How is Muhurat calculated in Hindu Astrology? – Calculation of Muhurtham

Muhurat, or Muhurtham, is an auspicious time for undertaking a new work in Hinduism. Muhurat is an important branch of Hindu astrology.

Each Muhurat has duration of 48 minutes.

Muhurtham is based on astrological factors such as tithi, vara, nakshatra and yoga which decide the auspicious time for certain events and sacraments.

Auspicious time in Hindu astrology is commonly use for pre-natal and post-natal ceremonies, such as marriage, nisheka, pumsavana, semantha, namakaran, and education beginning with upanayana. It is also considered while making new purchases, starting agricultural work, transaction of money, and entering a newly built house to live in it.

Tithi, each day of the waxing and waning moon, are classified as benefic and malefic. The 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 12th and 30th tithis are generally avoided.

Nakshatras (birth stars) are classified in several ways, and some nakshatras ar considered good for specific purposes.

Among the days (vara), Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays are not regarded as good.

Combinations of tithi-vara, tithi-nakshatra and nakshatra-vara are considered for fixing auspicious Muhurat.

Chandra bala, tara bala and guru bala play an important role at all functions and ceremonies of nativity and should always be considered for the thread ceremony, marriage and griha pravesh (entering one’s own house for the first time). In the case of upanayana, the father of the child who starts studies (vatu) should have ravi bala. For marriages, both the groom and the bride should have Chandra or tara bala.

Lagna, panchaka, yoga, karana, kacara, yogini, tyajya, rahu kalam and yamaganda are some of the other factors to be examined while fixing muhurta for a specific activity.

An astrology who resides in the region where the function is to be held should be consulted. Sunrise in the region plays a very significant role in deciding the Muhurtham.

Bibliography
Muhurtha (1986) BV RAman - IBH Prakashan
Encyclopedia of Hinduism Volume VII page 214 - 15 - IHRF