Discuss Rohiṇī (रोहिणी)

Rohini and absence of star worship in Indian tradition

I agree with Dr Shylaja. In Indian tradition, no stars (except planets, Sun and Moon) are worshipped. Even dusk and dawn are taken as natural phenomena and considered daughters or wives of other gods.

There are examples of association with gods. Sirius is considered Rudra (another name for Shiva), who is trying to prevent incest by Braahma, represented by Orion. But there is no formal worship of Sirius or even Canis Major. There are other stories of two dogs guarding the entrance to the palace of time - beginning of a year - which suggests that Orion (called Mrugashirsha or Agrahayana, the first month) etc., suggesting that original ideas of the year began with the Sun in the Vernal Equinox in Orion, etc. But the dogs are not worshipped. But that is a long story for another day.

For now, I would only like to state that the association of stars with specific gods does nor result in that star (or constellation being worshipped). The relation between constellations and heavenly events is a long story and in some tribes in India, the constellation patterns (like Taurus - considered a bird trap) are used...

Mayank Vahia, Mumbai, India MayankVahia (talk) 04:50, 9 May 2026 (UTC)