Margazhi in Madras in the past

[subhavasan99]

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Dear All,

I would like to know has was margazhi celebrated in the past years may be around 50 years back. If you can help me with info it should be good. My daughter wants it for an essay. And also the future how it would be changed.

 

[nannilam_balasubramanian]

[SIZE=-1]M[/SIZE]argazhi Thingal songs are very famous in Chennai. Almost in all the temples, early morning puja starts.
Devotional songs are sung by children guided by elders. Margazhi month in Chennai is a cool time as
otherwise, Chennai is hot and sultry. Ladies at home, decorate the front yard and the front portion of
their house in the Street with striking Kolams made of rice flour and colour powders. There used to be
lot of competition with neighbours. Pongal is offered hot to elders and children who do Bhajan songs,
which is a special item made out out rice, ginger, pepper and cashnew nut, etc. Vaikuntha Ekadasi and
Arudhra Darisanam are important functions during this month. Tiruppavai and Tiruvembavai are
sung daily without fail and one can notice Abhishegam of Lord Shiva daily morning. Carnatic Music
programmes are regularly conducted at Chennai during Margazhi month at various places. ​

 

[vgane]

We always has prasadam in some nearby temple or other..The Bhajanai ghoshti used to visit one of the houses to do Bhajan after the street bhajans..We had 2 groups of Bhajans in our street from 2 nearby temple in Saligramam..Having an early morning bath & doing Bhajanai was a thrill in itself

 

[nannilam_balasubramanian]

During Margazhi season, in our place at Vijayalakshmipuram, Ambattur, we have around
52 streets and we cover daily two to three streets. A number of children participate
along with elders. Devotional songs are sung daily, so that the children too can learn
and tell them at home. At the end of the month, i.e. on the Boghi day, attractive gifts
are given to the children besides elders who have conducted and organized. The temple
priest and his family is honoured by the temple authorities. Shri Vijayambigai Sametha
Shri Virupaksheswarar Temple is very famous in this locality. The temple has been
recently taken over by the Hindu Endowment Board. Kala Bairavar Ashtami Pujai,
Shri Sarabeswarar Homam and Pujai on every Sunday evening during Rahu Kalam is yet
another important event. Besides, Sankata Chathurthi, Pournami Trisathi Pujai, Rahu
Kala Durga Puja, Ayyappa Puja on every Utharam Day, Lakshmi Narasimhar Puja on every
Thiruvonam day besides to Lord Subramanya on every Sashti and Krithigai days. Pradosham
Puja is done in a grand manner.

Balasubramanian NR
Ambattur

 

[tbs]

hi

i remember in my childhood days...i like to sleep more chilly marghazhai morning days....some days i get bajan sounds in the

mornings...but i like HOT VEN PONGAL in my teen age days.....

 

[girijab]

Hi

I remember in my childhood days... Schools were closed after half yearly exams , still we would wake up so early in the morning, go to nearby temple to enjoy the hot
prasadam of the day. We even had a competition between our friends as to who would come to the temple first so that they can get the prasadam of the day first.

 

[vgane]

Hi

I remember in my childhood days... Schools were closed after half yearly exams , still we would wake up so early in the morning, go to nearby temple to enjoy the hot
prasadam of the day. We even had a competition between our friends as to who would come to the temple first so that they can get the prasadam of the day first.

While the feverish Bhajanai was a treat to the mind, Chuda Chuda Pongal soaked in ghee was a great treat to the tongue..I remember the days in Nungamabakkam where we had Bhajanai in the Venkatesa Perumal Temple and the Pillaiyar temple near Mangadu Samy Iyer street!

 

[Raji Ram]

Here is an old photograph which shows Sri. Papanasam Sivan

(second from left) at a street Bhajan in Mylapore, Chennai.

Source: carnatic/sivan

Can anyone guess who others are?

 

[nannilam_balasubramanian]

Besides the above competition in Thiruppavai and Thiruvempavai. Prizes are distributed to the
Children. There used to be a competition as to who sings better amongst the children. We used
to learn new new tamil songs and slokas so as to recite in the bhajan Oorvalam. In some houses
children are given biscuit packets. During the Pongal day, prizes are distributed to all the children.
Of late, Pen Set, Pencil Set with Rubber or Geometry Box are given to children, so that they are
useful to them. Thiruppavai and Thiruvempavai Books are distributed with meaning. On the Arudhra
Darisanam day, Kali (a sweet dish) is given to everyone; similarly on Pongal Day, Sweet Pongal i.e.
Sarkarai Pongal is given all the devotees. This is yet another method of Anna Danam. Vastra Danam is
given to the elders; i.e. nice shawls are purchased which can withstand the Margazi Pani, so that
they are useful for the oncoming seasons. Now a days, in a temple, I noticed Mufflers were given
to the children so that they can close their ears while going around the Streets.

 

[nannilam_balasubramanian]

Margazhiis synonymous with Tiruppavai and Tiruvempavai to one and all.

​

Andal recited the 30 verses of Tiruppavai on the 30 days of Margazhi, followed the Paavai nombu and attained Lord Mahavishnu.

 

[nannilam_balasubramanian]

This month is known for lovely Kolams. There used to be a competition amongst the Neighbours.

​

 

[nannilam_balasubramanian]

Here is a bhajai ghosti singing in praise of the God.

​

 

[nannilam_balasubramanian]

​

Hanumath Jayanthi – the birthday of Lord Hanuman is celebrated on different months in different part of India, but in Tamil Nadu, it is the new moon day of Margazhi which usually coincides with Hanuman’s birth star Moolam. This year it falls on 9 Jan 2016 i.e. Margazhi 24 (Saturday)

 

[nannilam_balasubramanian]

The star of Lord Shiva is Tiruvathirai and Arudhra Darisanam is celebrated on the full moon day during Margazhi. It was celebrated on 26.12.15, yesterday. It is celebrated in all Sivan temples. It is very famous in Chidambaram, where special pujas are performed to Lord Natarajar. I went to Thiruvalankadau, a famous Kshetram, one of the five Lord Shiva Temples.

​

 

[nannilam_balasubramanian]

Shri Ramana Maharishi Jayanthi is on 27th Dec 2015. Thiruvallur Rapathu is celebrated on 30th December 2015. Shri Seshadri Swamigal Aradhanai falls on 3rd Jan 2016. Rahu Kethu Peyarchi is on 8th Jan 2016. Kanchi Mahan's Aradhanai falls on 6th January 2016. Koodara Valli function is on 12 Jan 2016. Bogi will be celebrated on 14 Jan 2016.

 

[vgane]

Can anyone elaborate how the Marghazhi Bhajanai started..We all know that Thirupppavai was composed by Andal during this month..Why Marghazhi is the most apt month for prayers?

 

[tbs]

Can anyone elaborate how the Marghazhi Bhajanai started..We all know that Thirupppavai was composed by Andal during this month..Why Marghazhi is the most apt month for prayers?

hi

generally many religious functions fall on margazhi.....especially thiruppavai/thiruvembhavai....being a cold month.....EVEN IN BHAGAVAD

GITA....THE BHAGAVAN SHRI KRISHNA HIMESLF PROCLAIMED THAT......MAASANAAM MARGHA SIRSOSMI.....so all other months...

maarghazhi is best for bhajanai/prayers.....

 

[Raji Ram]

.Why Marghazhi is the most apt month for prayers?

''Margazhi - the Month earmarked for Prayers.

Most of our celebrations and festivals fall during the six month dakshinayana period of Adi to Margazhi

months in the Tamil calendar – the Upakarmas, Gokulashtami, Ganesh Chathurthi, Navarathri, Saraswathi

Puja, Deepavali, Karthigai Deepam, etc., etc., - but none in Margazhi. Only when the month finishes and Thai

month and Uttarayana period begin, do we celebrate the next major home festival of Sankaranthi or Pongal.

Hanumat Jayanthi, Ramana Maharishi Jayanthi and Kanchi Mahaswamigal Aaradanai all fall in this month,

but, no festive pujas and celebrations at home. There are no muhurtam days either in the month of margazhi

for performing marriages.The reason is that Margazhi is earmarked for prayers, especially, in public, singing

and reflecting on His glory. There are various ways in which this is done.''

Read more from this link: margazhi-the-month-for-prayers

 

[vgane]

Thanks TBS Sir & Raji Madam for the elaboration...

 

[CHANDRU1849]

Here is a bhajai ghosti singing in praise of the God.

​

I think one of them is Sirkazhi Govindarajan. Am I right?

 

[Raji Ram]

I think one of them is Sirkazhi Govindarajan. Am I right?

Yeah! But it is NOT a Margazhi bhajan group! :nono:

It is his favorite Unjaviruthi Procession, singing krithis during Thyagaraja Aaradhana Festival, Thiruvaiyaru.

I am unable to find out the other eminent musicians in the group. :spy:

Source for this info:seerkazhi

 

[Raji Ram]

One musician is carrying Saint Thyagaraja's picture.

 

[yesmohan]

This year.... Margazhi is not a real Margazhi at all.

" Pani illAtha Margazhiyaa..............!!.. "

Because of heavy rain no "pani" at all.

 

[Raji Ram]

We have good amount of 'pani' in West K K Nagar and people use scarfs to protect themselves during early morning walks. :smow:

 

[GANESH65]

What a nostalgic feeling! thanks for reminding those good old days.