Monday 4 July 2011

DHANURMASAM

LORD VISHNU


Dhanurmasam - Auspicious month to worship Lord Vishnu and Godadevi/Andal Alwar. Dhanurmasa begin from December 16th when Sun enters the zodiac sign saggitarius (Dhanur Rashi).

Special poojas/rituals are performed in temples of Lord Vishnu early morning during the month. There is a tradition of chanting Tiruppavai at Tirumala Venkateswara Swamy sannidhanam replacing the regular tradition of  Venkateswara suprabhatam seva.

In this month, Lord Vishnu is called "Madhusudhana". Devotees observe special vratham of Vishnu . According to this vratam, devotees wake up early morning during Brahmi Muhurtham, give panchamrutha abhishekam  followed by tulasi mala alankaram to Lord Vishnu.

Vishnu is popularly known to be "ALANKARA PRIYUDU" (One who likes to get decorated), So devotees decorate Vishnu's swaroopam with yellow colored flowers and tulasi garlands.
Devotees chant Vishnu Sahasranamam, Purusha Suktam and other stotras on Sree Hari during the month.

Dhanurmasam is said to be the coldest of the months and the weather is known for catching sicknesses easily. Our body is made of panchabhoothas and any small disturbance in them lead to... Vatha, Pitta, Kapha, Paitya doshas.. PRASADAMS (Naivedyam - food offerings to God) has a special importance during this month. Sweet Pongal,Yoghurt rice, Venn Pongal, Pulihora, Pulagam are the main dishes offered to GOD the entire month. The ingredients in these prasadams.... Blackpepper, Cumin Seeds, Turmeric, Edible Camphor, Clarified Butter (Ghee), Jaggery, Yoghurt, all have medicinal values and are very much helpful in curing various ailments that attack during the bitterly cold weather of Dhanurmasa.

Dhanurmasam is the festival season of decorating the entrances with RANGOLI (Hindu tradition of decorating the entrance of the home with beautiful designs called Rangoli/Kolam/Muggu with riceflour and various colors)..

VAIKUNTA EKADASI" - Ekadasi falling on Shukla Paksha of Dhanurmasa is considered highly auspicious and called as "Vaikunta Ekadasi". Vaikunta is the holy abode of Lord Vishnu.

In all Vaishnava temples especially Balaji Tirumala, Sree Ranganatha Swamy temple, Badhrachalam.. a special entrance called Vaikunta Uttara Dwaram (located in the northern side of temple) will be opened particularly on this day. It is believed that whoesoever have darshan of the Lord by passing through this entrance on this day will reach Vishnu loka and get the blessings of Vishnu.

Devotees observe strict fasting and keep vigil throughout the night chanting vishnu stotras/bhajans, read vishnupuran on this auspicious day.

Significance of Ekadasi Vratam according to Padma Purana:

"Ekadasi vrata samam vrata nasti jagattraye anicchaya'pi yat krtva gatir evam vidha'vayoh ekadasi vratam ye tu bhakti bhavena kurvate na jane kim bhavet tesam vasudeva anukampaya"

Meaning:

Take the entire three lokas. No fasting is even comparable to the ‘Ekadasi Fasting.’ Any one can attain this Supreme Abode (Vaikuntam), even if he/she observes this fasting without proper procedure. On Ekadasi day, if one observes fasting with full devotion (procedure is not significant), they will be under the mercy of the Supreme Lord Vishnu. No one can describe the merit achieved by the devotee.


Women folk wake up early morning, decorate the homefront with rangolis and place GOBBEMMALU (Cowdung balls decorated with marigold and pumpkin flowers).  By drawing Rangoli's & placing Gobbemmalu, one get's the blessings of LakshmiNarayana.

Gobbemmalu's are symbolic representation of inviting prosperity and bliss into the home. These Gobbemmalu make the soil more fertile, also kill invisible harmful micro-organisms.



Godadevi / Andal is an ardent devotee of Sreehari. She composed beautiful poems in tamil in the praise of Vishnu. Tiruppavai is the most chanted among Vaishnavites during thie month.

Dhanurmasa, the coldest month of the year. Inspite of bitterly cold weather, Andal observed a vow  by waking up early morning to attain the Lord. SHE sang beautiful poems in praise of Lord Hari daily during Dhanurmasa. The collection of poems is known as "Tiruppavai" which has got 30 paasurams.  To read each day's Tiruppavai verses... Please visit Dhanurmasa Special Songs Album.

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