Choghadiya

Choghadiya, also known as Chogadia or Chaturshtika Muhurat, is a time-division system in Vedic astrology used to find auspicious and inauspicious periods of the day. Traditionally, it was used to choose the right time to start travel, but today it helps determine the best Muhurat for any new work, puja, or ceremony. Choghadiya divides the day and night into eight equal parts based on sunrise and sunset. Each part is ruled by a planet that determines whether the Choghadiya is auspicious (Shubh, Labh, Amrit, Chal) or inauspicious (Rog, Kaal, Udveg).

In the Hindu system, the time between sunrise and sunset is divided into 30 Ghatis. For Choghadiya, this period is further divided into eight equal parts, each about four Ghatis long. Hence, the name ‘Choghadiya’ comes from ‘Cho’ (four) and ‘Ghadiya’ (Ghatis). The same calculation applies at night, from sunset to sunrise, creating eight night Choghadiyas. Thus, there are 16 Choghadiya Muhurats in a full day — eight for day and eight for night.

There are seven types of Choghadiya — four good and three bad. The auspicious Choghadiyas are:

• Amrit – most auspicious, ruled by the Moon.
• Shubh – good for ceremonies, ruled by Jupiter.
• Labh – beneficial for learning, ruled by Mercury.
• Char – favorable for travel, ruled by Venus. The inauspicious ones are:
• Rog – ruled by Mars, linked to conflict.
• Kaal – ruled by Saturn, brings delays.
• Udveg – ruled by Sun, causes tension. Knowing these helps select the best time for success in different activities.

Day Choghadiya (Din Choghadiya) covers the time between sunrise and sunset, while Night Choghadiya (Ratri Choghadiya) spans from sunset to the next sunrise. The sequence of good and bad Choghadiyas changes for day and night, depending on the planetary ruler of the day. Both are important for choosing auspicious times for travel, business openings, or pujas.

Vaar Vela, Kaal Vela, and Kaal Ratri are inauspicious periods according to Choghadiya. Vaar Vela and Kaal Vela occur during the day, while Kaal Ratri occurs at night. Any auspicious or Manglik work done during these times is not believed to yield positive results. Hence, astrologers advise avoiding these periods when selecting a Muhurat.

Each day’s first Choghadiya is ruled by the planet associated with that weekday:

• Sunday → Sun (Udveg)
• Monday → Moon (Amrit)
• Tuesday → Mars (Rog)
• Wednesday → Mercury (Labh)
• Thursday → Jupiter (Shubh)
• Friday → Venus (Char)
• Saturday → Saturn (Kaal) The sequence of planets repeats cyclically throughout the day and night, determining whether each Choghadiya is auspicious or inauspicious.

Amrit Choghadiya is one of the most auspicious time periods in the Choghadiya chart. It is ruled by the Moon, symbolizing calmness, purity, and emotional balance. It is favorable for almost all activities — starting a business, performing rituals, or initiating projects. This time brings peace, success, and prosperity when used for important work.

Shubh Choghadiya is ruled by Jupiter, the planet of wisdom and fortune. It is extremely favorable for ceremonies, especially marriages and family events. Activities begun during Shubh Choghadiya bring growth, happiness, and long-term benefits. It is highly recommended for pujas, property purchases, and other auspicious undertakings.

Labh Choghadiya, governed by Mercury, represents profit, learning, and success. It is ideal for education, skill development, or business ventures. Since Mercury governs intellect and communication, this period enhances clarity, learning, and efficiency. Many people choose Labh Choghadiya for signing contracts or launching new projects.

Char Choghadiya, influenced by Venus, signifies mobility, charm, and prosperity. Because of Venus’s dynamic nature, it is perfect for travel, relocation, or ventures requiring flexibility. Activities such as journeys, vehicle purchases, or moving homes during this time bring comfort and favorable results.

Kaal Choghadiya is an inauspicious period ruled by Saturn, associated with delays and obstacles. No auspicious or Manglik work should begin during this time. However, it suits disciplined, long-term, or financial tasks such as planning and saving. It teaches patience and perseverance, qualities linked with Saturn.

Rog Choghadiya, ruled by Mars, is tied to aggression and conflict. It is inauspicious for peaceful or sacred activities, but suitable for bold, competitive tasks like legal battles or contests. Avoid weddings, new ventures, and rituals during this time, as it may cause instability or disputes.

Udveg Choghadiya is ruled by the Sun and is generally unfavorable due to the Sun’s fiery, authoritative nature. It symbolizes stress, urgency, and restlessness. Hence, personal and religious works should not begin during this period. However, it is suitable for government work, official meetings, or authority-related tasks.

If an auspicious Choghadiya overlaps with Rahu Kaal, the time becomes inauspicious for starting new or sacred work. Rahu Kaal, ruled by the shadow planet Rahu, is malefic and may cause delays or negative results. Although ancient texts rarely mention Rahu Kaal, modern astrologers recommend avoiding this overlap, especially in South India, where Rahu Kaal is strictly observed.

Yes, sometimes an auspicious Choghadiya can overlap with Vara Vela, Kala Vela, or Kala Ratri, which are unfavorable periods. Even if marked as good, the overlapping influence makes it unsuitable for new or sacred work. Any auspicious task performed during these times may not yield desired results. Hence, when selecting a Choghadiya Muhurat, these Vela periods should be carefully avoided.