Tara Koota in Kundli Matching
Tara is the third koota in kundli matching, worth 3 points out of 36. It is counted from the birth nakshatras, the 27 birth stars that the Moon passes through. The count starts at the girl’s nakshatra and moves forward to the boy’s nakshatra. Divide that count by 9 and look at the remainder. When the remainder is 2, 4, 6, 8, or 0, tara scores 3. When the remainder is 1, 3, 5, or 7, tara scores 0. There is no middle score on this site.
Tradition links tara with the wellbeing and fortune of the pair, and with the support the two birth stars give each other. That link is a traditional belief, not a finding about anyone’s health or luck. A tara score does not predict how healthy or fortunate a couple will be. It records whether the star count falls in the group tradition reads as supportive.
How the Tara Count Works
Write down the two birth nakshatras in their order around the zodiac, from Ashwini at position 1 through Revati at position 27. Count forward from the girl’s nakshatra to the boy’s, counting the girl’s own star as 1. Then divide by 9. Only the remainder matters.
| Remainder after dividing by 9 | Tara score |
|---|---|
| 2, 4, 6, 8, or 0 | 3 |
| 1, 3, 5, or 7 | 0 |
A remainder of 0 means the count is exactly divisible by 9, for example the 9th, 18th, or 27th star from the girl’s star. That counts in the supportive group, not as an empty result. Counting inclusively matters here. If you start counting from the next star instead of the girl’s own star, every remainder shifts by one and the score can flip. The free tool on the homepage does the counting for you, so you do not need to work it out by hand.
One difference from some other traditions is worth noting. Some traditions count in both directions, from the girl to the boy and from the boy to the girl, and award a half score of 1.5 when only one direction falls in the supportive group. This site counts from the girl’s nakshatra only, and gives 3 or 0. If another source gives you 1.5 for tara, that difference in method is the reason, not an error in either reading.
Worked Examples
Illustration only, not a real couple. Suppose the girl’s birth nakshatra is Ashwini, position 1, and the boy’s is Bharani, position 2. Counting forward from Ashwini, Bharani is the 2nd star. Divide 2 by 9 and the remainder is 2, which falls in the supportive group, so tara scores 3.
Take a second pair. Suppose the girl’s nakshatra is Ashwini again, and the boy’s is Krittika, position 3. Counting forward, Krittika is the 3rd star. Divide 3 by 9 and the remainder is 3, which falls in the other group, so tara scores 0. The two examples differ by a single star, yet their tara scores sit at opposite ends. That is normal for a count based system, and it is one reason tara should be read alongside the other seven kootas in the 36 guna chart rather than alone.
What a Tara Score Means
A score of 3 means the star count falls where tradition reads support and ease between the two birth stars. A score of 0 means it falls where tradition reads friction or extra effort. Neither score is a statement about the couple’s future. Tara is worth 3 points, so a zero here costs less than a zero in Nadi or Bhakoot, but more than a zero in Varna or Vashya. Families usually treat a tara zero as a prompt to look at the rest of the chart, especially Yoni and Gana, which also read the birth nakshatras, rather than as a verdict.
It is also worth remembering what tara does not use. It does not use the Moon signs, the time of day, or any planet besides the Moon’s star position. Two couples with the same Moon signs can have different tara scores, because their birth stars differ. That is why the tool asks for the birth time as well as the date. The star changes roughly once a day, so the time helps place the Moon in the right star.
Common Mix Ups
- Tara and the nakshatra itself. Tara is not the star. It is the count between the two stars, reduced by dividing by 9.
- Direction of counting. This site counts from the girl’s nakshatra to the boy’s. Counting the other way can give a different remainder, which is why some sources show a different score for the same pair.
- A zero and a failed match. A tara zero costs 3 points. The match still has 33 other points available, and the decision rests with the couple and their family.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points is tara worth?
Tara is worth 3 points out of 36 in the Ashtakoot system.
Why does my tara score differ between two websites?
Most often because of the counting method. Some sources count in both directions and give half points, while this site counts from the girl’s nakshatra only and gives 3 or 0.
Does a tara zero mean bad luck for the couple?
No. Tara is a traditional star count, not a prediction of luck or health. A zero means the count falls in the group tradition reads as less supportive, and nothing more.
Do I need the birth time for tara?
Yes, for an exact result. The birth star changes roughly once a day, so the time helps place the Moon in the correct star. When the time is unknown, the tool uses local noon and warns you if the Moon could change star that day.
Kundli Matching (kundlimatching.online) is an independent guidance website. The information here is traditional and for guidance only. It is not a guarantee or a prediction, and it is not a substitute for medical, legal or financial advice. Please take big decisions such as marriage with your own understanding and your family. Expert consultation is for adults aged 18 and over.
Last updated: 29 October 2026