Agrahayana
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| Agrahayana | |
|---|---|
| Native name | अग्रहायण (Sanskrit) |
| Calendar | Hindu calendar |
| Month number | 9 |
| Season | Winter |
| Gregorian equivalent | November-December |
| Significant days |
|
Agrahayana or Margashirsha,[1] (Sanskrit: आग्रहायण, romanized: Agrahāyaṇa, Sanskrit: मार्गशीर्ष, romanized: Mārgaśīrṣa, Awadhi: अगहन) is the ninth month of the Hindu calendar. In India's national civil calendar, Agrahayana is also the ninth month of the year, beginning on 16 November and ending on 15 December. Margashirsha means related to the Mrigashīrsha nakṣatra (asterism), which has been known since Vedic times.
In lunar religious calendars, Agrahayana or Margashirsha typically begins either on the new moon or the full moon, depending on the regional tradition, and generally corresponds to the ninth month of the year.
In solar religious calendars, Agrahayana (or Margaḻi in Tamil traditions) begins with the Sun's entry into the zodiac sign Sagittarius (Dhanus Rashi) and is considered the ninth month of the year.
Festivals
[edit]Vaikunta Ekadashi, the Ekadashi (i.e. 11th lunar day) of Margashirsha month, is celebrated also as Mokshada Ekadashi. The 10th Canto, 22nd Chapter of Bhagavata Purana mentions the young marriageable daughters (gopis) of the cowherd men of Gokula worshiping the goddess Katyayani and taking a vrata, or vow, during the entire month of Margashirsha, the first month of the winter season (Śiśira), to get the god Krishna as their husband.[2]
Bhairava Ashtami falls on Krishna paksha Ashtami of this month of Margashirsha. On this day, it is said that the god Shiva appeared on earth in the fierce manifestation as Bhairava. This day is commemorated with special prayers and rituals.
Margashirsha Devi Vrat, also known as Margashirsha Guruvar Mahalakshmi Vrat, is a sacred observance dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. This fast is observed on all Thursdays of the Margashirsha month in the Hindu lunar calendar, totaling four days of devotion and prayer. The fast holds special significance, as it is associated with devotion, prosperity, and growth, making it ideal for invoking goddess Lakshmi’s blessings. Devotees recite powerful stotras and hymns, including the Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali (108 names of Lakshmi), the Śrī Sūkta, and the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam. In Odisha this fast is celebrated as Manabasa Gurubara.
In Tamil Nadu, during this month of "Margaḻi", women make "kolams" or "rangoli" early in the morning. Devotees usually go to temples early in the morning and recite Thiruppavai by Andal and Thiruvempavai by Manikkavacakar.[3]
| Shukla Paksha | Krishna Paksha |
|---|---|
| 1. Prathama (day) | 1. Prathama (day) |
| 2. Dvitīya | 2. Dvitīya |
| 3. Tritīya | 3. Tritīya |
| 4. Chaturthi | 4. Chaturthi |
| 5. Panchami | 5. Panchami |
| 6. Shashti | 6. Shashti |
| 7. Saptami | 7. Saptami |
| 8. Ashtami | 8. Ashtami |
| 9. Navami | 9. Navami |
| 10. Dashami | 10. Dashami |
| 11. Ekadashi | 11. Ekadashi |
| 12. Dwadashi | 12. Dwadashi |
| 13. Thrayodashi | 13. Thrayodashi |
| 14. Chaturdashi | 14. Chaturdashi |
| 15. Purnima | 15. Amavasya |
See also
[edit]
- Astronomical basis of the Hindu calendar
- Hindu units of measurement
- Hindu astronomy
- Jyotiṣa
- Precession of the earth, Equinox
References
[edit]- ^ Hindu Calendar
- ^ Śrī Kātyāyanī Vrata Story Archived 2010-06-12 at the Wayback Machine Bhagavat Purāṇa 10th Canto 22nd Chapter.
- ^ Dr. Bhojraj Dwivedi (2006). Religious Basis Of Hindu Beliefs. Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. p. 172. ISBN 8128812394.