Rahu Mahadasha: Duration, Antardashas and Remedies
Rahu (राहु) mahadasha lasts 18 years and is the 6th period in the 120-year Vimshottari cycle, after Mars and before Jupiter. Find the exact dates of yours below.
Rahu mahadasha at a glance
| Length | 18 years |
|---|---|
| Nakshatras ruled | Ardra, Swati, Shatabhisha |
| Nature | Shadow / Illusion |
| Element | Air |
| Governs | obsession, foreign lands, technology, illusion, sudden events |
| Body parts | Brain, Entire body during illness |
| Day · colour · gemstone | N/A (observes Saturday) · Dark Blue / Grey · Hessonite Garnet |
| Deity | Rahu |
Antardashas inside Rahu mahadasha
Each antardasha lasts (mahadasha years × antardasha lord's years) ÷ 120. The sub-periods begin with Rahu itself and follow the Vimshottari order.
| Antardasha | Length | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Rahu–Rahu | 2 yrs 8 mo 12 d | 2 yrs 8 mo 12 d |
| Rahu–Jupiter | 2 yrs 4 mo 24 d | 5 yrs 1 mo 7 d |
| Rahu–Saturn | 2 yrs 10 mo 6 d | 7 yrs 11 mo 12 d |
| Rahu–Mercury | 2 yrs 6 mo 17 d | 10 yrs 5 mo 30 d |
| Rahu–Ketu | 1 yr 0 mo 19 d | 11 yrs 6 mo 18 d |
| Rahu–Venus | 3 yrs 0 mo 0 d | 14 yrs 6 mo 17 d |
| Rahu–Sun | 0 yrs 10 mo 25 d | 15 yrs 5 mo 12 d |
| Rahu–Moon | 1 yr 6 mo 0 d | 16 yrs 11 mo 12 d |
| Rahu–Mars | 1 yr 0 mo 19 d | 18 yrs 0 mo 0 d |
At what age does Rahu mahadasha run?
It depends on the dasha you were born into, which is set by your birth nakshatra's lord. Because the Moon's exact position decides how much of that first dasha was left at birth, the start is a range:
| Born in a nakshatra ruled by | Rahu mahadasha starts at age | Ends at age |
|---|---|---|
| Ketu | 43–50 | 61–68 |
| Venus | 23–43 | 41–61 |
| Sun | 17–23 | 35–41 |
| Moon | 7–17 | 25–35 |
| Mars | 0–7 | 18–25 |
| Rahu | From birth | 0–18 |
| Jupiter | 86–102 | 104–120 |
| Saturn | 67–86 | 85–104 |
| Mercury | 50–67 | 68–85 |
Ages are approximate ranges; the calculator above gives your exact dates. Windows starting after about age 100 are omitted.
Traditional remedies for Rahu mahadasha
The remedies below are the practices recorded for Rahu in this site's classical-source catalogue. They are devotional disciplines, not guarantees.
Mantras
- Om Rahave Namaha — Chant 108 times daily for 40 consecutive days
- Rahu Beej Mantra — Chant 108 times on Saturdays
- Durga Kavach — Recite on Saturdays (Markandeya Purana)
Fasting
- Fast on Saturdays — eat only after sunset
- Eat only coconut-based foods on the day of the fast
Donations
- Donate blue cloth, coconut, or mustard oil
- Give blankets or bedsheets to the homeless
- Donate to anti-addiction or rehabilitation organizations
Full vidhi, mantra text and step-by-step puja: Rahu remedies and mantra guide. For remedies matched to your own chart and life concerns, use the remedy finder.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Rahu mahadasha?
Rahu mahadasha lasts 18 years in the Vimshottari dasha system, which totals 120 years. It follows Mars mahadasha and is followed by Jupiter mahadasha.
Which birth nakshatras start with Rahu mahadasha?
Ardra, Swati, Shatabhisha are ruled by Rahu. If your Moon was in one of them at birth, your life began in Rahu mahadasha, with part of its 18 years already elapsed.
What is the first antardasha of Rahu mahadasha?
Rahu–Rahu: every mahadasha begins with the antardasha of its own lord (2 yrs 8 mo 12 d here), followed by the other eight planets in Vimshottari order.
Is Rahu mahadasha good or bad?
There is no single answer. Classical texts read a mahadasha from the planet's sign, house, aspects and the houses it rules in your own chart, and from the running antardasha. This page gives the timing; the planet's general significations are listed above.
How do I find out when my Rahu mahadasha starts and ends?
Enter your birth date, time and place in the calculator on this page. It gives your exact mahadasha and antardasha dates from the Moon's position at birth.