Festivals
Date
Dhanu Sankranti
Sankramana (Sun Transit)
About
Dhanu Sankranti marks the auspicious moment when the Sun transitions into the Dhanu (Sagittarius) zodiac sign, commencing the holy month of Dhanur Masam. During this entire month, it is highly auspicious to perform early morning worship of Lord Vishnu and recite the Tiruppavai.
Significance:
Dhanur Masam is considered extremely sacred for Vaishnavaites. It is dedicated entirely to spiritual activities and the worship of Lord Vishnu or his avatars, rather than material or worldly ceremonies like weddings. Andal's divine poetry, the Tiruppavai, is chanted daily before sunrise.
Rituals & Puja Vidhi:
1. Pre-dawn Worship: Devotees wake up during the Brahma Muhurtam and perform puja to Lord Vishnu. 2. Tiruppavai Parayanam: Chanting of the 30 verses of Tiruppavai composed by Sri Andal. 3. Special Offerings: Offering of Pongal (sweet and savory) as Naivedyam to the deity. 4. Temple Visits: Visiting Vishnu temples early in the morning.