Why Configuration Matters
Jagannatha Hora is among the most capable free astrology software available, supporting both traditional Vedic and KP Astrology methods. But its power creates complexity. Out of the box, the software defaults to traditional Vedic settings. Using it for KP work requires specific configuration changes.
These changes are not cosmetic. The wrong ayanamsa shifts all planetary and cuspal positions. The wrong house system produces entirely different house cusps. The wrong calculation options omit the Sub-Lord data that makes KP analysis possible. Getting the configuration right is prerequisite to accurate KP work.
This guide walks through each essential setting. Follow it once, save your preferences, and the software will serve KP analysis reliably from then on.
Downloading and Installing
Jagannatha Hora is available free from the developer’s website. The software runs natively on Windows. For Linux and Mac users, Wine or similar compatibility layers are required.
Download the latest version. Run the installer. Accept defaults unless you have specific reasons to change installation location. Once installed, launch the software before proceeding to configuration.
If you encounter font display issues after installation, the font error fix guide addresses common problems. If location lookup fails, the location troubleshooting guide provides solutions.
Setting the Ayanamsa
The ayanamsa determines the offset between tropical and sidereal zodiac positions. KP Astrology uses specific ayanamsa values developed by Prof. Krishnamurti.
In Jagannatha Hora, navigate to: Preferences → Related to Calculations → Ayanamsa
For KP work, select one of the following:
KP Old Ayanamsa (Krishnamurti Original): The values published by Prof. Krishnamurti in his original works. Some practitioners prefer this for consistency with classical KP texts.
KP New Ayanamsa (KPNA): Refined values that correct for precession more accurately. Most modern KP practitioners prefer this option for greater precision.
The difference between KP Old and KP New is small, typically a few arc-minutes. However, since Sub divisions operate at the arc-minute level, even small differences can shift sensitive cusps into different Subs. Choose one ayanamsa and use it consistently.
Do not use Lahiri ayanamsa for KP work unless you have specific reasons. While Lahiri is standard for traditional Vedic astrology, it differs from the KP ayanamsas enough to affect Sub-Lord calculations.
Setting the House System
KP Astrology uses the Placidus house system. This is non-negotiable. The entire Sub-Lord methodology depends on Placidus cusps.
Navigate to: Preferences → Related to Calculations → House System
Select: Placidus
Placidus produces unequal houses based on the division of the diurnal arc. At extreme latitudes, some houses may span more than 30 degrees while others contract significantly. This is mathematically correct for Placidus and should not be “corrected.”
Some KP practitioners use Krishnamurti Paddhati (KP) house option if available in the software version. This is essentially Placidus with specific handling for polar regions. For most birth locations, Placidus and KP house options produce identical results.
Enabling KP Calculations
Jagannatha Hora can display KP-specific data, but these displays must be enabled.
Navigate to: Preferences → Related to Calculations
Enable the following options:
Show Nakshatras and Sub Lords: This displays the nakshatra and Sub position of each planet and cusp. Without this, you cannot see the Sub-Lord data essential for KP analysis.
Use KP Sub Lord Table: This ensures the software uses the unequal Sub divisions rather than equal ninefold divisions.
Under chart display options, you may also want to enable the significator table, which shows each planet’s significations according to KP methodology. This saves manual calculation during analysis.
Chart Style Preferences
Navigate to: Preferences → Chart Style
KP practitioners typically prefer either North Indian or South Indian chart styles. The choice is personal and does not affect calculations. Use whichever style you read most easily.
Enable display of planetary degrees if not already shown. KP analysis frequently requires knowing exact degree positions, especially for determining which Sub a planet or cusp occupies.
Setting Default Location and Time Zone
For your own chart or frequently-used locations, setting a default saves time.
Navigate to: Preferences → Default Location
Enter your city or the location you most frequently cast charts for. The software includes an extensive location database with latitude, longitude, and time zone data.
Verify that the time zone is correct for the location. Time zone errors produce birth time errors, which corrupt all calculations. For historical charts, be aware that time zones and daylight saving rules have changed over the years.
Saving Your Configuration
After making all settings changes, save your configuration.
Navigate to: Preferences → Save Current Settings
This preserves your configuration for future sessions. Without saving, you may need to reconfigure each time you launch the software.
Some users maintain multiple configuration profiles for different purposes, such as traditional Vedic and KP analysis. If your version supports profiles, you can save a dedicated KP profile and switch to it when needed.
Verifying Your Setup
Before relying on the software for serious analysis, verify that configuration is correct.
Cast a test chart, either your own or a chart with known details. Check the following:
Planetary positions should match other reliable sources using the same ayanamsa. Small differences (seconds of arc) are normal due to ephemeris precision. Differences of degrees indicate a configuration problem.
House cusps should reflect Placidus calculations. If houses are all exactly 30 degrees, Placidus is not active. Check the house system setting.
Sub-Lord data should be visible for each cusp. If you see only sign and nakshatra but no Sub-Lord, enable the KP display options.
The significator table, if enabled, should list planets and their house significations according to KP methodology.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Cusps showing different Sub-Lords than expected: Check ayanamsa setting. The difference between Lahiri and KP ayanamsa is enough to shift Sub-Lords in sensitive positions.
Significators not matching manual calculation: Verify that the software is using the same significator priority you expect. Some versions allow configuration of which significator levels to include.
Location not found: The software’s location database may not include every city. You can enter latitude and longitude manually if the city search fails.
Dates before 1900 showing errors: Older versions may have limited ephemeris data for historical dates. Ensure you are using a current version with extended ephemeris.
Beyond Basic Configuration
Once basic KP configuration is complete, Jagannatha Hora offers additional features for advanced work.
Divisional chart settings can be configured for KP analysis, though divisional charts are used less in KP than in traditional Vedic work.
Transit and Dasha displays can be configured to show KP-relevant information, helping with timing analysis.
The horary module supports the 1-249 number system, allowing you to cast KP horary charts without manual conversion.
As your practice develops, explore these additional features. The software is capable of supporting advanced KP work, but mastering basic configuration comes first.
This article is part of the software guidance series. For detailed significator analysis using Jagannatha Hora, see the significators guide. For birth time rectification using the software, see the rectification guide.