Saptarshi

The Saptarshi (सप्तर्षि saptarṣi a Sanskrit dvigu meaning "seven sages") are the seven rishis who are extolled at many places in the Vedas and Hindu literature. The Vedic Samhitas never actually enumerate these rishis by name, though later Vedic texts such as the Brahmanas and Upanisads do so. They are regarded in the Vedas as the patriarchs of the Vedic religion. The Big Dipper asterism is also called 'Saptarshi' or 'Sapta Rishi' in Hindu astronomy. The Big Dipper is an asterism of seven stars that has been recognized as a distinct grouping in many cultures from time immemorial. The comprising stars are the seven brightest of the formal constellation Ursa Major. Ursa Major is a constellation visible throughout the year in most of the northern hemisphere. Its name means the Great Bear in Latin. It is dominated by the widely recognized asterism known as the Big Dipper, which is a useful pointer toward north, and which has mythological significance in numerous world cultures. The constellation of Ursa Major has been seen as a bear by many distinct civilizations Ursa Major is also known as 'Saptarshi mandal' in India source: excerpts from wiki for the respective terms.