Margasira Masam utsavam at Kanakamahalakshmi temple in Vizag began on November 17, 2009. Celebrations and rituals are commenced throughout the month of Margasira at the temple. Festivities were started in the morning with panchamruta abhishekam to Goddess Kanaka Mahalakshmi and Sahasranama kumkuma puja. After that, Ksheerabhishekam (abhishekam with milk) was performed to the deity. Pujas were continued till the evening. Lalitha Sahasranamam and Annamayya krithis (sankirthanas) were recited in the morning.
Thousands of devotees thronged to the temple on the first day of Margasira masam. Temple is decorated with flower garlands and illuminated with lights. During the whole month of Margashira, Durga Saptashathi, Mahavidya homam, Lakshmi homam and Sri Chakra puja are conducted. On the last Thursday in the month, 10 December, 2009, Sahasraghatabhishekam would be performed.
Astalakshmi alankaram is the main attraction of Goddess Kanaka mahalakshmi during the Margashira month. On Thursdays during the month are considered highly auspicious. Grand arrangements are made for devotees to attend the events and get blessed by Goddess Kanaka Mahalakshmi.
Image Source: The Hindu
Margasira Lakshmi Puja is one of the major vows observed in North Coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh. Though the puja procedure or puja vidhanam is same as other Lakshmi vratham like Deepavali Lakshmi puja and Varalakshmi puja, the naivedyam that is offered to the Goddess is different. In 2009, Margasira Lakshmi puja 2009 dates are – November 19, November 26, December 3, December 10 and December 10.
On Thursdays in Margasira month, devotees prepare to perform Laxmi puja either in temples or at homes. Houses are cleaned and kept neat during the festival days and the image or small idol of Goddess Lakshmi is placed at puja place. Some people also place a Kalasham instead of image or idol of Lakshmi.
Lord Vinayaka or Ganesh is worshipped first. Devotees perform Prathama puja to Ganapati to get rid of obstacles or vignas. After Ganapati puja, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped with shodashopachara puja and ashtottaram and offered special Naivedya on each day during the month. The Margasira Lakshmi vratha katha or the story of Margashira Laxmi puja is recited after puja.
Lakshmi puja is performed on all Thursdays during the month of Margashirsha. If only four Thursdays fall in Margashria masam, then the Laxmi Vratham is also observed on the first Thursday of Pushya masam.
Naivedyam or food offerings to Goddess Lakshmi during Margasira Lakshmivara Vratham:
- 1st Thursday – Pulagam
- 2nd Thursday – Ksheerannam (Paalannam)
- 3rd Thursday – Kudumulu
- 4th Thursday – Paramannam
- 5th Thursday – Poornam Boorelu
On the last Thursday after Lakshmi puja, poornam boorelu are offered to five mutthaiduvulu (married women) along with ‘thamboolam’. The five women are considered as the avataras of Lakshmi and offered meals on this day. There is no udyapana or udwasana for this vratham. One can perform the Margashira Lakshmi vratham for longtime. It is believed that observing Lakshmi puja during the month will solve all problems of performers and Goddess Laxmi blesses devotees with prosperity, wealth and health.
Margashira Lakshmivara Lakshmi vratham is observed on all Thursdays during Margasira masam in Andhra Pradesh, especially in North Coastal Andhra districts – Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram. In 2009, Margasira Lakshmi vratam dates are – November 19, November 26, December 3, December 10 and December 17.
Margasira Guruvara Lakshmi vratam is observed with much devotion in Kanaka Mahalakshmi temple in Visakhapatnam. Thousands of devotees throng to the temple during the vratam. In Orissa, this vratam is observed as Manabasa Gurubar Vrata.
Naivedyam or food offerings to Goddess Lakshmi during Margasira Lakshmivara Vratham 2009:
- 1st Thursday – Pulagam – November 19
- 2nd Thursday – Ksheerannam (Paalannam) – November 26
- 3rd Thursday – Kudumulu – December 3
- 4th Thursday – Paramannam – December 10
- 5th Thursday – Poornam Boorelu – December 17
Here you can read the Margasira Lakshmi Puja Vidhanam or steps involved in Lakshmi puja procedure