Thursday, 1 October 2026 · Delhi
Rahu Kaal (also spelled Rahu Kalam or Rahukalam) is a daily time period in Hindu Panchang considered inauspicious for beginning new or important activities. It is ruled by Rahu, one of the two "shadow planets" (chhaya graha) in Vedic astrology, along with Ketu. Unlike the Sun, Moon or other visible planets, Rahu is a mathematical point — the north lunar node — representing the point where the Moon's orbit crosses the ecliptic. In mythology, Rahu is depicted as a severed demon's head, forever chasing the Sun and Moon to swallow them, which is the traditional explanation for eclipses.
Unlike a fixed clock time such as "always 9 to 10:30am," Rahu Kaal shifts every single day. It's calculated by dividing the daylight hours — from local sunrise to local sunset — into eight equal segments (each roughly 90 minutes, though the exact length varies with the season). One specific segment out of these eight is assigned to Rahu, and which segment depends on the day of the week.
Because sunrise and sunset times change with the seasons and your exact location, the clock time of Rahu Kaal is different every single day and varies from city to city — even within the same country. Someone in Chennai and someone in Delhi will have Rahu Kaal at genuinely different clock times on the same date, because their sunrise times differ. This is why a live, location-aware calculation like the one above the fold on this page is significantly more accurate than a generic printed table that assumes one fixed city.
Traditional Panchang software — and the calculation used on this page — follows this method:
This is also why Rahu Kaal in winter (shorter days) is a shorter window in absolute minutes than Rahu Kaal in summer (longer days) — because each of the 8 segments is proportionally sized to that day's actual daylight length, not a fixed 90 minutes.
In Vedic tradition, Rahu is associated with confusion, illusion (maya), obstacles, sudden disruption and unexpected complications. Astrologically, Rahu doesn't "own" a sign in the same way Mars owns Aries, but its influence is considered disruptive when poorly placed or during its ruling periods. Starting something important during Rahu Kaal is believed to invite delays, miscommunication or complications down the line — not necessarily outright failure, but a rockier path than starting the same activity during a supportive window like the Abhijit Muhurat.
This is why generations of families across India — and increasingly people of Indian heritage worldwide — check Rahu Kaal timing before scheduling weddings, griha pravesh (housewarming ceremonies), signing property or business contracts, launching a new venture, or beginning an important journey. It has become such an ingrained part of daily planning that many Indian calendars, panchang apps and even some corporate scheduling tools in India include a Rahu Kaal indicator.
The underlying principle is simple: Rahu Kaal mainly affects the auspicious timing of new beginnings. It does not stop your day, and it is not meant to induce anxiety about routine life — it's a guideline for when to deliberately schedule something important versus when to avoid initiating it if you have the choice.
Rahu Kaal is the most widely observed inauspicious period, but classical Panchang recognizes two companion periods calculated the same way (dividing daylight into 8 segments) but assigned to different segments:
All three periods appear on the calculator above for today's date and your selected city, so you can check all three at a glance rather than visiting separate pages.
While the exact clock time always depends on your local sunrise, here is which of the 8 daylight segments (counted from sunrise) is assigned to Rahu on each day of the week:
Notice that Rahu Kaal never falls at the very start of the day (segment 1) on any weekday — this is intentional in the classical assignment.
"Rahu Kaal means nothing productive can happen." Not true — it is specifically about avoiding the START of new important undertakings. Continuing work, meetings, meals and normal life proceed as usual.
"Rahu Kaal is the same time every day." Not true — it changes daily based on sunrise/sunset and shifts by season, and it changes by city because sunrise times differ by longitude and latitude.
"You must stop everything and wait it out." Not true — for most people, Rahu Kaal simply means being a little more deliberate about the timing of major decisions, not halting daily life.
Rahu Kaal is a daily inauspicious period ruled by the shadow planet Rahu, calculated by dividing daylight hours into 8 segments — the segment assigned to Rahu changes by weekday and shifts daily with sunrise/sunset.
Starting new ventures, signing contracts, travel for important purposes, marriage ceremonies, buying vehicles or property, and other major life decisions are traditionally avoided.
Routine activities, ongoing work, meals, rest and non-critical tasks are generally fine — Rahu Kaal mainly affects the timing of NEW beginnings.
The daylight span from sunrise to sunset is split into 8 equal parts; the part assigned to Rahu depends on the day of the week (e.g. Monday's Rahu Kaal is a different segment than Friday's).
Traditionally it's calculated for daytime (sunrise to sunset). Some traditions also compute a night version, but daytime Rahu Kaal is the one most commonly referenced.
Because it's based on your city's exact sunrise and sunset time. Cities further east see sunrise earlier, and this shifts every one of the 8 daily segments, including Rahu's.
No. Rahu Kaal is a daily recurring period based on weekday and sunrise/sunset. Eclipses (Rahu/Ketu related in mythology) are separate astronomical events that occur only a few times a year.
Yes — traditional guidance is about deliberately choosing timing for planned, important activities. Emergencies, medical needs and safety always take priority over muhurat considerations.
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