Maghā (मघा)

Magha Nakshatra as drawn in historical temples

Nakshatras 10, 11 and 12 in the constellation Leo, as animated GIF to show where the historical images were placed (WGSN 2025). Magha is the right one.

Maghā (मघा), "The Bountiful", 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

Name Variants

• Magha
• Paitra

Magha Puja

Origin of Constellation

5 stars: Regulus (α Leo), γ, η, 31,ο and ρ Leonis

The bright star, Regulus, is securely identified across all historical sources; it is the main star (yogatara).

The nakshatra-asterism surrounding it consists of five fainter stars: γ, η, ο, 31 and ρ Leonis.

Mythology

mnemonic tales and cultural significance

References

• References (general)