Pushya Masam
Pushya masam also known as Pousha masam is the 10th month as per Hindu Lunar Calendar when Sun will be transiting partly in Dhanus Raasi (Sagittarius) and partly in Makara raasi (Capricorn) of the zodiac. When Sun enters Makara Raasi that day is celebrated as Makara Sankranthi or Makara Sankramana. Lot of religious and spiritual significance is attached to this day as it marks the beginning of Sun’s travel in the Northward direction which is known as Uttarayana as per the calendar followed in South India. This month is named after Pushyami star. The month in which Moon is at or nearer to Pushyami constellation on the full moon day that month is reckoned as Pushya maasam. Lord Sri Lakshmi Narayana is the presiding deity (Masa Niyamaka) who governs Pushya Masam and to be worshiped. Pushyami star falls in the zodiac sign Cancer (Karkataka raasi) and Saturn is its ruling planet while Jupiter (Bruhaspathi) is the star deity.
Important festivals like Bhogi, Makara Sankranthi occurs during Pushya Masam. Solar month Dhanurmasam ends with Bhogi festival. Aaradhana of Saint Sri Narahari Theertharu (Second disciple of Sri Madhvacharyaru); Sri Raghottama Theertharu (Thirukoilur) and Sri Purandara Dasaru falls during Pushya masam. Famous Paryaya festival at Udupi Sri Krishna temple takes place during Pushya masam once in two years. Makara Sankramana marks the beginning of the famous bathing festival and religious fair known as Magha Mela held at Triveni Sangam (Prayaga-Allahabad). It is said that while carrying the nectar pot (Amrita Kalasam) by Lord Vishnu few drops of nectar fell at Allahabad (Prayaga), Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain. These holy places (Theerthas) have acquired significant reputation where human beings could wash their sins by way of sacred bath at these places. Taking bath at these places on Makara Sankranthi day has attained lot of spiritual significance which is considered as highly meritorious.
Lot of spiritual significance is attached to Pushya masam. This month is dedicated to performing various rituals and poojas both for Gods as well as for ancestors. Sapthami, Ashtami and Navami thithi days in the bahula Paksha of Pushya maasam are referred to as Poorvedyu, Ashtaka and Anvashtaka days which are sacred days for performing Pithru tharpana falling under the concept of Pithru Yagna (Shannavathi Sraaddha).
For those learning Vedas full moon day in Pushya masam is considered as highly auspicious. In view of the spiritual significance attached to Pushya masam; in some parts of India it is considered as inauspicious month for performing functions like Marriage; Upanayanam; Gruha Pravesam etc. Vasthra dana and Thila dana are prescribed during this month and considered meritorious.
Veda Vyasa, collected the Vedic Texts of prayer under the Rig Veda, the Vedic texts of rituals under the Yajur Veda, the musical form of the Vedic texts under the Sama Veda and such of the Vedic texts that dispelled dangers and annihilated enemies under the Atharvana Veda.