Safala Ekadashi, also spelt as Saphala Ekadasi, is observed on Paush Krishna Paksha Ekadasi day as per North Indian calendars. Safala Ekadashi 2009 date is December 12. This Ekadasi falls on Krishna Paksha Ekadasi of Margashira month as per Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada and Telugu calendars. Saphala Ekadashi vrat helps devotees to attain success in every aspect of life. Literally, ‘Safala’ means success.

The significance and spiritual importance of Safala Ekadashi was mentioned in the Brahmanda Purana as the conversation between Lord Krishna and Yudhistira. The legend or story or Safala Ekadashi vrat katha is associated with King Lumpaka who was sinful in his nature but after observing the Ekadasi vratam he was blessed with blissful life and salvation after death.

Datta Jayanti or Guru Dattatreya Jayanthi, the birthday of Lord Dattatreya, is observed on Margashirsha Purnima, the full moon day in the month of Margasirsha. In 2009, Datta Jayanti date is December 1. Dattatreya, the son of Anasuya and Atri Maharshi, is considered as Trimurti Avatar, an incarnation of Hindu Trinity – Lord Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva.

When Goddesses Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati came to know about Anasuya’s pativrata dharma, they wanted to test her and requested their husbands Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to do so by asking her to give food with unclothed body. Anasuya made the Hindu trinity as small babies and fed them without any cloth on her body. Anasuya’s huband, Atri Maharshi came and knew the whole episode, created all three babies into one. This one form of Trimurti is Dattatrya Swamy. With their powers, Atri and Anasuya recreated Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Datta Jayanthi is celebrated with lot of gusto in Sri Pada Vallabha Kshetram at Pithapuram in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. This kshetram is also known as Padagaya Kshetram, Datta Kshetram or Vallabha Kshetram. Dattatreya Jayanti is a major festival at Ganugapur Sri Kshetra Dattatreya temple in Maharashtra.

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Hanuman Vratam is observed on Margashirsh Krishna Trayodasi. In 2009, Hanuman Vrat date is November 30. As per Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat it falls on Margashira Shudda Trayodashi. This vrata is observed for good health and prosperity.

During Hanumath vratam, Lord Hanuman is worshipped with Shodashopachar puja. Hanuman vrat katha is recited in puja and naivedyam is offered to the Lord. Hanuman Astottaram, Sundara kanda and some other Hanuman stotras are chanted as part of puja. Performing Hanmad vrata keeps you healthy, free from all fears, psychological tensions and even successful in studies. It is observed by married couples, unmarried devotees, children and elder people.

Famous Hanuman temples in India where Hanuman vrata is performed with much gusto are – Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple in Varanasi, Jhaku temple in Shimla, Kondagattu Anjaneya swamy temple in Karimnagar district of Andhra Pradesh and Surendrapuri Panchamukha Anjaneya swamy temple near Yadagirigutta in Andhra Pradesh.

It is to note that in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Hanuman Jayanthi is observed in Margazhi month. As per Gujarat and Maharashtra calendars, Hanuman jayanti is celebrated on Chaitra Purnima, the full moon day in the month of Chaitra. Andhra Pradesh and Karanataka people celebrate Hanuman Jayanthi on Vaishakha Krishna paksha Dashami.

Vrischika Sankranti, also known as Vruschika Sankramanam, marks the Sun’s entering into Vruschika Rashi or Scorpio zodiac sign from Tula Rashi or Libra zodiac sign. In 2009, Vrischika Sankranti date is November 16. By entering into Scorpio sign, Sun God regains his energy. Vruschika rashi is the eighth in the rashi system.

During Vruschika Sankranti, Sankraman snan, daan and Vishnu puja are most observed rituals. Surya Bhagwan is also worshipped during the Sankraman. Aditya Hrudayam, Suryashtakam and Vishnu Sahasranama parayana are most chanted mantras or stotras during the auspicious day.

Margashirsh month, also spelt as Margasheersh, Margashira or Margasira masam, is the ninth month as per traditional Hindu calendar. Margashirsh month 2009 starts on November 3^rd and ends on December 2^nd according to North Indian traditional Hindu calendar. In other calendars like Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu and Kannada calendars, Margashir month starts on November 17th and ends on December 16^th.

 During Margashira month Mrigasira nakshatra or Mrugashira star falls near Purnima day. Due to that this month is named as Margashirsh. This month is an auspicious month to perform Shiva puja, Vishnu puja, Dattatreya puja and Hanuman Puja.

Important Festivals and fasts observed in Margashirsh month 2009:

Sankashta Hara Chaturthi – November 5^th, 2009

Kal Bhairav Ashtami or Mahakal Bhairo Astami – November 9^th, 2009

Margashirsh Ekadasi – November 12^th, 2009

Sani Triodasi – November 14^th, 2009

Yam Preeti Deeparadhna – November 14^th, 2009

Margashirsh Amavasya – November 16^th, 2009

Mitra Saptami – November 24^th, 2009

Geeta jayanti 2009 – November 28^th, 2009

Margasheersh Ekadashi – November 28^th, 2009

Dattatreya Jayanthi 2009 – December 1^st

Margashirsh Purnima – December 2^nd, 2009