Shravana nakshatra
Shravana is the 22nd nakshatra, spanning 10°00′–23°20′ of sidereal Capricorn. Ruled by the Moon with Vishnu as its deity, its symbol is an ear: a movable star of listening, learning and connection.
Also known as: Sravana, Shravan, Sravanam, Thiruvonam, Shrawan
Shravana means ‘hearing’. Its star is Altair, flanked by two fainter stars, and its symbol is an ear, or three footprints recalling Vishnu’s three strides as Vamana. Its deity is Vishnu, the preserver, so the star is linked with listening, learning, knowledge passed on by word of mouth, and devotion.
Shravana is one of the movable (chara) nakshatras, favoured for travel, study, buying a vehicle and naming ceremonies. Ruled by the Moon, it begins life in the Moon’s ten-year dasha. The month of Shravana (Sawan) is named after it, and in Kerala Thiruvonam, the main day of Onam, is Shravana in the month of Chingam.
Its padas give the name syllables Khi, Khu, Khe and Kho. The full moon of Shravana brings Raksha Bandhan and, for many families, the renewal of the sacred thread (Upakarma).