Margashirsha month is full of devotion and dedication. Margashirsha Purnima is celebrated on Friday, 28th December 2012. Devotees ca be seen involved in Bhajans, Kirtans etc. throughout this month. There are rallies of these devotees which can be seen early morning during this month. There is a great importance of Lord Krishna in this month. The Lord himself says that he is the Margashirsha month out of all the months. In Satyug, Devas considered the first day of Margashirsha month to be the beginning of the year. During this month, baths should be taken in rivers and Tulsi and roots of Tulsi plant should be used. Namo Narayanaya mantra or Gayatri mantra should be recited while taking a bath.
Margashirsha month is related to Lord Krishna. It is believed that this month is related to Margashira Nakshatra. Margashira Nakshatra is one of the 27 Nakshatras and this month’s Purnima comprises of this Nakshatra. This month is known as Margashira month because of the same reason.
This month is also known as Magsar, Agahan and Agrahayan. Donations, baths etc are of great importance during this month.
Lord Krishna told the importance of this month to Gopis and said that taking a bath in the Yamuna river during this month gets a person closer to him. Hence, taking baths in a river is considered extremely sacred during this month.
Significance of Margashirsha Purnima
Taking baths in river Ganga is considered sacred during this month just like other months including Kartik, Magh, Vaishakh etc. Margashirsha Purnima is considered very important. Lord Satyanarayana should be worshipped on the day of Margashirsha Purnima as it relieves of all problems and sins.
Donations and charities are considered to relieve a person of all his sins if he does so on the day of ‘Udyatithi’ Purnima. It is believed that doing these things on this day gives 32 time better results than usual. Hence, Margashirsha Purnima is also known as Battisi Purnima.
Margashirsha Purnima is also celebrated as Dattatreya Jayanti. It is believed that Lord Dattatreya was born on this day. According to religious texts, Lord Dattatreya is known as an incarnation of all Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Dattatreya is believed to possess qualities of both the Lord and the Master and hence is also known as Gurudevadatta.
According to beliefs, Dattatreya was born on the day of Purnima in Margashirsha month during Pradosh Kal. According to Shrimad Bhagvatgita, Dattatreya acquired knowledge from 24 masters. Datta community originated because of him. Many different templs devoted to him can be seen in southern India. Worshipping Lord Dattatreya on the Purnima of Margashirsha month relieves a person from all problems and sins.
Margashirsha Purnima Pooja
Fasting and worshipping on Margashirsha Purnima fulfills all wishes and a person is relieved of all problems. Lord Vishnu Narayana is worshipped on Margashirsha Purnima. A person should take a bath, wear white clothes, should fast and should recite Om Namo Narayana mantra. A small Yagya should be performed while sitting in a square. Prasad should be consumed and distributed among everyone. Lord Vishnu Narayana should be worshipped and food arrangements should be made for Brahmanas. Donations should also be made.
Moon should also be worshipped on Margashirsha Purnima. This is because its is believed that Moon was covered with Amrit on this day. Colthes should be distributed among the females of the family including sisters, mother, daughters etc.
Margashirsha Month is the ninth month in a traditional Hindi calendar followed in North India. Margashirsha Month 2012 begins on November 29 and ends on December 28. Mokshada Ekadasi, Dattatreya Jayanti and Gita Jayanthi are observed in this month. This calendar is followed mainly in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, Bihar and Chhattisgarh and other North Indian states. A month in these regions is calculated from the day after Purnima or full moon to the next Purnima. The current year in the Hindi Calendar is Saka 2069.
Vivah Panchami - December 17
Dattatreya Jayanti – December 27