Mandala Puja is an important ritual observed at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala. It is observed from the 1st day of the ‘Vrishchikam’ month till the 11th or 12th day of the ‘Dhanu’ masam in the traditional Malayalam calendar. The day of Mandala Puja marks the end of the 41 days long austerity that is observed by the followers or devotees of Lord Ayyappa. The fast begins 41 before the observance of Mandala Puja, that is, the first day of the Malayalam month of ‘Vrishchikam’. Mandala Puja along with ‘Makar Vilakku’ are the two major events held at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple that draws devotees from all over Kerala and neighbouring states. During this time the temple remains open on most of the days for the devotees. As a tradition, devotees visiting the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple during the Mandala Puja also visit the ‘Guruvayur Temple’. During this time special ‘Abhishekam’ ceremony is organized in the ‘Guruvayur Temple’.
Saphala Ekadasi
Saphala Ekadashi is an auspicious fasting day observed
on the ‘ekadashi’ (11th day) of the Krishna Paksha (the waning phase of moon)
during the month of ‘Paush’ in the traditional Hindu calendar. This ekadashi is
also referred as ‘Pausa Krishna Ekadashi’. If you follow the Gregorian
calendar, it is celebrated between the months of December to January. The day
of Saphala Ekadashi is sacred to Hindus as it is believed that by fasting
sincerely on this day, the devotees can wash away their sins and also enjoy a
blissful life. Ekadashi is a revered day that occurs twice in every lunar Hindu
month and is a day dedicated to worshipping the preserver of this Universe, who
is none other than Lord Vishnu.
Paush Month
Pushya
Masam is the tenth month as per the lunar calendar.In this month farmers get
their crop hence it is called as Soubhagya Laksmi Masam.The sun would transit
in the northern direction and from then onward the Uttarayana Punyakalam
starts.Uttarayana starts with the most famous festival Sankranti.
As per
north indian Calenders this months starts from December 14th, 2016 and ends on
January 12th, 2017.
LIST OF RELIGIOUS EVENTS IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER(2016) IN TIRUMALA
December 10: Sarva Ekadasi
December 11: Chakrateertha Mukkoti
December 12: Tirumangai Alwar Sattumora
December 13: Alwar Teertha Mukkoti, Sri Tirppanalwar Varsha Tirunakshatram,
Sri Datta Jayanthi, Karthika Parva Deepotsavam
December 16: Commencement of Dhanurmasam
December 24: Sarva Ekadasi
December 27: Tondaradippodi Alwar Varsha Tirunakshatram
December 28: Commencement of Adhyayanotsavams
December 29: Sarva Amavasya