Panchang, or Panchangam, is an astrological daily calendar rooted in the Indian calendar, crucial for determining auspicious times for various activities. It presents astrological data in a tabulated form, offering valuable information to astrologers and those practicing astrology.
Panchang plays an important role in choosing the right day and time, i.e., shubh muhurat, for performing rituals in a traditional Hindu society. It is a Sanskrit word meaning "Five Limbs." These five limbs represent five sources of energy, both visible and invisible, as denoted by these segments in a day.
Location, Time Zone, Time and Date etc... are very important in determining the accurate panchang for a particular day. Panchangam refers to the five attributes of the day - Tithi (lunar day), Yoga (luni-solar day), Vara (week day), Nakshatra (constellation), and Karana (half of a lunar day).
The most appropriate time which ensures proper balance of the five attributes is known as Muhurtham or Muhurat. Panchang may be different for two different places even for the same time. 2026 Panchang USA is different from Panchang UK even though the same time and date is selected.
In Hindu astrology, rāhukāla (Sanskrit: राहुकाल) or rāhukālam (Sanskrit: राहुकालम्) is an inauspicious period of the day, not considered favorable to start any good deed. This inauspicious period is strictly avoided while calculating muhurtas. The rāhukāla spans for approximately 90 minutes every day between sunrise and sunset.
Read also: Effects of Venus Rahu
Rahu is a shadow planet and king of meteors among the Navagrahas (nine planets) mentioned in Hindu texts. During the legend known as the Samudra Manthana, an asura named Svarbhanu, disguised as a deva, appears and drinks the nectar of immortality, amrita. Svarbhanu later gets caught and is cut into two pieces by Vishnu's discus, the Sudarshana Chakra. These two pieces became Rahu and Ketu.
The rāhukāla is considered in a predefined manner during set times on the different days of the week, but can vary as per the time of sunrise as well.
Understanding Rahu Kalam
Rahu Kaal, which can also be spelt Rahu Kalam, is an approximately 90-minute time period, observed daily, generally recognised as unfavourable for starting any new or important endeavor. It is a time linked to Rahu, a shadow planet known for pulling the rug out from under one's feet. It is an inauspicious timeline that can cause confusion, delays, or unknown chaos.
Rahu Kaal is calculated based on the day and the time of sunrise, which differs slightly each day of the week. For example, Monday's Rahu Kaal is from 7:30 am to 9:00 am, whereas Friday's Rahu Kaal is from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. In this case, Rahu Kaal does not mean you can't go about your normal activities. You can attend meetings or errands that you would normally do.
To the unaware, Rahu Kaal might sound like superstition, but many take it as a time to stop and reflect rather than to thrust ahead. Think of it in the same spirit as Mercury Retrograde, which can be seen as a cosmic caution flag, as well. Even seasoned professionals, particularly in more cognizant and professional peer circles that stem from India, avoid making big decisions during Rahu Kaal.
Read also: 6th House Rahu Effects
No matter how you see astrology, one benefit of tuning into the Panchang is to learn the background score of your life. Tithi shows us the moon’s whisper. Var gives us the planet’s flow.
Calculating Rahu Kalam
DAILY RAHU KAL CALCULATION
FYI, rahukalam is calculated based on sunrise and sunset times, which are not constant. The times you mentioned assumes sun rises at 6am everyday and sets at 6pm.
Rahukalam formula = (sunset time - sunrise time)/8. Discard first part. Example: Assuming sunrise is 6am and sunset is 6pm, 18:00 - 6:00 = 12 hours / 8 = 1.5 hours. Discard 6-7:30.
Most people use fixed rahukalam like on every saturday rahukalam willbe from 9:00 to 10:30 AM which is also completely wrong as sun never rises at 6:00 AM and sets at 6:00 PM on everyday.
Rahu Kalam, Yamagandam, Gulika kala timings are not fix like most panchangam shows. They show assuming sunrises at 6:00 AM and sets at 6:00 PM. They are calculated from sunrise to sunset.
Rahukaal is calculated entirely on the basis of sunrise and sunset, so it varies daily.
Easy way: Just go to drikpanchang.com, select your city, go to daily panchang.
Drik Panchang and Accurate Calculations
Someone brought to our attention about difference in one of the non-drika (vedic--Grahalagava, Surya-siddhanta, Vakiyam and other systems) panchangam and drika panchangam including ours.
This is because we use high precision algorithms based on NASA's JPL DE405 ephemeris and most modern panchangam are based on this technology, and it is very accurate compared to ancient Grahalaghava, Vakiyam and other methods. We can assure you that the data contained in our panchangam is as accurate as possible based on modern technology but keeping old tradition alive.
The difference between our high precise panchang and other panchang based on surya-siddhanta, Vakiyam or grahalaghav could go up to couple of hours in the timings.
The "drik ganita” means calculations corresponding to observable reality. If someone is using surya siddhanta based panchang then their values will be off by 2 hours comapring to drik panchang. That is because they have to do observation and apply bija samskaram due to precession of the equinoxes.
Now a days Vedic panchang-makers don't do observation and apply appropriate bija samskar that's why vedic panchangam are way off compared to drik ganita panchang. In order to prove they are not wrong they silently copy the eclipse timings from drik panchangam, otherwise eclipse their calculation will be off by several hours, and you will not be able to observe eclipse using their timings, but you can observe eclipse correctly with the times specified in drik panchang.
This really creates confusion in people's mind, about which panchang to follow? Our shastras are not wrong but people donot observe sun, moon and planets and do not apply appropriate bija samskara which creates differences in panchangam and creates confusion.
Lokamanya Tilak advocated for Drik panchang as he was scholar and mathematician. Pundit Dhundiraj Shaastree Date is one of the pioneer in the field of drika ganita panchangam (Date Panchangkarte Solapur).
Muhurtham and Panchang for Different Locations
Question: Even though I don't live in India, can I use muhurtham prepared in India by my family astrologer/sastrigal? I have also been told its the most auspicious muhurtham according to mine and my wife's stars.
Muhurtham calculated in Chennai based on Chennai's longitude, latitude can't be used in New Delhi. Using them out of India will not work. Muhurtham depends on panchangam that is five limbs: Tithi, Vaar, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana. The auspicious day needs to be found from the local calendar not from Indian calendar if you live outside India, as we have explained before in previous example.
Once we fix the good day, we need to drill down to find most auspicious time. This time can be found by using hora, rahu kalam, lagna, chogadia and other factors. Most common practice is to use sthira lagna -- vrishabha, simha, vrischika, kumbha lagna.
Now hora, rahukalam, and lagna are always dependent on local sunrise, not from Indian sunrise. for example sun will be always in ascendant during sunrise's chart, and during the madhyahana it will be always in the 10th house, during sunset it will be in 7th house, and during midnight it will be always in 4th house, in any part of the world.
Now let's say vrishabha lagna on April 7th in India (Bangalore) starts around 8:30 AM (Anuradha nakshatram), now if you subtract 12:30 mins for Pacific Daylight Saving time (Seattle) you'll get 8:00 PM on April 6th in Seattle. This time it will be Libra (Tula) lagna in Seattle, which is not sthira lagna or vrishabha lagna.
Vrishabha lagna in Seattle starts around 8:08 AM on April 7th and by, the way at that time in Seattle nakshatra is jyestha not anuradha nakshatra as our family astrologer in India suggested a good time in India (Anuradha nakshastra and Vrishabha lagna combination). Anuradha nakshatra changes at 6:58 AM in the morning. So this changes the entire ball game. We need another lagna, may kumbha lagna for Seattle which is very early morning.
I am not saying all of the muhurthams prepared in India for locations outside of India are wrong, but some of them are. I have seen very good muhurthams prepared in India when brought to us for verification, and I know so many people in India who use appropriate tools and fix perfect muhurthams even for locations out of India.
Remember its your muhurthams, your event is in matter not astrologer's event or muhurthams. If you believe in muhurtham get the right muhurtham not off by minutes.
The muhurthams cannot be transferred to another city from Indian muhurtham you need to calculate for that place. Transferring is wrong practice. Always use the panchangam of the local city not Indian panchangam. That's why always use www.mypanchang.com to find panchangam of the city you are interested in.
Question: But we are indian, so Shouldn't we follow indian calender? A Very short answer. No. Just because you are indian you can't use indian calender published in india outside of india. The reason. Location where you are is different and the earth is not Flat. If you believe that the earth is flat then only you can use the indian calendar outside of India.
Navigating Rahu Kalam
During Rahu Kaal, it is advised to avoid purchasing or selling any products, vehicles, jewelry, or valuables.
It is recommended not to start any auspicious activities, such as marriage rituals, buying a property, housewarming, puja, rituals, investments, beginning a new business, and other important activities during the Rahu Kaal, as they may possibly have negative consequences.
- Avoid Starting New Ventures: Rahu Kaal is not the best time to start any new projects, ventures, or businesses.
- Avoid Travel: Avoid going on a long journey during Rahu Kaal. Also, it is advised against making business or work-related travel during Rahukaal.
- Avoid Auspicious Rituals: Avoid performing religious ceremonies such as Mundan, Grih Pravesh, marriage, or engagement during Rahu Kaal.
- Avoid Transactions: During Rahu Kaal, it is advised to avoid purchasing or selling any products, vehicles, jewelry, or valuables.
- No Yajna (Puja) Performance: Pujas or Yajnas are not recommended during Rahu Kalam.
If you have begun working on your projects before Rahu Kaal, don't stop during Rahu Kaal.
Remedies and Practices During Rahu Kalam
During Rahu Kalam, consider the following practices:
- Recite Hanuman Chalisa: Reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, a devoted hymn to Lord Hanuman, during Rahukaal is considered to be highly favorable.
- Abhishek to Shiva Lingam: Worshiping Lord Shiva during the Rahu Kaal is considered auspicious.
- Chant Mantras: The mantras, including Rahu Beej Mantra or Navagraha Stotram, are advised to be recited at this time of day.
- Travel safe: If one must travel during Rahu Kaal and it’s unavoidable, one must take ten steps backward in the opposite direction before leaving the house via the main door.
- Moreover, a consultation with an experienced astrologer who creates personalized remedies from one's birth chart is worth it during Rahukal.
There are nine planets in Hindu or Vedic astrology, including the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu. Rahu symbolizes all the mysteries, illusions, and desires of the material world. According to astrology, Rahu is the northern node and Ketu is the southern node, and their combined ecliptic strength is capable of concealing the Sun and removing all light from the universe.
Other Important Timings
Apart from Rahu Kalam, there are other time periods to be aware of:
- Yamagandam Kalam: Yamagandam Kalam means the time associated with Lord Yama. Lord Yama or Yamraj is believed responsible for carrying the Atma or soul to its deserving place upon a person's death. The Yamagandam timings today are determined by dividing the day's hours into eight segments, beginning at sunrise and culminating at sunset. It is commonly believed that any activity that starts during this period will not bring promising outcomes. Funerals or death rituals and ceremonies are typically performed during this inauspicious Yamagandam Kalam. It is also crucial to be aware that you must not initiate something new, any notable event, travel, or do anything related to money during this time.
- Gulika Kalam: Gulika Kalam is a time period associated with Gulikan, regarded as the son of Saturn or Lord Shani. This is the time governed by Saturn, and it should be avoided as it is usually known to be unfavorable. Therefore, auspicious activities must be avoided. Any task executed during the Gulika Kaal today is also believed to be repeated. This is why it is paramount to avoid any death-related rites and rituals during this time.
The Gulika Kalam, Rahu Kalam, and Yamagandam Kalam are local timings that must be considered when planning any important or auspicious work.
Conclusion
Rahukaal is extremely important to those who believe in astrology. Many consider today Rahu Kaal to be highly crucial, even for daily tasks. By adding astrological knowledge, such as more about today's Rahu Kaal, to your life's journey, you will enrich yourself.