Important Hindu festivals of Tamil months - Karthikai, Margazhi to Panguni

Far from being an old land of deep-rooted culture and faiths, no doubt, India is a land of festivals, the reason being country's religious diversity. There are fesitivals that are private in nature and held within the family. But many are public in nature and are being hosted by the various communities collectively. Such festivities are joyous occasions that promote social integration.

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Here, important festivals in the month of Karthikai, Margazhi, Thai, Maasi and Punkuni are covered. Of them, the first three months are auspicious for the devout Hindus.

Vaikunta perumal temple, kanchipuram, TN. .adobe.com

Karthikai (November- December):

Another auspicious celebration for Shiva devotees is Thirukaarthigai. The Krithika Pournami - full moon is the special day in this month and the star is Krithika. Karthigai Deepam: -the day when Karthigai Nakshatra coincides with Pournami (Vrischika Zodiac) is known as Karthigai Deepam. It is a 10- day fascinating colorful festival at Tiruvannamalai Sri Arunachaleswarar temple where, on the 10th day in the evening, Maha Bharani deepam is lit and it is followed by lighting the huge Mahadeepam on the holy Arunachala Hill behind the temple. Devotees in tens of thousands undertake Girivalam- a tough ritual- long barefoot walk around the holy hill, a stretch of 14 km to complete the circle. More than one million devotees throng the temple city of Tiruvannmalai, TN during the festivities.

Arunachaleswar temple, Thiruvannamalai, TN. Alamy.com.

Tiruvannamalai Shiva temple, Karthigai Deepam. .deccanchronicle.com

Maha Depam on the holy hill, Tiruvannamalai. astroved.com

Each Monday of this month is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and Every Monday is referred to as “Somavaaram”. On this day, 108 or 1008 sangabhishekam (using conch) are offered to Lord Shiva and Lord Muruga.
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Margazhi (December- January):

sri Andal temple, Sri Villiputhur, TN rvatemples.com

Idol of Periazhwar, Andal temple, Srivilliputhur,TN.rslaks.blogspot.com

goddess Andal & god Rangamannar, Srivilliputhur, TN. Flicker.com

This is another special month in the Tamil Calendar. Both Vishnu and Shiva temples open early in the mornings and devotees throng them for puja and prasadam – the offering made to the deity which is later distributed among the devotees. Arudra Darisanam (Thiruvaadirai star in Tamil) is the most auspicious day in this month. This is also a popular festival in Kerala, where it is called Thiruvaadira. The offering made to Lord Shiva is the Thiruvaadira Kali. Mukkodi Ekathesi is called “Sorgavasal Thirappu” for Lord Vishnu. The Tiruvembaavai fasting observed by unmarried women in this month is called Paavai Nombu. Sri Villiputhur Andal temple near Virudunagar, TN where Andal is the consort of Lord Vishnu (Rangamanner) is a center of religious activities during this entire holy month. 'Margashirsha Amavasya', Hanumath Jayanthi - birth of sri Hanuman, a devotee of lord Rama, are observed during this period.

Srirangam Ranganathar temple, TN.newstm.in/news/

Vaikunta Ekadashi also called Shukla Paksha Ekadashi takes place during the Dhanu/Margazhi month. The Vaishnavites (followers of God Vishnu) believe that ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ or ‘the gate to the Lord's Inner Sanctum’ or garbagriha is opened on this auspicious day. Perumal comes out of his sanctum to bless the people. As the Margashirsha Shukla Paksha Ekadashi in the Lunar calendar happens to be a 'Mokshada Ekadashi (giving salvation),' special prayers, yagnas, religious discourses, etc are held with fervor at Vishnu temples in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere. The Gates of Vaikunta' (heaven) are believed to be kept open for the benefit of devotees as requested by Thirumangai Azhwar so that people will attain Paramapadam (salvation). Devotees undertake fasting on this day as it is considered an essential religious duty.

Srirangam temple, Soorgavasal Thirappu maalaimalar.com

Araiyar sevai, a Tamil performing art form is quite popular during the festive days (10 plus 10 days- Rapathu-Pagal Pathu). It is a ritual of singing and enactment of the hymns of the Divya Prabandham witha slow dance and gestures. Araiyar sevai is generally performed only inside Vaishnavite temples before the temple uthsavar (the temple's processional deity) by hereditary performers. At the shrine of Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Temple, the shrine of Azhwar Tirunagari and at Srivilliputhur Andal temple Araiyar sevai is done. As for the Shaiva sect, they observe the day as Trikoti Ekadashi, a religious observance where all the deities in the Hindu pantheon pay obeisance to Lord Sri Shiva who is an embodiment of all five important elements that take care of all the living things on earth.

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Thai (January-February):

Pongal (Sankaranthi), which is the harvest festival, is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month. It is a grand Hindu festival in Tamil Nadu and the most important feature is the preparation of Pongal (cooked rice mixed with jaggery, milk, grated coconut, etc). It is made in the earthen pot at many homes. Mattu Pongal is part of this festival. Both cows and bulls are decorated well and family members do puja to them. Jallikattu - subduing the ferocious bulls by men, is a major event in South Tamil Nadu and it is still shrouded in controversy.

Pongal festival, tamil Nadu. pngegg.com/

Native bull (Bos indicus), Pulikulam or Kangayam breeds, is released into a large number of participants who try to grab the large hump on the bull's back with both arms while the bull attempting to escape. Participant, who holds the hump as long as possible, is declared a winner. This controversial sport is a risky one and only certain people are allowed in this sport.

freepngindia.com

taming the bull Jallikattu, Tamil Nadu. alleventsio.com

Tamil Nadu. Pongal festival, .indiaart.com/

Thaipusam is also a special day for Murugan devotees, who on their shoulder carry Kavady (something like an decorated arched canopy connected to the bambo or wooden pole to be carried across the shoulder. with evenly distributed stuff on either side).

Kavadi Attam (Tamil:dance) is a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of Murugan during the festival of Thaipusam.. Caaying kavady for long distance is a physical strain Kthrough which the devotees request for help from God Murugan. It is symbolic of carrying

one's burden cast on him by god and ultimately resting blissfully at Lord's feet.

temple atop the hill - 1400 ft, Palani, TN.tamil.abplive.com

Palani Murugan (Karthikayan temple), TN cpreecenvis.nic.in

Famous in karthikaya temples. A kavadi. size may vary. pixshark.com

with a wooden cross bar in which on either side, they carry milk, fruits, etc) to one of the Aarupadaiveedus (“six abodes” of God Muruga ), in particular, Palani Murugan temple atop the hill. Devotees fast and walk uphill barefoot and offer their stuff they carry to the temple. Theytake along with them certain stuff to propitiate the god. (refer: https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2015/05/carrying-kavadi-yoke-and-padayatra.html
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Maasi (February-March):

Maasi Magam is the special day of this Month. Shivaratri is an important festival widely celebrated by Hindus. At all Shiva temples, pujas are continuously done till morning and devotees engage in Bhajans and religious discourses. that will go on the whole night. Masi Magam is also an important festival in Kerala.
Magam star, one among the twenty-seven stars in the Astrological grouping, usually falls on the full moon day and hence it is considered auspicious across South India - Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Kerala.

The significance of Masi Magam should be understood. It is believed to be one of the most powerful Full Moon day of the year since the moon aligns with Magha, the birth Star of the Kings and Ancestors. This event, that occurs only once a year, signifies the descent of heavenly beings to the earth. Masi Magam offers abundance and prosperity associated with the Full Moon and the Magha star. It helps us acquire power and positive energy. It also develops humility in us, giving no room to ego.

Mahamaham temple tank, Kumbakonam, TN. tripadvisor.com

Adi Kumbeswarer temple, Kumbakonam, flicker com

Mahamaham tank, Kumbakonam, TN. wikimapia.org

Maha Maham is of great importance at the Adi Kumbeswaran temple in Kumbakonam, a famous temple town. The sacred tank called Maha Maham comes alive during this time. Gods' processions from different temples arrive here on the banks ( in other places to the closest water bodies). To the idols of Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti, Pujas and other rituals are performed after a ritual bath by the temple priests. The devotees take a bath in the Mahamaham water tank in the belief that the holy waters will help them take away all the sins committed by them.
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Panguni (March-April): Panguni Uthiram, the last month of the year, is a famous festival for Murugan and Siva devotees, in particular, for Tamil Hindus. It is observed in Panguni month when Nakshatra Uthiram or Uttara Phalguni prevails.