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 17th December, 2023 to 13th 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 | 5th 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 | 5th December, 2023 Participate in Kaala Bhairava Jayanti Special Bhairava Homam Online on 5th 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 | 13th Dec, 2023
Participate in Margashira Paadyami Vishesha Navagraha Panchamrita Abhisheka Puja in Udupi Sri kshetra on 13th December, 2023 seeking the grace of all the Nine Celestial Planets, good health, longevity, prosperity and wealth. https://www.pureprayer.com/product/navagraha-panchamrita-abhisheka-puja/Dhanurmasa Naga Panchami Special Naga Vasuki Abhishekam Pooja | Udupi | 17th 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. https://www.pureprayer.com/product/samoohik-naga-vasuki-abhishekam/Subrahmanya Shashthi or the Skanda Shashthi | 17th Dec, 2023
Subrahmanya Shashthi or the Skanda Shashthi on 17th 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/