Margazhi Thingal Festival - Mahotsavam - Maha Utsavam

Margazhi - It is the one of the most significant month among twelve tamil months. The Margazhi 2008 festival starts on Tuesday, December 16, 2008. Margazhi festival is celebrated at all temples in Tamilnadu and India. Mainly this festival is celebrated in all Vishnu temples and Shiva temples. Likewise, Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple is also celebrating Margazhi Mahotsavam every year. Margazhi festival is otherwise called as Margazhi Utsavam, Margazhi Maha Utsavam, Margazhi Mahotsavam, etc., The holy pilgrimage to Sabarimala Swami Ayyappa Temple comes to the closing stage at the Margazhi end. The notable feature of this month are Bhakti and Music.

Significance of Margazhi Maha Utsavam

Margazhi month is an essential month among twelve tamil months, since it is the month for deities. During this month, all deities visiting the earth at early morning (ie. Brahma Muhurtham period - 4.30 a.m. to 6.00 a.m.). In Bhagavat Gita, Lord Krishna says, He is Margazhi among the twelve tamil months. Hence all the temples opened earlier and all people go to the temple at early morning during this month. The another importance of this margazhi is that the Tamil Holy Scriptures "Thiruppavai" and "Thiruvempavai" are read during this month.

History of Margazhi Thingal

Margazhi Thingal denotes Margazhi month, in tamil "Thingal" indicates month. The story behind this Margazhi festival is that Goddess Lakshmi incarnated as "Andal" in the earth, which is now called as holy place "Srivilliputhur" (Thiruvilliputhur). One significant feature of this temple is that this temple tower is the "Emblem of Tamilnadu". After certain stage, Andal wishes to marry Lord Vishnu. So, She started Vrata called as Margazhi Nonbu (Pavai Nonbu) during this month. All the days in this month She wake up early morning and hum songs on Lord Vishnu called as "Thiruppavai" with her friends. Finally, She got married with Lord Vishnu. Some of the few lines of Thiruppavai Song,

"Margazhi Thingal Mathi Niraindha Nannalal
Neerada Podhuveer. . . . ."

Similary, one of the four major saint of Sri Saivam "Manickavasagar" chant songs on Lord Shiva called as "Thiruvempavai".
We could get the full grace of Holy Divine Beings either by reading or listening the holy scriptures "Thiruppavai" and "Thiruvempavai" on this month.

Important days and festivals in Margazhi month

The most important days and festivals in the month of Margazhi are:

• Hanuman Jayanthi
• Vaikunta Ekadasi
• Ashtami Chapparam
• Thiruvadirai Nakshatra or Star
• Arudhra Darshan
• Bogi Festival