Tharpanam is an offering to Gods or Pithru devatas (dead ancestors). Tharpanam offered to Gods is named on the basis of God to whom we offer Tharpan – viz. Brahma Tharpanam, Surya Tharpanam, etc. The offering which we make to our dead ancestors is Pithru Tharpanam. Generally, Pithru Tharpanam is done during Amavasya days, Solar and lunar eclipse days, Sankraman or Sankranti days, during Shraddh, and in Shraddh Paksha or Pitru paksha or Mahalaya Paksha.
It is believed that offering any kind of Tharpanam to Pitru devatas would make them free from their all sins and gives them a path to reach Deva loka or Vaikunta loka and get moksha.
The official website of Sri Veda Vidya Ashram, west Mambalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, has got the Tharpanam procedure, types of Tharpanam, what to do and what not to on the day of Tharpanam, Shraddh karma, and Amavasya Tharpanam procedures. You can download Tharpanam procedure in PDF format (English) from this link provided by Sri Veda Vidya Ashram.
Karadaiyan Nombu, or Karadayan Vritham, also known as Karadayan Savitri Vritham is a vritham dedicated to Goddess Shakti or Kamakshi. It is observed mainly in Tamil Nadu on the last day in Masi month (February – March). Karadaiyan Nombu 2010 date is March 14. Married women observe the vritham for marital bliss and unmarried girls worship the Goddess to be blessed with best husband. The vrata is performed in honour of Sathi Savitri who fought with Yama and got her husband’s life back.
In 2010, the best time or auspicious time or shubha muhurtham for wearing sacred thread or Nombu Charadu during Karadayan Nombu is 8:15 to 9:15 in the night on March 14. Women also observe fast during the day. They break their fast between the above mentioned times on March 14, 2010.
Chaiti Mangalabar or Chaiti Mangalabara Osha is the vow observed on Tuesdays during Chait mahina or Chaitra month in Orissa. This brata is dedicated to Goddess Mangala. In 2010, Chaiti Mangalavara vrata dates are – March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th. Mangala Devi Puja or Shakti Puja is performed during the brata.
The legend or Chait Mangalvar vrat katha is associated with a woman belonging to scavenger community known as Chaiti. She used to offer wine, meat, and eggs to Mangala. She once saw inauspicious face of the Raja of that kingdom and expressed her fear in disgust. The Raja felt ashamed and crushed all her sons under a chariot. But they restored to life by the divine grace of Goddess Mangala. Since then the Raja and the queen worshipped Goddess Mangala and blessed with sons.
Chaitra Purnima or Maha Chaitri, the Full Moon day in Chaitra month, is a very auspicious day with its spiritual significance and importance for various pujas. Chaitra Poornima 2010 date is March 30. Hanuman Jayanti is the popular festival celebrated on Chaitra Pournami. This festival is mainly observed in Maharashtra, Goa, and some parts of Andhra Pradesh. Hanuman Vijayotsavam is also celebrated on Maha Chaitri.
Chitragupta Vratam or Chitragupt Puja is another important vow celebrated on Chait Purnima day. This puja is dedicated to Chaitragupta, accountant in Lord Yama’s asthana. Chitragupt Puja is also observed as Dawat Puja on Bhai Dhuj.
Pathala Vratam is another vrata observed on Chait Poornima day especially in Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Karnataka.
Chaitra Parva is a tribal festival celebrated mainly on Chait Purnima in Koraput region of Orissa and some parts of Bihar.
In Tamil Nadu on Chaitra Pournami 2010, Panguni Uthiram festival is celebrated. This is one of the major festivals of Tamil Nadu.
Shani Trayodashi or Sani Trayodasi is an auspicious day for Hindus who perform Shani Puja. It is celebrated on Trayodashi day or the thirteenth lunar day which falls on Shanivar or Saturday. March 2010 is the auspicious month as two Shani Trayodasi fall during the month. The first Sani Trayodashi date in March 2010 is March 13 and the second is March 27th. Both the Shani Trayodashi fall during Chaitra month in North Indian traditional Hindu calendar whereas the former one is Falguna Krishna Trayodashi and the latter one is Chaitra Shukla Triodasi in Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada and Telugu calendars.
These two auspicious days also mark the last Shani Trayodasi in Virodhinama Samvatsar and the first Sani Triodasi in Vikruthinama Samvatsara in traditional Hindu calendar.
March 2010 Shani Trayodashi are also considered as Shani Pradosham. Shani Pradosh is the most auspicious day to worship Lord Shiva.
Devotees and believers of Shani dosham perform Shani dosha puja and Shani Shanti puja to please Sani. They do this puja for reduced or minimised effects of Shani dosha. Some people observe fast on the day of Shani Triodasi. Thailabishekam is one of the most popular pujas to worship Sani and to pacify the effects of Sani.
