The Arundhati Nakshatra Ritual in Hindu Weddings
By Raj Shah
(Last month, Aruna and I had the pleasure of attending the wedding of BL’s son. BL is not only a dear friend but also a strong supporter of Akshaya Patra. The ceremony was conducted by Pandit Chakravarti, who very faithfully performed all the Hindu wedding rituals. After a long time we attended a Hindu wedding where all Hindu wedding rituals were performed very methodically and on a very timely basis, especially the Jeelakarra-Bellam ceremony, whose muhurtham was exactly at 8:50 AM.
Among all Hindu wedding rituals, Pandit Chakravarti also performed the Arundhati Nakshatra ritual. When the Pandit guided the newlyweds outside the venue to perform this tradition, I noticed that many guests were unfamiliar with it. Naturally, I found myself explaining it to a few people nearby. Since this is such a rare and meaningful aspect of Hindu weddings, I thought I’d take this opportunity to share its details with you as well.)
Among the many meaningful and poetic customs of a Hindu wedding, the Arundhati Nakshatra ritual, also called Arundhati Darshanam, holds a place of deep reverence. More than a ritual, it is a reminder—a reminder to newlyweds that their marriage is not only about love and companionship but also about equality, loyalty, and shared purpose.
Origins of the Ritual
The story goes back to the great sage Vashishta, one of the Saptarishis (seven great sages), and his wife Arundhati, who is revered as the embodiment of chastity, humility, and spiritual devotion. Their marriage is considered the highest model of companionship, where both husband and wife walked the path of dharma together.
In the night sky, Sage Vashishta is represented by a star in the Saptarishi Mandala (Ursa Major or the Great Bear constellation). Beside him, almost invisible at first glance, shines Arundhati. These two stars—known in modern astronomy as Mizar and Alcor—are remarkable because they form a true stellar pair. Unlike most stars that only appear close, Vashishta and Arundhati are gravitationally bound and orbit one another, circling around a common center of mass.
Ancient Hindu Recognition
What is striking is that Hindu sages described the Vashishta–Arundhati pair thousands of years ago, weaving them into both ritual and philosophy. “Long before Western astronomers began formally cataloguing Mizar and Alcor in the 17th century, Hindu rishis had already identified the Vashishta–Arundhati pair as a unique twin star system”. Ancient texts and oral traditions not only recognized the two stars but elevated them as models for human marriage.
Astronomically, Vashishta is a bright star easily visible to the naked eye, while Arundhati is much fainter and harder to spot. Yet those with keen vision can see them together without instruments—a fact used even in olden days as a test of eyesight. Hindu sages, however, went far beyond vision; they recognized the closeness, companionship, and uniqueness of these two stars and assigned them symbolic meaning.
The Ritual in the Wedding
After completing the central ceremonies of the wedding—such as the Saptapadi (seven steps around the sacred fire) and the tying of the mangalsutra—the bride and groom are guided outside by the priest or elder family members. They are asked to look up at the starry sky.
The priest points out Vashishta and Arundhati, and the couple gazes at them together. This act, called Arundhati Darshanam, is a symbolic blessing: just as Vashishta and Arundhati remain side by side for eternity, so should the bride and groom.
Symbolism of the Stars Rotating Together
The astronomical reality of these two stars orbiting one another is a perfect metaphor for marriage:
- Mutual Dependence – Both stars revolve around a shared center, reminding couples to anchor their lives around dharma and shared values.
- Eternal Companionship – Just as the stars remain bound together across cosmic timescales, so should husband and wife remain united through joy and challenge.
- Balance and Harmony – Neither star dominates; both move in harmony, symbolizing equality in married life.
- Spiritual Equality – “Arundhati, though faint, is not lesser. Her role beside Vashishta shows that true marriage is a partnership of equals.”
A Blend of Science and Spirituality
This ritual is one of the most fascinating examples of how Hindu traditions seamlessly integrate science with spirituality. The binary nature of Mizar and Alcor—once thought to be “discovered” by Western astronomy with telescopes—was already observed and celebrated by Hindu sages. They didn’t merely note the stars’ presence but drew deep moral and spiritual lessons from their motion and companionship.
Today, astronomers know that Mizar itself is a multiple-star system, and Alcor too has a faint companion star. But for millennia, Indians revered the visible pair as eternal partners. The fact that ancient Hindu rituals encouraged couples to observe them highlights not only spiritual wisdom but also advanced observational astronomy long before modern science.
Relevance Today
In an age when marriages often struggle with imbalance or ego, Arundhati Darshanam feels timeless. It tells couples:
- Marriage is about walking side by side, not one leading the other.
- True love is rooted in loyalty, service, and humility.
- A higher purpose—dharma—should be the central pivot around which life revolves.
Even in interfaith or intercultural marriages, the ritual resonates universally. The stars belong to all humanity, and their eternal orbit across the heavens tells a story anyone can embrace: partnership, balance, and unity.
The Arundhati Nakshatra ritual is more than a simple act of stargazing—it is a profound blend of legend, astronomy, and spirituality. Hindu sages recognized the twin stars of Vashishta and Arundhati long before Western astronomers labeled them as Mizar and Alcor, and they elevated this celestial pair into a guiding light for human marriages.
By asking couples to look upon these stars revolving together, the ritual gives them a lifelong reminder: that marriage is a partnership built on companionship, equality, and dharma. Just as Vashishta and Arundhati shine eternally in the heavens, so too may the bond of husband and wife endure—bright, steadfast, and in perfect harmony.
About the Author:
A software engineer by profession, Indian culture enthusiast, ardent promoter of hinduism, and a cancer survivor, Raj Shah is a managing editor of Desh-Videsh Magazine and co-founder of Desh Videsh Media Group. Promoting the rich culture and heritage of India and Hinduism has been his motto ever since he arrived in the US in 1969.
He has been instrumental in starting and promoting several community organizations such as the Indian Religious and Cultural Center and International Hindu University. Raj has written two books on Hinduism titled Chronology of Hinduism and Understanding Hinduism. He has also written several children books focusing on Hindu culture and religion.
