Updated November 2026. This is a traditional-knowledge explainer. It is not scientific, medical, financial or legal advice.
Choghadiya (also written Chaughadiya or Chogadiya, from chau, four, and ghadi, a traditional unit of about 24 minutes) is a traditional way of dividing the day into short periods and labelling each one as favourable or unfavourable. It is most popular in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra and is often shown next to the panchang in calendars and apps. This guide explains the seven names, the weekday order and how to read a table.
The seven Choghadiya names
| Name | Traditional meaning | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Amrit | Nectar | Very favourable |
| Shubh | Auspicious | Favourable |
| Labh | Gain | Favourable, especially for business |
| Char | Moving | Neutral, suited to travel |
| Udveg | Anxiety | Unfavourable |
| Rog | Illness | Unfavourable |
| Kaal | Time (death) | Unfavourable |
How the day is divided
The period from sunrise to sunset is divided into eight equal parts. The first part carries a name that depends on the weekday, and then the other names follow in a fixed cycle: Udveg, Char, Labh, Amrit, Kaal, Shubh, Rog, and then Udveg again. Because the eight parts use only seven names, the first name of the day is repeated as the eighth part. The same idea of dividing daylight by eight is used by Rahu Kaal.
Daytime Choghadiya by weekday
The table gives the order of the eight parts from sunrise to sunset.
| Day | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Udveg | Char | Labh | Amrit | Kaal | Shubh | Rog | Udveg |
| Monday | Amrit | Kaal | Shubh | Rog | Udveg | Char | Labh | Amrit |
| Tuesday | Rog | Udveg | Char | Labh | Amrit | Kaal | Shubh | Rog |
| Wednesday | Labh | Amrit | Kaal | Shubh | Rog | Udveg | Char | Labh |
| Thursday | Shubh | Rog | Udveg | Char | Labh | Amrit | Kaal | Shubh |
| Friday | Char | Labh | Amrit | Kaal | Shubh | Rog | Udveg | Char |
| Saturday | Kaal | Shubh | Rog | Udveg | Char | Labh | Amrit | Kaal |
Worked example
Take a Thursday with sunrise at 07:00 and sunset at 17:00. Daylight is 10 hours, so each part lasts 1 hour 15 minutes. From the Thursday row of the table the order is: Shubh 07:00 to 08:15, Rog 08:15 to 09:30, Udveg 09:30 to 10:45, Char 10:45 to 12:00, Labh 12:00 to 13:15, Amrit 13:15 to 14:30, Kaal 14:30 to 15:45 and Shubh again 15:45 to 17:00. On that day a person following the custom would prefer the early morning, midday or early afternoon for something new, and avoid the Rog, Udveg and Kaal parts.
Night Choghadiya
The night, from sunset to the next sunrise, is also split into eight equal parts, but it uses a different order of names from the day. Almanacs print both tables, since a task at night, such as starting a journey, will use the night table.
Reading the table
Each column of the table is one part of the day, counted from sunrise. To use it, first find your local sunrise and sunset for the date, work out the length of one part (daylight divided by eight), and then add that length repeatedly to the sunrise time. The weekday row then tells you which name falls in each window. Beginners often forget that the day starts at sunrise: before sunrise, the previous day's night table still applies.
How people use it
In practice people look at Choghadiya in a few situations. Traders in western India check it before opening a new account book or starting a business day, travellers consult it before leaving on a journey, and families use it when picking a time for buying a vehicle, gold or a home appliance. The usual preference is Amrit first, then Shubh and Labh; Char is accepted for trips because the word means "moving". People avoid starting something new in Udveg, Rog and Kaal, though ongoing work is not usually stopped.
Why regional differences exist
Different communities attach slightly different meaning to each name. For example, some families regard Labh as best for commerce and Amrit as best for anything auspicious, while others reverse the preference for certain tasks. A priest or a family elder will usually settle such questions, and a printed almanac in your language will normally describe the local convention.
Choghadiya and other timing systems
- Rahu Kaal, Yamaganda, Gulika: three unfavourable periods; see the calculator.
- Hora: divides day and night into 24 planetary hours, each ruled by a planet in a fixed order.
- Abhijit Muhurta: a short window around local noon considered favourable on most days.
- Panchang elements: see the panchang guide.
Practical tips
- Use Choghadiya as a convenience for picking a reasonable window, not as a rule that overrides practical needs such as flight times or exam schedules.
- When two systems disagree, most families follow the one tradition of their region and community.
- For religious ceremonies, ask the priest, who will usually use a full muhurta calculation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Choghadiya?
Traditionally Amrit is the best, followed by Shubh and Labh. Char is considered fine for travel. Udveg, Rog and Kaal are avoided for new beginnings.
Is Choghadiya the same as Rahu Kaal?
No. They are separate systems that both divide the day into eight parts. Choghadiya names each part by quality, while Rahu Kaal marks a single part per day as unfavourable.
How long is each Choghadiya?
One eighth of the time from sunrise to sunset, usually about 90 minutes in the middle of the year in India, and shorter in winter.
How is the night Choghadiya different?
The night, from sunset to the next sunrise, is divided into eight parts in the same way, but the order of names starts from a different point from the day order.
Does Choghadiya have scientific support?
No. It is a custom from Gujarat and nearby regions, used to pick convenient times for travel, purchases and ceremonies.