How to Read a South Indian Kundali Chart
The South Indian chart (used in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh) looks like a square of 12 boxes around an empty centre. Once you know its one rule, that the signs never move, it is one of the easiest charts to read. This guide walks through it step by step.
The fixed grid of signs
Unlike the North Indian diamond chart, where houses are fixed and signs rotate, the South Indian chart fixes the signs. Pisces (Meena) is always in the top-left box, and the signs run clockwise:
Pisces
Aries
Taurus
Gemini
Aquarius
Cancer
Capricorn
Leo
Sagittarius
Scorpio
Libra
Virgo
Because the signs are fixed, you can tell where any planet is at a glance. Saturn in the top-left box is always in Pisces, whoever the chart belongs to.
Step 1: Find the Lagna (Ascendant)
The box marked La, Lagna or with a diagonal line is the Ascendant: the sign rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth. This is the 1st house (Tanu Bhava). The Lagna changes roughly every two hours, which is why an accurate birth time matters.
Step 2: Count the houses clockwise
Starting from the Lagna box as house 1, count clockwise to number the other 11 houses. If Lagna is in Dhanus (Sagittarius), then Makara is the 2nd house, Kumbha the 3rd, Meena the 4th, and so on.
| House | Sanskrit name | Main meanings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tanu | Self, body, personality |
| 2 | Dhana | Wealth, family, speech |
| 3 | Sahaja | Courage, siblings, short travel |
| 4 | Sukha | Mother, home, vehicles, happiness |
| 5 | Putra | Children, intelligence, past merit |
| 6 | Ari / Roga | Debts, disease, enemies, service |
| 7 | Kalatra | Spouse, partnership, business |
| 8 | Ayu | Longevity, sudden events, hidden matters |
| 9 | Bhagya | Fortune, father, dharma, guru |
| 10 | Karma | Career, status, actions |
| 11 | Labha | Gains, income, wishes fulfilled |
| 12 | Vyaya | Losses, expenses, foreign lands, moksha |
Step 3: Identify the Lagna lord
The planet that rules the Lagna sign is the Lagnadhipati, the most important planet for the native. Its house placement shows where the person's life energy goes.
- Mesha and Vrischika: Mars
- Vrishabha and Tula: Venus
- Mithuna and Kanya: Mercury
- Karka: Moon · Simha: Sun
- Dhanus and Meena: Jupiter
- Makara and Kumbha: Saturn
Step 4: Read the planet abbreviations
Charts usually show planets as short codes: Su Sun, Mo Moon, Ma Mars, Me Mercury, Ju Jupiter, Ve Venus, Sa Saturn, Ra Rahu, Ke Ketu. Rahu and Ketu are always exactly opposite each other, seven signs apart. A planet marked (R) is retrograde.
Step 5: Check the aspects (Graha Drishti)
In Vedic astrology every planet aspects the 7th house from itself. Three planets have extra aspects:
- Mars: 4th, 7th and 8th
- Jupiter: 5th, 7th and 9th (Rahu and Ketu are usually given the same aspects)
- Saturn: 3rd, 7th and 10th
An aspect from Jupiter protects and expands the house it falls on. An aspect from Saturn delays and disciplines.
Worked example
Take a person born in Bengaluru on 15 January 1990 at 6:30 am. The Lagna is Dhanus (Sagittarius) and its lord Jupiter sits in Mithuna, the 7th house. Jupiter in the 7th aspects the Lagna, the 11th and the 3rd, a classic sign of a helpful spouse and partners. The Moon is in Simha in the nakshatra Purva Phalguni. You can enter the same details in the free tool to see the full chart.
Rashi chart vs Navamsa (D9)
Most reports show two charts. The Rashi (D1) chart is the main birth chart. The Navamsa (D9) divides each sign into nine parts and is used to judge marriage and the real strength of planets. A planet strong in both is especially reliable.
Make your free South Indian Kundali →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between South and North Indian charts?
In the South Indian chart the signs are fixed and the Lagna is marked. In the North Indian chart the houses are fixed (the top diamond is always the 1st house) and the sign numbers rotate. Both show exactly the same information.
Why is the centre of the chart empty?
The four centre boxes carry no sign. Many astrologers write the person's name, birth details or the Navamsa chart there.
Do I need an exact birth time?
Yes, for the Lagna and houses. Planet signs barely change within a day, except the Moon, but the Lagna changes about every two hours.
More guides
This guide explains traditional Jyotisha practice for information and spiritual interest. It is not medical, legal or financial advice. See our disclaimer.