Ketu

Hindu deity representing descending lunar node

Key facts

Sanskrit transliteration: केतु
Affiliation: Graha , Asura , Svarbhanu
Abode: Ketuloka
Mantra: Oṃ Viprachitti Putra Simhika Putra Om Navagraha Ketave Namaḥ
Weapon: Spear
Number: 7,16 and 25
Mount: Vulture
Parents: Viprachitti (father), Simhika (mother)
Siblings: Rāhu
Consort: Chitralekha and Dhoomra

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Wikidata facts

Image: Ketu graha.JPG

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Article

Ketu (Sanskrit: केतु, IAST: Ketú) () is the descending (i.e. 'south') lunar node in Vedic, or Hindu astrology. Personified as a deity, Rāhu (, the ascending (i.e. 'north') lunar node) and Ketu are considered to be the two halves of the immortal asura (demon) Svarbhanu, who was beheaded by the God Vishnu.

As per Vedic astrology, Rāhu and Ketu have an orbital cycle of 18.6 years and are always 180 degrees from each other orbitally (as well as in the birth charts). This coincides with the precessional orbit of moon or the 18.6-year rotational cycle of the lunar ascending and descending nodes on the earth's ecliptic plane. Ketu rules the Virgo zodiac sign together with Budha (traditional ruling planet; Mercury in Western astrology).