Month Margalli / Margasirsa - the most auspicious month of the year
gāyatrī chandasām aham
māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham
ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ (Bh-gītā 10.35)
Of the hymns in the Sāma Veda, I am the Bṛhat-sāma, and of poetry, I am the Gāyatrī. Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa and of seasons I am flower-bearing spring.
The month of Margasirsa is unique. The atmosphere is suffused with religious fervor and sanctity that draws people from different sections of the community. `Among the months, I am Margasirsa,' said Lord Krishna in the Gita. Wrapped in shawls or bare-bodied, people join bhajan groups and go round the streets, unmindful of the cold and nipping air. Womenfolk, particularly in villages and small towns, decorate the front yard and the streets with striking ranggoli/kolam made of rice flour. (Now-a-days lime powder is the substitute for rice flour). Devotees rush to listen the discourses on Tiruppavai and Tiruvembavai, depending on their choice or religious persuasion. The discourses provide the prasadam. Religious discourses are then supplemented and/or complemented by bhajans and kirtans. In fact, one can, if one chooses, spend every day in the month of Margasirsa listening to discourses and music.
Series of festivals Hanumanth Jayanti on January 1, Andal thirupavai (whole month) and Pancha Ganapati - Dec. 21 - 25 [5 Day Festival]
Pancha Ganapati
Pancha Ganapati is a modern five-day Hindu festival celebrated from December 21 through 25 in honor of Lord Ganesha, Patron of Arts and Guardian of Culture.
During each of the five days of Pancha Ganapati, a special spiritual discipline (sadhana), is focused upon by the entire family.
A shrine is created in the main living room of the home and decorated in the spirit of this festive occasion. At the center is placed a large wooden or bronze five-faced statue of Lord Pancha Ganapati. If this is not available, any large picture or statue of Lord Ganesha will do.
Lord Ganesha is often depicted as coming from the forest; therefore, pine boughs (or banana leaves) may be used. Flashing lights, tinsel and colorful hanging ornaments may also be added.
Each morning the children dress or decorate Ganesha in a different color:
Golden Yellow on December 21,
Royal Blue on December 22,
Ruby Red on December 23,
Emerald Green on December 24 and
finally Brilliant Orange on December 25.
These are the colors of His five powers, or shaktis.
Each day a tray of sweets, fruits and incense is offered to Lord Ganapati, often prepared and presented by the children. Chants, songs and bhajanas are sung in His praise. After puja, the abundant, diverse sweets are shared by one and all as prasada. Each day gifts are given to the children, who place them before Pancha Ganapati to open only on the fifth day. Gifts need not be extravagant or expensive; they should be within the means of each family. Ganesha does not want gift-giving to promote Western commercialism but to further the great Hindu culture. Greeting cards, ideally made by children on Hindu art and wisdom.
Andal and Thirupavai
Sri ANDAL is the Quintescence incarnation of Sri BHUMI DEVI the Divine Consort of SRIMAN NARAYANA, who took birth on this earth to liberate suffering human beings from worldly bondage. She sang thirty sweet songs containing the cardinal principles of SriVaishnava Dharma during the month of MARGAZHI. Singing these songs,with understanding of their inner meaning, will bring to us peace, prosperity and above all Divine Grace.
ANDAL, though a Brahmin girl, assumes the guise of a cowherds and yearns for Everlasting Happiness and Service of the Lord. It is the age-old practice of Sri Vaishnavas to sing these stanzas every day of the year in the presence of the Lord in the temple as well as in their homes.This practice assumes special significance during MARGAZHI so much so that each day of this month gets its name from a pasuram, like for example the first day is called MARGAZHI- TTINGAL. (Margazhi Monday)
It may appear in the beginning that Andal is intending to perform a particular religious vow to marry the Lord and thereby obtain His Everlasting Company,and that she is inviting all her girl friends to join her. It is only towards the end of TIRUPPAVAI that we learn that she did not actually go to any pond or river or perform a religious rite; SHE IS ACTUALLY PRAYING TO BE GRANTED THE SERVICE OF THE LORD FOR ALL ETERNITY.It is the Soul's inner craving to redeem itself and to reach His Divine Nearness in order to serve him (" Attaani-cchevagam" as her father PERIYAZHWAR calls it) which forms the real purport of this poem.
Of the hymns in the Sāma Veda, I am the Bṛhat-sāma, and of poetry, I am the Gāyatrī. Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa and of seasons I am flower-bearing spring.
The month of Margasirsa is unique. The atmosphere is suffused with religious fervor and sanctity that draws people from different sections of the community. `Among the months, I am Margasirsa,' said Lord Krishna in the Gita. Wrapped in shawls or bare-bodied, people join bhajan groups and go round the streets, unmindful of the cold and nipping air. Womenfolk, particularly in villages and small towns, decorate the front yard and the streets with striking ranggoli/kolam made of rice flour. (Now-a-days lime powder is the substitute for rice flour). Devotees rush to listen the discourses on Tiruppavai and Tiruvembavai, depending on their choice or religious persuasion. The discourses provide the prasadam. Religious discourses are then supplemented and/or complemented by bhajans and kirtans. In fact, one can, if one chooses, spend every day in the month of Margasirsa listening to discourses and music.
Series of festivals Hanumanth Jayanti on January 1, Andal thirupavai (whole month) and Pancha Ganapati - Dec. 21 - 25 [5 Day Festival]
Pancha Ganapati
Pancha Ganapati is a modern five-day Hindu festival celebrated from December 21 through 25 in honor of Lord Ganesha, Patron of Arts and Guardian of Culture.
During each of the five days of Pancha Ganapati, a special spiritual discipline (sadhana), is focused upon by the entire family.
A shrine is created in the main living room of the home and decorated in the spirit of this festive occasion. At the center is placed a large wooden or bronze five-faced statue of Lord Pancha Ganapati. If this is not available, any large picture or statue of Lord Ganesha will do.
Lord Ganesha is often depicted as coming from the forest; therefore, pine boughs (or banana leaves) may be used. Flashing lights, tinsel and colorful hanging ornaments may also be added.
Each morning the children dress or decorate Ganesha in a different color:
Golden Yellow on December 21,
Royal Blue on December 22,
Ruby Red on December 23,
Emerald Green on December 24 and
finally Brilliant Orange on December 25.
These are the colors of His five powers, or shaktis.
Each day a tray of sweets, fruits and incense is offered to Lord Ganapati, often prepared and presented by the children. Chants, songs and bhajanas are sung in His praise. After puja, the abundant, diverse sweets are shared by one and all as prasada. Each day gifts are given to the children, who place them before Pancha Ganapati to open only on the fifth day. Gifts need not be extravagant or expensive; they should be within the means of each family. Ganesha does not want gift-giving to promote Western commercialism but to further the great Hindu culture. Greeting cards, ideally made by children on Hindu art and wisdom.
Andal and Thirupavai
Sri ANDAL is the Quintescence incarnation of Sri BHUMI DEVI the Divine Consort of SRIMAN NARAYANA, who took birth on this earth to liberate suffering human beings from worldly bondage. She sang thirty sweet songs containing the cardinal principles of SriVaishnava Dharma during the month of MARGAZHI. Singing these songs,with understanding of their inner meaning, will bring to us peace, prosperity and above all Divine Grace.
ANDAL, though a Brahmin girl, assumes the guise of a cowherds and yearns for Everlasting Happiness and Service of the Lord. It is the age-old practice of Sri Vaishnavas to sing these stanzas every day of the year in the presence of the Lord in the temple as well as in their homes.This practice assumes special significance during MARGAZHI so much so that each day of this month gets its name from a pasuram, like for example the first day is called MARGAZHI- TTINGAL. (Margazhi Monday)
It may appear in the beginning that Andal is intending to perform a particular religious vow to marry the Lord and thereby obtain His Everlasting Company,and that she is inviting all her girl friends to join her. It is only towards the end of TIRUPPAVAI that we learn that she did not actually go to any pond or river or perform a religious rite; SHE IS ACTUALLY PRAYING TO BE GRANTED THE SERVICE OF THE LORD FOR ALL ETERNITY.It is the Soul's inner craving to redeem itself and to reach His Divine Nearness in order to serve him (" Attaani-cchevagam" as her father PERIYAZHWAR calls it) which forms the real purport of this poem.
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