Kundli Details in a Marriage Biodata: Rashi, Nakshatra, Gotra and Manglik Explained

Many Hindu and Jain families, and some Sikh families, compare horoscopes before a match goes further, so their biodatas carry a few astrological details. If you are filling in a biodata and are unsure what these terms mean or which to include, this guide explains each in plain words.

Birth details: the starting point

A kundli (also called a janam patrika or horoscope) is a chart of where the Sun, Moon and planets were at the moment of birth. It is calculated from three things: the date, the exact time and the place of birth. A family that matches kundli will ask for all three, so the time of birth should be as exact as you know it.

Rashi (moon sign)

Your rashi is the zodiac sign the Moon was in when you were born. There are twelve: Mesh (Aries), Vrishabh (Taurus), Mithun (Gemini) and so on. It is not the same as the “sun sign” used in Western newspaper horoscopes, which depends only on your birthday, so the two often differ.

Nakshatra (birth star)

The sky along the Moon’s path is also divided into 27 nakshatras, such as Ashwini, Rohini and Revati. Your nakshatra is the one the Moon was in at birth. Each is divided into four quarters, called pada or charan, which some families also note. In South India it is usually called the “star” (nakshatram).

Gotra (lineage)

A gotra is a family lineage, traditionally passed down through the father’s line and traced to an ancient sage — Kashyap, Bharadwaj and Vashishtha are common examples. Many communities do not marry within the same gotra, which is why it often appears near the top of a biodata. Gotra is not astrological: it comes from your family, not from your birth chart, so ask your elders.

Manglik (Mangal dosha)

A person is called manglik when Mars (Mangal) sits in certain houses of the birth chart — commonly the 1st, 4th, 7th, 8th or 12th. Traditions differ on the details, and some astrologers describe a milder form as “anshik” (partial) manglik. In South India the same idea is known as Kuja dosham or Chevvai dosham. Families who follow it usually prefer that both partners have the same status.

Guna milan (matching)

In the widely used Ashtakoot method, two charts are compared on eight factors that add up to 36 points, called gunas. Many families look for 18 or more. This is done by an astrologer or with kundli software, using the birth details. The biodata’s job is only to supply those details accurately.

Which details should you include?

Where to find your details

• Your janam kundli or patrika, if one was made when you were born. Rashi, nakshatra and manglik status are written in it.
• Your family’s astrologer or pandit, who can prepare a chart from your birth details.
• Your parents or grandparents, for gotra and the exact time of birth.

Do not guess. A wrong rashi or manglik status causes more trouble than a blank. If you are unsure, leave the field out — or, for manglik, choose “Don’t know”.

How to add them in Make My Marriage Biodata

• Rashi, Nakshatra, Manglik and Gotra are in the Suggested fields of Personal Detail. Tap one to add it.
• Time of birth, and regional details such as gan, nadi or devak: tap Add More Fields and give the field any name you like.
• Choose your language at the top of the form and these field names appear in it — रास and नक्षत्र in Marathi, for example.

Make My Marriage Biodata does not calculate a kundli or match horoscopes; it only prints what you enter. For what each community usually lists, see the Hindu, Jain, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu formats.