Vedic astrology · glossary
Rāhu Kālam
An inauspicious daily period — one-eighth of the daytime — traditionally avoided for starting new work.
What it means
Rāhu Kālam is one of eight equal parts of the daytime (sunrise to sunset), and which part it falls in depends on the weekday. It is widely avoided for auspicious beginnings — signing, travel, ceremonies — though ongoing work is unaffected. It is an advisory convention, not a verdict.
How it's computed
almanac.ts splits the interval from local sunrise to sunset into eight equal parts and selects the part fixed by the weekday (a classical table); Yamagandam and Gulika are the same eighths on other slots.
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Frequently asked
- How long is Rāhu Kālam?
- About 90 minutes on an average day — exactly one-eighth of the time between sunrise and sunset, so it stretches or shrinks with the season.
- Is it bad to work during Rāhu Kālam?
- Tradition avoids starting new or auspicious activities during it, but continuing existing work is considered fine. It is advisory.