Katyayani Vratam, a Puja dedicated to Goddess Kathyayani, is observed during Dhanurmasam or Dhanu month in South India. In 2009-2010, Katyayani Vrata starts on December 16, 2009 and ends on January 14, 2010. In some places, the Vrata is observed in Margashirsh month and in some places during Dhanurmasam. The Lunar month of Margashirsha month is considered as Dhanumasam or Margali masam in Solar calendar. Mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana, Devi Mahatmyam, Taittiriya Aranyaka, part of the Krishna Yajurveda, and Skanda Purana, Katyayani Vrat is of great significance and spiritual importance.
The Bhagavata Purana mentioned the legend or story or vrat katha of Katyayani Vrata during which young marriageable girls (gopis or gopikas) of Gokula in Braja, took Goddess Katyayani vrata to get Lord Sri Krishna as their husband. It is observed in the month of Margashirsha which coincides with the Solar month of Dhanurmasam. In Tamil Nadu, Katyayani Vrata is known as Pavai Nombu or Margali Nombu which starts on Dhanur Sankranthi day and ends on the first day of the Tamil month of Thai masam.
Goddess Katyayani is the sixth form of Navadurga who is worshipped on the sixth day during Navaratri. In Shaktism, she is associated with Goddess Chandi and Bhadrakali and other fierce Goddesses.
Mukkoti Pradakshinam is observed on Mukkoti Ekadashi and Mukkoti Dwadasi days. It is a closed pathway for circumambulation which runs around Tirumala Tirupati Sri Balaji temple’s sanctum sanctorum. Mukkoti Pradakshinam is opened only twice in a year – Vaikunta Ekadasi and Vaikunta Dwadasi days. Vaikunta Ekadasi or Mukkoti Dwadasi and Vaikunta Dwadashi are observed during Dhanurmasam (Pausha masam).
Mukkoti Vratam is also observed on Dhanurmasa Shukla Paksha Ekadashi and Dwadashi days. Literally, ‘Mukkoti’ means 3 crores and vratam is observance or puja. During these days, all the Gods come down to Mukkoti Theertham (Swami Pushkarini Theertham) which is near Lord Venkateshwara temple in Tirumala. Performing Punya Snanam in this Theertham on these days makes devotees free from all sins.
Dhanurmasam or Dhanumasam is known as Margazhi month as per the Tamil calendar. Dhanurmasam 2009 – 2010 starts on December 16, 2009 and ends on January 13, 2010. This month is the most auspicious month the devotees who Vaishnava tradition. Dhanurmasam begins on Dhanur Sankramanam day. On this day Sun enters into Dhanu Rashi (Sagittarius zodiac sign).
In South Indian states … 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.
In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka during the whole month of Dhanurmasam, Katyayani Vratam, dedicated to Goddess Katyayani, is observed. Vaikunta Ekadashi, Pakshika Chandra Grahanam and Bhogi are the major festivals or auspicious days or important events during Dhanurmasam in 2009-2010.
The Tiruppavai, also spelt as Thiruppavai, is a collection of thirty paasurams or stanzas written and compiled by Andal. All the pasurams are written in Tamil praising Lord Tirumal or Vishnu or Perumal. It is considered as prominent part in Divya Prabandha. Divya Prabandha is compiled by twelve Alvars of Tamil Vaishnavas.
Thiruppavai is a divine text recited during the Tamil month of Margazhi and the Telugu month of Dhanurmasam. In 2009, Margali masam or Dhanur masam starts on December 17 and ends on January 14, 2010.
The thirty pasurams of Thiruppavai explain about the principles of Vaishnava dharma and spiritual importance during Margazhi masam. The stanzas are recited by devotees of Vishnu and Pavai Nombu, a vow dedicated to Andal Ammal, is observed during the month of Margali.
In Andhra Pradesh, the same nombu is observed as Dhanurmasa vratam. Vaishnu bhakta, devotees of Lord Vishnu, recite Thiruppavai during the month and special naivedyam is offered on each day of Dhanur masam. Goda Kalyanam, marriage of Sri Goda Devi and Lord Venkateshwara, is performed during the month.
Dhanur Sankranti, also known as Dhanu Sankramanam, is the transition of the Sun to Dhanu Rashi or the zodiac sign of Sagittarius. In 2009, Dhanu Sankranti date is December 16. Usually, Dhanu Sankraman occurs on Margasira Amavasya as per Telugu and Kannada calendars. As per Tamil calendar, Dhanus sankraman falls on the first day of Margazhi or Margali masam (Margazhi Amavasi).
Dhanur Sankraman marks the beginning of Dhanur Masam in Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Karnataka. Dhanurmasam is the most auspicious period for Vaishnava sect of Hindus. Pavai Nombu begins on Dhanur Sankraman day in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
