Uttara Phalguni nakshatra

Uttara Phalguni, ‘the latter reddish one’, follows its twin at the Lion’s tail, around the star Denebola. Its symbol is the back legs of a bed and its deity is Aryaman, the god of contracts, friendship and marriage customs. Its first pada lies in Leo and the other three in Virgo.

It is one of the four fixed (sthira) nakshatras and among the most favoured stars for weddings and griha pravesh, because it supports commitments meant to last. Ruled by the Sun, it begins life in the Sun’s six-year dasha. In Tamil Nadu, Panguni Uthiram, when the full moon meets this star, celebrates the weddings of the gods.

Its padas give the name syllables Te, To, Pa and Pi. Because the two Phalgunis share a name, people often assume they behave alike. In muhurat they are opposites: Purva Phalguni is set aside as fierce, while Uttara Phalguni is one of the steadiest choices.