Significance of Chaitra Masam(or) Madhu Masam

                                                   Chaitra Masam


Chaitra is a Sanskrit word meaning a temple or a memorial. It is the first month as per hindu calendar.It is believed that lord Brahma has created the universe on this day which is celebrated as Ugadi or Gudi padwa or Cheti chand. It is also a sacred month for commencement for Vedic learning. That’s why it is one of the auspicious and sacred months for performing Upanayana that marks the formal eligibility to commence the study of Vedas and Upanishads.

Chaitra month is considered very auspicious as Brahma created the universe on the day of Sukhla paksha of this month.The devotees who performs the pooja and rituals of chaitra month are blessed with Good health and wealth.

 Lord Sri Rama was born on the 9th day of bright fortnight which is celebrated as Sri Rama Navami. Lord Vishnu incarnated as Mastya avathara, the very first avatar of Lord vishnu took place in this month.
What better season to start the New Year, when Krishna himself has said in the Srimadbhagwadgita (10.35): “Among the seasons, I am Vasant (spring)…”

 In the Tamil calendar, Chitterai begins with the Sun's entry into Aries in mid-April, and is the first month of the year. The full moon day of chaitra is known as "chithira pournami" in Tamil which is an auspicious day for Amman.
Chaitra is considered to be a very auspicious month in which the creation of the universe was started.
"Chaitra" can also be used as a name, with the meaning of "Spring" or "Aries Sign"

Importantce of Chaitra Masam:-


"Chaitramasi jagadbrahma sasarju prathamehaani
Shukla paksha samagranthu thadaa suryodaye sathi
Pravarthayaamaasa thatha kaalasya gananaamapi
Grahantaaraan ruthoonmaasaan wathsaraanwathsaraadhipaan".

According to the Sloka Chaturvarga Chintamani, the god Bramha created the universe on the first day of Shukla paksha (first fortnight / first half of the month) in the month of Chaitra. He also gradually included planets, stars, ruthu (seasons), years and lords of years.
In this month, the fifteen days in Shukla paksha are dedicated to fifteen deities. Each day of the month is dedicated to a different god.

Chaithra maasam also known as Madhu maasam marks the beginning of spring season known as Vasantha Ruthu first among the Hindu seasons. Madhu means honey and Chaithra maasam is as sweet as honey. In Bhagawadgeeta, Vibhoothi Yoga (canto#10 sloka#35) Lord Sri Krishna says that He is the Vasantha Ruthu among the seasons “Ruthunaam Kusumaakarah” All pervading supreme Lord, Kaala Purusha, Lord Vishnu is the presiding Deity (Maasa Niyaamaka) of Chaithra maasam and hence this month is also known as Vishnu maasam.

It is so auspicious that it is the month when Lord Brahma had commenced the creation and to commemorate that day we celebrate Ugaadi festival.  Chaithra maasam is the sacred month in which Maryaada Purushottama; Lord Sri Raama was born on the 9th day of bright fortnight that is celebrated as Sri Raama Navami. It is the most sacred and auspicious month in which highly meritorious and powerful Thaaraka manthra RAMA took birth. It is the sacred month in which Lord Vishnu incarnated as Matsyaavathara (Giant Fish) the very first among the Dasaavatharas and restored the lost Vedas that day is celebrated as Matsya Jayanthi on Chaithra sukla Trutheeya. It is said as per scripts that it was the first day of the bright fortnight in the month of Chaithra Maasam that Lord Sri Krishna’s Niryaana took place that is marked as the beginning of Kaliyuga. 

It is the sacred month when Sun God transits into first house of the zodiac viz. Aries (Mesha Raasi) where Sun gets exalted. That day known as Mesha Sankramana is celebrated as Vishu festival in some parts of South India. Chaithra maasam is the sacred month in which the mighty God, Lord Hanuman was born that is celebrated as Hanuma Jayanthi on the full Moon day. It is the sacred month in which the sixty year cycle of Hindu Calendar Samvatsara had begun, starting from Prabhava and ending with Akshaya.
 
Full Moon day during Chaithra maasam known as Chittraa Poornima or Maha Chaithri is the day Moon will be at or nearer to the constellation of Chitta and hence the name Chaithra maasam.  Mars (Kuja) is the star Lord of Chitta constellation and star Deity is Lord Subramanya. Third day of the bright fortnight in the lunar month of Chaithra maasam is known as Gouri Trutheeya when Goddess Gouri and Lord Shiva are specially worshipped. Starting from this day for a period of one month Goddess Gouri & Lord Shiva and Lord Sri Rama along with other Deities are offered with special pooja ritual known as Dolotsava (Aandolini Vratha). While Chaithra Sukla Trutheeya and Pournami are Manvaadi days the days Manvanthara had begun, Chaithra sukla Panchami is known as Kalpaadi the day Kalpa had commenced.


Like we celebrate Devi Navarathri during Aaswayuja maasam known as Sharannavarathri which falls in Dakshinaayana, a nine day festival known as Vasantha Navarathri is celebrated during Chaithra maasam starting from Ugaadi day during Uttaraayana.  During this nine day period Goddess Durga is worshiped in some parts of the country while in some other parts, it is known as Sri Raama Navarathri worshiping Lord Sri Raama. During this period sacred texts like Ramayana, Sundarakaanda, and Devi Bhaagavatham are read.

With so much of significance attributed to Chaithra maasam, almost all the Deities are worshiped during the bright fortnight of this month apart from Lord Sri Rama, Lord Hanuman, Lord Shiva and Goddess Gouri.


•On the first day (Paadyami) Lord Brahma,
•on second day (Dwiteeya) Lord Shiva & Goddess Gouri,
•on fourth day (Chaturthi) Lord Ganesha,
•on fifth day (Panchami) Naaga Devathas,
•on sixth day (Shasti) Lord Subramanya,
•on 7th day (Sapthami) Sun God,
•on ninth day (Navami) Goddess Durga and
•on 15th day (Full Moon day) all the Deities are worshiped.
Chaithra is a Sanskrit word meaning a temple or a memorial.  It is the month to commemorate so many auspicious and sacred events including the commencement of creation (Srushti). It is also a sacred month for commencement for Vedic learning. That’s why it is one of the auspicious and sacred months for performing Upanayana that marks the formal eligibility to commence the study of Vedas and Upanishads.

Rituals Followed in Chaitra Masam:-

Prapadaanam (chalivendram) :-

Donating water during Chaithra maasam starting from Ugaadi day for 4 months (summer months) is said to be very auspicious and sacred.

Prapeyam SarvaSamanya Bhoothebhya: prathipaditha
PradanathPitharasarve Thrupyanthucha Pithamaha
Anivaarya Mithodeyam Jalammaasa Chathustayam

We would have come across voluntary organizations erecting spots called Chalivendram during summer months where passersby are served with drinking water stored in earthen pots covered with cloth. It is believed that conducting/sponsoring such activities gives immense pleasure and satisfaction to forefathers.  

Udakakumbha daanam:-

Udaka means water, Kumbha means pot.  Giving charity of water stored in a pot made up of Copper, Silver, or at least earthen pot (made up of mud) covered with a new cloth to a Brahmin during this period is said to be very sacred and highly meritorious.

Yesha DharmaGhato Dhattoh Brahma Vishnu Sivathmaka
Asya Pradhanathsakalam mamasanthu manoratha

Meaning: This water pot called Dharma Ghata signifying the trinal lords (Brahma, Vishnu and Siva) bring unto me fulfillment of all desires.

Taking bath in sacred rivers, arranging of water and shelter to the travelers and people walking in the Sun, Anna Daana (food) to the hungry and needy are some of the maasa dharma prescribed during Chaithra maasam.

Celebrations in Chaitra Masam:-

1) Gudi Padwa / Cheti Chand – New year day.
2) Chaitra Navratri – Nine day celebration of Maa Durga as this month is significance of rituals, fasting and devotions.
3) Sri Rama Navmi – Birth of Lord Ram.
4) Hanuman Jayanti – Birth of Lord Hanuman
5) Ugadi – Yug(era)+ Aadi( beginning). Ugadi derivedd frm sanskrit word YUG aadi.
6) Thapna – Rajasthan
7) Cheti Chand – The Sindhi community celebrates the festival of Cheti Chand in honour of the birth of Ishtadeva Uderolal, popularly known as Jhulelal, the patron saint of the Sindhis. The Sindhi community prays with jyot or oil lamp, misri or crystal sugar, phota or cardamom, fal or fruits, and kalash or water jar.
8) Baishakhi – Sikh devotees generally attend the Gurdwara before dawn with flowers and offerings in hands on the occasion of Baisakhi. Rural areas of Punjab celebrate the festival by performing the bhangra dance.

Govinda Dwadasi or Narasimha Dwadasi

                                            Govinda Dwadashi



Gobinda Dwadasi (Govinda Dwadashi), considered highly auspicious by Vishnu devotees, falls on the 12th day during the waxing phase of the moon in Phalguna (Falgun) month.

This rare combination in Hindu Almanac associated with Gobinda Dwadai at Puri Jagannath Temple gives the special power to taking a holy dip at Mahodadhi Teerth and visit Jagannath Temple. Mahodadhi Tirth is a six kilometer long stretch of the Puri Seacoast. Over half a million devotees are expected. A Holy Dip in Ganga Gives more benefits on this day.

The god Narayana should be worshipped on the occasion, by repeating the Mantra which runs as "Obeisance to Narayana," whereby he would be the happy possessor of all earthly possessions. The form of the vow known as the Govinda Dwadashi, should be practised on a similar Tithi in the month of Phalguna, while the form known as the Vishoka Dwadashi should be practised in the month of Ashvina, on the day of the twelfth phase of the moon's increase, wherein the god Hari should be worshipped.

Govinda dwadashi importance:-


Falgun dwadashi Baras day vow of Govinda. The vow is worship, cleanliness, continence, pure morality - the idea, chastity, etc. special significance. The Dvadasa that Baras is due date, if vrddhitithie pradosa times in two days during the second day pradosa be manavavi. Like other vratoni Govinda dwadashi vow of wealth, grains and sukhathi karanarum is accomplished.


It is incurable diseases karavanar procurement of destroyers and Vaikuntha. The vow vratine happiness - giving status and wealth kaliyugan karanar sins of mitigation. The Brahmins donation vow, pitrtarpana, Havana, yajna, etc. is more important. Vratio follow these observances with the faith and spirit. The day that poor Brahmins various types of donations, Havana, yajna is also special significance.


The story of Lord Narasimha:-

Long back, there was a demon called Hiranyakashipu who was terribly angry with Lord Vishnu since He had killed Hiranyakashipu’s brother named Hiranyaksha. Hiranyakashipu had banned the worship of Lord Vishnu in his empire and had ordered that none should even say Vishnu’s name under his rule.
The divine child Bhakta Prahlad
Hiranyakshipu performed a severe penance and obtained a boon from Brahma that would make his death a rare phenomenon. When Hiranyakashipu was engaged in penance, Saga Narad sheltered his wife Khayadhu in his hermitage as she had conceived a child. On a daily basis, Sage Narad would narrate to her the divine stories and glories of Lord Vishnu, which were keenly listened by the baby inside her womb. Upon the return of Hiranyakashipu from penance, he found his wife delivering a baby and lovingly named the boy Prahlad.

Troubles shall never touch the devotees of Lord Vishnu
 By birth, Prahlad was highly devoted to Lord Vishnu and constantly chanted Vishnu’s name day and night. Angered by this behavior, Hiranyakashipu ordered him to stop it and the boy would not listen. With the anger for Vishnu dominating his love for Prahlad, Hiranyakashipu ordered for the death of Prahlad. Lord Vishnu protected the child from the deadly form of death punishments inflicted on the child.
Lord Narasimha incarnates
Losing his patience, Hiranyakashipu asked Prahlad whether Lord Vishnu exists at all. Prahlad said He is the essence of creation and so Lord Vishnu is verily present in every atom of the universe. When Hiranyakashipu asked whether Vishnu was present in a pillar that he pointed out, Prahlad affirmed and Hiranyakashipu broke that pillar with his mace. Lord Vishnu emanated from the pillar in a highly ferocious Man-Lion (Narasimha) form, tore Hiranyakashipu to pieces and blessed the divine child Prahlad profusely.

Puja procedure For Govinda Dwadashi:-

Wake up early in the morning, take a holy bath and wear clean clothes. Set up the altar at your puja room and install the images or pictures of Lord Narasimha and Mother Lakshmi. Do puja chanting the mantras of Narasimha and offer fruits, flowers, sweets, Ganga water and coconut. Chant the following mantra of Lord Narasimha at least one hundred and eight times and conclude the puja.

"Ugram Veeram Mahavishnum Jvalantam Sarvato Mukham
Nrusimham Bheeshanam Bhadram Mrutyur Mrutyum Namamyaham"

Repeat the puja once again on the morning of Dwadashi and conclude the vrat.

Fasting rules:-

The fasting for Narasimha Dwadashi starts on the Ekadashi day (one day before Dwadashi) with the puja performed in the morning. The devotee fasts for the whole day without eating and drinking water. A milder form of vrat allows taking fruits and milk with water. On the next day of Dwadashi, the puja is repeated in the morning and the fasting is concluded during Parana.


Benefits of Narasimha Dwadashi Vrat:-

Those observing the Narasimha Dwadashi vrat can overcome all the obstacles in their lives and get the divine protection of the Lord. The blessings of Narasimha shall remove all the afflictions and vanquish the fears of individuals giving them enormous levels of self-confidence and the courage to face their lives bravely.