Arundhati and Vashishta Stars as seen
from our house ‘Srilekha’ today – 22nd November 2017 at 19:46:09 IST.
Starting from tomorrow, next five days are very auspicious for
weddings. After these five days there are no more Muhurthams (auspicious days)
for weddings until February 2018. So the two Telugu States and specially our
Twin Cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad are going to witness hundreds of
weddings in the next five days.
We have received five wedding invitations. While I am my wife; with
my son, daughter-in-law and grandson would be attending three weddings and
wedding related events and receptions, my son with his family would be
attending additionally two other weddings. The next five days will be hectic
not only for us but for countless people in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. These are very happy times for all but with
so many wedding ceremonies the city traffic is unfortunately bound to cause
some problems.
With so many weddings and happiness around us it feels very good. I
wish all the families celebrating weddings all the best and for the newlyweds:
may heaven’s choicest blessings be showered on them.
Talking of heavens, there is a tradition in most Telugu families of
the newlyweds looking heavenwards and sighting Arundhati Nakshatram (Star) and seeking
blessings. This event takes place soon after the wedding. With guidance from
the Purohit, the groom is asked to point towards Arundhati Star and show it to
the bride, and the bride prays to the Star.
The significance of this is explained to some and for the others it is
just a ritual but I have seen all couples enjoying this event then and later in
life when they see photographs of this…they are reminded of those happy
moments.
Arundhati and Vashishta is a two star constellation. These stars
are named after Arundhati and Sage Vashishta (who was the guru of Lord Rama).
They were an ideal couple and symbolize marriage. Usually a two star
constellation is such that one star is in the middle and the other revolves
around the center star. However there is something special about
Arundhati-Vashishta constellation, they revolve around each other. This
signifies how a married couple must be close to one another at all times, lead
a happy life and perform their duties and achieve their goals together.
Arundhati was a great woman, an ideal wife and a role model for all women and
hence she has earned a place by the side of sage Vashishta in the Saptarishi
formation in space that is in Big Dipper formation that you can see in the
attached pictures. Her blessings are considered to be very valuable. And this
tradition is being followed since very ancient times, since the days of Arundhati
and Vashishta!
For those interested in astronomy the scientific names for
Arundhati and Vashishta Stars are Alcor and Mizar. These are situated in the
Big Dipper formation of stars of the Ursa Major constellation.
The topmost picture is of Arundhati and Vashishta Stars as viewed
from our house few minutes ago from Secunderabad, to be precise at 19:46:09
IST, 22nd November 2017.
No comments:
Post a Comment