The spiritual significance of the month of Margazhi
Dec 16, 2024
The Tamil month of Margazhi lies between 16 Dec 2024 and 13 Jan 2025 this year.
As “Kousalya supraja Rama poorva sandhya pravarthathe
Uttishta Narasardula karthavyam dhaivamanhikam.”
runs in the background, mothers are drawing rangolis with smiles, fathers are offering prayers to the divine, and the aroma of filter coffee fills the room alongside the divine smell of agarbattis. This is what a peaceful Margazhi morning looks like in a Tamil household.
Margazhi is a month of immense significance and spiritual growth in Tamil culture. It is the time of year to bring balance and stability into our lives. You can also see a variety of beautiful white rangolis in front of homes during the cold mornings.
But do you know why Margazhi is auspicious? Follow along to learn why.
Mythological Importance
In the Bhagavad Gita, chapter 10, verse 35, Lord Krishna says,
“Maasanam Margashirsho’ham” Which means, “Among months, I am Margazhi.”
This alone explains the sacred essence of the month. It is considered an auspicious period to perform spiritual practices like fasting, prayers, and meditation and attain spiritual growth.
Alongside this, the spiritual month is especially remarkable for Vishnu devotees. “Vaikunta Ekadashi,” the day when the gates of Vaikunta are open, falls in the month of Margazhi. And worshipping Lord Vishnu during this period is said to grant moksha to humans.
The month is also auspicious for Shiva devotees as they believe Lord Shiva helps in their spiritual growth and grants blessings.
6 Common Rituals of Margazhi Month
During the auspicious month, devotees usually perform religious rituals to connect with the divine.
Waking up Early - Devotees wake up early in the morning and offer prayers, as mornings are said to have divine energy.
Surya Namaskar - Devotees often begin their day with Surya Namaskar, paying reverence to the Sun God and invoking blessings.
Kolam - Women draw rangolis with rice flour at the entrance of homes, as Kolams are said to invite positive energy and divine blessings.
Bhajans— Songs from Andal’s Thiruppavai and Saint Manickavasagar Thiruvempavai are recited to pay reverence to Lord Vishu and Shiva.
Fastings - Devotees fast during the month as an act of self-discipline and self-purification.
Prayers - Devotees visit pilgrimage sites like Srirangam, Tirupati, or Chidambaram to pray and invoke blessings.
Significance of Thiruppavai
As mentioned above, devotees recite hymns from Andal’s Thirupavai in the month of Margazhi. Andal is considered to be a reincarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and is the only female Alvar. Alvar refers to the 12 saint poets of Tamil Nadu, who are considered to be great devotees of Lord Vishnu.
As the legend goes, Periyalvar took Andal to the Ranganatha Ranganayaki Temple in Srirangam, and Lakshmi, as Andal, married Vishnu as Rangamannar.
Andal was devoted to Lord Vishnu from a young age, and she composed Thirupavai to express her deep devotion and love. That is the reason devotees sing the Thirupavai in the holy month to express their devotion to Lord Vishnu.
Thirupavai is composed of 30 verses, one for each day of the month. The verses are very poetic and devotional and combine mythology, philosophy, and spiritual longing.
Devotees believe that these hymns purify the soul, inspire devotion, and lead to spiritual awakening.
Temples and Festivities
Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple in Srirangam is especially famous for its Margazhi celebrations, attracting thousands of devotees.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Arudra Darshan falls during Margazhi on the full moon day. It marks the cosmic dance of Lord Nataraja and is celebrated with grandeur, especially at the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple.
Margazhi is also the season of the famous Chennai Margazhi Music Festival, where Carnatic music concerts and dance performances happen.
Margazhi and Inner Transformation
Alongside being a month of extreme devotion, Margazhi is also a month for inner transformation.
Seen as the pre-dawn of the year, it’s a sacred month to slow down and look within us. With rituals and spiritual practices, it invites us to get up early, say our prayers, embrace simplicity, and follow mindful rituals.
The month makes way for us to let go of the stress we are holding onto and surrender to the divine and find real peace. Because what really matters is inner calm and growing closer to the Lord.
Conclusion
Margazhi is much more than a month; it’s a sacred time to atone for our mistakes and surrender to the divine. From chanting hymns to drawing kolams, each part of the month is weaved with devotion and calm.
Margazhi reminds us that transformation begins within, and with faith and mindful practices, we can succeed in life and attain peace.
So, this Margazhi, let’s embrace devotion and simplicity with classical art, music, and dance. Bring home the divine and invoke their blessings through Lord Vishnu Tanjore paintings and Lord Shiva Tanjore Paintings.
As classical art made with gold, Tanjore paintings not only radiate positivity and divinity, but they also add immense beauty to your Pooja room.
