In Vedic astrology, a unit of time of two ghatis or 48 minutes is called one Muhurta. This is the time selected at a specific hour to start a job, a religious function or a ceremony. Such a time is selected keeping in view the good planetary positions available for the required work to be completed successfully.

In Vedic astrology, Muhurta is as important as birth chart. It is also called a short time of luck. Man is the architect of his own luck. A birth chart gives information about a native’s future whereas Panchang indicates an auspicious Muhurat.

While doing a task, both positive and negative thoughts arise in our mind as to whether we will be able to attain the required results or otherwise. Astrologers say that work carried out in a good Muhurat after evaluating a Panchang increases the chances of success. It is because a good Muhurat has auspicious Nakshatra, Yoga, Ascendant, week and Tithi, all are very helpful in enhancing the success of a job at hand.

Let’s say a native wants to start a business. He or she consults an astrologer who finds out the Muhurat by considering the Panchang of the chosen day and then predicts the result on its basis. A good Muhurat can propel a native’s business in the right direction. Similarly, marriage is an important aspect of our lives. Marriages are solemnized in an auspicious Muhurat so that couple lives happily and peacefully. A marriage Muhurat should be carefully determined without a single slip.

As even the smallest of error may prove to be fatal to the marriage later. Let’s see how Muhurats are determined for marriage and how a marriage Muhurat is afflicted by Dosha:

How is Latta Dosha formed?

Astrologers and guardians of the bride and groom see whether the day of the marriage is free from any affliction of any Dosha and other obstacles. Latta Dosha is one such Dosha which is considered malefic for marriage. ‘Latta’ means leg, which means if a planet kicks a Nakshatra stationed in the marriage Muhurat then Latta Dosha is afflicted.

According to astrology when a planet situated in a Nakshatra strikes a Nakshatra behind or in front of it then the Latta Dosha takes place. Let’s see how a planet strikes a Nakshatra. Sun situated in a Nakshatra strikes the 12th Nakshatra in front of it, Mars strikes the 3rd Nakshatra, Jupiter, and Saturn strike the 6th and 8th Nakshatra in front of them respectively.

Besides these planets, there are some planets which strike the Nakshatras placed behind. The full Moon strikes the 22nd Nakshatra, Mercury strikes the 7th Nakshatra, Venus strikes the 5th Nakshatra and Rahu strikes the 9th Nakshatra behind it.

Basically, Latta Dosha is not only inauspicious but it is also dangerous if it formed by the malefic planet. In this situation, marriage should not be fixed. For example, if Jupiter in the Kritika Nakshatra is striking the 6th Nakshatra in front of it i.e. Pushya, and if Venus in the Kritika is striking the 5th Nakshatra i.e. Uttarabhadrapada located behind. As Latta Dosha is afflicted in these cases marriage should not be fixed.

The intensity of bad results given in the above example may be much more severe if the planet causing Latta Dosha and the planet being struck are in same Pada or quarter. For example, if Mars placed in the first Pada of Mrigshira will have Latta or kick the Moon in Punarvasu, and if the Moon is in the first Pada of Punarvasu, the result is likely to be more damaging.