Guide
What Is Rahu Kalam?
AI Overview / TL;DR
Rahu Kalam is one-eighth of the daylight period, from local sunrise to sunset, assigned to Rahu according to the weekday. Tradition treats it as a stretch to avoid when starting new work.
- It falls in a fixed position on each weekday; the clock time moves with sunrise.
- Because it is computed from your local sunrise and sunset, times differ between cities.
- AstroYogam shows today's Rahu Kalam timing every day.
Rahu Kalam is one practical part of the panchangam tradition: the daylight period between sunrise and sunset is divided into eight equal parts, and one part on each weekday is assigned to Rahu. Tradition sets this roughly 90-minute stretch aside for starting new ventures. AstroYogam computes it from the exact sunrise of your location, so the clock time is always right for where you are.
What is Rahu Kalam?
Rahu is one of the two shadow planets (Chhaya Graha) of Vedic astrology. In the panchangam tradition the daylight period is divided into eight equal parts, and one part on each weekday is assigned to Rahu. That part is Rahu Kalam.
Its purpose is not to judge the hour but to mark a stretch that tradition suggests setting aside for new beginnings, journeys, and important financial decisions. Many families simply use the window for routine work.
How is Rahu Kalam computed?
AstroYogam's engine divides the daylight period between sunrise and sunset into eight equal parts. On each weekday Rahu Kalam falls in a fixed part: Sunday 8, Monday 2, Tuesday 7, Wednesday 5, Thursday 6, Friday 4, Saturday 3.
Each part lasts roughly 90 minutes, but the exact clock times depend on that day's sunrise and sunset. That is why Rahu Kalam on the same date can differ by minutes between cities like Chennai and Coimbatore.
The same method computes Yamagandam and Gulika Kalam; each falls in a different part depending on the weekday.
What do people traditionally avoid during Rahu Kalam?
Traditionally, starting a new business, signing important contracts, beginning a journey, or buying a vehicle are set aside during Rahu Kalam. This is a faith-based convention, not a scientific verdict.
There is no need to treat the window with alarm. It can be used for routine tasks, study, or rest. Treat the time the panchangam shows as guidance, not a threat.
How to check today's Rahu Kalam
On AstroYogam's Tamil panchangam page, today's Rahu Kalam, Yamagandam, Varjyam, and good-time windows are computed and shown for your city. All timings are anchored to your local sunrise.
Because the timing shifts daily, checking each day is the reliable habit. AstroYogam computes with the Thirukanitha (Drik) method and Lahiri ayanamsa; read the methodology guide for the full accuracy story.
Conclusion
Rahu Kalam is one simple, practical part of the panchangam: one-eighth of the daylight period assigned to Rahu by weekday. Because it is tied to sunrise, its timing moves with your location. AstroYogam computes it precisely for where you are, every day.
Key Takeaways
- ✓Rahu Kalam is one-eighth of the daylight period, anchored to local sunrise.
- ✓Fixed weekday position (approx clock times for 6:00 AM sunrise): Sun 8 (4:30-6:00 PM), Mon 2 (7:30-9:00 AM), Tue 7 (3:00-4:30 PM), Wed 5 (12:00-1:30 PM), Thu 6 (1:30-3:00 PM), Fri 4 (10:30 AM-12:00 PM), Sat 3 (9:00-10:30 AM).
- ✓Tradition sets it aside for new beginnings; it is not a scientific verdict.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Rahu Kalam is one of eight equal parts of the daylight period, from sunrise to sunset, assigned to Rahu according to the weekday. Tradition treats it as a stretch to avoid when starting new ventures.
Rahu Kalam falls in a fixed part on each weekday, but the clock time is computed from that day's sunrise and sunset, so the timing moves as the date changes.
No. Because sunrise and sunset differ by location, Rahu Kalam on the same date can differ by a few minutes between cities.
Traditionally, starting a business, signing contracts, and beginning journeys are set aside. This is a faith-based convention; AstroYogam does not judge the hour, it only shows the computed timing.
Yes. The Tamil panchangam page shows today's Rahu Kalam, Yamagandam, and Varjyam computed for your city every day.