Certain period in a day are considered inauspicious or bad as per Hindu astrology. No functions are performed during the time. Those people that strictly follow astrology also do not buy or sell anything during the period. The inauspicious times in a day are:
- Rahukalam
- Yamagandam
- Gulikai
- Durmuhurtham
- Varjyam
The duration of the inauspicious period is from 1 hour to 1.5 hours. They also overlap. for example Gulikai will be present when there is Varjyam.
A day as per Hindu astrology a day is calculated from sunrise to sunset. So the above said bad period can overlap into the next day of the Gregorian calendar or general English calendar followed. For example Varjyam will be from 4:00 AM to 5:00 AM on August 4, 20129. This as per Hindu astrology is the time for August 3, 2012 as the day is yet to end.
Rahukalam is only followed in South India . In some regions it is constant. In some regions it is based on the sunrise time.
Time of Yamagandam, Gulikai, Durmuhurtham and Varjyam varies daily.
It must be noted that most Hindus ignore these inauspicious periods. It is only strictly followed by a minority.
Most Hindus look into the above said inauspicious time only when they have any special occasion at home.