Kaal Sarp dosha check
Kaal Sarp is said to form when all seven planets lie on one side of the Rahu–Ketu axis.
It is a modern combination: the classical texts don't describe it, and astrologers disagree about it. Be wary of anyone selling costly rituals for it.
Kaal Sarp, explained
What Kaal Sarp means
Rahu and Ketu, the lunar nodes, always stand opposite each other and cut the zodiac into two halves. Kaal Sarp is said to form when all seven planets, from the Sun to Saturn, lie in one of those halves. Its twelve named types follow the house Rahu sits in, from Anant in the 1st to Sheshnag in the 12th. The idea is that the nodes, the serpent of the name, hem the planets in, so that their results come with struggle or delay.
How this check decides
It measures each planet's position from Rahu. If all seven are within the 180° from Rahu to Ketu, or all within the other 180°, Kaal Sarp is present; if even one planet is on the other side, it isn't. Some astrologers also count a "partial" Kaal Sarp, when one planet is outside or sits right on a node's degree; this check doesn't.
Reading your result
The check says present or not present, and why: which side of the Rahu–Ketu axis the planets fall on. If it is present, look first at the rest of your chart: the Ascendant lord, the Moon and the running dasha. A strong chart is not made weak by one modern combination.
Why we are careful with it
Kaal Sarp is a modern combination. Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Saravali and Phaladeepika don't describe it, and astrologers disagree about whether it means anything. It is also one of the doshas most often used to sell costly pujas. Many people with it lead ordinary, happy lives; the rest of the chart and the running dasha say far more.
Questions
Is Kaal Sarp dosha in the classical texts?
No. The main classical texts on birth charts don't name it. It appears in later writing, which is why many astrologers give it little weight.
What is the difference between Kaal Sarp and Kaal Amrit?
Some astrologers say Kaal Sarp when the planets lie from Rahu to Ketu, and Kaal Amrit, a milder or even helpful form, when they lie from Ketu to Rahu. This check reports both as Kaal Sarp.
Does Kaal Sarp end at a certain age?
You may hear that it eases at a certain age. No classical text sets one, since they don't describe the combination at all, and the placement stays as it was at birth; what changes with time is the dasha you are running.
Do I need a puja for Kaal Sarp?
No calculation here calls for one. If your family wants a ritual, a simple prayer at home is enough; be wary of anyone who says you must pay for one.
Do I need my birth time for this check?
Rarely. The planets move slowly, so the date usually decides it; only the Moon moves fast enough for the hour to matter. The type, which follows Rahu's house, does need the time.
Every choice behind this calculation — the ephemeris, the ayanamsa, the houses and the rules — is listed on How we calculate.