What is Choghadiya, when is it used?

Choghadiya (also spelled Choghadiya Muhurat) is a traditional Indian system of dividing the day and night into segments to determine auspicious and inauspicious times for starting important tasks. It is primarily used in Hindu astrology and is popular in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, though widely recognized across India.

🔹 Meaning of “Choghadiya”

The word Choghadiya comes from the Sanskrit:

“Cho” means four

“Ghadiya” means hour (an ancient time unit, roughly 24 minutes)

So, Choghadiya means a period of four Ghadis, which equals approximately 96 minutes.

🔹 Types of Choghadiya

There are seven types of Choghadiyas, categorized into auspicious, neutral, and inauspicious:

Choghadiya Name Nature Meaning Amrit Very Auspicious Best for all important work Shubh Auspicious Good for new beginnings Labh Auspicious Profitable and beneficial Chal Neutral Acceptable for routine tasks Udveg Inauspicious Avoid for new ventures Rog Inauspicious Brings illness or conflict Kaal Inauspicious Brings loss or failure

🔹 When is Choghadiya Used?

People refer to Choghadiya Muhurat when selecting the best time for:

Starting a new business

Buying property or a vehicle

Traveling or starting a journey

Signing contracts

Performing pujas or rituals

🔹 Types of Time Periods

The day is divided into:

Day Choghadiya — from sunrise to sunset

Night Choghadiya — from sunset to next sunrise

Each period is further split into 8 Choghadiyas, which vary daily depending on the time of sunrise and sunset.

🔹 How to Find Choghadiya Today?

You can check the current day’s Choghadiya using:

Hindu Panchangs (almanacs)

Astrology mobile apps and websites (Check here)

Local calendars or newspapers