Twin Stars : Arundhati and Vashistha

Twin stars observed during marriage ceremony

Thousands of years ago the ancient rishis could identify two tiny spots in the sky as a twin star system. They named it Arundhati-Vasistha.

Mizar is known as Vashista and Alcor is known as Arundhati in traditional Indian astronomy.

The pair is considered to symbolize marriage. Vashistha and Arundhati were a married couple. Arundhati and Vasistha were considered an ideal couple, symbolic of marital fulfillment and loyalty.

During the marriage ceremonies of Hindus, one of the ritual is the groom shows the bride the double stars of Vasishta and Arundhati.