The Tamil Month of "Margazhi" And Other Popular Hindu Festivals-A brief review

Navrang India January 03, 2026

The month of Margazhi is special to both Vaishnavites and Saivites. Lord Krishna says that among the months He is Margazhi, indicating its auspiciousness. Andal’s Thiruppavai is recited in Vishnu temples in Margazhi. It was in Margazhi, in the Arudra star, that Lord Nataraja showed His divine dance to sages Vyaghrapada and Patanjali. Nandanar had darshan of the Lord of Chidambaram in Margazhi.  Mancikavachagar composed Thiruvempavai in Thiruvannamalai. and verses from Thirupalliyezhuchi are recited by Saivites in Margazhi. Here let us  look at other important festivals and celebrations of Margazhi which devotees celebrate with fervor.

Vaikunta Ekadasi festival, Srirangam, thehindu.com

Above image:  Namperumal attired in ‘Ratnangi’ passing through the Paramapada Vasal on the occasion of Vaikunta Ekadasi festival at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam.This year paramapada Vasal was opened in the early morning on the 30th of December 2025. .........

The Shukla Ekadashi refers to the 11th day of the waxing moon phase.  Vaikuntha Ekadashi is celebrated on a grand scale at famous Vaishnavite temples  like Srirangam, Kanchipuram and Tirupati (Andhra), and other temples.  The Vaishnavites (Worship of Vishnu)  believe that ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ or ‘the gate to the Lord's inner Sanctum’ is opened on this day. This also  is known as a 'Mokshada Ekadashi.' Mokshada (the giver of Moksha- salvation (free from rebirth) Ekadashi. This year 

Srirangam temple Nammazhwar Moksham
britaintamil.com

At Srirangam Ra pathu ritual is on with Araiyar Sevai. The Nammazhwar Moksham and vaparri rituals will take place respectively on the 6th and 8th of January, 2026.  

 . Thiruvathira or Arudhra Darisanam:

Arudhra Darisanam, temples inindiainfo.com

Thiruvathira  or Arudra Darisanam, a major Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Arudhra,  in Tamil  it means "sacred big wave"implying that God Shiva, the cosmic dancer is engaged in the job of creation of the universe on one side (and destruction on the other to maintain isostasy  - perfect balance). 

rath yatra, chidambaram 2026 .maalaimalar.com
 
At Chidambaram temple T.N, it is a10 day festival  held during Thiruvathirai. On the 9th day night (i.e., 10th day very early morning) Maha Abhishekam will be done to Lord Nataraja and Goddess Sivakamasundari at Raja Sabhai at around 3 am.  At Mathira Peedika Devi Temple near Kadakkal in Kollam District of Kerala state, Thiruvathira has a connection with lord moon. Thiruvathirai - Arudra Darisanam is held with sincere devotion  in 5 Sabhas of Sri Natarajar namely 1) Kanaka Sabha (Gold) - at Chidambaram (Thillai or Tillai), 2) Velli Sabhai (Silver) at Madurai, 3) Ratna Sabha (Ruby) at Thiruvalangadu, 4) Tamra Sabha (Copper) at Tirunelveli, 5) Chitra Sabha (Pictures) at Kutralam. This here the main took place on January 03,2026


Dattatreya newsgram.com

Dattatreya Jayanti occurs on Poornima (full moon day) of the Margashirsha.  It is a Hindu festival, commemorating the birth day celebration of the Hindu god Dattatreya (Datta), a combined form of the Hindu male divine trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.   Son of the sage Atri and his wife Anasuya. Once, on instruction from their consorts to test the character of sage's wife Anusuya, the trinity gods came to her' hut  in the disguise of sanyasis (ascetics) and asked her to give them alms naked. Being a virtuous women, she was cool and composed. What she did was, with her mystic power,  she converted them into three babies and breast-fed them. The three gods' consorts sought forgiveness from Anusuya and upon this the pious woman transformed  them into a single baby with three heads and six arms. The Trimurti (Trinity) then appeared in their true form, before Atri and Anasuya, and blessed them with a son Dattatreya. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Margashirsha (Agrahayana) month according to the Hindu Calendar (December/January). This festival does not have any fixed date; it is  marked by the recitation of the Shri ''Gurucharitra''. Here the presence of the heads, etc implies the three gunas and traits of theTrinity Gods - Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.  

Katyayani Vrata:

Katyayani Vrata  refers to a month-long  worship of the demi-goddess Katyayani, believed to be,  God Sri Krishna's material, illusory energy.

Kid God' Krishna's pranks. .krishna.com

 Krishna's cowherd girlfriends, the gopis, worship the demi-goddess to get  Krishna as their husband. The Srimad-Bhagavatam  has a chapter on "Krishna Steals the Garments of the Unmarried Gopi Girls., one of his pranks being stealing gopika sthrees (cow herad girls') clothes on the river banks while bathing.  The deity of goddess Katyayani is in front of the tree in which Krishna is sitting.
http://www.krishna.com/event/katyayani-vrata-begins 

 Pilgrimage to Sri Ayyappa Swamy of  Sabarimala, Kerala:

Sri Ayyappa Swamy, Sabarimala,KE .deccanherald.com

The pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Sri Ayyappa Swamy  in Sabarimala is popular and it is one of the most revered shrines in south India. During the Mandala Makaravilakku season  (two-month-long annual pilgrim season), more than one million devotees visit the temple hiking rugged trail barefoot, strictly following certain austerity, including fasting .  The shrine is in the midst of dense forest in Western Ghat mountains close to Kerala and Tamil Nadu borders.  Normally, woman below 12 and above 50 (who have attained menopause) are allowed inside the premises as the main deity happens to be a strict celibate. The non-entry of  women of measurable age became a serious issue and the case is before the Supreme Court, Delhi.  Mandala Puja and Makar Sankranti Puja are the two main  events when people undertake the  difficult pilgrimage.

 In Tamil Nadu, Carnatic  music  performances  are  common in important cities. In particular, in Chennai almost all sabhas are packed to the capacity during this Margazhi season.   An engaging mix  of greatest forms of Art, Music & Dance Festival occupies the Carnatic music lovers during the months of mid-December and mid-January.   The Margazhi Festival season is a worthy engagement, an opportunity to relax and quietly  listen to soul stirring music and  colorful dances  by stalwarts. It is also a rare chance to get immersed in  soulful devotional songs of Thiruppavai. The month of Margazhi (December 14 to January 14) is  synonymous with rendering of Thiruppavai at Vishnu temples, particularly, in Tamil Nadu. Andal or Kothai Nachiyar is the one who composed  heart rending Thiruppavai devotional hymns  in chaste Tamil. That a whooping 300 plus concerts take place during this  season is itself a proof how the elite people  of Chennai city are addicted to age-old traditional Indian music and dances. Included in these concerts are fascinating solo performances by great music  players  who showcase their mastery over the traditional  instruments, including percussion forms.

Sri Thyagaraja Aradhana at Thiruvaiyaru (Thanjavur), Tamil Nadu:

Sri Thyagaraja Aradhana, Thiruvaiyaru,
TN. .deccanchronicle.com

Invariably, Sri Thyagaraja Aradhana (Sanskrit; meaning act of glorifying God or a person) falls in Margazhi at Thiruvaiyaru on the banks of the Cauvery river, close to Thanjavur city. An annual  musical tribute by the Carnatic musicians  in honor of the great saint and Telugu poet who wrote countless compositions  in chaste Telugu. The prospective Carnatic Music students are expected to have a good grasp of Sri Thyagaraja compositions. The festival is also observed in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It was at Thiruvaiyaru,  Saint Sri  Tyagaraja, an ardent devotee of Sri Rama,  attained Samadhi in 1847,  a few days before his demise, he became a Sanyasi.  Born on 1767 at Tiruvarur, TN, the saint  settled down at Thirumanjana Veedhi in Thiruvaiyaru and engaged in religious activities, Bhajans, etc.  He never sought material happiness;nor did he wish for it. He  is believed to be an incarnation of sage Valmiki, who wrote the Ramayana.

 stone image of Sri Thyagaraja Swamy,
 samadhi Thiruvaiyaru wikipedia

The Aradana is observed on Pushya Bahula Panchami day when the saint attained samadhi, where the musicians will render the saint's Pancharatna Kritis. This year the festivities began starting earlier from January 3rd, featuring musical tributes and cultural events at the Adhistanam (memorial).The main  Thyagaraja Aradhana 2026 event will primarily be on January 7, 2026,  with the collective singing of the Pancharatna Kritis in the morning.

Quite regrettable  fact is  the land around the samadhi (Adhistanam) of the Saint  is over encroached upon illegally and the TN  government is not yet taking any steps to get them cleared. The land was donated by Bengaluru Nagarathamma,a true devotee of Sri Thyagaraja.I wish the participating senior   musicians and the Committee in Charge of the Aradana would take steps to clear the encroachers through the government or the court.

Paavai Nonbu, Tamil Nadu:

Paavai Nombu, maalaimalar.com


Paavai Nombu, Margazhi month.
 tamilhindu.com

 Paavai Nonbu in the Tamil month of Margazhi is an important festival dedicated to Goddess Andal.  Devotional Andal songs of Thiruppavai  reverberates at all  Sri Vishnu temples.Thirupavai has inspired countless classical dancers. The colorful display of dances is choreographed in different styles  and Andal songs are set to music for them. Mrs Vyjayanthimala (ex popular  Hindi  and Tamil actress) has made a grand contribution in spreading Andal's famous Thiruppavai by her impressive  choreography, style and presentation. This is also true of great dancer and stalwart Padma Subramaniam, the youngest daughter of late K. Subramanium,MA. BL, the father of Tamil Cinema who directed lots of successful vintage movies. She presented  quite fascinating Thirupavai in ballet form before many audiences.   

Andal, who holds  Paavai Nombu sees this world as an amazing creation of the almighty where the alluring attractions are transitory. The most  precious  thing is to get God's divine grace that will get us salvation free from birth and death cycles. 


Presented from the early past with slight modification



K. N.  Jayaraman