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.
Annapurna Jayanthi is the birthday of Goddess Annapurna, the Goddess of food and nutrition. In 2009, Annapurna Jayanthi is observed on December 2. Usually, it is observed on Margashirsha Purnima, the full moon day in the month of Margashirsh. Goddess Annapurna is worshipped during the auspicious day with Shodashopachar and offered ‘Annabhishekam’.
Annapurna Jayanti festival is mainly observed by women. The important rituals and customs on the day include – recitation of Annapurna Devi Ashtakam and observance of fast. In some places people worship Annapoorna Mata by installing idols and by setting up pooja mandap. All other rituals and customs are performed as per the particular local traditions.
In Bengal and other Eastern parts of India, Annapurna Puja is observed in Chaitra month (April). Goddess Annapoorna Devi is worshipped on fourth day of Durga Navaratri celebrations in Vijayawada KanakaDurga Temple and other South Indian temples.
The famous Annapurna Mata temples in India are – Kasi Annapurneshwari temple (Varanasi), Annapurna temple at Horanadu in Karnataka and Annapurna Temple at Indore in Madhya Pradesh.
Karaka Chaturthi vratam is observed on Kartika Krishna paksha Chavithi, the fourth day in the second half of Kartika masam. Karaka Chaturthi 2009 date is November 6. It is mainly observed in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and in some parts of Maharashtra by married women. Karaka Chavithi is also observed as Sankashtai hara Vinayaka Chavithi. This puja is dedicated to Lord Ganesh who is worshipped for wellbeing and prosperity.
On Karaka Chaturthi, women observe fast or upavasam for whole day. After seeing the Moon in the evening, women break their fast and take food. This vratham is concluded with Vrata udyapana after performing for 12 or 16 consecutive years.
Manabasa Gurubar Lakshmi vrata is observed during gurubar or Thursdays in the month of Margasira. In 2009, Manabasa Gurubar vrat dates are – November 5th, November 12th, November 19th and November 26th. It is mainly observed in Orissa and the Coastal Andhra Pradesh region. Margasira month, also called as Margashirsha maas, is considered as the favorite month for Lord Vishnu and in Orissa it is an auspicious month to worship Lord Jagannath and his consort, Goddess Lakshmi.
During auspicious Thursdays in Margasira month, devotees offer pujas to Goddess Lakshmi in temples. Household Lakshmi puja is also offered on these guruvar. Lakshmi is worshipped with shodashopachar puja (16 steps of puja) and offered special naivedyam. On Margasira gurubar day, women clean their houses and keep them neat. They wake up early in the morning and perform ritual bath and start Lakshmi Puja. The procedure of Margashira Guruvara puja is same as Diwali Lakshmi Puja and Kojagari Lakshmi Puja.
This article explains you the significance and spiritual importance of Margashirsha month
Margashirsha month, also spelt as Margasheersh, Margashira or Margasira masam, is the ninth month as per traditional Hindu calendar. Margashirsha month 2009 starts on November 3rd and ends on December 2nd according to North Indian traditional Hindu calendar followed in North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, etc. In other calendars like Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu and Kannada calendars, Margashira month starts on November 17th and ends on December 16th in 2009.
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. As per Bengali calendar, Margashirsh month is also called as Agrahayana or Agrahayon. Margashirsh is the second month as per traditional Gujarati calendar.
Significance and spiritual importance of Margashirsha mahina and the relation between Margashirsh month and Lord Krishna or Bhagvad Geeta is explained in this article
