Margashirsha Maas | Dhanurmasa Festivals and Pujas

Margashirsha Maas is a month associated with many Hindu religious celebrations, observances and penances. Many devout Hindus observe ‘fast’ and ‘vratas’ (vows) during this month, dedicating themselves to the worship of deities like Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Goddess Lakshmi. Dhanurmasa or Dhanurmasam is another month in the Hindu Calendar System based on the solar calendar and spiritually significant practice.

PurePrayer brings out the importance of Margashirsha Maas and the intertwining Dhanurmasa in the Hindu traditions, along with the festivities in the month.

Important celebrations like Kala Bhairava Jayanti, Naga Panchami, Sri Subrahmanya Shashthi, Ashlesha Bali Puja, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Hanumad Vrata, Gita Jayanti or Bhagavad Gita Jayanti, Dattatreya Jayanti, and Ketu Jayanti are celebrated in the month of Margasheersha.

Margashira Lakshmi Vrat is another important practice performed on every Thursday of the Margashira Maas.

Dhanurmasam is being celebrated from 17^th December, 2023 to 13^th January, 2024. Dhanurmasa or Dhanurmasam is another month in the Hindu Calendar System based on the solar calendar and spiritually significant practice. Typically, this solar month falls between mid-December and mid-January, during the month of Margashira. This month is celebrated with great fervor and devotion by Hindus, particularly in South India, and holds a special place in their hearts.

These vratas are believed to bring spiritual purification and blessings.

The Margashirsha Maas is filled with the practices dedicated to Lord Vishnu like, Vaikuntha Ekadashi and Gita Jayanti.

Decorating Homes:

People decorate their homes with flowers and Rangoli designs during Margashirsha, creating a festive and vibrant atmosphere. This practice symbolizes the welcoming of positive energy and prosperity into the household.

Meditation and Reflection:

Margashirsha encourages self-reflection and spiritual growth. The emphasis on devotion and spiritual practices during this month allows individuals to delve deeper into their inner selves, seeking a closer connection with the divine.

Seeking Blessings:

It is believed that worship and prayers offered during Margashirsha have a profound impact on an individual’s spiritual journey. Devotees seek the blessings of deities for spiritual enlightenment, guidance, and protection.

What is the importance of Margashirsha Maas?

Margashirsha month holds immense importance in the Hindu religion, encompassing religious, cultural, spiritual, and social dimensions. It is a time of heightened devotion, self-purification, and reflection.

Margashirsha is the ninth month in the Hindu Panchangam or the lunar calendar.

Kaala Bhairavashtami and Kala Bhairava Jayanti | 5^th December, 2023

Kaala Bhairavashtami, Kala Bhairava Jayanti or simply the ‘Bhairav Jayanti’ is celebrated on the Ashtami (the eighth day) of Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in the Margasheersha Maas of the Hindu Panchangam. This corresponds to November-December period sin the Gregorian calendar.

Lord Kala Bhairava is revered as the deity of time and is believed to be the guardian of the temporal aspect of the universe.

Many followers of Lord Bhairav observe fasts, engage in prayers, and participate in various religious activities on this day to seek blessings in order to address malefic or negative forces in their life like black magic or evil eyes or Shani Graha related Doshas.

Importance of Kaala Bhairava in Puranas

Kaala Bhairava is said to dissolve the delusions and the dualities in our mind, making us fearless and grants the ‘Moksha’ (liberation). Bhairava is a form of Lord Shiva. Pujas to Bhairava address the impact of negative vibrations, evil eye, dark negative forces or black magic.

Those frequently suffering from accidents are advised to participate in Bhairava Homam and Abhishekam during Kalashtami.

Kaala Bhairava Jayanti Special Bhairava Homam | Kumbakonam | 5^th December, 2023

Participate in Kaala Bhairava Jayanti Special Bhairava Homam Online on 5^th December, 2023 in Swarnakarshana Bhairavar Temple near Kumbakonam, seeking protection from negative forces (Aapath Haran), fear and Birth-Chart related Doshas.

Bhairava Homam or Bhairav Havan inculcates positive vibrations that increase the productivity and also guides towards the path of success. Bhairava Homam on Krishnapaksha Ashtami is highly recommended for those under ‘Sade Sati Shani’ (Seven & Half year Shani Dasha period), ‘Ashtama Shani’ or with poor placements of Shani in the horoscope (Birth-Chart).

This fire-ritual results in complete annihilation of enemies, fear and all kinds of negative forces. Inner enemies such as ego, greed, lust, anger and procrastination will also be destroyed through Bhairava worship.

Read more about Kaala Bhairava here:

https://www.pureprayer.com/blogs/kala-bhairava-jayanti/

Margashira Paadyami Vishesha Navagraha Panchamrita Abhisheka Puja | Udupi | 13^th Dec, 2023

Participate in Margashira Paadyami Vishesha Navagraha Panchamrita Abhisheka Puja in Udupi Sri kshetra on 13^th December, 2023 seeking the grace of all the Nine Celestial Planets, good health, longevity, prosperity and wealth.

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Dhanurmasa Naga Panchami Special Naga Vasuki Abhishekam Pooja | Udupi | 17^th Dec, 2023

Participate in Dhanurmasa Naga Panchami Special Naga Vasuki Abhishekam Pooja with Naga Gayatri Kalasha Homa Online seeking blessings and benevolence of the Serpent God, Good Health, Longevity and addressing Sarpa Doshas, on 17th December, 2023 at Sri Naga Vasuki Temple, Udupi Sri Kshetra.

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Subrahmanya Shashthi or the Skanda Shashthi | 17^th Dec, 2023

Subrahmanya Shashthi or the Skanda Shashthi on 17^th December, 2023 is an important occasion for celebrations in the southern parts of India. The day of Shukla Paksha Shashthi of Margashirsha Maas is celebrated with a great pomp in Tamil Nadu state.

Kanda, Karthikeya, Murugan, or simply the Vela are the names that are recalled all over many times during Skanda Shashthi.

This is the day on which Lord Subrahmanya representing the army of Gods, vanquished Tarakasura. This is popular as the “Soora Samharam”, in Tamil Nadu.

Subrahmanya Mantra

|| षडाननं कुंकुमरक्तवर्णं महामतिं दिव्यमयूरवाहनं |

| रुद्रस्य सूनुं सुरसैन्यनाथं गुहं सदा शरणमहं प्रपद्ये ||

|| ಷಡಾನನಂ ಕುಂಕುಮರಕ್ತವರ್ಣಂ ಮಹಾಮತಿಂ ದಿವ್ಯಮಯೂರವಾಹನಂ |

| ರುದ್ರಸ್ಯ ಸೂನುಂ ಸುರಸೈನ್ಯನಾಥಂ ಗುಹಂ ಸದಾ ಶರಣಮಹಂ ಪ್ರಪದ್ಯೇ ||

|| ShaDAnanaM kuMkumaraktavarNaM mahAmatiM divyamayUravAhanaM |

| rudrasya sUnuM surasainyanAthaM guhaM sadA SaraNamahaM prapadye ||

‘Skanda Shashti’ or ‘Kanda Shashti’ has gained importance as women pray to Subramanya or kanda seeking a son like him.

Read more about Subrahmanya Shashthi here:

https://www.pureprayer.com/blogs/subrahmanya-shashthi/

Ashleshabali Puja on Margashira Shashthi 17^th Dec, 2023

Participate in Ashleshabali Puja on Margashirsha Maas Shashthi (Margali Shashti) on 17^th December, 2023 seeking the benevolence of Subrahmanya (Skanda) and the Nagadevatas. Performing Ashleshabali Puja on the day of Skanda Shashthi or Subramanya Shashthi has been a very old traditional observance offering obeisance to Lord Subrahmanya and Naagdevtas.

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Ashlesha Bali Pooja is a special worship performed seeking protection and relief from Sarpa Dosh, Naga Dosh, Kuja Dosham (Manglik Dosh) and Kala Sarpa Dosh. Worship of snakes or ‘Nagaradhana’ finds mention in many Puranas. Ashlesha is one of the 27 constellations in the Hindu Sanatan Astrology. Ashlesha means the ‘Unseparated’ or ‘Inseparable’. Ayyilyam or Aiyillam Nakshatra Shanti is another name for Ashlesha Bali Puja in Tamil and Malayalam.

Performing Shanti Poojas to those born in this constellation on the day of Skandhashashti is considered highly beneficial.

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Bhagavadgita Jayanti / Gita Jayanti | 22^nd Dec, 2023

Bhagavadgita Jayanti is generally celebrated on two dates in the month of Margasheersha. The day of Shukla Paksha Ekadashi is considered as the day of Gita Jayanti. Margashirsha Purnima, the full moon day of this month, is also celebrated as Gita Jayanti day. This is the day when, Lord Krishna delivered the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna.

Devotees recite the Bhagavad Gita, organize lectures, and engage in discussions about the spiritual wisdom contained in this sacred scripture.

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Vaikuntha Ekadashi | 22^nd Dec, 2023

One of the most prominent features of Margashirsha Maas (month) is the observance of Ekadashi, a sacred day that occurs twice in this month. Devotees fast and engage in prayers, seeking divine blessings and atonement for their sins.

Also, the Vaikuntha Ekadashi, is an important event when all the devotees visit the nearest Vishnu Temples for a passage through the Vaikuntha Dwara.

Dattatreya Jayanti | 26^th December, 2023

Dattatreya Jayanti, also popularly known as Datta Jayanti on 26^th December, 2023, is a significant Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Dattatreya, a divine incarnation who represents the unity of the Holy Trinity – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. This auspicious day falls on the full moon day of the Margashirsha Maas (month), usually in December. Devotees across India and other parts of the world observe this day with great reverence and devotion.

Dattatreya Jayanti Special Dattatreya Homam | Kumbakonam | 26^th Dec, 2023

Participate in Dattatreya Jayanti Special Dattatreya Homam in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu on 26^th December, 2023 and be thrice blessed with the benevolence of the Divine Trinity, seeking Victory, Good Health, Longevity, Prosperity, Wealth as well as relief from Graha Doshas.

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Dhanurmasa 17^th December 2023 to 13^th January, 2024

Dhanurmasa, also known as Margazhi in Tamil, is a sacred and spiritually significant month in the Hindu calendar. It typically falls between mid-December and mid-January, coinciding with the winter solstice. This month is celebrated with great fervor and devotion by Hindus, particularly in South India, and holds a special place in their hearts.

Dhanurmasa spans for a period of 30 days, and it is believed to be the time when Lord Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. This divine event is commemorated by devotees through various rituals, prayers, and cultural activities during this auspicious month.

Dhanurmasa Special Bhagavadgita Homam | Kumbakonam | 17^th Dec, 2023 to 13^th Jan, 2024

Participate in Dhanurmasa Special Bhagavad Gita Homam in Kumbakonam from 17^th December, 2023 to 13^th Jan, 2024 seeking the benevolence of Lord Srimannarayana or Sri Krishna for Good Health, Good Fortune, Wealth, Prosperity, Peace and Harmony.

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Dhanurmasam | Andal | Thiruppavai

One of the most significant traditions associated with Dhanurmasa is the recitation of the Thiruppavai, a collection of thirty hymns composed by the great Tamil saint Andal. These verses are sung every day during the early hours of the morning in temples and homes.

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Margashirsha Maas | Dhanurmasa Festivals and Pujas