PHALGUNA MASAM

                                              PHALGUNA MASAM
        Phalguna Masam is the 12^th month as per traditional Hindu Lunar calendar (Febrauary-March). The month in which UttaraPhalguna star coincides with full moon it is called as Phalguna Masam by its name. Pubbha and Uttara stars are called as Purva Phalguni and Uttara Phalguni. According to our Satras Uttara Phalguni star is the one which gives courage.
        ARJUNA AND BRUHASPATHI are the two great people born in UttaraPhalguni star. Arjuna is called as Phalguna, because of this star and due to his courage. He is called as VIJAYUDU. Bruhaspathi is guru of gods.Due to the changes in climate we can find change in colour of the leaves as they start withering, we find new leaves springing up at the end of this month.

PAYO VRATHAM

According to our Purana’s, from Sukla Padyami to Dwadasi, first 12 days pooja should be done to Lakshmi sametha Narayana(Lord Vishnu along with goddess Lakshmi Devi). These twelve days resemble 12 months. Doing pooja in these 12 days is equivalent of praying Lord Vishnu throughout the year. It is called as “PAYO VRATHAM”. Only milk should be taken as food after offering milk as Nivedhyam to god. Donating cow (Godanam), clothes, money is very auspicious in this month.

GOD TO BE WORSHIPED IN THIS MONTH:

Main god to be worshipped in this month is DUNDI VINAYAKA IN KASI. Dundi Vinayaka is also found in Draksharamam. Dundi Vinayaka is worshipped in two separate days of this month

1. AVIGNA VRATHAM on  Sukla Padyami to remove all obstacles.

2. PUTRA GANAPATHI VRATHAM on Sukla Chathurthi for children.

AMALAKI  EKADASI:

Amalaki Ekadasi occurs on the 11 th day of Phalguna month(Sukla Ekadasi). On this day we should pray Amalaki(Amla tree) And donate amla. Vasista Muni said in BRAHMANDA PURANA that those who faithfully observes a fasting on  this  Ekadasi, obtains enormous wealth, gets free from all kinds of sins and attain Liberation. Fasting on this Ekadasi is more purifying than donating 1000 cows in charity to a pure Brahmin. In Orissa this Ekadasi is known as SABARMMAT EKADASI and special prayers are held in Lord Vishnu and Jagannath temples. Further more, if this Ekadasi falls on Thursday it is regarded as even more auspicious. Purana’s also insist to eat amla. Amla tree is given importance in this month as amla tree flowers 6 months before from now and it will attain all its medical values fully by this month and are ready to eat. Amla fruit is one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin C, its fresh juice contains nearly 20 times as much vitamin c as Orange juice. It is an ingredient of many Ayurvedic medicines and tonics.

GOVINDA DWADASI

Govinda Dwadasi is celebrated on the next day of Amalaki Ekadasi i.e on Sukla Dwadasi.

On this day we have to pray Lord Vishnu take bath in river Ganga. If not possible to take bath in Ganga River we can go to the nearest river available. It is believed that by doing so we get good health.

DOLA PURNIMA 

Dola Purnima is also called as MAHA PHALGUNI, HOLIKA PURNIMA. On this Purnima, Lakshmi Narayana pooja is done on this day and Unjal Seva(Swing festival) is done, so it is called as Dolika Purnima. It is one of the popular festivals in Orissa. On this day, there will be burning of demon Holika, which is called as HOLIPADA. Playing of Holi takes place on the next day and is primarily celebrated as the victory of good over evil. In Tamilnadu this Purnima is called as Phanguni this Purnima is treated as the marriage day of Madura Meenakshi and Sundareswara swamy.  KALYANA VRATHAM is done in all temples. It is called as KALYANA PURNIMA.

BAHULA ASTAMI

BAHULA ASTAMI is treated as the birth day of goddess Sita Devi. Janka Maha raja found Sita Devi on this day.

AMAVASYA

This is the last day of the year, so it is called as Kotha Amavasya in ANDRAPRADESH. Kotha means new in Telugu. It is believed that leaving Tarpana to ancestors on this day is good