Margazhi

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Wikipedia

Margazhi
CalendarTamil calendar
Month number9
Number of days29 or 30
SeasonMun-pani (winter)
Gregorian equivalentDecember–January
Significant days
← Karthigai
Thai →

Margazhi or Margali is the ninth month of the Tamil calendar.[1] The name of the month is derived from the position of the Moon near the Mirugashirisam nakshatra (star) on the pournami (full moon) day.[2] The month corresponds to mun-pani kalam (winter season) and falls in December–January in the Gregorian calendar.[3][4]

In the Hindu lunar calendar, it corresponds to the ninth month of Agrahayana, falling in the Gregorian months of November–December.[4] In the Hindu solar calendar, it corresponds to the eighth month of Vrscika and begins with the Sun's entry into Scorpio.[5] In the Vaishnava calendar, it corresponds to the ninth month of Keshava.[6][7]

Festivals

The month is dedicated to the worship of Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi. Adherents observe fasting on Thursdays of the month, and perform a special puja to Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity. Women draw kolams or rangoli early in the morning. Devotees visit temples each morning and recite the work Tiruppavai by the poet-saint Andal.[8]

Vaikuntha Ekadashi is observed on the ekadashi (eleventh lunar day) thithi of the Krishna Paksha (waxing moon) of the month.[9] Vaikuntha Dvaram (a representation of the gate to Vishnu's abode, Vaikuntha[10]) is opened in Vishnu temples on the only this day of the year. Special prayers, and chanting of mantras are accompanies with pujas, and yajnas.[11] 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 earthly life.[12]

Tamils observe Hanuman Jayanti in the month of Margazhi. It is commemorated on the day when the mula nakshatra occurs on the amavasai (new moon) day.[13] On this day, devotees perform special pujas and abhishekams, recite mantras, and offer betel leaves, and vadas to the deity.[14] Tiruvatirai is a Tamil festival dedicated to Shiva during this period, which commemorates the occasion of his performance of the cosmic dance tandava.[15][16]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Tamil Calendar – Months". Time and Date. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  2. ↑ Garima Garg (2022). Heavens and Earth: The Story of Astrology Through Ages and Cultures. Penguin Random House. p. 75. ISBN 978-9-354-92705-8.
  3. ↑ Martha Ann Selby (2003). The Circle of Six Seasons. p. xxix. ISBN 978-0-141-00772-4.
  4. 1 2 Robert Sewell; John Faithful Fleet (1989). The Siddhantas and the Indian Calendar. Asian Educational Services. p. 334.
  5. ↑ "Hindu Panchang". Hindu Net. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "Vaisnava Calendar Reminder Services – About Calendar". Vaisnava Calendar. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  7. ↑ "Something about the Vaisnava Calendar". ISVARA. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  8. ↑ Bhojraj Dwivedi (2006). Religious Basis Of Hindu Beliefs. Diamond Pocket Books. p. 172. ISBN 978-8-128-81239-2.
  9. ↑ "Vaikuntha Ekadasi". The Hindu. 29 December 2003. Archived from the original on 25 February 2004. Retrieved 19 April 2007.
  10. ↑ "What is Vaikuntha?". Yogapedia. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  11. ↑ Verma, Manish (2013). Fasts and Festivals of India. Diamond Pocket Books. p. 65. ISBN 978-81-7182-076-4.
  12. ↑ "Vaikuntha Ekadashi" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-19.
  13. ↑ "Hanuman Jayanti in Tamil Month Margazhi". Hindu Blog. 12 Dec 2008. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  14. ↑ "Hanuman Jayanti in Rama Temples of Tamil Nadu". Culture & Heritage of India. 10 Jan 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  15. ↑ "திருவாரூர் கோயிலில் திருவாதிரை திருவிழா". Dinakaran. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  16. ↑ "Happiness gives Darshan". Daily Thanthi. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2014.