In
Hindu tradition,
Rahu () is the severed head of an
asura called
Svarbhanu, that swallows the
sun causing
eclipses. He is depicted in art as a serpent with no body riding a
chariot drawn by eight black horses. Rahu is one of the
navagraha (nine planets) in
Vedic astrology and is paired with
Ketu. The time of day considered to be under the influence of Rahu is called
Rahu kala and is considered inauspicious. In
Vedic astronomy, Rahu is considered to be a rogue planet. The other name of Rahu is Bhayanaka.