Kundali Milan is the Vedic method of matching the birth charts of a bride and groom before marriage. The usual method is the Ashtakoot system, which scores the match out of 36 points (gun) across eight factors. Most families treat 18 points as the minimum for a marriage to go ahead, and they also check for Nadi and Bhakoot dosha.
Ashtakoot means "eight factors" (ashta = eight, koot = category). Each factor, called a koota or guna, checks one area such as temperament, health or children. The points from all eight are added to give one total score.
Below you will find all eight kootas and their points, what each score range means, how Nadi and Bhakoot dosha work, and how to get a match calculated.
What is Kundali Milan?
Kundali Milan, also called Gun Milan or Ashtakoot Milan, compares the Moon's position in two birth charts and gives a compatibility score out of 36. It covers temperament, health, family harmony and children. In traditional Vedic practice, a higher score means a better match.
The method uses the Moon sign (Rashi) and birth star (Nakshatra) of each person. It does not use the Sun sign that Western astrology uses. For this reason you need correct birth details for both people: date, exact time and place of birth. A small error in birth time can change the Nakshatra and so change the result.
If you are not familiar with Rashi, read the 12 Rashi and their traits first. Every koota is worked out from the Moon's Rashi or Nakshatra in the two charts.
The 8 kootas and their points
The Ashtakoot system divides 36 points among eight kootas. Varna carries 1 point and Nadi carries 8, the highest. Each koota checks a different area, so the eight scores together give a fuller picture than a simple yes or no.
| Koota | Max Points | Traditional association |
|---|---|---|
| Varna | 1 | Spiritual compatibility and ego balance between the couple |
| Vashya | 2 | Mutual attraction, influence, and who leads in the relationship |
| Tara | 3 | Health, well-being, and overall destiny (birth-star compatibility) |
| Yoni | 4 | Physical and sexual compatibility, intimacy, and instincts |
| Graha Maitri | 5 | Mental compatibility, friendship, and intellectual bonding |
| Gana | 6 | Temperament and nature (Deva, Manushya, or Rakshasa type) |
| Bhakoot | 7 | Family welfare, love, and long-term prosperity together |
| Nadi | 8 | Traditional health and childbearing association (highest point allocation) |
The points go 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and add up to 36. By tradition, the factors linked to health and children (Nadi, Bhakoot) carry more points than Varna and Vashya.
The three most important kootas
Nadi, Bhakoot and Gana get the most attention. Nadi is worth 8 points and is linked to health and having children. Bhakoot covers family prosperity. Gana measures basic temperament. A match that scores well on these three is usually considered strong.
How to read a Kundali Milan score out of 36
Most astrologers treat 18 points as the minimum for marriage. Below 18 is usually discouraged, 18 to 24 is acceptable, 25 to 32 is very good, and 33 to 36 is rare and excellent. The score is a guide. It does not decide a relationship by itself.
The score ranges are usually read like this:
Below 18: A weak match by traditional standards. Many families hesitate or look for remedies.
18 to 24: Acceptable. Most approved marriages fall in this range.
25 to 32: A very good match.
33 to 36: Excellent and uncommon.
Always check the doshas (defects) along with the total. A couple can score above 18 and still have Nadi or Bhakoot dosha, which needs to be reviewed separately.
What are Nadi dosha and Bhakoot dosha?
Nadi dosha occurs when both partners have the same Nadi, which gives 0 of 8 points. Nadi is linked to health and children, so this is treated as a serious problem. Bhakoot dosha occurs when the two Moon Rashis are at certain distances from each other. It is linked to family harmony and gives 0 of 7 points.
Nadi dosha
There are three Nadis: Aadi, Madhya and Antya. If the bride and groom have the same Nadi, the koota scores zero. This is Nadi dosha. Classical texts link it to health and childbearing problems. There are cancellation (parihar) rules. For example, if both have the same Rashi but different Nakshatras, the dosha is considered cancelled.
Bhakoot dosha
Bhakoot dosha occurs when the two Moon Rashis are in the 6-8 (Shadashtak) or 2-12 (Dwirdwadash) position from each other. Many traditions also count the 5-9 (Navpancham) position, and the app matching described below follows that tradition. It is linked to money problems or family disputes. Bhakoot dosha also has cancellation conditions, such as when the lords of the two Rashis are friendly planets.
Nepali families usually check Mangal dosha as well. See what Manglik dosha means and its remedies. Many families review Ashtakoot score and Manglik status together.
How the Nepali Calendar app calculates Kundali Milan
The app calculates the full Ashtakoot Milan from two sets of birth details. You choose two saved kundalis, each made from a person's date, time and place of birth (or a friend who has agreed to be matched). The app reads the Moon Rashi and Nakshatra from each, scores all eight kootas, adds up the 36 points, and flags any Nadi, Bhakoot or Mangal dosha together with the cancellation rules that apply.
You do not need to look up the tables by hand. The result shows the score for each koota, the total, a short verdict in plain words and the dosha summary for both partners. You can save the result and open it again later.
The panchang and other tools are on the Katigate home page. If you are also fixing the wedding date, see our guide to choosing an auspicious Bibaha Saait.
What the score does not measure
The 36-gun total is a score within a traditional astrological system. It does not test genes, diagnose health conditions or establish fertility. The table’s health and relationship labels describe traditional associations, not clinical findings. A score should not replace the couple’s consent, conversations about values, or professional care where needed.
More tools on Katigate
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a score below 18 a definite no for marriage?
No. A score below 18 is traditionally discouraged, but the total alone does not decide a match. Astrologers also look at the doshas, their cancellation rules and the rest of the chart. Many couples with lower scores have happy marriages.
What is the most important koota in the 36 Gun system?
Nadi carries the most points, 8 of 36, because tradition associates it with health and children. Bhakoot (7 points) and Gana (6 points) come next. Together these three carry 21 of the 36 points, so they decide most of the result.
Can Kundali Milan use the Sun sign instead of the Moon sign?
No. The Ashtakoot system uses the Moon Rashi and birth Nakshatra, not the Sun sign used in Western horoscopes. That is why the exact birth time matters. For daily forecasts based on the Moon sign, see what rashifal is and how it works.
Does a high Ashtakoot score guarantee a happy marriage?
No. A high score, even 33 to 36, shows strong compatibility by traditional rules but does not guarantee a happy marriage. Kundali matching is one thing families consider. Communication, shared values, family support and the couple's own choices matter more in day-to-day married life.