Kal or (Kal chakra)
The concept of Kal Chakra or 'the Wheel of Time', is of great importance to the Hindu way of living. It is also a name for Yama, judge of men and god of the netherworlds. Kal as time is immensely important, as all ceremonies and occasions are performed at a time carefully calculated to be 'auspicious'. Time, said to have existed before creation, is also believed to be the source of primordial water and the progenitor of the creator. In fact both Shiva and Vishnu are regarded as forms of cosmic time. The term Kal is also used for fate (a popular doctrine which states that actions performed in a former life predefine events in the next ) and associated with destruction. Called the ever-rolling wheel or chakra, it is said to be have no beginning and no end. So quite literally, time is of essence.

 

Janampatri
Janampatri or the 'Nativity Chart' (Horoscope Scroll) records the year, month, date, configuration and constellations at the time of the birth. It also contains the name of the person and acts as a table of fortune throughout life. It is believed that the destiny of a person is affected by the position of the stars and other heavenly bodies at the moment of birth. Therefore extreme care is taken in noting the exact time of birth to make a correct janampatri. Usually made by a priest or a Jyotishi (an astrologer), who makes it by consulting the almanac and making mathematical and astronomical calculations. It is supposed to be able to foretell (on the basis of the aforementioned calculations), the favorable and unfavorable periods in a persons life, his profession, character, marriage and progeny.

 

The Hindu Calendar
The Hindu calendar plays an integral role in the lives of Hindus. Apart from measuring the traditional periods of time, it is also used to calculate the date of festivals, and auspicious times and days for performing ceremonies. Calendars are calculated on the basis of the sun, moon, and a combination of both. The Hindu Year is based on the lunar cycle, the waxing and waning of the moon, numbering 29 and a half days. Based on this cycle, the year has 12 months, each named after a stellar constellation near which the full moon of that month is sighted. The 12 lunar months however, make a total of only 354 days, 11 days less than the solar year. To avoid any discrepancies with the solar year of 365 days, the Hindu year includes an extra month or Adhik Maas every two and a half to three years. Though it is lunar based, it remains in consonance with the solar year in the long run.

 

Rahu Ketu
Rahu literally means 'the seizer', while Ketu stands for 'bright appearance'. In astronomy they are the ascending and descending nodes of the moon respectively. Rahu was actually a four-armed, dragon- tailed demon called svarbhanu and is believed to be the cause of eclipses and a major mischief maker. In fact there is a very interesting legend associated with it. According to it, when amrit (nectar of immortality) arose from the churning of the ocean and was being distributed to the gods who stood in a line to receive it, he is said to have disguised himself and joined them. The 'sun' and the 'moon' detected this mischief and reported it to Vishnu who immediately cut off his head. The head became Rahu and the body became Ketu. However, because the demon had drunk a bit of the nectar, he attained immortality and his body was placed in the stellar sphere. It is said that Rahu traverses the heaven in his eight- horse chariot and tries to devour the sun and the moon for denouncing him. Whenever he succeeds in whole or in part, an eclipse takes place. Hence, both Rahu and ketu are believed to be inauspicious and fierce..

 

Popular Superstitions
Everybody is at least a wee bit superstitious, Indians being way ahead in this department. Although most superstitions were born with an aim to protect and were based on sound reasoning, much of the reasoning has been forgotten and the beliefs today appear unsubstantiated, and sometimes, downright hilarious.
For example,
Consider something like a sneeze being inauspicious while starting on a journey or something new (god help the guy with a bad cold or allergy!).

Many omens relate to animals, birds and reptiles.
The most auspicious omen is to see an elephant when one is on a journey, for it represents Ganesha, the god of good luck and the remover of obstacles.

The cawing of a crow in one's house foretells the coming of guests (only, one really has to strain one's ears to hear cawing crows and chirping sparrows over the general cacophony of city life).
There is also a strong belief in the power of dreams, as divine warnings. Dreaming of gods, demons, auspicious animals or any other auspicious thing is good. Whereas, dreaming of gold or iron, falling stars or earthquakes is bad.

Seeing a cat or a cow's face early in the morning brings ill luck ( pity the guy who has to milk one in the morning!).

But there were some which had a purpose to them. For example, wearing shoes in the kitchen was supposed to induce the wrath of gods. This belief originated when kitchens were traditional, with mud stoves in a corner and families sat on the floor and ate off plates or leaves placed on the ground and hence required the kitchen to be absolutely clean.