Margasira Masam is the 9th month in the Hindu calendar. The month got its name after Mrigasira Nakshatra or star when coincides with the full moon day of the month. The month is also known by the name Agrahayana which is considered as the month of equinox. The meaning of Agra is elder and that of ayana is transition / travel.
As per the Hindu calendar of the olden days, Margasira Masam / Agrahayana was the 1st month. Later on Chaitram is considered as the 1st month of the Hindu calendar. In the mid of the auspicious month of Margasira, the Sun transits from Vrischika Rasi (zodiac sign of Scorpio) to Dhanur Rasi (zodiac sign of Sagittarius). Dhanur Sankramanam is observed when Sun enters Dhanur Rasi which marks the beginning of Dhanur Masam. The month also marks the beginning of Hemanta Ritu or the beginning of winter season in the tropical lands and mostly Dhanur Masam starts from December 16 every year. During Dhanur Masam, the women in some regions of Andhra Pradesh draw dwaram muggulu - special designs on the floor of the main entrance.
Also Read: Dhanur Masam
Margasira Masam along with Dhanur Masam is considered highly auspicious for Hindus particularly the followers of Sri Maha Vishnu as the month is believed to be the form of Kesava (Sri Maha Vishnu) and the same was conveyed by Sri Krishna in the Bhagawad Geeta sloka:
Gayatri Chandasamaham
Masanam Margasoham
Relate Topic: Ashtalakshmi
Meaning: "I (Lord Vishnu), myself stay in the month of Margasira".
As the month is Sri Maha Vishnu himself, the month is very dear to Lakshmi Devi - wife of Sri Maha Vishnu. Thursdays of Margasira Masam are dedicated to Lakshmi Devi and in many regions of the country people perform Margasira Lakshmivar Pooja / Vratam and specially worship Lakshmi Devi for health, wealth and prosperity.
Also Read: Dasavataram Stories
People worship Sri Maha Vishnu in Dhanur Masam and Tirupavai is recited in all the Vishnu temples in the South. Besides worshiping Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi in this auspicious month, even the Sun god, Lord Hanuman and Lord Kartikeya (the son of Lord Shiva) are specially worshiped during the month. On the 6th day after Amavasya, Skanda / Subramanya Sashti is celebrated when mostly the people in Tamil Nadu offer their prayers to Lord Subramanya. It is believed that married women who find it difficult to conceive, if offer their prayers to Lord Kartikeya will be blessed with children.
The next day is Saptami or the 7th day which is known as Mitra Saptami and people worship Sun god on this day.
On the 13th (Trayodasi) day of the month, people of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh observe Hanumad Vratam and mostly worship Lord Hanuman on this day in the temples and offer vada mala (garland of vada - an Indian snack item made of black gram or appala mala (a sweet recipe made of rice floor and jaggery) or perform patri pooja (with the betel leaves).
Pournami / Full Moon day of the month is celebrated as Sri Datta Jayanti. Sri Guru Datta is believed to be a boon of the three Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva who was born to Sage Atri and Anasuya (Atri's wife).
Also Read: Sri Gurudatta
The four Thursdays of Margasira Masam are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and people in the North coastal Andhra Pradesh and some regions of Odisha perform Margasira Lakshmivar Pooja. People in some parts of these states smear a typical red color made of natural material on the walls and ground and draw beautiful designs / rangoli with white natural paste on the red smear. Women specially worship Goddess Lakshmi on the Thursdays and visit the nearby Lakshmi temple to seek her blessings.
Kanaka Mahalakshmi Temple in Visakhapatnam is fully decorated on the occasion of Margasira Masam and the temple is heavily crowded with devotees coming from the entire district through out Margasira Masam in particular on Thursdays. The entire area is filled with a fair-like atmosphere.
Margasiram masam Date 2022: November 24th till December 22nd.
As per the Hindu calendar of the olden days, Margasira Masam / Agrahayana was the 1st month. Later on Chaitram is considered as the 1st month of the Hindu calendar. In the mid of the auspicious month of Margasira, the Sun transits from Vrischika Rasi (zodiac sign of Scorpio) to Dhanur Rasi (zodiac sign of Sagittarius). Dhanur Sankramanam is observed when Sun enters Dhanur Rasi which marks the beginning of Dhanur Masam. The month also marks the beginning of Hemanta Ritu or the beginning of winter season in the tropical lands and mostly Dhanur Masam starts from December 16 every year. During Dhanur Masam, the women in some regions of Andhra Pradesh draw dwaram muggulu - special designs on the floor of the main entrance.
Also Read: Dhanur Masam
Margasira Masam along with Dhanur Masam is considered highly auspicious for Hindus particularly the followers of Sri Maha Vishnu as the month is believed to be the form of Kesava (Sri Maha Vishnu) and the same was conveyed by Sri Krishna in the Bhagawad Geeta sloka:
Gayatri Chandasamaham
Masanam Margasoham
Relate Topic: Ashtalakshmi
Meaning: "I (Lord Vishnu), myself stay in the month of Margasira".
As the month is Sri Maha Vishnu himself, the month is very dear to Lakshmi Devi - wife of Sri Maha Vishnu. Thursdays of Margasira Masam are dedicated to Lakshmi Devi and in many regions of the country people perform Margasira Lakshmivar Pooja / Vratam and specially worship Lakshmi Devi for health, wealth and prosperity.
Also Read: Dasavataram Stories
People worship Sri Maha Vishnu in Dhanur Masam and Tirupavai is recited in all the Vishnu temples in the South. Besides worshiping Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi in this auspicious month, even the Sun god, Lord Hanuman and Lord Kartikeya (the son of Lord Shiva) are specially worshiped during the month. On the 6th day after Amavasya, Skanda / Subramanya Sashti is celebrated when mostly the people in Tamil Nadu offer their prayers to Lord Subramanya. It is believed that married women who find it difficult to conceive, if offer their prayers to Lord Kartikeya will be blessed with children.
The next day is Saptami or the 7th day which is known as Mitra Saptami and people worship Sun god on this day.
On the 13th (Trayodasi) day of the month, people of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh observe Hanumad Vratam and mostly worship Lord Hanuman on this day in the temples and offer vada mala (garland of vada - an Indian snack item made of black gram or appala mala (a sweet recipe made of rice floor and jaggery) or perform patri pooja (with the betel leaves).
Pournami / Full Moon day of the month is celebrated as Sri Datta Jayanti. Sri Guru Datta is believed to be a boon of the three Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva who was born to Sage Atri and Anasuya (Atri's wife).
Also Read: Sri Gurudatta
The four Thursdays of Margasira Masam are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and people in the North coastal Andhra Pradesh and some regions of Odisha perform Margasira Lakshmivar Pooja. People in some parts of these states smear a typical red color made of natural material on the walls and ground and draw beautiful designs / rangoli with white natural paste on the red smear. Women specially worship Goddess Lakshmi on the Thursdays and visit the nearby Lakshmi temple to seek her blessings.
Kanaka Mahalakshmi Temple in Visakhapatnam is fully decorated on the occasion of Margasira Masam and the temple is heavily crowded with devotees coming from the entire district through out Margasira Masam in particular on Thursdays. The entire area is filled with a fair-like atmosphere.
Margasiram masam Date 2022: November 24th till December 22nd.