Privacy Policy

This policy explains what Churki collects, why, who we share it with, how long we keep it, and the choices you have. It covers the Churki iOS and Android apps and the website churki.ai.

1. Summary

• We collect the birth details you enter, so we can calculate your Kundali.
• AI Pandit sends your chat messages to OpenAI, a third-party AI service, to write replies. In the app we ask your permission before the first message is sent.
• We use Firebase and Google Analytics to understand how the app and site are used and to fix problems.
• We do not sell your data and we do not use it for third-party advertising.
• You can ask us to delete your data at any time (section 9).

2. Information we collect

• Birth details: name (optional), date, time and place of birth. We need these to calculate your Kundali, Dasha, and predictions. We keep them until you ask us to remove them.
• Chat messages: the messages you type to AI Pandit, and the replies you receive.
• Email address: only if you give it to us, for example to save your Kundali or to get the daily Panchang email.
• Device and usage data: device identifiers, app version, operating system, screens viewed, features used, and crash and performance reports. This is collected through Firebase and Google Analytics.
• Website form data: the free Kundali tool on churki.ai collects name, date, time and place of birth.

We do not collect payment card details, government ID numbers, or precise device location. Please do not type sensitive information (such as health or financial details) into the chat. It is not needed.

3. AI Pandit and OpenAI (third-party AI service)

If you do not allow this, you can still use the rest of the app, such as Panchang, festival dates and Kundali calculation. AI Pandit will not work. AI replies can be wrong, so they are guidance and not professional advice.

4. How we use your information

• Calculate and show your Kundali, Dasha, Panchang and predictions.
• Answer your questions in AI Pandit (through OpenAI, as described above).
• Send notifications and emails you ask for, such as daily horoscope notifications or the daily Panchang email.
• Understand usage, fix bugs and improve the app and site.
• Keep the service secure and prevent abuse.

We do not use your data for third-party advertising and we do not sell it.

5. Who else processes your data

These providers receive only what they need for their purpose and handle it under their own terms and privacy policies. We may also disclose data if the law requires it.

6. Retention

• Birth details and Kundali data: kept until you ask us to remove them.
• Chat history: stored only if you enable history. By default it is kept for 90 days and you can change this in Settings. In Incognito Mode we do not keep a history of the chat, but your message is still sent to OpenAI to get a reply.
• Analytics: kept for the period set in Firebase and Google Analytics.
• Email address: kept until you unsubscribe or ask us to delete it.
• When you ask for deletion, we erase your data within 30 days, except what the law requires us to keep.

7. Security

Data is sent over encrypted (HTTPS) connections. Access to personal data is limited to people who need it to run the service. No system is perfectly secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security. Messages sent to AI Pandit are processed by OpenAI to answer you, so they are not end-to-end encrypted.

8. Cookies and analytics on the website

churki.ai uses Google Analytics (cookies and similar technologies) to count visits and see which pages are useful. It also saves your language and light or dark theme choice in your browser. You can block cookies in your browser settings or use the Google Analytics opt-out add-on.

9. Your rights and choices

• Access, correct, export or delete your data.
• Withdraw permission to send messages to OpenAI (Settings in the app).
• Turn off notifications in your device settings, and unsubscribe from emails with the link in each email.
• Object to or limit certain processing, where your local law allows.

To use any of these, email privacy@churki.ai from the address you used with Churki. We reply within 72 hours. You may also complain to your local data protection authority.

10. International transfers

OpenAI, Google and other providers process data in countries including the United States. Your data may therefore be transferred outside your country.

11. Children

Churki is not intended for children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect their data. If you believe a child has given us data, email us and we will delete it.

12. Changes and contact

If we change this policy in a way that affects you, we will update the date at the top and, for material changes (such as a new third-party recipient of your data), ask for your permission again in the app. Questions: privacy@churki.ai.

Why Diwali is on 8 November 2026

Diwali is celebrated on the Amavasya (new-moon) of the lunar month Kartik (Ashwin in the purnimanta system). The rule for Lakshmi Puja is that Amavasya must be present in the evening, in the Pradosh Kaal after sunset. In 2026 Amavasya begins at 11:28 AM on 8 November and ends at 12:31 PM on 9 November, so it covers the whole evening of 8 November and none of the evening of 9 November. That makes 8 November the Diwali night without any ambiguity.

Lakshmi Puja muhurat

The preferred time for Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja is the Pradosh Kaal, the period of roughly two hours and twenty-four minutes after sunset. In New Delhi that is about 5:31 PM to 7:55 PM. Many families also choose a Sthir Lagna (fixed ascendant) such as Vrishabha within this window. Your exact lagna timings depend on your city, so use the Churki app or the Panchang page for your location.

Nishita Kaal (the middle of the night) is also traditional for Tantric and Kali worship, but home Lakshmi Puja is normally done in Pradosh.

Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi) 2026

Chaturdashi runs from 10:48 AM on 7 November to 11:28 AM on 8 November. Because it is present at moonrise (about 5:36 AM) on 8 November, Naraka Chaturdashi and the Abhyanga Snan (ritual oil bath) fall on the morning of 8 November, between moonrise and sunrise (about 5:36 AM – 6:38 AM in New Delhi). The same day then continues into Diwali night.

Lakshmi Puja vidhi (step by step)

1. Clean the house and decorate the entrance with rangoli and diyas.
2. Place a clean cloth on a raised platform and set the idols or pictures of Lakshmi and Ganesh, with a kalash of water, a coconut and mango leaves.
3. Light a ghee lamp and take the sankalp (resolve) to worship with devotion.
4. Worship Ganesh first, then offer Lakshmi flowers (lotus is preferred), roli, rice, sweets and fruit.
5. Recite the Lakshmi Ashtottara or Shri Suktam and perform the aarti.
6. Light diyas in every room, at the doorstep and in the courtyard.

What changes by city

Tithi start and end times are the same everywhere in the world, but sunset, and therefore the Pradosh window, shifts by city. Cities in the east see an earlier sunset and cities in the west a later one. Always use your own city's sunset. Traditions also differ; where two calendars disagree, follow your family pandit.

Frequently asked questions