What Are the Houses?
A Kundli is divided into twelve houses. The planets and signs in each house show how its themes are likely to unfold. The houses are counted from the Lagna, and the 1st house is the sign rising on the eastern horizon at birth.
House Categories
Kendra
Kendra houses (1, 4, 7 and 10) are the angular houses and give a chart its structure.
Trikona
Trikona houses (1, 5 and 9) are the houses of fortune and merit.
Dusthana
Dusthana houses (6, 8 and 12) are associated with difficulty and loss, though they also relate to service, research and release.
Upachaya
Upachaya houses (3, 6, 10 and 11) are houses of growth, and their results tend to improve over time.
Maraka
Maraka houses (2 and 7) are traditionally examined in connection with longevity.
How a House Is Read
- The sign on the house and its lord.
- The planets placed in the house.
- The aspects from other planets.
- The placement and strength of the house lord.
For the full chart reading, see the Kundli report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 12 houses in Vedic astrology?
The twelve houses, or Bhavas, are the divisions of a Kundli. Each governs an area of life such as self, wealth, home, children, marriage or career.
How are the houses counted?
The houses are counted from the Lagna, the rising sign. The sign on the eastern horizon at birth becomes the 1st house, and the following signs become the 2nd to 12th houses in order.
Are some houses better than others?
Traditional reading groups houses into categories such as Kendra, Trikona and Dusthana. These indicate the general nature of each house, but results depend on the sign, the house lord, the planets present and their aspects.