Margashirsha Purnima

The full moon day in the auspicious month of Margashirsha of the traditional Hindu calendar, is celebrated as ‘Margashirsha Purnima’. Hindu devotees worship the Moon God as it is believed that on this day, Moon was blessed with ‘Amrit’. Margashirsha Maas is the 9th month of the Hindu calendar and as per the Hindu scriptures this month is considered to be the month of dedication. In the Puranas, this month was referred as ‘Maasonam Margashirshoham’ implying that there is no month that is more propitious than Margashirsha. On this day devotees perform ritualistic bath in the sacred rivers and worship Lord Vishnu devotedly.

Margashirsha Purnima is also known as ‘Dattatreya Jayanti’. Lord Dattatreya is known to be an avatar of the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh). As per the legends, in the Pradosh Kaal, on Margashirsha Purnima, Lord Dattatreya was incarnated on Earth and since then this day is observed as His birth anniversary. In South India particularly, special rituals are held in several temples dedicated to Lord Dattatreya. In some regions of India, Margashirsha Purnima is also referred as ‘Battissi Purnima’, ‘Korala Purnima’, ‘Naraka Purnima’, or ‘Margashirsha Poonam Udyatithi Purnima’.

Rituals during Margashirsha Purnima:

- On Margashirsha Purnima, devotees wake up very early and perform the ceremonious bath with the roots of Tulsi plant. While taking bath, one must chant ‘Om Namo Narayana’ or the Gayatri mantra. It is believed that taking a holy dip in the Ganga River on Margashirsha Purnima is considered very beneficial.

- Devotees also keep a fast on this day to please their ‘Ishta Devatas’. By fasting on Margashirsha Purnima and reciting the ‘Satyanarayana Katha’ one can remove all obstacles in life and acquire success. The fast continues for the day and devotees refrain from eating or drinking anything. The observer of the Margashirsha vrat must spend time in bhajans and kirtans.

- On the occasion of Margashirsha Purnima, Hindu devotees worship Lord Vishnu with immense love and affection. They also perform ‘yagya’ or ‘havan’ at home. Special Prasad is prepared and distributed among all the other devotees, after doing ‘aarti’.

- Offering charities and donations on Margashirsha Purnima gives 32 times more benefits as compared to any other day, hence the name ‘Battissi Purnima’. Donations can be in the form of money, clothes or food. On Margashirsha Purnima there is also a ritual of giving away new clothes to daughters and other women in the family.

The month of Margashirsha is considered very auspicious in the traditional Hindu calendar. In the Hindu religious scriptures, this month is also referred as ‘Magsar’, ‘Agahan’ or ‘Agrahayan’. It is believed that young girls who take a holy dip in the River Yamuna on Margashirsha Purnima will get desired life partner. Just like the lunar months of Vaishakh, Kartik and Magha, taking a bath in the holy rivers on Margashirsha Purnima is very important. Pundits and scholars believe that by performing charitable activities on this sacred day, all the sins will be relieved. On Margashirsha Purnima, Lord Vishnu is worshipped as ‘Narayana’. Also, fasting on the day of Margashirsha Purnima grants fulfilment of all desires or wishes.