Significance and benefits of Masi Magam
Posted on: 15/Feb/2018 5:07:21 PM
Among the Tamil calendar months, the month Masi is considered to be among the most sacred months. In fact, it is recommended that the ardent Hindus take bath in holy water in the early morning and pray. In fact, the classical epics in the Hindu religion specify the days only in other Tamil calendar months when baths in the holy water can be undertaken. These are the days of Amavasai (New Moon day), Pournami (Full Moon Day), 2 ‘ayana’ periods, Fridays, the day of Thiru Karthikai, Shivarathri, Masi Magam and Maha Magam.
The festival of Maha Magam was initiated by the God of Creation, Lord Brahma.
The grand epics of Hindu mythology mention that all the holy rivers merge in in the holy Maha Magam pond in Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu once in every 12 years on the holy day Masi Magam.
This is the days of the festival known as Masi Magam. During the Tamil calendar month of Masi, the grand festival of Masi Magam is celebrated for 10 days. On the day of the 1st Tamil star Aswini in the Tamil month of Masi, the divine flag for the celebration of the festival is hoisted. Procession on the chariot will be performed on the 8th day and on the full moon day on the star of Magam, the deities of the 5 Lords and Goddesses (Panchamurthys) are taken on a procession to the Masi Magam pond and the sacred Theerthavari is performed.
On the day of Masi Magam, once in 12 years, the zodiac planet Guru will be on Simma Rasi and the Sun will be in Kumba Rasi. This is the day of the grand festival Masi Magam. One of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Rama, consulted the sage Agasthiya Rishi to get the blessings of Lord Siva in order to conquer the evil demon Ravana. The sage Agasthiya Rishi advised Rama that he should visit Kumbakonam and stay for a few days while worshipping and praying the Lord Kasi Viswanathar in Kumbakonam, he can get ‘Rudramsam’. Accordingly, Lord Rama visited Kumbakonam and offered his prayers to Lord Kasi Viswanathar and got Rudramsam imbibed in his body. Based on this, this place is also known as Karonam according to the folklore. The old name of the place is Thirukkudanthai Karonam. This is situated on the west bank of the Maha Magam pond.
Another sacred place in South India, known as Thirukoshtiyur, is considered as sacred as one of the most sacred Vishnu temple location Sri Rangam. One of the most important Vaishnavite exponents, Sri Ramanuja visited Thirukoshtiyur to meet another Vaishnavite exponent Thirukoshtiyur Nambi 18 times.
Sri Ramanuja taught the supreme Mantra ‘Om Namo Narayanaya’ to be chanted. Om is a single letter. As this sacred mantra was generated by Sri Ramanuja here, this place is also known as ‘The sacred place where the sacred Chant was formed – Thirumanthiram Vilaindha Divya Desam.
As the deity (Lord Vishnu) here is extremely beautiful, he is known as Somya Narayanan. Generally, the main deity in most temples, are made of ‘Panchaloka’. However, the main deity in this temple is made of pure silver.
The myth tells this deity was handed over by the Lord Devendra. One of the 12 main Vaishnavite Saints, Thirumangai Azhwar, in his devotional song of praise, describes the deity in Tamil as ‘Velliyan Kariyan Maninira Vannan’.
The Goddess of the temple has different glorious names – Thirurumamagal, Nilamamagal, and Kulamamagal. The temple has a sacred well, known as Maha Makam well or simmakkinaru. Taking a holy dip in this well on the day of Masi Magam is special. On the day of the Masi Magam, ‘Theppatthiruvizha ’ (Float festival) is performed.
It is a tradition for the devotees who had prayed the Lord Somya Narayana asking for certain favours and after it is accomplished, they revisit the temple, light lamps (on earthenware) and float them on the sacred pond.
After performing the prayers, the devotees, especially those who had sought the favour of marriage or children, can take back these lamps and keep them in their prayer rooms. Once the blessing is given and the wish is fulfilled, they have to bring back the lamp in the next Masi Magam and add a few more – 3 or 4 – lamps and float them on the sacred pond.
The sacred river Cauvery flows in 8 stages while making the nearby lands fertile. The rivers flow in the places are known as Thalaikaveri, Agandra Kaveri, Panchanatham, Kumbakonam, Madhyarchanam, Mayiladuthurai, and Kaveripoompattinam.
Kumbakonam is located at the central pivotal point among the above places.
When there was huge flood inundating the whole earth and destroying all forms of lives, Lord Brahma floated a Kumbha (vessel) containing Bheejam on the water. The Kumbha floated and drifted and reached the place Kumbakonam. On the day of Masi Magam, the Lord Kumbeswarar temple is the main location for offering prayers. The water here is known as Maha Magam theertham. The myth informed that the sacred river of Kasi – Ganges, also reaches and merges here in order to wash its sins away. So, this place Kumbakonam and the Kumbeswarar temple are sacred because of 3 elements – the Lord, the location, and the water (the pond/well).
When one prays Lord Muruga on the day of Masi Magam, he/ she can beget a son. Also, all the sins committed unknowingly will vanish.
This year Masi Magam is celebrated on March 1, 2018 (Thursday). Magam nakshatram is from around 12.46 am (1st March) to 11.35 pm (1st March).
