Rahu Kaal today (Rahu Kalam)

Rahu Kaal, also written Rahu Kalam or Rahukalam, is a daily period of about 90 minutes ruled by Rahu, which Hindu tradition considers unsuitable for starting new work. The time from sunrise to sunset is divided into eight equal parts, and the weekday decides which part is Rahu Kaal.

With a 6:00 am sunrise and 6:00 pm sunset, the parts fall as below. Real times shift with each city's sunrise and sunset.

Tradition advises against beginning new ventures, signing agreements, starting journeys, griha pravesh, buying property or vehicles, and beginning ceremonies in Rahu Kaal. Work already in progress can continue, and prayer, especially to Durga or to Rahu, is considered fine.

All three are one eighth of the daytime, and each weekday places them in different parts. Rahu Kaal is the most widely observed. Yamaganda, ruled by Yama, is also avoided for new starts, and Gulika (Gulika Kalam) is considered unfavourable for beginnings, though some families treat it as acceptable for routine work. Durmuhurtam is a separate, shorter muhurta that is also avoided.