Today's Sunrise & Sunset Calculator

In classical Vedic astrology (Jyotish), the Sun (Surya) is regarded as the Atmakaraka, the soul indicator, and the visible manifestation of divine cosmic law. Unlike civil calendars that reset at midnight, the authentic Vedic day (Ahoratra) commences at the exact second the upper limb of the Sun appears over the eastern horizon.

Every astrological framework, from the daily Panchang elements (Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana, and Vara) to dynamic Hora planetary hours and Choghadiya periods, is anchored to local sunrise. Because the Earth's axial tilt causes seasonal variations in daylight, computing high-precision sunrise and sunset for your exact latitude and longitude is essential for all spiritual, astrological, and daily activities.

Astronomical sunrise occurs when the apparent upper limb of the solar disc touches the horizon. Because Earth is wrapped in an atmosphere, light rays are bent upward through atmospheric refraction by approximately 34 arcminutes (0.5667 degrees) at sea level.

Combined with the angular semi-diameter of the solar disc (approximately 16 arcminutes or 0.2667 degrees), the geometric center of the Sun is actually 50 arcminutes (0.8333 degrees) below the true horizon when you observe sunrise. This calculator applies the standard NOAA astronomical zenith angle of 90.8333 degrees to deliver second-accurate timing.

The complete solar day (Ahoratra) consists of two dynamic components: Dina Mana (the duration of daylight from sunrise to sunset) and Ratri Mana (the duration of night from sunset to the next sunrise).

Classical texts divide Dina Mana into 15 equal daytime Muhurtas and Ratri Mana into 15 equal nighttime Muhurtas, totaling 30 Muhurtas. While a Muhurta averages 48 minutes during the equinoxes, its true length expands and contracts with the seasons. During summer in northern latitudes, daytime Muhurtas can exceed 55 minutes, while nighttime Muhurtas contract to under 41 minutes.

Brahma Muhurat is the 14th Muhurta of the night, spanning exactly two Muhurtas (96 to 48 minutes) before local sunrise. In yogic and Ayurvedic traditions, this quiet pre-dawn period contains the purest Sattvic energy in the atmosphere, making it the supreme window for meditation, Pranayama, mantra recitation, and deep study.

Three primary Sandhya transitions anchor daily spiritual practices:

• Pratah Sandhya: The morning twilight interval spanning 48 minutes before sunrise, dedicated to Gayatri Japa and dawn Surya Arghya.
• Madhyahna Sandhya: The solar midday transit when the Sun culminates at the local meridian, used for midday introspection.
• Sayahna Sandhya: The evening twilight spanning 48 minutes after sunset, designated for evening prayers, Sandhyavandanam, and lamp lighting.

Godhuli Muhurta covers approximately 24 minutes before sunset to 24 minutes after sunset. The name historically recalls the holy dust raised by cows returning from pasture under the warm amber glow of the setting Sun.

In Muhurta Shastra, Godhuli is considered an auspicious twilight window that softens minor astrological flaws and doshas in event charts, making it particularly valued for marriage ceremonies, housewarmings, and auspicious journeys.

Rahu Kaal is an inauspicious daytime interval governed by Rahu, the North Lunar Node. The total daytime duration (Dina Mana) is divided into 8 equal octants, with one octant assigned to Rahu depending on the day of the week:

• Sunday: 8th octant (late afternoon before sunset)
• Monday: 2nd octant (morning)
• Tuesday: 7th octant (mid-afternoon)
• Wednesday: 5th octant (midday around solar noon)
• Thursday: 6th octant (early afternoon)
• Friday: 4th octant (late morning)
• Saturday: 3rd octant (mid-morning)

Because Rahu Kaal is proportional to actual Dina Mana, using fixed clock rules (like assuming 7:30 to 9:00 AM every Monday) produces errors. This tool calculates exact proportional Rahu Kaal for your coordinates every day.

Solar noon (Madhyahna) is the moment the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky and crosses the observer's local celestial meridian. It rarely coincides with 12:00 PM on civil clocks due to two primary astronomical factors:

• Longitude Offset: Civil time is standardized to a reference meridian. For every degree you are east or west of that meridian, local solar noon shifts by 4 minutes.
• Equation of Time: Because Earth's orbit is elliptical and its axis is tilted by 23.44 degrees, true solar time runs ahead or behind mean clock time by up to 16 minutes throughout the year.