Agrahayana
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(November 2013) |
| Agrahayana | |
|---|---|
| Native name | अग्रहायण(Sanskrit) |
| Calendar | Hindu calendar |
| Month number | 9 |
| Season | Winter |
| Gregorian equivalent | November-December |
| Significant days |
|
AgrahayanaorMargashirsha,[1](Sanskrit:आग्रहायण,romanized:Agrahāyaṇa,Sanskrit:मार्गशिर्ष,romanized:Mārgaśirṣa) is the ninth month of theHindu calendar.InIndia's national civil calendar,Agrahayanais also the ninth month of the year, beginning on 21 November and ending on 20 December. Margashirsha means related to theMrigashīrshanakṣatra(asterism), which has been known sinceVedic times.In Tamil, Margashirsha is also known as Margaḻi.
In lunar religious calendars, Agrahayana/Margashirsha may begin on either the new moon or the full moon around the same time of year and is usually the ninth month of the year.
In solar religious calendars, Agrahayana/Margaḻibegins with theSun's entry intoSagittariusand is the ninth month of the year.
Festivals[edit]
Vaikunta Ekadashi,theEkadashi(i.e. 11th lunar day) of Margashirsha month, is celebrated also asMokshada Ekadashi.The 10th Canto, 22nd Chapter ofBhagavata Puranamentions the young marriageable daughters (gopis) of the cowherd men ofGokulaworshiping the goddessKatyayaniand taking avrata,or vow, during the entire month of Margashirsha, the first month of the winter season (Śiśira), to get the godKrishnaas their husband.[2]
Bhairava Ashtamifalls onKrishna pakshaAshtamiof this month of Margashirsha. On this day, it is said that the godShivaappeared on earth in the fierce manifestation asBhairava.This day is commemorated with special prayers and rituals.
In Odisha, all Thursdays in this month are celebrated as Manabasa Gurubara, wherein Lady Lakshmi is worshipped by Hindu women.
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 reciteThiruppavaibyAndalandThiruvempavaibyManikkavacakar.[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
- Precessionof the earth,Equinox
References[edit]
- ^Hindu Calendar
- ^Śrī Kātyāyanī Vrata StoryArchived2010-06-12 at theWayback MachineBhagavat Purāṇa10th Canto 22nd Chapter.
- ^Dr. Bhojraj Dwivedi (2006).Religious Basis Of Hindu Beliefs.Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. p. 172.ISBN8128812394.