Avoid window

Bhadra Karana (Vishti)भद्रा करण (विष्टि)

Vishti karana ruled by Shani; forbidden for auspicious work — Ravana allegedly began Lanka war during Bhadra.

Timing

Occurs eight times each lunar month — falls on specific halves of Tithis 4, 8, 11, 15 of Shukla and 3, 7, 10, 14 of Krishna paksha

Duration

Half a tithi, approximately 6-7 hours depending on lunar speed

Ruled by

Shani (Saturn); personified as Bhadra, the fierce daughter of Surya and sister of Yama

Best for

✓Court cases and litigation filing
✓Surgical procedures and medical interventions
✓Tantric sadhana and Shani upasana
✓Debt recovery and aggressive negotiations
✓Demolition and old-structure removal
✓Pest control and exorcism rites

Avoid

✗Marriage and engagement ceremonies
✗Griha pravesh and house warming
✗Mundan, upanayana, and samskara rites
✗Business inauguration and shop opening
✗New vehicle or jewelry purchase
✗Rakhi tying (especially Bhadra during Raksha Bandhan)
✗Holika Dahan if Bhadra falls on Phalgun Purnima
✗Long-distance travel and pilgrimage start

Spiritual Significance

Bhadra is enshrined in Muhurta Chintamani and Brihat Samhita as the malefic karana embodying Shani-tattva — slow, obstructive, and karmically retributive. Born from Surya and Chhaya, she was granted dominion over the seventh karana to test mortal discipline. Her body parts (mukha, kantha, hridaya, nabhi, kati, puchha) each carry differential intensity, with mukha-bhadra (face-phase) being most destructive. Performing auspicious acts during Bhadra is said to invite asura-prabhava, hence the strict Sanatani injunction that any act done during Bhadra becomes fruitless.

How to Calculate

Bhadra occupies the second half of Shukla 4, 11 and first half of Shukla 8, 15; second half of Krishna 3, 10 and first half of Krishna 7, 14. Compute by dividing tithi into two karanas of 6 degrees each lunar elongation; Vishti is the 7th of 11 karanas. Determine body-part (anga) by day of week: Bhadra-mukha during day vs night varies by Sun-Moon position.

Modern Application

Drikpanchang and ePanchang apps push Bhadra alerts before Raksha Bandhan and Holika Dahan annually; 2023 saw nationwide deferral of rakhi tying to post-Bhadra muhurta. Corporate muhurta consultants advise CXOs against signing M&A documents during Bhadra. Hindu marriage registration portals auto-grey Bhadra slots. Some Shani temples conduct special abhisheka during Bhadra for karmic relief.

Today's Bhadra Karana (Vishti) in your local time

Live panchang shows today's exact timing for your city.

Today's panchang →All muhurats

Related muhurats

Rahu Kalam →Yamaganda Kalam →Gulika Kalam →