kundali

Kundali, often referred to as janam kundli or birth chart, is a diagram used in Indian astrology to map the positions of the planets at the exact time and place of a person’s birth. It is considered a personalized celestial snapshot intended to illuminate patterns in temperament, opportunities, challenges, and life events.

A kundali is prepared from essential birth data: date, time, and place of birth. The chart typically includes the twelve houses (bhava) and the twelve signs (rashis), with the positions of the seven classical planets, along with the Sun and Moon, and often the lunar nodes Rahu and Ketu. Contemporary practice may also incorporate planetary aspects, yogas (combinations), and dasha systems, which are time-based predictive methods.

There are regional and school variations in how a kundali is drawn and interpreted. Common forms are designed to display the same celestial information in slightly different layouts, but all aim to reveal the ascendant (lagna), the planetary strengths, and the relationships between planets and houses. Readings are carried out by astrologers to derive personality traits, career tendencies, health alerts, relationships, and timing of events.

One well-known use of kundali is matchmaking for marriage, where horoscopic compatibility is assessed through a guna milan analysis and other criteria. Beyond prediction, kundalis guide decisions such as marriage timing, education choices, and muhurta (auspicious moments).

Critics note that kundali-based forecasts lack scientific validation and rely on symbolic interpretation. Proponents view it as a traditional framework for self-reflection and decision-making within cultural contexts.