Purattasi Month is the sixth month in a traditional Tamil calendar and is of great importance. It is a highly auspicious month and is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara (Lord Vishnu). The Navaratri festival is also held in this month. Puratasi Month 2023 is from September 18 to October 17. Special pujas and prayers are observed on Saturdays in Puratasi month to please Shani Bhagavan.
Vinayagar Chaturthi is held in 2023 in Puratasi Masam and is on September 18.
Special Rituals in The Month
Special prayers are offered at the
Another legend suggests that Lord Saneeswara (Shani) loses his powers in Puratasi month and so it is easy to escape his malefic influences.
Devotees of Lord Venkateswara take only a meal on Purattasi Saturdays. Some devotees only eat vegetarian food during the month.
Importance of Purattasi Month
Legend has it that Lord Venkateswara appeared on earth in Purattasi Masam. Lord Vishnu devotees consider Puratasi as the ideal month for thanking Lord Vishnu for preserving the Universe. Lord Vishnu is believed to do the job of preservation in Hinduism.
On Saturdays, Naamum, the two feet symbol of Lord Vishnu’s feet, is drawn on the forehead by males and women opt for a red dot. Hymns dedicated to Lord Vishnu are chanted on Saturdays.
Devotees in large number visit Lord Vishnu temples and special flags with Garuda emblem are hoisted in Vishnu temples.
Purattasi Padayal
Purattasi padayal is the food offerings to Lord Vishnu in the
month. These dishes are considered favorites of Lord Vishnu.
The dishes prepare include:
- Puliyogare - Tamarind rice which is sweet and sour with cashew nuts.
- Sakkarai Pongal - Sweet rice dish made from moong dal, ghee, jaggery, cardamom and cashew nuts.
- Ven Pongal - Savoury version of sakkarai pongal made using moong dal, ghee, peppercorns and cashew nuts.
- Thayir Sadam - Rice mixed with curd and tempered with mustard, curry leaves and red chillies, garnished with pomegranate seeds.
- Black gram/Kabuli chana Sundal - Boiled chana tempered with mustard, asafoetida, curry leaves and green chillies mixed with grated fresh coconut.
- Medu/Ulundu Vadai - Crispy fluffy deep fried savoury doughnuts made from urad dal. Served along with sambar and coconut chutney.
Important Festivals - Rituals - Fasting Dates in Puratasi 2023
- Ekadasi dates in Puratasi Masam are on September 25 and October 10
- Shiva Pradosham dates are on September 26 and October 12.
- Pillayar Sankatahara Chaturthi is on October 2 (Ganesh Sankashti Chaturthi)
- Purattasi Pournami is on September 29
- Purattasi Amavasya is on October 14
- Muruga Sashti Fasting is on September 20
Navratri / Dasara
Navratri - from October 15
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