Significance Of Aswayuja Masam

                                                Aswayuja Masam

Aswayuja Masam is named after the star Ashwini. If the star during the Purnima of the month is Ashwini it is called as Aswayuja or Ashwayuja Masam. Aswayuja Masam is the seventh month as per the Telugu Calender and this month is glorified as “ESHA” in Vedas.

There are a lot of fetivals in Ashwayuja Masam. The most important being Dassera and Deepavali or Diwali. Aswayuja Masam is more important for the followers of Durga Devi. Ashwayuja Masam is the best to worship the Goddess Durga. In all the Shakti Temples worshipping of Mother Goddess Durga starts from the first day of Aswayuja Masam.

From Ashwayuja sukla Padyami to Ashwayuja Sukla Dasami the nine forms of Durga are worshipped. In Vaishnava temples Goddess Laxmi is worshipped in the famous Ashta Laxmi or eight Laxmi forms.
The Navami Vratam, Jaya Vyapti Vratam, Atla Taddi which is one of the important Vratam are in Aswayuja Masam.

Durga Devi Worshipped in Aaswayuja Maasam :-

Aaswayuja maasam is also pronounced as Aasweeja or Aasweena maasam. Aasaa/Aasee means Sthree (woman); Yuj/Yuja means added to/included. Worshiping the universal divine mother Goddess Shakthi (feminine energy) is exclusively added to the religious calendar of Aaswayuja maasam.

In Hindu philosophy the nature is said to be an embodiment of the universal divine mother. Devi sooktham describes divine mother as queen of the universe. Sri Lakshmi ashtottara sathanaama stothram eulogizes Goddess Lakshmi as Prakruthyai namaha. She is the nature. Universal Divine Mother Goddess with whatever name one may call (Durga; Lakshmi; Saraswathi); she is Maaya (illusion); she is Shakthi (divine energy) and she is Prakruthi (Nature).
Certain positions in the Nature have surfaced a point of level that can never be encroached upon and have to be recognized with due respect without any compromise. One such position is that of a Mother who is given a unique and sacred place that can never be filled by any other element of nature. She is depicted as an epitome of benevolence, love and affection.
The dictum says Maathru Devo Bhava; Mother is God; she is to be adored. We have many examples in Hindu Sanaatana Dharma where, several sages, devotees, great personalities and even the incarnations of Lord Vishnu have eulogized the paramount significance of this dictum which has not changed over ages.

We are kindly providing a list of Naivedhyams for Navaratri (as per the standard procedure):-
1. First day – Shailaputri NavaDurga is worshipped as Shree Kanaka Durga – Chalividi (fried rice), vadapappu (boiled Bengal grams), and payasam (sweet rice) naivedyam.
2. Second day – Brahmacharini NavaDurga is worshipped as Balatripura Sundari Devi – sweet boondi and chickpeas naivedyam.
3. Third day – Chandraghanta NavaDurga is worshipped as Gayatri Devi – Rava (wheat semolina) kesari and pulihora (sour rice/tamarind rice/lemon rice) naivedyam.
4. Fourth day - Kushmanda NavaDurga is worshipped as Annapurna Devi – Pongali (cooked sweet rice-dal) naivedyam.
5. Fifth day – Skanda Mata NavaDurga is worshipped as Lalitha Tripura Sundari Devi – Pulohorai/Pulihora (sour rice/tamarind rice/lemon rice) and Pesara boorelu (recipe of Green grams) naivedyam .
6. Sixth day – Katyayani NavaDurga is worshipped as Saraswati Devi – bellam Atukulu (beaten rice with jaggery), Senaga pappu (Bengal gram), and coconut are offered as naivedyam.
7. Seventh day – Kalaratri Mata is worshipped as Mahalakshmi Devi – Ksheerannam (rice boiled in milk), bellam (jaggery), and sugar are offered as naivedyam.
8. Eighth day – Mahagouri NavaDurga is worshipped as Sri Durga Devi – Garelu (Vedda) and lemon juice are offered.
9. Ninth day – Siddhidhatri NavaDurga is decorated and worshipped as Mahishasura Mardhini Devi – Chakra Pongali (pudding) is offered as naivedyam.
10. Tenth day – Durga Devi is worshipped as Sri Rajarajeshwari Devi – Pulihora and garelu are offered.

Lord Vishnu In Worshipped In Aaswayuja Maasam :-

 Lord Vishnu in the name Sri Padmanaabha is the governing Lord (Maasa Niyaamaka) of Aaswayuja maasam. Padmanaabha means the one who has a Lotus like navel; the one who has Lotus in the navel; the one whose navel in the form of a Lotus has given birth to the creation of the Universe and is its source. We find reference to the word Padmanaabha in sloka # 6; 38 and in the Dhyaana sloka of Sri Vishnu Sahasranaama Stothram (Saantaakaaram Bhujaga Sayanam Padmanaabham). Lord Vishnu resides not only in the lotus called universe (Brahmaanda Kamala) but also in our Hrudaya Kamala, i.e. in our heart of hearts.

Tirumala Bhramostavam In Aaswayuja Maasam :-

As per Hindu lunar calendar three major religious events occurs during Aaswayuja maasam; seventh one among lunar months. They are Tirumala Srivaari Navarathri Brahmotsavam at Tirumala Kshethra; Devi Navarathri festival popularly called Dasara and the month ending with another famous and popular festival among Hindus viz. Naraka Chaturdasi/Deepaavali the festival of lights.
During Aaswayuja maasam when Sun is transiting in Kanya Raasi (Virgo) Lord Venkateswara is worshipped through Brahmotsavam a unique car festival conducted at Tirumala Kshethra for nine days starting from Aaswayuja Sukla Prathama thithi. On parallel days Goddess Shakthi (Durga) is also worshipped across the country. This period of worshiping the Divine Energy is popularly known as Devi Navarathri or SharanNavarathri. We find such nine day (Navarathri) celebrations being held for Lord Sri Rama called Rama Navarathri; for Lord Ganesha called Ganesha Navarathri. Even the Brahmotsavam festival held at Tirumala for Lord Venkateshwara is also a nine day and night celebration.


Vijaya Dasami is also revered as Buddha Jayanthi, the day Lord Vishnu was born as Buddha. Aaswayuja maasam is the sacred month, Saint Sri Madhvacharya, the founder proponent of Dvaita (Tattvavaada) philosophy was born at Paajaka Kshethra near Udupi on the auspicious day of Vijaya Dasami that is celebrated as Madhva Jayanthi. Aaswayuja Bahula Trayodasi is reckoned as Dhanvanthari Jayanthi.
In the concept of Pithru Yagna, first lunar day of Aaswayuja maasam is earmarked for performing sacred rites to Mother’s father (Maatamaha) called Dauhithru Karthruka Maatamaha Sraaddha being performed by daughter’s son to his maternal grandfather. This is possible only when a person doesn't have sons but has daughter. This is an exceptional case where a person (Jeevat Pithru) performs ceremony when his father is alive.
Aaswayuja maasam is favourite month of Goddess Shakthi who is worshiped throughout the month in some form or other. Starting from the very first day the Divine Mother is also worshipped on several other days of the month apart from Devi Navarathri festival; viz. on Vijaya Dasami day as Goddess Aparaajitha; on the full Moon day Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped (Kojagara Vratha); on the day of Bahula Dwaadasi (12th day of the dark fortnight) as Go-Maata (Cow) called Govatsa Dwaadasi; on the day of Bahula Trayodasi, Goddess Ganga is worshiped (Jalapoorna Trayodasi); on the new moon day (Amaavaasya) Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped (Deepaavali) etc. apart from in various other names as per the local/regional customs and traditions.

Certain positions in the Nature have surfaced a point of level that can never be encroached upon and have to be recognized with due respect without any compromise. One such position is that of a Mother who is given a unique and sacred place that can never be filled by any other element of nature. She is depicted as an epitome of benevolence, love and affection.  The dictum says Maathru Devo Bhava; Mother is God; she is to be adored.  We have many examples in Hindu Sanaatana Dharma where, several sages, devotees, great personalities and even the incarnations of Lord Vishnu have eulogized the paramount significance of this dictum which has not changed over ages.
Aaswayuja maasam is also pronounced as Aasweeja or Aasweena maasam. Aasaa/Aasee means Sthree (woman); Yuj/Yuja means added to/included. Worshiping universal divine mother Goddess Shakthi (feminine energy) is exclusively added to the religious calendar of Aaswayuja maasam. In Hindu philosophy the nature is said to be an embodiment of the universal divine mother. Devi sooktham describes divine mother as queen of the universe. Sri Lakshmi ashtottara sathanaama stothram eulogizes Goddess Lakshmi as Prakruthyai namaha. She is the nature. Universal Divine Mother Goddess with whatever name one may call (Durga; Lakshmi; Saraswathi); She is Maaya (illusion); She is Shakthi (divine energy) and She is Prakruthi (Nature). 
It is befitting to call Aaswayuja maasam as the Divine Mother centric month dedicated to adoration of the mother of mothers the universal divine mother.

Sarvamangala Maangalye Sive Sarvaartha saadhike
Saranye Thrayambake Devi Naaraayani Namosthuthe.

Kedara Vrat In Aaswayuja Maasam :-

Kedara Vrat is observed on Bhadrapada Sukla Ashtami.  It is believed that Lord Parvati had obtained the half part of Lord Shiva by performing this Vrat.

The birthdays  of Sri Madhavacharya and Dhanvantri the doctor of Gods is in Ashwayuja Masam.
Pasankusa Ekadashi, Vishoka Dwadasi are also part of Aswayuja Masam. Pasankusa Ekadashi Vrat will help to overcome going to hell as it acts as a Ankush (an instrument used to control) on the Yama Pasham or the death rope. Hence it is known as Pasankusha (Pasa=rope, Ankusha=control) Ekadashi.
The Madana Dwadasi Vrat that is observed on Karthika Sudha Dwadasi, the initiation is done the Ashwayuja Sukla Ekadashi. This Vratam is good for happy married life for women.