Rahu Kalam
Rahu Kalam is a period of about an hour and a half each day, one eighth of the daylight, that many people avoid for starting new and important work.
What it is
Rahu Kalam (also Rahu Kaal or Rahu Kaalam) = the time of Rahu. Rahu is one of the nine grahas of Hindu astronomy, a shadow planet linked with eclipses. Traditionally the period of Rahu's influence each day is not preferred for beginning new, important or auspicious work, such as a wedding, a house entry, signing a contract or starting a journey.
It is a guide, not a rule of fear. Work already in progress, daily routine and regular prayer do not stop. Many families simply wait a little before starting something new.
How it is calculated
Rahu Kalam is found from the day's own sunrise and sunset.
- Find the length of daylight, from sunrise to sunset.
- Divide it into eight equal parts.
- Number the parts 1 to 8 from sunrise.
- Rahu Kalam is the part assigned to that weekday.
Because the parts are one eighth of daylight, each is about an hour and a half when the day is 12 hours long. In summer, when the days are long, each part is longer. In winter it is shorter. This is why the times change every day and differ from city to city.
Which part for which day
| Weekday | Part of the day |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 8th |
| Monday | 2nd |
| Tuesday | 7th |
| Wednesday | 5th |
| Thursday | 6th |
| Friday | 4th |
| Saturday | 3rd |
To see how this looks on a clock, here is an example with sunrise at 6:00 a.m. and sunset at 6:00 p.m., so each part is 90 minutes.
| Weekday | Approximate time |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Monday | 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. |
| Tuesday | 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. |
| Thursday | 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon |
| Saturday | 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. |
These times are only an illustration. The site calculates the real times for your city and your date, and shows them in your local time zone, including daylight saving time.
Why it matters in the USA
Rahu Kalam is based on the sunrise and sunset of the place where you are. Calendars printed for an Indian city, or an Indian website showing Indian time, give the wrong hours in New Jersey or California. Always use times calculated for your own city.
In the USA, the daytime period often falls within working hours or school drop-off. If an important beginning, such as the start of a puja or signing a lease, can be moved by an hour or two, many people do so. If it cannot, that is fine. Use your judgment and your family's guidance.
Where traditions differ
Not every tradition gives Rahu Kalam equal weight. Some regions treat it very strictly, others hardly at all. A few traditions also calculate the night period with a slightly different rotation. If you follow a priest or a family custom, keep to it.
Rahu Kalam is also only one factor. It is read along with the tithi, nakshatra and other timings, which the site lists for each day.