some traditions recommend at this time
Rahu Kaal, Yamaganda and Gulika
Rahu Kaal has two close relatives that are also calculated from the 8 parts of the day: Yamaganda and Gulika Kaal. Many people avoid all three for new beginnings. See Yamaganda, Gulika and Dur Muhurtam explained.
Rekha shows all three, already adjusted for your city, on the Today page.
Rahu Kaal and Rahu Kalam in different regions
In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Rahu Kalam is printed in every daily calendar and widely respected. In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Rahu Kala is equally common. In North India it has become more popular through TV and apps.