When to chant?
One may chant japa at any time, but the Vedic literatures note that certain hours of the day are most auspicious for performing spiritual activities. The early morning hours just before and after sunrise are generally a time of stillness and quietude, excellently suited to contemplative chanting. At the conclusion of Tulasi-arati, during the 1-1/2 to 2-hour period before Darshan Arati & Guru-puja begins, the devotees take time for chanting japa. While it is preferable to chant japa in the early morning, use your common sense to determine what works best for your circumstances. Regardless of the schedule you decide on, regularity and the right atmosphere are most important. If its not posssible to chant during early morning hours, it’s fine to break your rounds up over several periods during the day.