Panchang Do's and Don'ts
Daily guide to auspicious and inauspicious activities based on Hindu Panchang elements
Rahu Kalam
Duration: ~1.5 hours daily • Timing varies by day of week
Avoid During Rahu Kalam
- • Starting a new business or venture
- • Signing contracts or agreements
- • Beginning a journey (especially long-distance)
- • Conducting wedding ceremonies or engagements
- • Purchasing property, vehicles, or expensive items
- • Starting new medical treatment
Acceptable During Rahu Kalam
- • Continuing ongoing work (work started before Rahu Kalam can continue)
- • Routine activities, eating, sleeping
- • Emergency travel and medical situations
- • Worship of Rahu (some traditions specifically worship Rahu during this time)
- • Chanting mantras and meditation
Yamagandam
Duration: ~1.5 hours daily • Timing varies by day of week
Avoid During Yamagandam
- • Starting important new work or ventures
- • Signing legal documents or deals
- • Beginning construction or foundation laying
- • Travel, especially by road
- • Major financial transactions
Acceptable During Yamagandam
- • Continuing work already in progress
- • Routine daily activities
- • Emergency situations
- • Prayer and worship
Gulika Kalam
Duration: ~1.5 hours daily • Timing varies by day of week
Avoid During Gulika Kalam
- • Starting auspicious ceremonies
- • Beginning new projects or endeavours
- • House warming (Griha Pravesh)
- • Starting a new job
Acceptable During Gulika Kalam
- • Routine activities
- • Continuing ongoing work
- • Shanti pujas (remedial worship — some traditions use Gulika Kalam for this)
Tithi-Based Activity Guide
Each Tithi (lunar day) has specific characteristics that make it suitable or unsuitable for certain activities.
| Tithi | Shukla Paksha | Krishna Paksha |
|---|---|---|
| Pratipada (1st) | Good for new beginnings, starting businesses | Good for introspection, planning |
| Dwitiya (2nd) | Auspicious for travel, foundation laying | Moderate — routine activities |
| Tritiya (3rd) | Very auspicious (especially Akshaya Tritiya) | Good for spiritual practices |
| Chaturthi (4th) | Rikta Tithi — avoid for auspicious work; Ganesha worship | Sankashti fast — Ganesha worship |
| Panchami (5th) | Good for education, learning, arts | Good for learning, completing tasks |
| Shashthi (6th) | Good for travel, Kartikeya worship | Moderate |
| Saptami (7th) | Auspicious for travel, vehicles, Sun worship | Moderate |
| Ashtami (8th) | Mixed — Durga Ashtami is auspicious; generally avoid new starts | Generally inauspicious for major activities |
| Navami (9th) | Rikta Tithi — avoid; Ram Navami exception | Inauspicious for new beginnings |
| Dashami (10th) | Auspicious — Vijaya Dashami is very powerful | Moderate |
| Ekadashi (11th) | Highly auspicious — fasting day for Vishnu | Highly auspicious — fasting day for Vishnu |
| Dwadashi (12th) | Good for ceremonies, Parana time | Moderate |
| Trayodashi (13th) | Good — Pradosh Vrat | Good — Pradosh Vrat for Shiva |
| Chaturdashi (14th) | Rikta Tithi — generally inauspicious | Maha Shivaratri — powerful for Shiva worship |
| Purnima / Amavasya (15th) | Purnima — auspicious for charity, puja, and celebrations | Amavasya — ancestor worship, avoid new starts |
Nakshatra-Based Activity Recommendations
The 27 Nakshatras are grouped by nature, and each group favours different types of activities.
Fixed (Sthira) Nakshatras
Rohini, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha, Uttara Bhadrapada
Best for: Foundation laying, construction, planting trees, buying property, long-term investments
Movable (Chara) Nakshatras
Punarvasu, Swati, Shravana, Dhanishta, Shatabhisha
Best for: Travel, vehicle purchase, starting journeys, moving to a new house
Soft (Mridu) Nakshatras
Mrigashira, Chitra, Anuradha, Revati
Best for: Arts, music, dance, wearing new clothes, romance, marriage, learning
Sharp (Tikshna) Nakshatras
Ardra, Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Moola
Best for: Surgery, demolition, competitive activities, tantra. Avoid auspicious ceremonies.
Light (Kshipra) Nakshatras
Ashwini, Pushya, Hasta, Abhijit
Best for: Quick tasks, medicine, trade, travel, wearing ornaments. Pushya is considered the most auspicious.
Day-of-Week Guidance
| Day | Ruler | Good For | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday (Ravivar) | Surya (Sun) | Government work, authority matters, health treatments, father-related activities | Travel to the east |
| Monday (Somvar) | Chandra (Moon) | Starting new work, agriculture, water-related, mother-related activities | Travel to the east |
| Tuesday (Mangalvar) | Mangal (Mars) | Property matters, surgery, competitive activities, Hanuman worship | Travel to the south, weddings (in many traditions) |
| Wednesday (Budhvar) | Budha (Mercury) | Education, business, communication, writing, trade, accounts | Travel to the south |
| Thursday (Guruvar) | Guru (Jupiter) | Education, religious activities, starting new ventures, marriage, wearing new clothes | Haircuts (in some traditions) |
| Friday (Shukravar) | Shukra (Venus) | Marriage, romance, buying clothes/jewelry, arts, entertainment, Lakshmi worship | Travel to the west |
| Saturday (Shanivar) | Shani (Saturn) | Iron/steel work, oil-related, legal matters, Shani worship, donating to the poor | Travel to the west, starting new ventures, buying property (in some traditions) |
Important: These guidelines apply to planned, voluntary activities. Emergency situations, medical needs, and life-saving decisions should never be delayed due to Panchang restrictions. Hindu tradition itself makes this exception clear.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start new work during Rahu Kalam if there is no other option?
If there is absolutely no alternative time, some traditions suggest chanting the Rahu Beej Mantra ("Om Bhraam Bhreem Bhraum Sah Rahave Namah") before beginning. However, it is generally strongly recommended to reschedule if possible. Rahu Kalam restrictions apply primarily to initiating new activities — continuing ongoing work is acceptable.
Which Tithis are considered Rikta (barren)?
Chaturthi (4th), Navami (9th), and Chaturdashi (14th) are classified as Rikta Tithis — they are considered inauspicious for starting new ventures, marriages, and major ceremonies. However, specific religious observances on these Tithis (like Ganesha Chaturthi, Ram Navami, Maha Shivaratri on Chaturdashi) are exceptions and are considered highly auspicious.
Do these rules apply to emergency situations?
No. Hindu scriptures and Panchang tradition explicitly state that emergency and life-saving situations override all astrological considerations. Medical emergencies, urgent travel, and critical decisions should never be delayed due to Rahu Kalam, inauspicious Tithis, or any other Panchang restriction. The guidelines are for planned, voluntary activities.