Significance of Magha maasam

Magha maasam :-

Magha maasam is the 11th month of Hindu lunar calendar. Makha nakshtram (star) falls on the pournami day of this month. This month is considered auspicious to perform all the major occasions like marriage, upanayanam (thread ceremony), house warming etc. One year on the earth is considered as one day in the higher abode and this month starts the dawn of the day to the Gods. Deepa daanam (lighting a lamp) is auspicious in Karthika maasam and magha snanam (holy dips in holy rivers) is the major ritual of magha maasam.There are many auspicious and religious events during the month. Some of them are given here.

In lunar calendars, Maagh may begin on either the new moon or the full moon around the same time of year, and is usually the eleventh month of the year. Its is named because in this month, The full moon is usually found nearby or within the star cluster called "Magha"
In solar calendars, Maagh begins with the Sun's entry into Capricorn, and is usually the tenth month of the year.

Religious Significance of Magha Maasam:-

It is believed that the Hindu Goddess of wisdom and learning - Goddess Saraswati, the Sun God or Surya Bhagawan  and Lord Shiva in the lingam form were born in this month.  On the fifth day in the brighter half of the moon, Basant Panchami or Saraswati Pooja is celebrated across the country. Hence the month is particularly dedicated to Lord Surya and people worship Sun god on the four Sundays of Maagha maasam. Reciting Aditya Hrudyam on the four Sundays of the month would be very effective.

Social significance of Maagha maasam:-

Maagha maasam in India marks the beginning of the most awaited spring season and the end of the  dry winter season.  As the nature starts blooming once again with the growth of fresh new leaves and flowers all around, this is the most favorite season of the people.

Magha snanam:-

While Kartheeka masam is given lot of significance for lighting of lamps, Maagha masam is given special significance for taking bath that is known as Maagha Snanam.  It generally starts from Pushya sukla Pournami and ends with Magha sukla Pournami or it can also be from Makara Sankramana to Kumbha Sankramana as per Solar/Luni-Solar calendar. For followers of lunar calendar it starts from Pushya Bahula Amaavaasya and ends with Maagha Bahula Amaavaasya.  During this period it is prescribed to take bath early in the morning before Sunrise preferably during Arunodaya kala. This sacred bath is preferred to be taken in any river, lake or theertha or at least at home. Apart from the daily routine (Nithya Karma) special arghya is to be given to Lord Madhava and Sun God after Maagha Snanam.

Advantages of Maagha Snanam in sea water:-

In the earlier months to Magha Masam, on account of cold and snow, the body becomes weak because of lack proper sunshine, etc. In Magha Masam the Sun rays provide more heat and they energize the Sea and River Waters destroying the bacteria in the waters. Common salt also acts as an antibiotic and necessary for our body to cleanse the skin. Taking these factors into consideration, our Sages prescribed that one should perform Samudra Snanam and spend in Sea waters for a period of one Ghadiya (48 minutes) in Magha Masam. By this the energy of sun rays embedded in the water spreads into our body. Taking a bath in sea waters for about 48 minutes refreshes us by cleansing our external body opening the roma coupams and a lot of significance has been added from spiritual point of view in the daily routine of an Individual. The benefits are multiple when sea bath is taken in Magha Masam.

Festivals in Magha maasam:-

Vasantha Panchami:-

Vasantha Panchami also known as Sri Panchami. Goddess Saraswathi, the presiding deity of Akshara Gyana, the female Divine energy of Learning, Knowledge and Wisdom is said to have born on this auspicious day of Sri Panchami. Dedicated to Vaakk Devi (Goddess Saraswathi) this day is considered to be highly auspicious day especially for Aksharabhyasa (inducting a child into education).  Goddess Saraswathi is to be worshipped on this day to get rid of our sluggishness, lethargy and ignorance.

Bhishma Ekadasi:-

The popular belief is that the Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram (thousand names dedicated to Lord Vishnu) was revealed to the Pandavas on this day by Bhisma, the great grand father in the Mahabharata. Bhishma was lying in a bed of arrows after the Great War in Mahabharat when he revealed the thousand names of Bhishma.

The Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram was revealed to Pandavas by Bhishma in the presence of Lord Krishna, who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that listening to Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram leads to Moksha.
This particular period (January to February) in a traditional Hindu calendar has numerous auspicious dates dedicated to Bhishma in various regions in India. Some of the important days are Bhishma Ashtami, Bhisma Dwadasi and Bhishma Ekadasi. It is believed that Bhishma chose this period to leave his body and merge with Brahman.

Ratha Sapthami:-

Ratha means chariot. Sapthami is a thithi in a lunar month falling on the 7th day of both sukla and Krishna paksha. At the time of division of constellations each day or thithi is attributed to one deity/God. In the process Sapthami thithi was allotted to Sun God and hence it is his favourite day.

On this day of Ratha Sapthami, Northern movement of the Sun God is supposed to take definite effect after he commenced his journey towards Northern hemisphere entering Makara Raasi on Makara Sankramana Day. Traditionally it is regarded as the day on which the chariot of the Sun God is diverted towards the north by his charioteer called Aruna. On this day it is believed that Sun God ride on his chariot drawn by seven horses and move toward north east direction bringing the entry of spring season.

It is also believed and said that the chariot of Sun has only one wheel that represents kalachakra and the seven horses represent seven colours of light (VIBGYOR). It is also believed that the seven horses represent seven days in the week starting from Sunday the day dedicated to Sun God. The entire kala-chakra, or wheel of time, is established on the wheel of the sun-god's chariot. This wheel is known as Samvatsara. He is the lord of Leo in the Zodiac. He stays one month in each Raasi and takes 365 days or 12 months to complete a round of 12 Rasis.

Bath with Arka Leaves:-

 It is an age old custom and tradition that people on this day take special bath with seven Arka leaves by keeping one on the head, two on the shoulders, two on the knees and two on the feet. Arka is commonly called as Jilledu in Telugu, Ekka in Kannada, Erukku in Tamil, and Calotrope (bowstring hemp) in English.

Bhishmaastami:-

It is associated with Bhishma Pitamaha, the most revered and grandiose character of the great Epic, Mahabharata. It was on this day Bhishma had his last breath and this day is commemorated as the day of his Niryana. Bhishmaastami occurs on the 8th day (Ashtami) of the bright fortnight (Sukla Paksha) in Magha Masam, the day after Ratha Sapthami.

 Sri Madhwa Navami:-

It will falling on the 9th day of Lunar month of Magha Masam during the bright fortnight is associated with Sri Madhwacharya one of the greatest Hindu Saints and Philosophers who was the founder and exponent of Dvaita Philosophy. It is said that it was on this day in the year 1317 AD, Sri Madhvacharya while teaching his disciples at Udupi Sri Anantheshwara Temple, suddenly a heap of flowers were showered on him and he disappeared from that heap of flowers not to be seen later. It is considered as the day He entered the Badarikasrama.

Maagha Purnima:-

The full moon day in Maagha masam is celebrated as Maha Maaghi. This day marks the end of Maagha Snana vratham. It is said and believed that any Divine worship, prayer, charity or rites performed on this day are highly meritorious that gives significant results. Thilapaathra Danam is prescribed to be given to a Brahmin on this day of Mahamaaghi. Taking bath in a sea on this day is considered as highly meritorious.

 Maha Shivarathri:-

It is a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva occurs on the 13th /14th day of dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in Magha Masam coinciding with Chaturdasi thithi. Worshipping Lord Shiva on this day of Maha Shivarathri is considered as highly meritorious and sin remover. Special celebrations are held on the eve of Maha Shivarathri at all the holy Shiva Kshetras where lakhs of people gather to offer their obeisance and salutations to Lord Shiva the great destroyer of sins and the most benevolent God.

Sunday associated with Amaavaasya + Sravana Nakshatra + Vyatheepatha Yoga + in the lunar month of Pushya or Maagha is referred to as Ardhodhaya which is considered to be a very sacred day, a parvakala that occurs very rarely that is more meritorious than an eclipse. Maagha Bahula Amaavasya associated with Satabhisha star is considered as highly sacred and meritorious. According to Dharmasindhu by performing Pithru Shraaddha on this day, Pithrus (ancestors) gets pleased for ten thousand years.


Brahma in Hindu Mythology:-

According to Hindu Mythology Lord Brahma is the creator of this universe and he was born from a Lotus emerging from the naval of Lord Vishnu. According to another account, the self-existent Lord Brahma created waters and deposited a seed that became a Golden Egg from which He was born and He divided the Golden Egg into two parts consisting of Heaven and Earth and later created Prajapatis who created the mankind. As per Valmiki Ramayanam, Lord Brahma separated himself into male and female after dividing the Golden Egg and from them sprang the Sages Kasyapa, Marichi, Manu, etc., and Brahma Manasaputras who created the rest of the mankind.

Mythology describes that Brahma had originally five heads and one of them was cut down by Lord Shiva in his anger. Later Brahma had four heads facing the four sides representing the four Vedas, the four Yugas and the four Varnas. Lord Brahma is visualised as sitting on a Swan (Hamsa) and the Swan stands for wisdom and discrimination. He is also shown riding a chariot drawn by seven Swans, representing seven worlds. The temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in Ajmere and the icons here and there in other temples show his viswakarma aspect with four heads, the four arms holding rosary, the book, the kush and a kamandal and riding on a Swan.

No worship of lord Brahma:-

Inspite of the fact that Lord Brahma is one of the Trimurtis and creator of Mankind, there are no temples dedicated to Lord Brahma and there is no daily worship, except the temple at Pushkar in Rajasthan. According to Puranas, Lord Brahma lied to Lord Shiva that he had seen the top portion of the Jwala jyothirlingam and for this spoken untruth Lord Shiva cursed that Lord Brahma is unfit to be worshipped in Bhoolokam and since then worship of Brahma ceased to exist. It is believed that Brahma cult existed in prevedic Sanathana Dharma period and later the Shiva-Vishnu-Sakti cult spread making the Brahma cult redundant.

Our Puranas describe that Sages, Devotees, Devathas and Rakshasas are worshipping first Lord Brahma and performing penace to obtain boons from him. It is believed that pleasing Lord Brahma with penace is easier and he blesses quickly. Most of the Demon Kings worshipped Lord Brahma and obtained very Great Boons and became stronger than Devathas and other demigods. It is unfortunate that the worship of such easily pleased God of Lord Brahma was prohibited in Bhoolokam.

Appu Lingam Sametha Sri Akilandeswari in Jambukeswaram

Akilandeswari:-

Akilandeswari temple at Thiruvanaikaval in Tamil Nadu is dedicated to goddess Akilandeswari, which is one of the forms of Goddess Parvati. According to legend Goddess Parvati was sent to earth to do a penance by Lord Shiva. She had offended the Lord and to win back his affection she had made a lingam known as “Appu Lingam” and started worshipping daily. Lord Shiva was pleased with her devotion and forgave her.

There is perennial oozing of water from under neath Sivalinga in the sanctum Sanctorum, which is emptied at regular intervals.

Lord Siva is said to have sat under a Jambu tree and done penance to have the darshan of Lord Vishnu in order to get rid of the sin of Brahmahatya(killing of a repository of Vedas).
Akilandeswari, the Mother of the Universe, is said to have worshipped the Lord in this temple.  Symbolically even today, at noon the priest, dressed in a saree, performs pooja to sri Jambukeswara.

It is said Sri Adi Sankara Bhagavatpada consecrated the Thatanga(earrings) Chakra, now adorning the ears of the Devi.  Sri Adi Sankara installed a Ganapathy Vigraha in front of Sri Akilandeswari and this contained her Ugrakalai-malignant aspects.

Jambukeswaram (known as Tiruvanaikkaval in Tamil), a place of pilgrimage in Tamilnadu. It is on the northern bank of the river Cauvery and 5 K.M. north of Trichy. The temple is one of the largest (having a spread of nearly 18 acres) and historic temples
in the country. It dates back to the 13th century and has been visited by the great saivaite saints who had sung hymns on the presiding deity - Lord Shiva in the temple. It seems that the temple was once a forest of jambu trees and there was a Shiva linga under one of the trees. So Shiva came to be known as Jambunatha or Jambukeswara. This is a Shiva temple associated with one of the five great elements.

The Lord after eating the fruit spitted the seed. Jambu Munivar took and swallowed the seed, as it is sacred as the seed came from the Lord’s mouth. Immediately a 'Naaval' tree began to grow in the Saint's head. The Saint prayed to Lord Siva that He should take his abode under that tree.

The temple was restored during the Vijayanagar rule and the worship also revived. The goddess Parvathi in the temple has the name Akilandeswari. She is said to have meditated on lord Shiva here. Her shrine is very famous and attracts large number of visitors. Adi Shankaracharya is said to have visited the temple and worshipped the Lord and goddess here. Legend. As said earlier the Shiva lingam was under a jambu tree. Two devotees of Shiva were born as a spider and an elephant in the forest due to a curse. Both were regularly worshipping the lord in their own way. The spider would weave a web over the lingam to protect it from the falling leaves. The elephant brought flowers and water in its trunk for bathing the lingam before offering the flowers. But it would clear off the web the spider has built first. This act angered the spider very much. Soon a fierce fight broke out between the two resulting in the death of both. Pleased with their devotion Lord Shiva appeared before them and blessed them. Shince Shiva was worshipped by an elephant (aanai in Tamil) here the place is called Aanaikkaa.



Devi Parvati as a student:-

Lord Siva at last gave dharshan to Akilandeswari and taught her Siva Gnana. Devi Parvati took 'Upadesa' (lessons) facing East from Shiva, who stood facing West. So as the temples idols are also installed in the same direction. Such places are known as 'Upadesa Sthalams'.
As the Devi was like a student and the Lord like a Guru in this temple, there is no 'Thiru Kalyanam' (marriage) conducted in this temple for Lord & the Devi, unlike the other Shiva temples. As Akilandeswari worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple, even today at noon the 'Archakar' (priest) dresses like a female and does Pooja to Lord Shiva and 'Ko Maatha' (Cow).
This noon Pooja is very famous and pilgrims wait for this Pooja every day. Annabhishekam to Lingam (Abishekam with cooked rice) is a daily ritual at Thiruvanaikoil.


The Story of Elephant and Spider:-

'Malyavan' and 'Pushpadanta' were two Siva Ganas (Siva's disciples who live in Kailash). They always quarreled with each other and fight for one thing or other. During a quarrel 'Malyavan' cursed 'Pushpadanta' to become an elephant in earth and the 'Pushpadanta' cursed the 'Malyavan' to become a spider in earth.
Both the elephant and the spider came to Jambukeshwaram and continued their Shiva worship. The elephant collected water from river Cauvery and conducted Abhishekam to the lingam under the Jambu tree daily. The spider constructed his web over the lingam to prevent dry leaves from dropping on it and prevent Sunlight directly felling on Shiva.
The elephant saw the web constructed by the spider and thought that as dust on Lord Shiva and tore them and cleaned the Lingam by pouring water. This happened daily. The spider became angry one day and crawled into the trunk of the elephant and bit the elephant to death killing itself. Lord Siva, moved by the deep devotion of the two relieved them from their curses.

In the next birth the Spider was born as the King Ko Chengot Chola and built 70 temples and Thiruvanaikoil is the one among them. Remembering his enmity with the elephant in his previous birth, he built the Lord Shiva ‘Sannathi’(Sanctorum) such that not even a small elephant can enter. The entrance on the sanctorum of Lord Shiva is only 4 foot high and 2.5 foot wide.

Idol:-

The goddess of this temple is 'Akilandeswari' ('Amman'). The Amman is also called as Akilandanyaki. Akilandeswari is pronounced as 'Akilam - Aanda – Eswari' (Akilam – Universe, Aanda – Ruler, Eswari – Goddess).

Legend of the temple in a Sculpture in a Pillar in the temple:-

Lord Siva at last gave darshan to Akilandeswari and taught her Siva Gnana. Devi Parvati took 'Upadesa' (lessons) facing East from Shiva, who stood facing West. So as the temples idols are also installed in the same direction. Such places are known as 'Upadesa Sthalams'. As the Devi was like a student and the Lord like a Guru in this temple, there is no 'Thiru Kalyanam' (marriage) conducted in this temple for Lord & the Devi, unlike the other Shiva temples.
As Akilandeswari worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple, even today at noon the 'Archakar' (priest) dresses like a female and does Pooja to Lord Shiva and 'Go Maatha' (Cow). This noon pooja is very famous and pilgrims wait for this pooja every day. For the purpose of this pooja the temple is growing a 'Karam Pasu' (complete black color cow). Annabhishekam to Lingam (Abishekam with cooked rice) is a daily ritual at Thiruvanaikoil.

 It is said Sri Adi Sankara Bhagavadpada consecrated the Thotongo (earrings) Chakra, now adorning the ears of the Devi. Sri Adi Sankara installed a Ganapathy Vigraha in front of Sri Akilandeswari and this contained her Ugrakalai -- malignant aspects .

Appu Lingam:-

This is Appu or water linga among the five lingas dedicated to five elements. -Pancha Bootha Kshetras There is perennial oozing of water from underneath the Shivalinga in the Sanctum sanctorum which is emptied at regular intervals.
As this temple represents water this is also called as 'Appu Sthalam' and the Shiva lingam ('Swami') here is called as 'Appu Lingam'.
Goddess Parvati made a Lingam out of water of river Cauvery (also called as river 'Ponni').
The Shiva Lingam is placed under the Venn naaval tree in this temple. Even today one can see that Venn Naaval tree at the temple, which is said to be many hundred years old.

Temple:-

Chola King “Ko Chengot Cholan” (He is also called as Chenkannan) constructed this temple in 1st Century B.C. Ko Chengot Chola had built 70 other Shiva temples all over Tamil Nadu and he is one among the 63 “Nayannmars” (Holy Saivite saints). Thiruvanaikoil temple was built according to ‘Saiva Aagama Sasthra’. According to Saiva Agamam, the temple reflects the human body and the idol of Lord Shiva is considered as the soul. Many other kings like Pandiyas and Nayakars of Madurai later renovated this temple.

The 2nd and 3rd praharams were built in 13th century A.D. and the 4th Praharam was constructed in the late 13th century A.D.

There is eight other “Kodi Maram” (flag masts) in this temple in the 3rd praharam. Apart from the main huge “Kodi Maram” in front of the Lord and one in front of Devi Akilandeswari. Thiruvanaikoil temple was built in an area close to 18 acres and measures 2500 feet by 1500 feet. The temple has five “Praharams”. All the temple “Madhils” (wall) are 35 ft. high and 6 ft. thick and measures 2436 feet by 1493 feet. The “Swami” (Shivalinga) is installed facing West and “Ambaal” (Akilandeswari) facing East.
The Sri Jambukeshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Siva and has five concentric walls and seven gopurams. It is built around a Siva lingam partly submerged in water that comes from a spring in the sanctum sanctorum. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple. The complex was built in the same time when Sri Ranganathaswamy temple was also built.

There are many mandapams in the temple, a 1000 Pillar, on the North West corner of the 3rd praharam and a 100 Pillar Mandapam on the North East corner of the 3rd Praharam, Vasanta mandapam (The mandapam is surrounded by pool of water where Lord Shiva and Goddess Akilandeswari are worshipped on summer evenings), Somaskandha mandapam, Nataraja mandapam, Trimurthi mandapam, etc. The thousand-pillared mandapam looks like a chariot.

Gopurams Raja Gopuram:-

This is the Gopuram in the West 5th Praharam (the main entrance). The other 3 entrances of 5th praharam have no Gopurams.

Sundarapandiyan Gopuram:-

The East Gopuram on the 4th praharam. Pandiya King Jadavarman Sundarapandian constructed this.

Mallappan Gopuram:-

This is the West Gopuram in the 4th Praharam. King Sandhirabendiran son of King AdhithayDevan built this in 1435 A.D.

There are nine Theerthams in this temple, all of which held very sacred.

Legend behind king’s red eyes:-

There was a story behind the king’s red eyes – When he was in his mother’s womb the palace astrologer predicted a sacred time to give birth to enable the newborn’s well being. The queen went into labor early, before the time predicted by the astrologer. The queen hence told the servant to hang her upside down for the time to come so that she could have a wise and virtuous son who could head the kingdom righteously. This waiting time inside the womb made the baby’s eyes red. After becoming the king, he build the temple for Siva and Goddess Akilandeswari in the name of Aanaikka (elephant protected) later days it changed to Thiruvanaikovil.

How to reach:-

By Air:-
The nearest airport is at Trichy (10-km).

By Rail:-
Srirangam is an important railway junction on the meter-gauge of Southern Railway and is well connected with the towns and cities of the state.

By Road:-
Srirangam situated on the National Highway No.45 on Tiruchirapalli-Madras route is well connected by road with the major towns and cities within and beyond the state. For local transportation taxis, auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and city buses are available.