DHANURMASAM FROM 16TH DEC-13TH JAN 2010

"Dhanurmasam" from December 16th to January 13th celebrated all 30 days daily at before 6:00A.M. Each day in this masam devotees chant paasurams of "TIRUPAVAI" and at the end i.e. on last day "Goda Devi Kalyanam ". This pooja is to be completed before sunrise everyday.But today as "Amavasya" is there up to 9.25 A.M, and the dhanurmasam starts at 9.30 Am. 16th December, 2009 (Wednesday) - Margasira Bahula Amavaasya - Dhanus Sankramana - Transit of Sun in to Dhanur Raasi (Sagittarius)17th December, 2009 (Thursday) - Commencement of Dhanurmasam, and 13th January, 2010 (Wednesday) - End of Dhanurmasam(Goda Devi Kalyanam). The period of Dhanurmasam begins with the transit of Sun into Dhanurasi(Sagittarius) of the zodiac where He will be there for a period of one month. It is highly auspicious time to worship and pray to Lord Sri Maha Vishnu during Dhanurmasam. Though it is Pushya Masam as per the Lunar Calendar it is Margasira Masam, the dearest month to Sri Hari as per Solar Calendar. It is highly meritorious to worship Lord SriManNarayana during Dhanurmasam in the early hours of the day, two hours before Sunrise approx between 4 to 6 am Why to worship early in the morning before sun rise?As per the Hindu time element, it is said that, one day for Devathas is equal to one year for human beings comprising of 6 months of Uttarayana and 6 months of Dakshinayana. That means Uttarayana is the day time and Dakshinayana is the night time for devathas. The period of Dhanurmasam falling at the fag end of Dakshinayana indicates the last leg of the night time for Devathas (Arunodaya) when they worship Lord Sri Hari. Hence, it is befitting for human beings also to worship Lord Sri Maha Vishnu at the time that coincides with the Arunodaya time for Devathas. This incidentally coincides with the Dhanurmasam.

In Bhagavadgeetha, Sri Krishna says, "I am Kalpavriksha in trees, I am Samaveda in Vedas, Margazhi in months". (Masanam Margashirsho-aham) We complete a day in 24 hours, when earth revolves around its own axis, whereas, it is one day for the Devas, when Earth goes around the Sun in twelve months. In the 24 hours of the day early morning 4to6hours, is called Bramha Muhurtham. At this time when the Sun is rising in the horizon, there is no angular movement and there is stillness. At this hour our mind will be in Satvagunam(Calmness) and it is in Rajoguna in the day and Tamoguna in the night. The brain will be sharp and there will be full clarity of perception. Similarly, for the Sun, who transits from Dakshinayana when he is in Rajoguna, to Utarayana in Tamoguna, the month of Margazhi, is the transit month and there is stillness. This is the Bramha Muhurta for the Devas. Therefore early morning hours of 4to6AM, in Margazhi, is Bramha Muhurtam in Bramha Muhurtam. This time is therefore preferred to wake Him up and pray. For this purpose Sri Andal has composed Thiruppavai, at the rate of one sloka for everyday of the month.

Lot of significance is given to Dhanurmasam in Vaishnava Sampradaya and all the Vishnu related temples perform special rituals and poojas early in the morning during this month. In Tirumala, the abode of Lord Sri Venkateswara, we find the priests reciting Tiruppavai a celestial song composed by Sri Godadevi an ardent devotee of Lord Sri Hari, instead of the regular Suprabhatham. It is highly meritorious to recite Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Sthothram, Purusha Sooktham, Sri Vishnu Sooktham and Narayana Upanishad during this period.In South Indian states VIZ., Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala, vaishnavaite sect of people celebrate the month with worshipping Lord Vishnu and Andal (Godadevi or Neela Devi). “THIRUPPAVAI” a divine text written by Andal, is recited by all devotees. Goda Devi Kalyanam is the major event celebrated during Dhanurmasam in Tirumala Tirupati. In Srirangam Ranganatha swamy temple, Dhanurmasa utsavam is a major event. In Tamil Nadu, Dhanurmasa Vratam is observed as “PAVAI NOMBU”.

The Tiruppavai is a collection of thirty stanzas (paasuram) in Tamil written by a Brahmin girl, Andal, in praise of the God Tirumal or Vishnu. It is part of Divya Prabandha, a work of the twelve Alvars, and is important in Tamil Literature.

In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka during the whole month of Dhanurmasam, Katyayani Vratam, dedicated to Goddess Katyayani, is observed. Vaikunta Ekadashi, and Bhogi are the major festivals or auspicious days or important events during Dhanurmasam in 2009-2010.

"Vasudeva Sutam Devam, Kansa Chaanuuramardanam
Devakii Paramaanandam Krishhnam Vande Jagad Gurum"

Meaning: Krishna is the Supreme Lord, Son of Devaki (Sister of Kansa) and Vasudeva. He is the slayer of Kansa and Chanur. I bow to such great lord and may god bless all with his grace always.