You have a date in mind. Maybe the family has proposed it, maybe the hall is available only then, maybe it simply feels right. Now you want to know if it is auspicious for marriage. This is one of the most common questions in traditional astrology, and also one of the most commonly answered with incomplete information.
What follows is a structured method to evaluate any marriage date. It does not require expensive software or consultation fees. It requires attention, a reliable Panchang, and the willingness to understand what each factor actually means.
What Makes a Date Shubh for Marriage
In the Panchang system, five elements determine the quality of any moment. These are Tithi (lunar day), Vara (weekday), Nakshatra (lunar mansion), Yoga (luni-solar combination), and Karana (half of a Tithi). For marriage specifically, two additional factors matter: the position of the Moon and whether certain inauspicious periods are active.
A date is considered favourable when most of these elements support the event. No date is perfect. The goal is to avoid serious defects and ensure the major factors align.
Tithi: The Lunar Day
Tithi represents the angle between the Sun and Moon. There are 30 Tithis in a lunar month, 15 in the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) and 15 in the waning phase (Krishna Paksha).
For marriage, the following Tithis are traditionally considered favourable: Dwitiya (2nd), Tritiya (3rd), Panchami (5th), Saptami (7th), Dashami (10th), Ekadashi (11th), and Trayodashi (13th) of Shukla Paksha. Some regional traditions also accept Shashti (6th) and Dwadashi (12th), though they are not universally preferred.
Avoid Amavasya (new moon), Purnima (full moon), Chaturthi (4th), Ashtami (8th), Navami (9th), and Chaturdashi (14th) for marriage ceremonies. These Tithis carry either instability or excessive energy that does not support the beginning of marital life.
Krishna Paksha is generally avoided for marriage, though regional customs vary. If circumstances force a Krishna Paksha date, ensure other factors are strongly favourable.
Vara: The Weekday
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are considered suitable for marriage. Each carries specific qualities. Monday belongs to the Moon and supports emotional bonding. Wednesday, ruled by Mercury, favours communication and intellectual compatibility. Thursday, Jupiter’s day, is considered most auspicious for religious ceremonies and long-term prosperity. Friday, under Venus, supports love, beauty, and marital harmony.
Tuesday and Saturday are traditionally avoided. Tuesday carries Mars energy, which can introduce conflict. Saturday belongs to Saturn and may bring delays or hardships in early married life. Sunday is acceptable in some traditions but not universally preferred.
Nakshatra: The Lunar Mansion
The Nakshatra occupied by the Moon at the time of marriage is perhaps the most important Panchang factor. Certain Nakshatras are specifically recommended for Vivah Muhurat.
The most favourable Nakshatras for marriage are Rohini, Mrigashira, Magha, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Moola (with caution), Uttara Ashadha, Shravana, Dhanishta (first half), Uttara Bhadrapada, and Revati.
Certain Nakshatras should be avoided entirely. Bharani, Krittika (first pada), Ardra, Ashlesha, Purva Phalguni (in some traditions), Vishakha (last pada), Jyeshtha, Purva Ashadha, and Purva Bhadrapada carry energies that do not support marital beginnings.
Yoga: The Luni-Solar Combination
There are 27 Yogas formed by the combined longitude of Sun and Moon. For marriage, avoid Vyatipata, Vaidhriti, Parigha, Vishkumbha, Atiganda, Shoola, Ganda, Vajra, and Vyaghata. These Yogas carry difficult energies.
Favourable Yogas include Siddhi, Shubha, Shukla, Brahma, Indra, and Priti. If your chosen date falls under a moderately favourable or neutral Yoga, it can still work if other factors are strong.
Karana: The Half-Tithi
Karana is half of a Tithi. There are 11 Karanas, four of which are fixed and seven that repeat. For marriage, avoid Vishti (Bhadra) Karana entirely. This Karana appears eight times in a lunar month and is considered highly inauspicious for any auspicious beginning.
Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, and Garaja are favourable. Vanija and Shakuni are acceptable. The fixed Karanas, Chatushpada, Nagava, Kimstughna, and Shakuni, occur only once per month and are best avoided for marriage.
Inauspicious Periods to Avoid
Beyond the five Panchang elements, certain periods are avoided for marriage regardless of how favourable the day appears otherwise.
Rahu Kalam and Yamagandam: These daily inauspicious periods should not coincide with the Muhurat time. Rahu Kalam varies by weekday and lasts approximately 90 minutes. The marriage ceremony, particularly the Saptapadi or equivalent ritual, should not occur during this window.
Holashtak: The eight days preceding Holi are avoided for marriage. This period is considered unstable.
Pitru Paksha: The 15-day period for ancestral rites in the month of Bhadrapada is entirely avoided for marriages.
Adhik Maas: The intercalary month that occurs every few years is traditionally avoided, though practices vary by region.
Guru and Shukra Asta: When Jupiter or Venus is combust (too close to the Sun), marriages are traditionally avoided. Jupiter combustion lasts approximately one month; Venus combustion can last longer.
Chaturmas: The four months of the monsoon season (Ashadha to Kartik) are avoided in some traditions, though modern practice often disregards this except for specific communities.
The Moon’s Position in the Zodiac
Beyond Nakshatra, the Moon‘s sign placement matters. Moon in Taurus is considered excellent for marriage, as Moon is exalted there. Moon in Cancer, its own sign, is also highly favourable.
Avoid Moon in Scorpio (debilitation) for marriage. Moon in Aries or Leo can work but adds intensity. The Moon should ideally be waxing (Shukla Paksha) and free from close conjunction with malefic planets, particularly Saturn, Mars, Rahu, or Ketu.
A Practical Method to Check Any Date
Here is a step-by-step process you can follow for any date you are considering.
First, obtain the Panchang for that date from a reliable source. Drik Panchang, Prokerala, or any traditional regional Panchang will provide the necessary information. Note the Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana, and weekday. If you want a ready reference of auspicious marriage dates already evaluated by these criteria, that can serve as a starting point before you verify against your specific requirements.
Second, check if the date falls within any prohibited period: Pitru Paksha, Holashtak, Adhik Maas, or during Jupiter/Venus combustion. If yes, the date should ideally be reconsidered regardless of other factors.
Third, evaluate each Panchang element. Score the Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Yoga, and Karana as favourable, neutral, or unfavourable. A date where three or more elements are favourable and none are severely unfavourable is workable.
Fourth, check the Moon’s sign and condition. Moon in a friendly sign, waxing, and unafflicted strengthens the date considerably.
Fifth, identify Rahu Kalam and Yamagandam for that day. Ensure your proposed ceremony time avoids these windows.
What If No Perfect Date Exists
In practice, perfect dates are rare. You may face situations where the venue is available only on a particular weekend, or family circumstances dictate a specific timeframe. This is normal.
The principle of Muhurat selection is optimization, not perfection. A date with a difficult Yoga but excellent Tithi, Nakshatra, and weekday can still be used. A date with Vishti Karana during part of the day can work if the ceremony itself occurs outside that Karana.
What should be avoided at all costs: marriage during Pitru Paksha, during Jupiter or Venus combustion if you follow traditional guidelines, during Vishti Karana at the exact time of the main ritual, or when the Moon is severely afflicted.
For everything else, weigh the factors and make a reasoned decision. A marriage founded on compatibility, commitment, and genuine affection will thrive despite minor Panchang defects. Muhurat provides a supportive beginning, but it does not determine the entire course of married life.
The Limits of Date Selection
Muhurat selection works within the framework of what is already promised in the individual horoscopes. If both partners have strong indicators for marriage and compatibility, a good Muhurat enhances the auspicious beginning. If the natal charts indicate challenges, Muhurat cannot override those fundamental patterns.
Similarly, Muhurat selection does not replace compatibility analysis. The Panchang tells you about the quality of the moment. It does not tell you whether two individuals are suited for each other. These are separate considerations, and both matter.
For those working with KP Astrology, the natal chart analysis through Sub-Lord theory provides insights into marriage promise and timing that complement Muhurat selection. The two systems address different questions. Muhurat asks, “Is this moment favourable?” KP asks, “What is promised in this chart, and when will it manifest?”
Regional Variations in Practice
Marriage Muhurat practices vary significantly across India and among different communities. North Indian traditions may emphasize certain Nakshatras that South Indian traditions consider acceptable but not ideal. Bengali practices differ from Gujarati practices.
The guidelines in this article represent a mainstream synthesis. For family ceremonies, it is wise to consult elders or a family priest who understands your specific tradition. The fundamental principles remain consistent, but specific applications vary.
What matters most is consistency. Choose a framework and apply it consistently rather than mixing incompatible traditions or second-guessing every detail.
Using This Information Wisely
The purpose of Muhurat selection is to begin an important chapter of life under favourable cosmic conditions. It is one factor among many that contribute to a successful marriage. The others include mutual respect, shared values, family support, financial stability, and the willingness to grow together through challenges.
If you find yourself anxious about every Panchang detail, step back. The tradition of Muhurat selection is meant to provide confidence, not create paralysis. A good-enough date chosen with clarity is better than endless deliberation in search of perfection.
For those who want to understand why certain predictions fail or how to approach astrology without unnecessary anxiety, the broader question of fate versus free will provides important context. Astrology, including Muhurat, is a tool for awareness and timing. It is not a replacement for good judgment or genuine effort in building a life together.
Check your date. Understand the factors. Make your decision with confidence. And then focus on what truly matters: the relationship itself.