Gochara

Gochara refers to planetary transits - the ongoing movement of planets through the zodiac after birth. While the birth chart shows fixed karmic patterns, transits activate different areas of the chart at different times, triggering events and experiences.

In Jyotish, transits are typically analyzed from the Moon sign (chandra lagna) rather than the ascendant. The transit of slow-moving planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu/Ketu) through sensitive houses produces significant life effects. The sade sati (Saturn’s 7.5 year transit over the Moon) is perhaps the most discussed transit period.

Gochara works in conjunction with dasha. A transit only fully manifests if the dasha period supports it. This dual timing system - dasha plus transit - creates the remarkable predictive accuracy of Jyotish. Major life events require both the dasha ruler and transiting planets to indicate the same themes.