What is Rahu Kaal and should I avoid it?
Rahu Kaal is a roughly 90-minute period each day, ruled by the shadow planet Rahu, traditionally avoided for starting anything new, journeys, purchases, signing, or auspicious ceremonies. It is one-eighth of the daylight, so its clock time changes with the city's sunrise and sunset and with the weekday. Ongoing work is fine; only new beginnings are discouraged.
The daylight from sunrise to sunset is divided into eight equal parts, and one of them is Rahu Kaal, its position rotating by weekday. Because it depends on the exact sunrise and sunset, Rahu Kaal in Delhi and in Chennai on the same day are different clock times, which is why a location-specific timing matters.
In practice, most people simply avoid launching new ventures, muhurats and travel during the window and carry on with routine tasks. If an important act is unavoidable during Rahu Kaal, the Abhijit Muhurta near midday is considered strong enough to offset most timing doshas.
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Frequently asked questions
What happens if I travel during Rahu Kaal?
Tradition advises against beginning a journey in Rahu Kaal, but continuing an already-started trip is not a concern. Many treat it as a soft caution rather than a hard rule.
Is Rahu Kaal the same everywhere?
No. It is tied to local sunrise and sunset, so it varies by city and by date. Always use the timing for your own location.