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.
AstroPuja 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 16th December, 2025 to 14th January, 2026. 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
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.
Margashira Paadyami Vishesha Navagraha Panchamrita Abhisheka Puja | Udupi
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Dhanurmasa Naga Panchami Special Naga Vasuki Abhishekam Pooja | Udupi
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Subrahmanya Shashthi | Skanda Shashthi
Subrahmanya Shashthi or the Skanda Shashthi 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.
Ashleshabali Puja on Margashira Shashthi
Participate in Ashleshabali Puja on Margashirsha Maas Shashthi (Margali Shashti) 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. Link: 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. Read more about Ashlesha Bali Puja here: https://www.pureprayer.com/product/ashlesha-bali-puja/
Bhagavadgita Jayanti / Gita Jayanti
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
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 | 4th December, 2025
Dattatreya Jayanti, also popularly known as Datta Jayanti on 4th December, 2025, 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
Participate in Dattatreya Jayanti Special Dattatreya Homam in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu 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.
Dhanurmasa 16th December 2025 to 14th January, 2026
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
Participate in Dhanurmasa Special Bhagavad Gita Homam in Kumbakonam seeking the benevolence of Lord Srimannarayana or Sri Krishna for Good Health, Good Fortune, Wealth, Prosperity, Peace and Harmony.
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.
