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
Margashira masam or Margasira month is the ninth month as per traditional Telugu calendar. In 2009, Margashira masam starts on November 17 and ends on December 16. Margashira month is considered as auspicious month for Telugu people as it is the favorite month for Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna himself says that he is the Margashiram. This month marks the beginning of Hemanta ruthu.
In North Coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh like Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam, observe Margashira Lakshmivarapu Nomu. Guruvar (Thursday) is called as Lakshmivaram in this region. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped during the Thursdays in the month of Margashirsha. Subramanya Shasti, Mokshada Ekadashi, Hanumath Vratham, Datta Jayanti and Dhanur Sankramana punyakalam are the major festivals during Margasira month.
Festivals and auspicious days during Margashira masam 2009:
It is to note that according to North Indian calendars, Margashirsha month in 2009 is started on November 3 and will end on December 2.
As per Gujarati, Marathi and Kannada calendars, Margashirsh month will start on November 17 and end on December 16 in 2009.
Naga Panchami is also observed during Margasira masam or Margashirsha month in Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Karnataka. In 2009, Margasira Naga Panchami date is November 21. Devotees consider Naga Panchami, Subramanya Shasti and Mitra Saptami or Surya Saptami are the three auspicious days to worship the deities for better health and wellbeing of the family. Naga devatas (snake gods), Lord Subramanya and Surya bhagwan are worshipped for good health during these days.
The important Nagula Panchami is observed in Shravana masam in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Nagula Chavithi is celebrated during Kartika masam in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Why Naga Panchami is also celebrated in Margashira masam?
Margashira masam is an important month in farming or for formers. During the month, crop production and cultivation will be in high peek. Very often we can see snakes in farmyards. To pacify the bad effects of sarpa dosha or to get good crops and yields, farmers pray to snake gods.
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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Subramanya Sashti is observed on Margashira Shashti in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In 2009, Margasira Subramanya Sashti date is November 22. Lord Subramanya, also known as Kumara, Skanda, Murugan or Shanmukha is worshipped during this festival. In Kukke Subramanya temple, Karnataka, Subramanya Sashti is observed with utmost enthusiasm and devotion. It is one of the major festivals celebrated in the month Margashira in South India.
In Skandagiri Subramanya temple located in Hyderabad, Subramanya sasti is an eye-catching event. Nagadevatas or Serpent Gods are also worshipped on this day. In fact, Subramanya swamy is worshipped in the form of five-hooded snake.
In Maharashtra, Margashira Sashti is celebrated as Champa Shashti (Chamba Sashti) to commemorate the victory of Khandoba over wicked demons.
