Mahadasha and Antardasha Periods

All 81 Vimshottari sub-periods, explained

Updated 14 October 2026

In the Vimshottari dasha system, life is divided into nine mahadashas (major periods), one for each planet, lasting 120 years in all. Each mahadasha is divided into nine antardashas (sub-periods, also called bhuktis), which gives 81 combinations. This page links to a plain-language guide for each one.

The antardashas of a mahadasha always run in the same order: the mahadasha lord's own sub-period first, then the others in the fixed sequence Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, continuing from the mahadasha lord. Each antardasha lasts the mahadasha's years multiplied by the antardasha planet's years, divided by 120. Results depend on how both planets are placed in your own chart, so treat each guide as a set of tendencies. The free dasha calculator shows which period you are in now.

Ketu Mahadasha (7 years)

Ketu–Ketu4 months 27 days Ketu–Venus1 year 2 months Ketu–Sun4 months 6 days Ketu–Moon7 months Ketu–Mars4 months 27 days Ketu–Rahu1 year 18 days Ketu–Jupiter11 months 6 days Ketu–Saturn1 year 1 month 9 days Ketu–Mercury11 months 27 days

Venus Mahadasha (20 years)

Venus–Venus3 years 4 months Venus–Sun1 year Venus–Moon1 year 8 months Venus–Mars1 year 2 months Venus–Rahu3 years Venus–Jupiter2 years 8 months Venus–Saturn3 years 2 months Venus–Mercury2 years 10 months Venus–Ketu1 year 2 months

Sun Mahadasha (6 years)

Sun–Sun3 months 18 days Sun–Moon6 months Sun–Mars4 months 6 days Sun–Rahu10 months 24 days Sun–Jupiter9 months 18 days Sun–Saturn11 months 12 days Sun–Mercury10 months 6 days Sun–Ketu4 months 6 days Sun–Venus1 year

Moon Mahadasha (10 years)

Moon–Moon10 months Moon–Mars7 months Moon–Rahu1 year 6 months Moon–Jupiter1 year 4 months Moon–Saturn1 year 7 months Moon–Mercury1 year 5 months Moon–Ketu7 months Moon–Venus1 year 8 months Moon–Sun6 months

Mars Mahadasha (7 years)

Mars–Mars4 months 27 days Mars–Rahu1 year 18 days Mars–Jupiter11 months 6 days Mars–Saturn1 year 1 month 9 days Mars–Mercury11 months 27 days Mars–Ketu4 months 27 days Mars–Venus1 year 2 months Mars–Sun4 months 6 days Mars–Moon7 months

Rahu Mahadasha (18 years)

Rahu–Rahu2 years 8 months 12 days Rahu–Jupiter2 years 4 months 24 days Rahu–Saturn2 years 10 months 6 days Rahu–Mercury2 years 6 months 18 days Rahu–Ketu1 year 18 days Rahu–Venus3 years Rahu–Sun10 months 24 days Rahu–Moon1 year 6 months Rahu–Mars1 year 18 days

Jupiter Mahadasha (16 years)

Jupiter–Jupiter2 years 1 month 18 days Jupiter–Saturn2 years 6 months 12 days Jupiter–Mercury2 years 3 months 6 days Jupiter–Ketu11 months 6 days Jupiter–Venus2 years 8 months Jupiter–Sun9 months 18 days Jupiter–Moon1 year 4 months Jupiter–Mars11 months 6 days Jupiter–Rahu2 years 4 months 24 days

Saturn Mahadasha (19 years)

Saturn–Saturn3 years 3 days Saturn–Mercury2 years 8 months 9 days Saturn–Ketu1 year 1 month 9 days Saturn–Venus3 years 2 months Saturn–Sun11 months 12 days Saturn–Moon1 year 7 months Saturn–Mars1 year 1 month 9 days Saturn–Rahu2 years 10 months 6 days Saturn–Jupiter2 years 6 months 12 days

Mercury Mahadasha (17 years)

Mercury–Mercury2 years 4 months 27 days Mercury–Ketu11 months 27 days Mercury–Venus2 years 10 months Mercury–Sun10 months 6 days Mercury–Moon1 year 5 months Mercury–Mars11 months 27 days Mercury–Rahu2 years 6 months 18 days Mercury–Jupiter2 years 3 months 6 days Mercury–Saturn2 years 8 months 9 days

Dasha calculator Vimshottari dasha explained Yogas in Vedic astrology The nine planets

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between mahadasha and antardasha?

A mahadasha is a major planetary period of 6 to 20 years in the Vimshottari system. Each mahadasha is divided into nine antardashas, or sub-periods, one for each planet, which colour the main period with the second planet’s themes.

How is the length of an antardasha calculated?

Multiply the mahadasha planet’s years by the antardasha planet’s years and divide by 120. For example, Saturn mahadasha (19 years) with Rahu antardasha (18 years) lasts 19 × 18 ÷ 120 = 2.85 years, about 2 years 10 months 6 days in the traditional 360-day year.

Which antardasha comes first in a mahadasha?

The mahadasha planet’s own antardasha always comes first. The rest follow the Vimshottari order Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, starting after the mahadasha planet and wrapping round.

How do I know which dasha I am in?

Your dasha sequence starts from the lord of the nakshatra the Moon occupied at birth. Enter your birth details in the free dasha calculator to see your current mahadasha, antardasha and pratyantardasha with dates.

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