Choghadiya is a simple Vedic system for choosing a good time to start something. It is especially popular in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, where families and traders check it before opening a shop, signing a deal, buying a vehicle or setting out on a journey.
The word comes from "chau" (four) and "ghadi" (a traditional unit of about 24 minutes). Each Choghadiya lasts roughly four ghadis, or about one and a half hours.
How the day is divided
The time from sunrise to sunset is split into 8 equal parts, and the time from sunset to the next sunrise into another 8. Because day length changes through the year and from city to city, each Choghadiya is rarely exactly 90 minutes. In summer the day periods are longer and the night periods shorter; in winter it is the reverse.
This is why a Choghadiya table from another city, or even from last month, will be wrong for you. Always use one calculated from your own sunrise and sunset.
The seven types of Choghadiya
| Choghadiya | Ruled by | Quality | Best used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amrit | Moon | Best | Any important start |
| Shubh | Jupiter | Good | Ceremonies, marriage talks, worship |
| Labh | Mercury | Good | Business, trade, study |
| Char | Venus | Neutral | Travel and vehicles |
| Udveg | Sun | Bad | Only government or official work |
| Kaal | Saturn | Bad | Avoid new beginnings |
| Rog | Mars | Bad | Avoid; disputes are more likely |
Amrit, Shubh and Labh are the three most sought-after periods. Char is considered good for anything involving movement. Udveg, Kaal and Rog are avoided for new work, although routine tasks can carry on as normal.
Which Choghadiya comes first?
The first day Choghadiya depends on the weekday:
- Sunday starts with Udveg
- Monday starts with Amrit
- Tuesday starts with Rog
- Wednesday starts with Labh
- Thursday starts with Shubh
- Friday starts with Char
- Saturday starts with Kaal
After the first period, the sequence follows a fixed order through the day. The night has its own starting points (for example, Monday night starts with Char and Thursday night with Amrit).
How to use Choghadiya well
- Find today's table for your city, based on your local sunrise.
- Pick an Amrit, Shubh or Labh period that suits your task (Char for travel).
- Check that it does not overlap Rahu Kaal, Yamaganda or Gulika Kaal. If it does, use the part outside them.
- For something big, also check the day's Panchang: tithi, nakshatra and yoga.
Rekha's Today page does steps 1 to 3 for you: it lists the best clean windows for business, travel, purchases, marriage and more.
Choghadiya versus Hora and Muhurta
Choghadiya is the quick, everyday method. Hora divides the day into 12 planetary hours and is often used alongside it. A full muhurta, used for weddings or griha pravesh, is much more detailed and also checks the tithi, nakshatra, lagna and the couple's or family's charts. For major life events, use Choghadiya as a shortlist and confirm with an astrologer.