What is so special about Margazhi?

Question

The month of Margazhi (Margasirsh in Sanskrit) or Danur masam of the Hindu calendar is considered extremely holy. Shivas ArudraDarshan comes in this month. Vaikunda Ekadasi comes in this month. Aandals Tiruppavai and Manikkavasagars Tiruvempavai is chanted during this month. Music stands tall. Temples have special early morning pooja (Ushat Kala Pooja). In Bagavadgita Krishna himself says, Masanam Margaseersho Asmi. What is so special about this month. Can anyone throw light?

Leaving behind Hinduisim, Christmas and the Christian new year falls within this month. Bakrid of Islam comes within this month. Buddhists, Jains and also Sikhs consider this month Holy. Some tribes have their Harvest Fest within this month. Many countries celebrate various traditional fest during this month. Why this month becomes special?

I understand that it is special and so gave the highlights. I want to know why this month is so special. Any reason Behind it? Krishna says so. Krishna says he is the best among everything which means Margazhi is the best month, but why?

Answer 1

The key to the timing of many rituals and festivals and other important social events, is the weather and harvest! As the customs and traditions evolved, man had to take into the weather conditions as one among the most vital factors. The cold weather in 'Markazhi' and limited number of day hours, called for special efforts to shake off lethargy, a natural tendency (hibernation!), and some reasons were created for early rising and early morning vigour of activities on the social plane! Religiion and spirituality being the easiest routes to motivation, the 'Bhakti' marga showed the way to effective measures to keep man active in healthy social interactions! Therefore, as adjuncts, the concepts of gods' last few sleeping hours before the gods got up (in 'Uttarayana', after the 'dakshinayana', at the end of 'Markazhi'!) from sleep to commence their day (six months of 'uttarayana'!), and the ideal days for religious worship, were evolved and refined in all regions where winter peaked around those days, with similar thoughts and allied traditions evolving in other comparable religious practices! Cold weather is the most 'creative' weather for production of all kinds, stamina for work being maximum, once the inertia and initial lethargy are successfully tackled, thus Lord Krishna also acknowledged the prime place of that month of winter, as top among the months! That generally sums up the lovely month of music and pilgrimage! (The Madras season of music! The Ayyappa's pilgrimage season in the lofty hills of SabariMalai!)

Answer 2

The Tamil Margali Masam, or Margazhi Month, is the month of Bhakti and Music. In 2012, Margazhi month begins on December 16, 2012 and ends on January 14, 2013. The importance of Margali Masam was announced by none other than Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita when says Maasanam Margasheershoham - among the twelve months, I am Margazhi. Rendering of Tiruppavai and Tiruvembavai, religious discourses and music festivals are the major highlights during the period. Chanting of the Tiruppavai of Andal is the most important event in the month. The most important festivals in the Margali month are Vaikunta Ekadasi, Hanuman Jayanthi and Arudara Darshan. The month also marks the end of the pilgrimage season in Sabarimala. The month is also of great significance in the Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Temple. Apart from the Vaikunta Ekadasi, the Srirangam temple during the month witnesses the Pagal pathu and Rapathu – the chanting of Tiruvaimozhi. Margali Masam is also the time of the winter solstice when the days are shorter and the nights are longer. Margazhi Month is also considered the dawn period of Devas. Uttarayana Punayakalam begins in mid January – the daytime of Devas. One year of ours is a day for the Devas. The night time of Devas begins during Dakshinayana Punyakalam. Y A

Answer 3

As the questions states ,this month is considered a month of "omens"when so many things -good and bad-happen.many rituals and religious beliefs are fulfilled in this month .It is amonth somewhat odd than other vikrami months.
In the early morning of Margashirsha Purnima( Full Moon) a Tsunami of apocalyptic proportions arose and the deadly blow of an unprecedented earthquake brought mayhem. Co-incidentally it was 26th December 2004 also. And it is this date only which is now on every tongue in the world. No one is saying that the tide which rises is due to the Full Moon. The gravitational attraction of the Moon was well understood by our ancient Acharyas. This was the month of Margashirsha which also has a great deal of historical significance. The war of Mahabharata was fought in this month of Margashirsha in the bright half on trayodashi tithi in Bharani nakshatra. Two days before the Full Moon. In Bhagwad Geeta, lord Krishna has described the month of Margashirsha as one of his manifestations.

Today science has seen unprecedented growth. Intensive networks of supercomputers have been developed to process data but scientists are saying that an earthquake cannot be predicted. Earthquake is a chance incident. But the amazing progress made by our ancient Acharyas with their prolonged experience and observations and intelligent experimentation is unimaginable for the present day western scientists and mathematicians. Acharya Varahamihira was a contemporary of King Vikramaditya and the greatest of ancient astronomers or Acharyas. In his Magnum Opus Brihat Samhita there is a complete chapter devoted to earthquakes. But our present day business minded astrologers have little use for it. That is why it was ignored. Neither were experiments and research carried out in this direction

Answer 4

Margazhi month is a divine and holy month for hindus in this month people won't to do any good things for their family or society and it is lazy month.There are many special days like aruthra darisanam(lord eshwaran),vaikunta ekadesi(lord balaji),christmas.In this month lord balaji married andal so it special month for lord andal.In sabarimala they gear up for magara jothi is first day of thaii masam on pongal and for ayyappa poojas it is super month.Weather becomes more cool in this month of the year.

Answer 5

Margali Kolam

Answer 6

Lord Krishna has said in Bhagavat geetha that " In the 12 months, I am Margazhi". (Masanam Margaseersho Asmi) .What else to describe after that!!!

MARGHASZHI Month Dhanur Masa - starting from 15th December and ending on 13th January (one day this way or that way is also possible) Dhanur masa-Marghazhi - is a Shoonya Masa. Because it is considered as inaspicious to do any good things other than Godly functions.This month month is allotted to Gods and for us it a blank - meaning Soonya - read

The month Marghazhi (December-January) derives its name from the star Mrigasirsha occurring on or immediately after the month’s Pournami (Purnima - full moon). It is also known as Dhanur masa since during this month the sun transits through Dhanur rasi (Sagittarius). Vedas and agamas say mornings in this month are ideal for worship of the Lord. Krishna underlines its special nature by saying in Bhagavad Gita that among months he is Marghazhi, due to it's Jayanti this month. In temples all over India during this month there is special pre-dawn worship. Since this month is set apart exclusively for worship, the month is considered as –Soonya masa - inauspicious for events like marriages and other such functions are not performed in Marghazhi. The shaivite composition Thiruvembavai and the vaishnavite Thiruppavai are particularly recited during this month.

In Hindu Mythology we set off certain days or months for celebrating gods only and these are considered inauspicious for other functions. Apart from Dhanur Masa considered as Shoonya Masa. This is like the birth Tidies of Rama on Navami and Krishna on Asthmi are celebrated for them only and these tidies are inauspicious for other functions and attempting for any good deeds.

The month of Margazhi which is supposed to be sacred from all aspects. Thus it's rendered to the God himself in aim of attaining prosperity and blessings, hoping god showers with all good luck. The very objective this month is to get together and offer the prayers, he will surely listens to it. The Tamil month of Margazhi is of great importance because Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita that he is Margazhi among the twelve months.

During this month only important temple festivals such as VAIKUNDA EKADESI, THIRUVADIRAI, Hanumath Jayanthi etc..Hence this month is called as SOONYA MASAM.

The month is of great spiritual significance. The Tamil holy scriptures Tiruppavai and Tiruvembavai are read in the temples of Lord Vishnu during this month. Another unique feature is the reading of the four Vedas. The two month long pilgrimage season to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple comes to and end in Margazhi.

The month is also noted for its numerous music concerts. Another unique feature of the month is the beautiful kolams (rangoli) drawn on streets and in the courtyard of houses. Morning Bajans and Temple Prasadasm, Venpongal are very important in this month. In my younger yesrs I never missed the Perumal Koil Ven Pongal.Koil Prasadams has special taste, probably it is the prasadam of God. lol-

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