Dhanurmasa, Dhanur Month, which falls from mid December to mid January is considered as Shooonya Masam or Kharmas. Dhanurmas 2024 - 2025 begins on December 16, 2024 and ends on January 13, 2025. Dhanur Masam is considered inauspicious in some regions. Only prayers and godly functions are performed during the period. The importance of Dhanurmasam is mentioned in the Dhanurmasa Mahatmya of Pancharatra Agama, Agneya Purana and also in a scripture called Smriti Muktavali.
Dhanur Mas is basically the period the sun shifts from the Dhanu rashi to Makar rashi and it ends on the Makar Sankranti.
Dhanur Mas is basically the period the sun shifts from the Dhanu rashi to Makar rashi and it ends on the Makar Sankranti.
Worship of Lord Vishnu during the morning hours in Dhanurmasam is considered highly auspicious. Vishnu Sahasranama is chanted during the period. Other important mantras chanted are those dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.
There is a belief that worshiping Lord Vishnu on a single day during Dhanurmasam is equal to worshiping him for thousands of years.
In Pancharatra Agama, the greatness of Dhanurmasa is presented in 4 chapters, as a conversation between Lord Vishnu in the form of a Swan or Hamsa and Lord Brahma. The dialogue between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma is narrated by Sage Suta in response to a query by Sage Shaunaka.
The greatness and holiness of Dhanurmasam and the rewards one gets by observing austerities in the holy month is found in the first chapter. The story of the King Satyasandha and the holiness he achieved by observing Dhanurmasa Vratam is mentioned in the second chapter. The third chapter talks about the importance of giving alms during the Dhanurmasa month. Numerous pious deeds a devotee can perform are mentioned in the chapter. The final chapter talks about feeding the poor. It is said that the best way to reach the feet of Sri Hari Vishnu is by feeding the hungry and poor.
Please note that Dhanurmasam is not an independent month in any Indian calendar except for the Malayalam calendar followed in Kerala – in this calendar the month during the period is known as Dhanu Masam.
The start of the Dhanurmasam is marked by the entry of the Sun in the Dhanur Rashi (Sagittarius) called the Dhanuh Sankramana; hence the name Dhanurmasa for the period. During this month, the sun or Surya transits the Dhanur Rasi until it enters the Makara Rashi at the end of the month.
Margazhi month is observed during the period in Tamil Nadu.
Dhanurmas begins in Margashirsh month in Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati and Marathi calendar. In North Indian calendars it begins during Margashirsha or Paush month.
The Ekadasi falling during the Dhanurmas period is considered highly auspicious. InSouth India , especially the Vaikunta Ekadasi which falls during the waxing phase of the moon in Dhanurmas attracts thousands of devotees to important Vishnu devotees for the passing through Moksha Dwaram or Swarga Vathil.
The start of the Dhanurmasam is marked by the entry of the Sun in the Dhanur Rashi (Sagittarius) called the Dhanuh Sankramana; hence the name Dhanurmasa for the period. During this month, the sun or Surya transits the Dhanur Rasi until it enters the Makara Rashi at the end of the month.
Margazhi month is observed during the period in Tamil Nadu.
Dhanurmas begins in Margashirsh month in Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati and Marathi calendar. In North Indian calendars it begins during Margashirsha or Paush month.
The Ekadasi falling during the Dhanurmas period is considered highly auspicious. In