Dhanurmasam
‘Dhanurmasa’ is considered as highly auspicious for the devotees of Lord Vishnu. The beginning of Dhanurmasa is marked by the transit of the Sun into ‘Dhanur ’ rasi.
This is also called ‘Dhanus Sankramana’. According to Sanatana Dharma, Devas wake up early in the morning during this month. They perform special prayers to Sri Maha Vishnu during the auspicious period of ‘Bramhi Muhurtha’, which is one and a half hours before sunrise.
Srikrishna in Bhagavad Gita says – ‘Maasaanaam Maarga Seershoham….’ – ‘I manifest more in Margashirsha Masam among the different months of the year ’.
Worshipping Lord Vishnu on a single day during Dhanurmasa is equal to worshipping Vishnu with devotion for 1000 years. Special worship is conducted in all ancient Vishnu shrines throughout South India and some parts of North India.
The holy festival ‘Vaikunta Ekadasi’ is celebrated on an Ekadasi during the bright half of Dhanurmasam.
During Dhanurmasa Naivedyam, Jaggery Dosa, Mudgannam (venpongal), are offered to the Lord in Tirumala.
Importance and significance of Dhanurmasam
As per Hindu Scriptures, Dhakshinayana (the movement of the Sun towards the south) is the nighttime for Devas (demi-gods). Dhanurmasa is the last month of Dhakshinayana. Gods wake up in the early morning (Dhanurmasa) Brahma Muhurtha- about one and half hours before the Sunrise- and offer special prayers to the Lord.
Pujas offered to the Lord even on a single day during Dhanurmasa is very auspicious. Dhanurmasa is also called Margali masam.
Sri Krishna has declared that “Maasaanaam maargaseershoham” in Srimad Bhagavat Gita- “I manifest more in the month of Maargaseersham (dhanurmasa) among the different months of the year”. So Dhanurmasa gets importance. Further Andal (Goda Devi) performed Paavi Nombu- a vrata to get the Lord as her consort in this month.
In fact, her Tiruppavai prabandham describes her Vrata during Dhanurmasa in full detail. Some even call Dhanurmasa Tiruppavai month (During Dhanurmasam, lectures on Tiruppavai are arranged at many places all over South India). Dhanurmasa is said to be the most sacred one for observing worship, vratas and spiritual activities to obtain salvation.
Worship of Lord Srinivasa – Dhanurmasam
Naivedyam
During the Dhanurmasa Naivedyam, special food offerings like Jaggery Dosa, Mudgannam (Katte Pongali), Sundal, and Seera are offered every day to Lord Srinivasa.
Goda Kalyanam
The holy month of Dhanurmasa concludes with the Bhogi festival on the 30th day and the Goda Kalyanam ritual is performed in Tirupati Sri Govindaraja Swami temple Andal Sannidhi.
Also, flower garlands from Sri Andal Sannidhi are sent to Tirumala and are adorned on the Dhruva Beram of Srivaru, during Madhyamika Aradhana.
Those who worship Lord Vishnu in this holy month of Dhanurmasa will be conferred with the choicest blessings of Lord Srinivasa and by his eternal grace, devotees are blessed with health, wealth, peace and prosperity in this world and attain Vishnu Loka prapti at the end of their lives.
Vaikunta Ekadasi
During the Dhanurmasam, Margasira Sukla Ekadasi, or Vaikunta Ekadashi is celebrated with religious fervour.
On the Vaikunta Dwadasi, the Sacred Chakrathalwar is taken in procession to the Temple tank called Swami Pushkarini for a Holy bath-Tirumanjanam. This is performed commemorating Swami Pushkarini Theertha Mukkoti. (But at present due to COVID-19, these rituals are done in the temple only).
It is believed that on this Dwadasi day, all the Holy theerthas on earth congregate in Swami Pushkarini. Hence, devotees take a bath in Swami Pushkarini after the Chakra Snanam, to wash off their sins. It is said that after bathing in the Pushkarini, if one offers charity to the poor, he will be blessed by the Lord.
Adhyayanotsavam
The annual Adhyayanotsavam celebrations are observed for 23 days during Dhanurmasam. ‘Adhyayana’ in Sanskrit means practice and is synonymous with repetition, or recitation of any subject matter.
TTD during Dhanurmasam
Apart from making all arrangements for the smooth running of rituals, TTD takes pride in propagating Tiruppavai. Last year upanyasams (lectures) were given in Pedda Jeeyar Mutt during Dhanurmasam.
Those who worship with devotion during Dhanurmasam will get the choicest Blessings of the Lord obtaining peace and prosperity in the life after.
Namo Sri Venkatesaya
