Dhanurmas 2023 Know its Dates and Importance
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Dhanurmasa, or Dhanur Month, which falls between the middle of December and the middle of January, is known as Shooonya Masam or Kharmas.
Dhanurmas Date 2023
Saturday, December 16, 2023
In some areas, Dhanur Masam is considered inauspicious. During this time, only prayers and godly functions are conducted. The importance of Dhanurmasam is stated in the Pancharatra Agama’s Dhanurmasa Mahatmya, the Agneya Purana, and the Smriti Muktavali text.
The Dhanur Mas is the time when the sun moves from the Dhanu Rashi to the Makar Rashi and concludes on Makar Sankranti.
The Morning time worship of Lord Vishnu in Dhanurmasam is regarded as extremely auspicious. During this time, the Vishnu Sahasranama is recited. There are also mantras dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi that are chanted.
Moong dal is the most popular offering to Lord Vishnu during this month.
It is said that worshipping Lord Vishnu on Dhanurmasam for a single day is equivalent to worshipping him for thousands of years.
The magnificence of Dhanurmasa is depicted in four chapters of Pancharatra Agama as a discourse between Lord Vishnu in the shape of a Swan or Hamsa and Lord Brahma. Sage Suta recounts the conversation between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma in answer to a question from Sage Shaunaka.
The first chapter discusses Dhanurmasam’s magnificence and sanctity, as well as the benefits of observing austerities during the holy month. In the second chapter, the account of King Satyasandha and the holiness he attained by practising Dhanurmasa Vratam is told.
The necessity of donating alms during the Dhanurmasa month is discussed in the third chapter. The chapter lists numerous virtuous activities that a devotee can accomplish. The final chapter discusses how to feed the poor. It is stated that feeding the hungry and underprivileged is the best method to reach Sri Hari Vishnu’s feet.
Please note that Dhanurmasam is not an independent month in any Indian calendar, with the exception of the Malayalam calendar used in Kerala, which refers to the month as Dhanu Masam during the period.
The Dhanurmasam begins with the Sun’s entry into the Dhanur Rashi (Sagittarius), also known as the Dhanush Sankramana; hence the name Dhanurmasa for the period. During this month, the sun, or Surya, transits the Dhanur Rasi until the end of the month, when it enters the Makara Rasi.
In Tamil Nadu, the month of Margazhi is observed during this time.
In Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, and Marathi calendars, Dhanurmas begins in the month of Margashirsh. It starts during the month of Margashirsha or Paush in North Indian calendars.
Ekadasi, which falls during the Dhanurmas era, is regarded to be extremely auspicious.
In South India, thousands of devotees go to prominent Vishnu worshippers for the passing through Moksha Dwaram or Swarga Vathil on Vaikunta Ekadasi, which falls during the waxing phase of the moon in Dhanurmas.