Dhanurmas is the 30-day period of Sun’s transition from Dhanu Rasi (Sagittarius) to Makar Rasi (Capricorn). Dhanurmas 2012 – 2013 is from December 16, 2012 to January 13, 2013. Dhanurmas is not an independent month in most of the Indian calendars calendars except for the Malayalam calendar followed in Kerala. In Malayalam calendar the month from mid December to mid January is known as Dhanu Masam.
About Dhanurmas
Dhanurmas is a combination of two words, Dhanur which is a sun sign Sagittarius and Mas means month. A month in which the sun enters the Sagittarius and stays with it is considered as Dhanurmas. As per Indian Astrology the sun stays with one of the sun signs every month. This month ends on the day of Bhog, just a day before Sankranti or Makara Sankranti. Dhanurmas is a very auspicious month for Vaishnavites. Dhanurmas lasts for 30 days and all these 30 days are most sacred for Vaishnavites. Special rituals and poojas are preformed to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
Significance and Importance Dhanurmas
Margazhi is the most beautiful month in the Tamilnadu. Lord Krishna says that he is the month of Margazhi from which one can imagine the beauty and sanctity of this month. Visiting temple in the early hours during the month would be auspicious, which is the tradition old followed by our people over the ages, and it has been proven scientifically that the Ozone layer will be closest to the earth during the month of Marghazi (Sanskrit name of month : Dhanus) which makes our health normal, while having breathing the fresh air in the early morning. All the temples in the month will be open in the early morning and special poojas are conducted to the deities. During the month of Margazhi, Andal recited 30 versus of Thiruppaavai and followed the Paavai Nombu and attained Lord Mahavishnu. Manickkavasagar, the saint, recited Thiruvempaavai on Lord Shiva. In these verses, the sait himself visualizes as a Women and sings those verses in the praise of his Lord Shiva during early hours of Margazhi. Again all these are being followed to ensure that people get benefited by the pure oxygen early in the morning! The eleventh day after the new moon and the full moon is called Ekadasi and we are supposed to follow the vratham of avoiding rice and eating light on these days. Even if the vratham is not observed on all Ekadasis, it is important to follow it on Vaikunta Ekadasi. Vaikunta Ekadasi is the eleventh day of the waxing moon. Ever year all temples of Mahavishnu have the beautiful ritual of “Sorgavaasal” (Heavenly Entrance) on the early morning of Vaikunta Ekadasi and the whole day is celebrated on a grand scale in these temples Thiruvadhirai is the star of Lord Shiva and this festival is celebrated in His honour. Arudhra Darsanam is celebrated on the full moon day of Margazhi with special abhishekams to the Siva lingams on the eve of Arudra Natchatra and special alangarams and pujas on the day. The celebrations at Chidambaram are the best with special pujas to the deity Nataraja. There is also a scientific meaning, which explains the greatness of the Margazhi month. During this month, the ozone layer will be lowered a little bit and because of this, any disease will reduce and gives a healthy body. Let us now what are the main benefits of this Margazhi month and the Thiruppaavai.
Rituals of Dhanurmas
Reciting Tiruppavai, offering of flowers to Lord Vishnu and complete Surrender to Lord Vishnu are the three important activities that are observed by the Devotees of Lord Vishnu. Unmarried girls would place Gobbillu in front of the house on the Rangolis. Tiruppaavai is a tamil word and the meaning of which is Tiru means Sacred and Pavai means Vrat. It is believed that Goddess Goda Devi had written the Tiruppaavai in an old Tamil poetry writing style called as Paavai. Goddess Godadevi is also known by the name of Andal. The story of Goda Devi could be read “ Dhanurmas Vrat Katha” . It is a ritual to clean the houses before sunrise. Water mixed with cowdung is sprinkled in front of the house and Rangoli would be made on it. Devotees would make balls out of Cowdung and would keep them in the centre of the Rangoli and would decorate it with flowers. Before being kept in the centre they are worshipped. These are calle Gobbemma.
