Uttara Bhadrapada

Uttara Bhadrapada, the 26th nakshatra, as depicted in temples.

The 25th and 25th nakshatra, the Bhadrapada, mapped to the star chart in Stellarium (smh2025).

... is an Indian name, used by the Indian Vedic tradition. Most of these names are roughly 3000 years old. They pre-date Hinduism but were taken over by it.

Etymology and History

Origin of Constellation

Uttara Bhadrapada literally means "the second of the blessed feet". Together with Purva Bhadrapada, the first of the blessed feet, it forms a super-constellation. Yet, in temples the two asterisms with similar names are depicted in totally different ways. This one is drawn as a anthropomorphic figure with two faces who holds the two stars in their hands. The two stars are likely to be identified with γ Pegasi and α Andromedae.

The two Bhadrapada asterisms equal the Chinese Eastern Wall (壁宿) and Encampment (Ying Shi, Mansion) who also form lunar mansions.

Mythology

mnemonic tales and cultural significance

References

• References (general)