Muhurat Consultation

Tilak Muhurat

Tilak Muhurat is considered the entrance to the Indian wedding tradition. It is not just a meeting of the bride and groom but the first ritual of respect, agreement, and formal commitment between two families. This is the auspicious moment when the bride's family, considering the groom as a worthy life partner for their daughter, welcomes him by applying a shubh tilak muhurat (sacred mark) on his forehead.
On this page, you will find the essential astrological rules for choosing the tilak muhurat, the significance of the materials used, and complete information about auspicious days. This guide will help you perform your auspicious ceremony smoothly and with complete purity.

The Tilak ceremony is also known as Tika or Engagement Tilak Ceremony. It is one of the most important pre-wedding rituals. In this ritual, the groom's forehead is adorned with a tilak made of roli (red vermillion) and rice, and he is presented with gifts and auspicious tokens (shagun).

According to astrology, Tilak Muhurat refers to the most favourable time when the movements of planets and stars are most supportive for a successful marriage.

• Formal Agreement: This ritual signifies, as per Hindu Tilak Muhurat tradition, that the bride's family has fully accepted the marriage proposal.
• Astrological Foundation: Performing the ceremony at an auspicious time reduces the negative effects of any planetary faults (graha dosha).
• Selection of the Groom: When the head of the bride's family (like her father) applies tilak on the groom's forehead, it is a formal declaration of accepting him as a worthy groom.
• Blessing of Auspiciousness: Applying tilak on the Ajna Chakra (center of the forehead) blesses the groom with confidence, clarity, and good fortune—ensuring a married life filled with love and happiness. Hence, choosing a shubh tilak muhurat is extremely important.

The importance of Tilak Muhurat should never be underestimated, as it marks the official beginning of the relationship.

When performed at an auspicious time, the Tilak Ceremony brings several engagement tilak benefits:

• Protection from Evil Eye: The roli and akshat (rice) tilak forms a positive energy shield around the groom, protecting him from negative influences or the "evil eye."
• Positive Cosmic Energy: When the ritual is performed at a shubh tilak muhurat, the cosmic energies at that time enhance love, stability, and longevity in the couple's life.
• Bonding Between Families: The ceremony strengthens respect and trust between both families. It is the first step towards social and emotional unity—highlighting the importance of tilak muhurat.

Choosing the best shubh tilak muhurat is crucial for the success of the marriage. Instead of merely relying on a calendar, one should consult an experienced astrologer who can determine the best tilak muhurat through detailed astrological analysis.

While finding the best tilak muhurat, four key factors are considered:

• Day (Vaar): Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are considered most auspicious for ceremonies like tilak. Saturday and Tuesday are generally avoided.
• Tithi (Lunar Date): Dwitiya, Tritiya, Panchami, Saptami, Dashami, Ekadashi, and Trayodashi are auspicious. Chaturthi, Navami, and Chaturdashi (known as Rikta Tithis) are not suitable for sacred rituals.
• Nakshatra (Constellation): For engagement tilak shubh samay, stable and peaceful constellations like Rohini, Hasta, Swati, Shravana, and Revati are preferred.
• Yoga and Karana: For the auspicious time for tilak, favourable yogas like Preeti and Saubhagya and stable Karanas are chosen.

It is very important to avoid these defects during the tilak muhurat:

• Guru Asta and Shukra Asta: No auspicious ceremonies are performed when Jupiter (Guru) or Venus (Shukra) are in their setting period.
• Kharmas (Malmas): When the Sun is in Sagittarius (Dhanu) or Pisces (Meen)—approximately from December 15 to January 14—wedding and tilak rituals are avoided.
• Bhadra Kaal: Bhadra is considered highly inauspicious for sacred ceremonies, so it must not coincide with the shubh tilak muhurat.

When selecting the auspicious time for tilak, the horoscopes of both the groom and bride are matched:

• Chandra Bal (Moon Strength): The Moon should not be positioned in the 4th, 8th, or 12th house from the groom's birth sign, as these are considered unfavourable.
• Lagna Shuddhi (Purity of Ascendant): For the tilak ceremony, steady and gentle ascendants like Taurus (Vrishabh), Gemini (Mithun), Cancer (Karka), Virgo (Kanya), Libra (Tula), Sagittarius (Dhanu), and Pisces (Meen) are considered most auspicious.

To make the tilak puja method successful, every item placed in the tilak thali (ritual plate) holds its own special religious significance. Each of these ensures the purity and sanctity of the Hindu Tilak Muhurat.

• Roli / Kumkum
  • Spiritual Significance: Symbol of energy and prosperity. It represents good fortune, strength, and the success of auspicious events.
  • Utility: The main ingredient used to apply the tilak.
• Akshat (Rice)
  • Spiritual Significance: Symbol of togetherness, integrity, and good luck. The word Akshat means "unbroken."
  • Utility: Applied over the tilak to bring auspiciousness and stability.
• Coconut / Shrifal
  • Spiritual Significance: Symbol of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi—bringer of wealth and prosperity. It brings fortune to the groom.
  • Utility: Offered as a sacred gift (shagun).
• Betel Nut (Supari)
  • Spiritual Significance: Represents firm commitment and promise, signifying that the relationship is now confirmed.
  • Utility: Used in the ritual to symbolize the alliance.
• Sweets
  • Spiritual Significance: Symbol of love and sweetness in life.
  • Utility: Offered and shared as the mark of a happy beginning.
• Shagun Money
  • Spiritual Significance: Symbolizes the continuous growth of wealth and blessings. The number "one" is considered especially auspicious.
  • Utility: Given to bless the groom with financial stability and prosperity.
• Turmeric / Sandalwood (Haldi / Chandan)
  • Spiritual Significance: Represents health, calmness, and purity; helps ward off negative energies.
  • Utility: Mixed into the tilak for purification and fragrance.

These tilak samagri elements complete and sanctify the engagement tilak ceremony.

The engagement tilak ceremony is performed with discipline, devotion, and traditional respect.

• Seat and Welcome for the Groom: The groom is seated in a decorated place. The head and elders of the bride's family warmly welcome the groom's family.
• Arrangement and Purification of Materials: As per the tilak puja method, all the items (roli, akshat, coconut, sweets, shagun) are neatly arranged on a platform (chauki). Just before the auspicious time, the priest purifies them.
• Sankalp (Vow): At the beginning of the tilak muhurat vidhi, the head of the bride's family takes water in hand and vows to complete the marriage ceremony smoothly, praying for happiness and harmony for both families.
• Applying the Tilak: The head of the family applies roli/kumkum and akshat on the groom's forehead and blesses him.
• Offering Shrifal and Shagun: The groom is presented with a coconut (shrifal) and shagun money. The amount usually includes the digit "one" (like ₹5001 or ₹11001), symbolizing continuous growth in the relationship.
• Clothing and Blessings: The groom is given clothes (var-bhet) as a token of respect and affection. Finally, elders from both sides bless him.

This entire process is known as the tilak vidhi.

Performing the tilak during a shubh muhurat for engagement benefits not just the groom but both families.

• Religious and Astrological Benefits: When performed in a shubh muhurat for engagement, this ritual attracts the blessings of the Navagrahas (nine planets) and family deities, ensuring peace and righteousness in married life.
• Strengthening Family Bonds: One of the most significant engagements tilak puja benefits is the growth of mutual understanding, respect, and affection between both families. It provides an opportunity for relatives to formally meet and connect.
• Mental Peace and Focus: Applying tilak creates a gentle pressure on the forehead point that calms the nerves, reducing stress. It helps the groom gain mental stability and better focus to take on marital responsibilities.

Selecting the best tilak muhurat goes beyond just Panchang Shuddhi. It involves analyzing the Graha Bal (strength of planets) in both the groom's and bride's horoscopes. For determining the auspicious time for tilak, assessing the strength and harmony of these planetary influences is essential.

• Jupiter (Guru): Jupiter is considered the planet of life and marital happiness. During the shubh tilak muhurat, it is very important that Jupiter is well-placed (in Kendra or Trikon houses) and not in a setting phase (Asta). The strength of Jupiter brings longevity and prosperity.
• Venus (Shukra): Venus governs love, harmony, and material pleasures between husband and wife. If Venus is in a weak sign or in a setting position, it is not favourable for engagement tilak shubh samay.
• Sun (Surya): The Sun symbolizes honour and self-confidence. In the best tilak muhurat, the Sun should not be placed in the 6th, 8th, or 12th house, as it may affect the groom's family reputation.
• Moon (Chandra): The Moon represents emotional stability and peace of mind. During the tilak muhurat, Chandra Bal (Moon's strength) must be auspicious for both bride and groom. The Moon should not be positioned in the 4th, 8th, or 12th house, as those placements are considered inauspicious.

While calculating the auspicious time for tilak, astrologers examine the positions of Jupiter and Venus in transit. Additionally, the Navamsha Kundali is analysed, as it is the most vital chart to assess the depth and strength of marital life.

Certain special days are considered Abujh Muhurat—days that are inherently auspicious and free from planetary faults. On these days, there is no need to consult an astrologer for a separate tilak muhurat, as these days themselves are pure and highly favourable.

• Basant Panchami: Celebrated on the Panchami Tithi of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Magha. This day, blessed by Goddess Saraswati, is highly auspicious for weddings and tilak ceremonies.
• Akshaya Tritiya: Occurs on the Tritiya Tithi of Vaishakh Shukla Paksha. The word Akshaya means "never-ending." Any auspicious act or shubh tilak muhurat performed on this day brings lasting success and prosperity.
• Phulera Dooj: Observed on the Dwitiya Tithi of Phalgun Shukla Paksha. Symbolizing the divine love of Radha and Krishna, this day is ideal for tilak without the need for a separate muhurat.
• Dev Uthani Ekadashi: Celebrated on the Ekadashi Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha. On this day, Lord Vishnu awakens from His four-month rest, marking the beginning of all auspicious ceremonies, including weddings and tilak.

If you are finding it difficult to determine a tilak muhurat, you can safely choose from any of these Abujh Muhurat dates.

To ensure the tilak ritual is successful and free from faults, the following points must be observed carefully:

• Follow the Right Muhurat: Begin the tilak ceremony exactly at the prescribed shubh tilak muhurat—neither early nor late.
• Number 'One' in Shagun: The amount of shagun should always end with the digit "1" (e.g., ₹1101, ₹5001), symbolizing continuous growth.
• Purity: On the day of tilak, both families should consume only satvik (pure vegetarian) food and avoid any kind of non-vegetarian dishes or alcohol.
• Respect and Honor: The bride's family should show complete respect to the groom's parents and elders, offering them appropriate gifts and tokens of honour.

• Entering During Bhadra Kaal: Do not enter the groom's home or perform tilak during Bhadra Kaal. The tilak muhurat must always be free from Bhadra.
• Complaining: The groom's family should not complain about arrangements or gifts during the ceremony, as it is considered inauspicious.
• Do Not Place Coconut on the Ground: The shagun coconut (shrifal) is sacred. The groom should keep it safely in a pure place until the wedding.
• Avoid Hurry: Do not rush the ceremony. It should be completed calmly and respectfully, with love and devotion.

Before finalizing any date for wedding or tilak, always consult an experienced astrologer with your local Panchang and personal horoscope. The selected date should be confirmed after analysing the day, tithi, nakshatra, and the Chandra Bal (Moon's strength) of both individuals.