The ninth Lunar month of the Hindu calendar, agrahayana is nothing less than the most auspicious month of the year. This Margashirsha month signifies utmost devotion and dedication to Lord Krishna. In the Puranas, it has the title “Maasonam Margashirshoham,” which means the most sacred month in the entire year. The month is perfect to perform Pitra puja and to perform tarpan in religious places.
Importance of Agrahayana
This month is the most important month of the Hindu calendar to please dead ancestors. People observe Pitra puja to give salvation to the soul of their ancestors. Several people have pitra dosha in their kundalini. Rahu dosha too affects their lives and are unable to conceive a child. Considering Agrahayana Month Importance, these individuals should observe a fast on this day without fail.
By observing a fast during Margashirsha Amavasya, people can please all the deities and their deceased ancestors too. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna calls himself the Margashirsha month.
Significance of Agrahayana
Devotees should take bath in River Ganga since they consider this a very sacred month of the year. Taking bath in River Ganga in other auspicious months is also important. During this month, devotees worship Lord Satyanarayana that relieves them from several problems and sins. People also donate generously to charity to reap the prosperous fruits of the sacred occasion. It should be done on Udyatithi Purnima. The importance of this day also earns the name Battisi Purnima.
This day is also famous for Dattatreya Jayanti, which marks the birth of Lord Dattatreya. In ancient texts, he is believed to be the incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. He carries the name Gurudevadatta since he possesses the qualities of the Lord and the master. He is the origin of the Datta community and, there are several temples devoted to him in South India.
Agahan Maas
The month of Agrahayana is the onset of Mrigasira Star and, the Purnima tithi begins from this nakshatra. Hence, the month earns the famous name “Margashirsha maas.” It also has names like Magsar, Agahan and Agrahayan and, taking holy baths in rivers of religious prominence are of great importance. Lord Krishna himself tells the importance of this month, advising Gopis to take a bath in the Yamuna River. By doing this, he says the person will get closer to him.
Worshipping the Sun
Agahana Month is also a sacred month to offer prayers to the Sun God. It is very auspicious to worship Lord Surya as he has the name of Mitra in Margashirsh month.
Prominent Festivals
Agrahayana Month Festivals are very grand and offer lifelong benefits to devotees. The auspicious festivals include:
Kalabhairav Jayanti
This occasion signifies the birth anniversary of the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva who associates himself with annihilation.
Utpanna Ekadashi
This Ekadashi is a sacred one among the twenty four Ekadashi vrats devotees observe, seeking the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
Vivah Panchami
This auspicious occasion also marks the marriage of Lord Rama with Goddess Sita. Hence, every year, devotees celebrate this day as the marriage anniversary of Rama and Sita.
Gita Jayanti
Gita Jayanti day symbolizes the birth of the sacred text Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
Mokshada Ekadashi
Mokshada Ekadashi is one of the sacred and auspicious twenty four Ekadashi vrats. People observe this ekadashi to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
Dattatreya Jayanti
This day is the birth anniversary of Hindu deity featuring the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Hence, these deities are collectively known as Trimurti.
Annapurna Jayanti
People observe Annapurna Jayanti annually on Purnima during the month of Margashirsha.
Rituals of Margashirsha Month
Observing the following rituals during this month are highly beneficial for health and prosperity. The rituals include:
Devotees should wake up very early in the morning to perform ceremonious bath with roots of Tulasi. You should chant “Om Namo Narayana” or the Gayatri Mantra while bathing.
Devotees should observe a fast to please the deities while also reciting the ‘Satyanarayana Katha.’ This practice helps devotees get rid of obstacles and enjoy success. The entire day should include observing vrats and indulging in bhajans and kirtans.
Hindu devotees worship Lord Vishnu with immense love and affection. This includes performing yagna or havan in their homes. Then prasad distribution takes place among all the devotees after performing aarti.
Offering to charities and donations gives immense benefits in comparison to any other day. This day also has the name Battissi Purnima. Devotees can also give clothes, money or food. In fact, giving new clothes to women in the family is the norm.
