A Vedic birth chart — called Kundali (Hindi), Jatakam (Telugu/Tamil), or Janam Patrika (Sanskrit) — is a precise map of the sky at the exact moment and place of your birth. It records the positions of the Sun, Moon, and seven classical planets across the 12 zodiac signs and 12 astrological houses. This map forms the foundation of all Vedic astrology analysis.
Generate your free Vedic birth chart — South Indian style, with all 9 planets and Lagna
Generate My Birth Chart Free →North Indian vs. South Indian Birth Chart Style
There are two major chart formats used in Vedic astrology:
- North Indian (Diamond) style: The chart is a diamond shape where houses are fixed in position but signs rotate based on the Lagna. More common in North India.
- South Indian (Square) style: The chart is a square grid where the 12 zodiac signs are always in fixed positions (Aries top-left, moving clockwise). The Lagna box is marked with a diagonal or "LA" label. Used across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.
Our app displays the South Indian style chart, which is the traditional format used in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam astrology.
The 9 Planets (Navagrahas) in Vedic Astrology
The 12 Houses (Bhavas)
The 12 houses in the birth chart each govern a different area of life. The Lagna (ascendant) is the most important point and determines the 1st house cusp:
- 1st House (Lagna / Tanu Bhava): Self, physical body, personality, appearance, general outlook on life
- 2nd House (Dhana Bhava): Wealth, family, speech, food, face, accumulated resources
- 3rd House (Sahaja Bhava): Siblings, courage, communication, short journeys, hobbies, media
- 4th House (Sukha Bhava): Mother, home, property, vehicles, domestic happiness, education foundations
- 5th House (Putra Bhava): Children, creativity, intelligence, speculation, romance, past-life merit
- 6th House (Shatru Bhava): Health, enemies, debts, service, daily work, healing
- 7th House (Kalatra Bhava): Marriage, business partners, open enemies, foreign travel
- 8th House (Ayu Bhava): Longevity, sudden events, inheritance, occult, transformation, hidden matters
- 9th House (Dharma Bhava): Father, religion, higher education, philosophy, fortune, long journeys
- 10th House (Karma Bhava): Career, reputation, public life, government, authority figures
- 11th House (Labha Bhava): Income, gains, elder siblings, social networks, aspirations
- 12th House (Vyaya Bhava): Expenses, foreign lands, liberation, hospitals, isolation, hidden losses
What is Lagna (Ascendant)?
The Lagna — also called the ascendant or rising sign — is the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at the exact moment and place of birth. It changes approximately every 2 hours, which is why birth time is crucial for accurate chart calculation. The Lagna determines which sign becomes the 1st house, setting the entire house structure for the chart.
In Vedic astrology, the Lagna is considered even more important than the Sun sign (as used in Western astrology). It reflects the physical body, overall life path, and the lens through which a person experiences the world.
The 12 Rashis (Zodiac Signs)
The 12 Vedic rashis broadly correspond to the Western zodiac signs but are shifted backward by approximately 23° due to the difference between the Tropical (Western) and Sidereal (Vedic) zodiacs (a difference called the ayanamsa). Our app uses the Lahiri ayanamsa, the official Indian government standard:
- Mesha (Aries), Vrishabha (Taurus), Mithuna (Gemini), Karkata (Cancer)
- Simha (Leo), Kanya (Virgo), Tula (Libra), Vrischika (Scorpio)
- Dhanu (Sagittarius), Makara (Capricorn), Kumbha (Aquarius), Meena (Pisces)
Your Vedic Sun sign (Rashi according to the Sidereal zodiac) is usually one sign earlier than your Western Sun sign. For example, someone born on 20 March who is "Aries" in Western astrology is likely "Pisces" (Meena) in the Vedic sidereal system.
What Information is Needed for a Birth Chart?
To generate an accurate Vedic birth chart, you need:
- Date of birth: Day, month, and year
- Time of birth: As precise as possible (ideally within 5–10 minutes). The Lagna changes every ~2 hours, so an incorrect time gives a wrong chart.
- Place of birth: City, town, or the geographical coordinates (latitude/longitude)
If you don't know your exact birth time, the chart can still be generated using a noon birth time (Surya Kundali) or your parents' best estimate, but the Lagna and house placements will not be reliable.
What Our Birth Chart Calculator Shows
After entering your birth details, our app displays:
- Your complete South Indian style Kundali with all 9 planets placed in the correct signs
- Lagna (ascendant) sign and degree
- Moon Nakshatra (birth star) and Pada (quarter)
- Planetary degrees, retrograde status, and combustion status
- Vimshottari Dasha (major period) sequence starting from your birth Nakshatra
- Manglik Dosha status
- Kala Sarpa Dosha status
- Pitru Dosha indicators
Generate your complete Vedic birth chart — free, with Dasha sequence, doshas, and Nakshatra analysis
Generate My Kundali Free →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vedic astrology the same as Western astrology?
No. Vedic (Jyotish) and Western astrology use different zodiacs (Sidereal vs. Tropical), different house systems, different planets (Vedic uses 9 Grahas; Western uses outer planets Uranus, Neptune, Pluto), and different predictive systems (Dasha vs. Progressions/Transits). The philosophical frameworks are also quite different.
Why does my Vedic sun sign differ from my Western one?
Due to the ayanamsa difference (~23° currently), the Vedic sidereal zodiac is shifted backward relative to the Western tropical zodiac. Most people find their Vedic Sun sign is the sign just before their Western Sun sign.
Can I get a birth chart without birth time?
Yes, but the chart will be approximate. Without birth time, the Lagna (ascendant) and house placements cannot be determined accurately. The planetary sign positions will still be broadly correct for most planets (except the Moon if it changes sign that day).