Rahu Kaal

About Rahu Kaal

According to Vedic astrology Rahu is an inauspicious planet. During transition of planets the time under the influence of Rahu should be avoided to do any auspicious work. Doing Puja, Hawan or Yagya (यज्ञ) to propitiate auspicious planets during this time is interfered by Rahu due to its malefic nature. If one does Puja, Hawan or Yagya during Rahu Kaal then desired results are not achieved. Hence it is important to consider Rahu Kaal before starting any new work. By doing so, possibility of achieving desired results is increased.

However any work related to Rahu gives good results during this period. Hawan, Yagya, etc. to propitiate Rahu can be done during this time.

People, especially in South India, give utmost importance to Rahu Kaal. Auspicious activities like marriage rituals, engagement, Graha Pravesh, any purchase of stocks, shares, gold, home, car and starting new business or trade are avoided during this time. Rahu Kaal is considered only for undertaking any new work and already started work can be continued during Rahu Kaal. 

Rahu Kaal, which is also spelled as Rahu Kala, Rahu Kal, Rahu Kalam and Rahu Kalaam, is a certain amount of time every day which lasts approximately for one and half hour. Rahu Kaal is one of the eight segments of the day between sunrise and sunset. Eight segments of the day are calculated by taking the total time between sunrise and sunset at a given place and then dividing this time duration by eight.

For Sunrise and Sunset geometric value of sunrise and sunset moments are taken. Geometric sunrise is different from observational sunrise as geometric sunrise doesn’t consider refraction, altitude of the observer and atmospheric conditions to calculate sunrise moment. Also geometric sunrise marks sunrise moment when middle of the Sun becomes visible at eastern horizon while observational sunrise marks sunrise moment when upper limb of the Sun becomes visible at eastern horizon.

Rahu Kaal timings and duration are not same for any two locations due to difference in local timings of sunrise and sunset. Even for one location Rahu Kaal timing and duration are not same for all days as sunrise and sunset timings keep changing throughout the year. In other words Rahu Kaal varies from place to place and from day to day. Hence Rahu Kaal should be looked at for each day. 

Rahu Kaal window on all weekdays

 

After sunrise first period (out of eight division of time between sunrise and sunset) which approximately lasts for one and half hour is always auspicious as this duration of the day is always free from malefic effects of Rahu. On Monday Rahu Kaal falls on the 2^nd period, Saturday on the 3^rd period, Friday on the 4^th period, Wednesday on the 5^th period, Thursday on the 6^th period, Tuesday on the 7^th period and Sunday on the 8^th period.

Few people consider Rahu Kaal for night duration also which is less popular as most important and auspicious work are started during day time. However Rahu Kaal during night can also be calculated by dividing duration between sunset and next day sunrise by eight. According to some Rahu Kaal on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday has more malefic effects than those of other weekdays.