Pushya Masam or Paushya month or Paush or Poush month is the 10th month as per the traditional Hindu calendar. As per Telugu calendar, Pushya Masam 2009-2010 starts on December 17, 2009 and ends on January 15, 2010. Pushya masam is considered as one of the auspicious month as per spiritual importance. But for some types of auspicious functions like marriages and grihapravesh it is considered as inauspicious.
The major festivals of Paushya masam include – Vaikunta Ekadashi or Mukkoti Ekadasi, Mukkoti Dwadasi, Himashodhana Purnima (Pushya Pournami), Bhogi, Sankranthi, Kanuma, and Mauni Amavasya or Magha Amavasya. Pushya Navaratri or Shakambari Navaratras are also observed in the month of Pushya in Karnataka. In 2009, Paushya Navaratri starts on December 25, 2009 and ends on December 31, 2009. There will be a Chandra Grahan on December 31 in 2009. This Grahanam starts in the night on December 31, 2009 and continues till the early morning on January 1, 2010.
Paush Bada Utsav is a month long festival celebrated during Paush month in Rajasthan especially in Jaipur city. In 2009, Paush Bada Utsav (Poush mahina) starts on December 3 and ends on December 31. This festival is celebrated to welcome winter season in a grand manner. Paush mahina is considered as happiest month for farmers because during this maas crop is yielded and brought to their homes.
Hindu people in Jaipur offer special recipes called ‘Bada’ and ‘Suzi ka Shira’ to their family Gods. All temples are decorated with flower garlands and sparkling lights in Jaipur. Each temple organizes the festival on different day during Pausha month.
Samba Dashami vrat, also known as Surya Puja, is observed on the 10th day in Shukla Paksha in Pausha month. In 2009, Samba Dashami or Surya Puja date is December 27. This festival is dedicated to Surya Bhagwan, mainly observed in Orissa.
Legends or Samba Dasami vrat katha say that Samba, the son of Lord Sri Krishna, was affected by leprosy. He performed a severe penance for Surya Bhagwan and was cured. On this day, mothers perform Surya Puja to please Surya Bhagawan and to keep their children healthy.
Paush month or Pausha maas is the tenth month as per Hindu panchangam or calendar. Poush masam is the most significant and important month for God’s worship and rites or rituals dedicated to dead ancestors. In this month farmers get their crops hence it is also referred to as Sowbhagya Lakshmi masam or Paushya Lakshmi. It is believed that worshipping Dhanya Lakshmi and Dhana Lakshmi (two aspects of Goddess Lakshmi). But, Poush month is considered as inauspicious for construction of new home. Starting construction of home during the month keeps the owner in ‘Chora Bhayam’ (fear of theft and thieves).
Poush Purnima or Pushya Pournami is highly auspicious for Vedadhyanam (learning the Vedas). The Brahmins or other learners of the Vedas believe that the period between Shravan Purnima and Paush Poornima is very significant to learn mantras. On Pushyami nakshatra day in Paush month, ‘Utsarjam’, a ritual for Vedadhyana is performed. But nowadays, this ritual is completely forgotten. Despite the religious and some other reasons, the irregular or improper climate or weather during the month is also considered to declare the Paush mahina as inauspicious.
