A muhurat is chosen from the five limbs of the panchang — tithi, nakshatra, vaar (weekday), yoga and karana — plus the rising sign (lagna) at the moment. This bilingual guide gives each Hindi or Sanskrit term with its English meaning and what to check, so a panchang in either language can be read with confidence. No muhurat “brand” or software is needed; the rules are classical.
Key terms
| Term (Hindi/Sanskrit) | English meaning | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Muhurat (मुहूर्त) | Auspicious time window | Chosen from the five panchang limbs plus lagna |
| Tithi (तिथि) | Lunar day | Avoid Rikta tithis (4th, 9th, 14th) for new starts |
| Nakshatra (नक्षत्र) | Lunar mansion | Fixed, soft or light nakshatras suit most beginnings |
| Vaar (वार) | Weekday | Match the weekday lord to the work |
| Yoga (योग) | Sun–Moon combination | Avoid Vyatipata and Vaidhriti |
| Karana (करण) | Half of a tithi | Avoid Vishti (Bhadra) |
| Lagna (लग्न) | Rising sign at the moment | A fixed lagna for lasting work |
| Rahu Kaal (राहु काल) | Rahu’s period of the day | Avoid for new starts |
| Abhijit (अभिजित) | Midday window around local noon | A good fallback on most days |
| Choghadiya (चौघड़िया) | Eight day and eight night slots | Amrit, Shubh and Labh are preferred |
How a muhurat is chosen
- Start with the panchang day: a good tithi, nakshatra and weekday for the work.
- Remove bad windows — Rahu Kaal, Vishti karana, Vyatipata or Vaidhriti yoga.
- Pick a lagna that suits the work and is strong for the people involved.
- For weddings and griha pravesh, check the couple’s or family’s charts as well.
Free tools
Today’s values are on the panchang, Rahu Kaal and choghadiya pages, computed for your own city.
Check your own chart
A free kundli shows your Moon nakshatra, planets and dasha. For a full reading of how this applies to you, book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What are the five limbs of the panchang?
Tithi, nakshatra, vaar (weekday), yoga and karana.
Which tithis are avoided for new starts?
The Rikta tithis — Chaturthi, Navami and Chaturdashi.
What is Abhijit muhurat?
A window around local midday, a good fallback on most days.
Is Rahu Kaal avoided for every activity?
It is avoided mainly for new beginnings.
Part of our guide: Muhurat & Festivals →
Want to know how this applies to your own chart? A personal reading checks the whole kundli and the dasha first.
Book a Consultation · ₹5,100 WhatsApp Dr. SharmaThis article is offered as general guidance in the Vedic tradition. Astrology is a tool for reflection and is not a substitute for professional medical, legal or financial advice.
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