Magha Masam is the eleventh month of the Telugu lunar year, named after the Magha nakshatra near which the full moon falls. The month is known for Magha snanam, a holy bath before sunrise, for worship of Surya and for charity. Ratha Saptami, Bhishma Ekadashi and Magha Pournami make it especially sacred.
Why is Magha Masam considered holy?
Just as Karthika is known for deepams, Magha is known for snanam. It comes after Uttarayanam begins, when the Sun's strength steadily grows, so worship of Surya Narayana is central. Elders say the glory of Magha is described in texts such as the Padma Purana, and in many homes the Magha Puranam is read or heard through the month.
Festivals of Shiva, Vishnu, Surya and Saraswati all fall in this month, making it auspicious for every tradition.
What is Magha snanam and how is it done?
Bathing in a river, the sea, a tank or a temple pushkarini before sunrise during Magha is called Magha snanam. Tradition holds it especially meritorious while the Sun is in Makara rashi. Those who cannot go to a river may bathe at home while remembering holy rivers such as Ganga and Godavari.
A simple method
- Wake before sunrise.
- At a river, first bow to it and bathe only where the water is safe and shallow.
- Remember the holy rivers while bathing.
- Offer arghyam (water) to the rising Sun.
- Light a deepam and give charity as you are able.
Caution: a cold bath at dawn in winter can be hard on elders, children and anyone unwell; they may bathe at home with lukewarm water. Be very careful about currents and depth in rivers and the sea.
Important days in Magha Masam
| Tithi | Festival | Main observance |
|---|---|---|
| Magha Shukla Panchami | Vasanta Panchami (Sri Panchami) | Saraswati puja, aksharabhyasam |
| Magha Shukla Saptami | Ratha Saptami | Surya worship, bath with jilledu leaves |
| Magha Shukla Ashtami | Bhishma Ashtami | Remembering Bhishma, tarpanam |
| Magha Shukla Ekadashi | Bhishma Ekadashi | Vishnu Sahasranamam parayanam |
| Magha Pournami | Maha Maghi | River or sea bath, charity |
| Magha Bahula Chaturdashi | Maha Shivaratri | Shiva worship, jagarana |
Why is Ratha Saptami celebrated?
Magha Shukla Saptami is Ratha Saptami. Tradition says that on this day Surya turns his seven-horsed chariot northward, so it is also honoured as Surya Jayanti.
Ratha Saptami customs
- Bathing at dawn with jilledu (arka) leaves placed on the head and shoulders is a well-known Telugu custom; some add regi (jujube) leaves. The number of leaves differs between families.
- A chariot muggu is drawn at the doorstep and arghyam is offered to the Sun.
- Paramannam or pongal is offered to Surya on chikkudu (broad bean) leaves in many regions.
- Aditya Hrudayam and Surya Ashtottaram are recited.
At Tirumala, the Lord is taken out on several vahanams in a single day on Ratha Saptami, so devotees fondly call it a one-day Brahmotsavam. The Arasavalli Surya Narayana Swamy temple in Srikakulam district also celebrates grandly.
Bhishma Ashtami and Bhishma Ekadashi
In the Mahabharata, Bhishma lay on the bed of arrows awaiting Uttarayanam and, by tradition, left his body on Magha Shukla Ashtami. That day is remembered as Bhishma Ashtami, and some offer tarpanam to him.
Magha Shukla Ekadashi is Bhishma Ekadashi, linked with Bhishma teaching Vishnu Sahasranamam to Dharmaraja. Reciting Vishnu Sahasranamam and visiting a Vishnu temple are considered especially meritorious. Anyone keeping the Ekadashi fast should match it to their health and consult a doctor if they have diabetes or other conditions.
Vasanta Panchami, Magha Pournami and Maha Shivaratri
Vasanta Panchami is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. Aksharabhyasam for children and placing books and pens before the Goddess are common, and Saraswati kshetras such as Basara are crowded. Magha Pournami, also called Maha Maghi, is observed with a river or sea bath and annadanam or vastra danam.
By the Telugu calendar, Maha Shivaratri falls on Magha Bahula Chaturdashi. Shiva temples hold abhishekams, bilva archana and all-night jagarana, and kshetras such as Srisailam, Vemulawada, Srikalahasti and Kotappakonda draw large crowds. At home, devotees can do abhishekam with water and chant Om Namah Shivaya, keeping any fast or vigil within the limits of their health.
Charity and observances in Magha
- Offer arghyam to the Sun daily.
- Donate sesame, jaggery, blankets, clothes or food.
- Read Magha Puranam, Vishnu Sahasranamam or Aditya Hrudayam.
- Keep a sattvic diet and a disciplined routine.
- Magha is also regarded as a good month for weddings in many regions; consult your purohit for muhurtams.
Key points
- Magha is the eleventh Telugu month, known for holy baths and Surya worship.
- Magha snanam is a bath before sunrise; it can be done at home if health requires.
- Ratha Saptami: jilledu-leaf bath and naivedyam on chikkudu leaves.
- Bhishma Ekadashi is special for Vishnu Sahasranamam.
- Vasanta Panchami, Magha Pournami and Maha Shivaratri also fall in Magha.