Rahu Kalam — Complete Guide
Rahu Kalam is the daily 90-minute window ruled by the shadow planet Rahu. It is universally regarded as inauspicious for starting any new venture. Knowing the exact Rahu Kalam timing in your city helps you plan your day in alignment with Vedic wisdom.
What Is Rahu Kalam?
Rahu Kalam (also spelled Rahu Kaalam or Rahu Kala) is one of the eight equal divisions of the day from sunrise to sunset, each lasting roughly 1.5 hours. The eighth part assigned to Rahu shifts position depending on the weekday. During this window, all auspicious beginnings — travel, marriage, signing documents, opening a business, or starting a new job — are traditionally avoided.
Mythology of Rahu
According to the Bhagavata Purana, during the cosmic churning of the milk ocean (Samudra Manthan), the demon Svarbhanu disguised himself among the gods to drink the immortal nectar Amrita. Surya and Chandra exposed him, and Lord Vishnu, in his Mohini form, severed his head with the Sudarshana Chakra. Because the nectar had already touched his throat, both halves became immortal — the head as Rahu and the body as Ketu. Out of revenge, Rahu seizes the Sun and Moon during eclipses, and his daily Kalam is considered a moment of cosmic shadow.
How to Calculate Rahu Kalam
Take the total day length (sunrise to sunset) and divide it into 8 equal parts. The first part is always skipped. Then assign Rahu Kalam to a specific division based on the weekday using this mnemonic: "Mother Saw Father Wearing The Turban Suddenly" — Monday 2nd, Saturday 3rd, Friday 4th, Wednesday 5th, Thursday 6th, Tuesday 7th, Sunday 8th part.
Rahu Kalam Timings — Major Indian Cities
| Day | Hyderabad | Bangalore | Chennai | Delhi | Mumbai |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 7:30–9:00 | 7:30–9:00 | 7:30–9:00 | 7:30–9:00 | 7:35–9:05 |
| Tuesday | 15:00–16:30 | 15:00–16:30 | 15:00–16:30 | 15:00–16:30 | 15:05–16:35 |
| Wednesday | 12:00–13:30 | 12:00–13:30 | 12:00–13:30 | 12:00–13:30 | 12:05–13:35 |
| Thursday | 13:30–15:00 | 13:30–15:00 | 13:30–15:00 | 13:30–15:00 | 13:35–15:05 |
| Friday | 10:30–12:00 | 10:30–12:00 | 10:30–12:00 | 10:30–12:00 | 10:35–12:05 |
| Saturday | 9:00–10:30 | 9:00–10:30 | 9:00–10:30 | 9:00–10:30 | 9:05–10:35 |
| Sunday | 16:30–18:00 | 16:30–18:00 | 16:30–18:00 | 16:30–18:00 | 16:35–18:05 |
Note: Times are approximate for an equinox day. Actual timings shift by 5–20 minutes based on season and exact sunrise.
Activities to Avoid
Do not start a new business, sign legal contracts, perform marriage rituals, begin long-distance travel, purchase property or vehicles, take an oath, or commence formal worship during Rahu Kalam. However, ongoing tasks already in progress are unaffected — Rahu Kalam only blocks new beginnings.
Yamagandam and Gulika Kalam
Two related inauspicious periods are observed alongside Rahu Kalam. Yamagandam is ruled by Yama, the lord of death, and lasts another 1.5 hours each day in a different slot. Gulika Kalam is ruled by Gulika, the son of Saturn — surprisingly, anything started during Gulika tends to repeat itself, so it is favourable for permanent installations like idol consecration but inauspicious for medical treatment or debt taking.
Exceptions and Remedies
If a task absolutely cannot be postponed, chant the Durga mantra "Om Dum Durgayei Namaha" or the Rahu beeja mantra "Om Bhraam Bhreem Bhroum Sah Rahave Namaha" 108 times beforehand. Light a sesame oil lamp and offer blue flowers to Goddess Durga. Tuesdays and Saturdays are the most powerful days for Rahu remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Rahu Kalam observed at night?
A: Classically only during day; some traditions also calculate a night Rahu Kalam.
Q: Can I eat during Rahu Kalam?
A: Yes, eating and routine activities are unaffected.
Q: Does Rahu Kalam apply to job interviews?
A: Yes — avoid scheduling important interviews in this window.
Q: Is Rahu Kalam same everywhere?
A: No, it depends on local sunrise and sunset, so it varies by city.