DHANURMASAM

Dhanurmas or Dhanur Masa is also known by the names Chapa Mas, Kodanda Mas, Karmuka Mas etc.Dhanurmasa is also called as Shoonya Masa because it is considered as inauspicious to do any good things other than Godly & Holy functions.

In 2016  Dhanurmasam starts on 16th December,Friday and ends 13th January 2017,Friday. This period ends with the Makar Sankranti - the end of dakshinayana mostly occurs during the Pausha month of the Hindu Lunar calendar. More appropriately, the start of the Dhanurmas is marked by the entry of the Sun in the Dhanur Rasi this is called Dhanuh Sankramana. During this month, the sun transits the Dhanur Rasi and enters the Makara Rashi at the end of this month. In Hindu calendar Dhanur Mas is a solar month and not an independent (Lunar) month. 

Significance :

This period of month is considered as highly auspicious for Vishnu devotees. Old Hindu scriptures have set apart this month to be completely focused on devotional activities. Other non-devotional social activities (such as weddings) are prohibited during this month so that attention can be given exclusively to the worship of God without any diversions. In South India, especially the Vaikunta Ekadasi, which falls during Dhanur Mas, attracts thousands of devotees. Temples conduct special pujas during this period.

According to tradition, the Gods wake up early in the morning during the month of Dhanurmas. They perform special prayers to Sri Maha Vishnu during the auspicious period of "Brahm Muhurta", which is one and half hours before sunrise. During this month, devotees offer prayers to the Lord very early in the morning. The month of Dhanurmas is considered a very special month for performing Puja of Vishnu.Dhanurmasam is the final month on which the night for the Gods ends or it is the Brahma Muhurat time for Gods. So worshipping the God on this timing is considered auspicious. Hence devotees would consider the month of Dhanurmasa the Brahma Muhurat timing for Gods to be Sacred and auspicious.

Reading Vishnu Sahasranamam is considered highly auspicious.In Tirumala Tiruppavai is read in place of Suprabhatam.

Devotees would make balls out of Cowdung and would keep them in the centre of the Rangoli and would decorate it with flowers. Before being kept in the centre they are worshipped. These are calle Gobbemma.Dhanurmas Vrat is observed in Dhanurmas by unmarried women.By observing this vrat Goda Devi was able to get Lord Sri Vishnu as her husband.

Katyayini Vrat was observed by Goddess Parvathi and achieved Lord Shiva as her husband.Hence it is believed that a lady who observes the Katyayani Vrat would a get good husband.

Dhanurmas Phal Shruti: Worshiping Vishnu on a single day during this auspicious period is equal to worshiping Vishnu with devotion for 1000 years. Every single step taken towards the nearby lake, river etc. for morning dip during this month brings forth merit equal to performing an Ashvamedha Yaga.