In the
Hindu text Bhagavad Gita (10.35), god
Krishna says "Among months, I am Margashirsha." As per
Bhagavata Purana, marriageable daughters of the cowherd men of
Gokula (
gopis) undertook a sacred vow (
vrata) and worship goddess
Katyayani with a desire to have Krishna as their husband. In Tamil Nadu, during the month of
Margazhi, women make
kolams or
rangoli early in the morning. Devotees usually go to temples each morning and recite
Tiruppavai by
Andal and
Tiruvempavai by
Manikkavacakar.
Annapurna Jayanthi Annapurna Jayanthi commemorates the appearance of
Annapurna, a form of goddess
Parvati, and the Hindu god associated with food and nurture. It is celebrated on the
purnima (
full moon) of the month of Agrahayana. As per
Hindu mythology, following a feud between
Shiva and Parvati, Parvati removed all the food from the world, and following a famine, she appeared as Annapurna at
Varanasi to feed the people. Shiva, realised his mistake, and himself took alms from Annapurna as a symbolic gesture. During the day, people take a holy dip, present various offerings to the goddess, and feed the needy. .
Bhairava Ashtami Bhairava Ashtami is commemorated on the
Ashtami (eighth day)
thithi of
Krishna paksha of the Margashirsha month. According to Hindu mythology, god Shiva manifested in his fierce form as
Bhairava on the day. The day is commemorated with special prayers, rituals, and offerings dedicated to Bhairava, who is regarded as the protector and guardian deity.
Bhairavi Jayanthi Bhairavi Jayanthi celebrates the manifestation of goddess
Bhairavi, the fifth
Mahavidya (Wisdom goddess) form of Parvati, and the consort of Bhairava. It is celebrated on the purnima day of the month. As a fierce manifestation of Parvati, Bhairavi is associated with the purification and awakening of the
kundalini, a form of divine energy, and as the holder of esoteric wisdom. Worship of the goddess during the day is believed to enable someone to overcome fear and negativity, and move through obstacles.
Bhogi Bhogi marks the first day of
Makar Sankranti and
festival. It generally falls on the last day of the month, and is celebrated widely in the
South Indian states.
Datta Jayanti Datta Jayanti, commemorating the birth of the deity
Dattatreya, is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of
Margashira. Dattatreya is revered as the combined avatar of
Brahma,
Vishnu and Shiva. Worship of Dattatreya on this day is believed to bestow wisdom, remove obstacles, and mitigate ancestral curses (Pitru Dosha).
Manabasa Gurubara and Lakshmi Vrat The month is dedicated to the worship of god
Vishnu and his consort goddess
Lakshmi. People observe
fasting on Thursdays of the month and do special puja to Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity. The first Thursday is celebrated as
Manabasa Gurubara in parts of
Eastern India such as
Odisha. The observance is based on a mythological story regarding Lakshmi as stated in the 16th century
Odia text
Lakshmi Purana. This festival is also known as Margashirsha Lakshmi Vrata in
Maharashtra, where women perform Lakshmi Puja at home for wealth and prosperity.
Vaikunta Ekadashi Vaikunta Ekadashi and
Mokshada Ekadashi is observed on the
Ekadashi (eleventh lunar day)
thithi of the
Krishna Paksha (
waxing moon) of the month as per
purnimanta tradition. Vaikuntha Dvaram (gate to Vishnu's abode
Vaikuntha) is opened in Vishnu temples on the only this day of the year. Special prayers, and chanting of mantras are accompanies with
pujas, and
yagnas. According to the
Vishnu Purana, fasting on Vaikuntha Ekadashi is equivalent to fasting on the remaining 23 ekadashis of the year, and is said to give people passage to Vaikuntha after the earthly life. ==See also==