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Vaisakha Masam – The distinctive month

Vaisakha Masam is considered as one of the most sacred months among the Hindu Lunar Months. According to Skandha Puraana; Krutha Yuga among the ages; Holy river Ganga (Ganges) water among the Theerthas; Jala Daana (donating water) among charities; and Vaisaakha maasam among the months are said to be the best.

It is the sacred month in which three of Lord Vishnu’s incarnations’ viz. Parashuraama (sukla Thrutheeya); Naarasimha (sukla Chaturdasi) and Kuurma (sukla Pournami) avatharas have taken place. Vaisaakha Sukla Trutheeya is celebrated as Akshaya Thrutheeya one of the most auspicious days in Hindu calendar. According to sacred scripts it is said to be the day Tretha Yuga had commenced reckoned as Tretha Yugaadi. According Simhachala Kshethra Mahatmya, Vaisaakha maasam is the sacred month Lord Vishnu manifested in dual form (Varaaha + Naarasimha) at Simhachala Kshethra during Krutha Yuga.

Among the incarnations of Lord Vishnu; Naarasimha avathara has attained a rare significance and unique importance. All His avatharas are generally in a single form. But Nrusimha avathara is that of a dual form; Nara + Simha. According to sacred scripts, Naarasimha-avathara occurred in Krutha Yuga during Vaisaakha maasam on the lunar day of sukla Chaturdasi in the constellation of Swathi during Pradosha time. To commemorate incarnation of Lord Naarasimha, special celebrations are held every year on this day called Nrusimha Jayanthi.

Vaisaakha maasam is the sacred month Lord Venkateswara (Sreenivaasa) married Goddess Padmavathi Devi on the auspicious day of Vaisaakha sukla Dasami according to Bhavishyottara Puraana. Commemorating this event a three day festival of Sri Sreenivaasa Kalyaanam is performed on this day at the sacred Tirumala hills. At the famous temple of Sri Satyanarayana Swamy at Annavaram in Andhra Pradesh; Kalyaanotsavam celebrations are held on the sacred day of Vaisaakha Sukla Ekaadasi. Electional astrology considers Vaisaakha maasam as one of the most auspicious months for performing auspicious ceremonies like marriage; upanayanam; gruha pravesa etc.

Seventh day in Vaisakha maasam (Sapthami) is known as Ganga Sapthami or Gangotpatti the day Holy Ganga came out of Sage Jahnu’s ear and thenceforth came to be known as Jaahnavi. According to certain calendars it is the sacred month in which Lord Hanuman said to have born on Vaisaakha Bahula Dasami celebrated as Sri Hanuma Jayanthi on. Vaisaakha Bahula Amaavaasya is celebrated as Sri Sanaischara Jayanthi the day Lord Shani Mahaatma (Saturn) was born.

Sri Badarinaath temple at the famous Badari Kshethra gets opened for public darshan during Vaisaakha maasam. Renowned Hindu philosopher and founder of Advaita philosophy, Sri Aadi Sankaraachaarya was born during Vaisaakha maasam celebrated as Sankara Jayanthi.

Full Moon day during Vaisaakha maasam is known as Mahaa Vaisaakhi when the Moon will be at or nearer to the constellation of Visaakha star and hence the name Vaisaakha maasam. Vaisaakha maasam is the month in which Sun’s transit into Vrushabha raasi takes place known as Vrushabha Sankramana.

Austerities-Customs & Traditions

Praathah Snaana (taking bath early morning) starting from Chaithra Sukla Pournami to Vaisaakha sukla Pournami; Thila tharpana and donating water (Udaka Kumbha daana) are prescribed during Vaisaakha maasam.

Worshiping Lord Vishnu with Krishna Thulasi; Chandana (sandalwood paste) during Vaisaakha maasam is considered as highly meritorious and mukthi daayaka.

Watering of Banyan tree; performing circumambulations around the Aswatta Vruksha; Go-Seva (caretaking of/service to cows) are some of the austerities recommended during Vaisaakha maasam considered to be meritorious.

Paaraayana (reading) or Listening or sponsoring of Sri Venkatesa Mahaatmya (Sreenivaasa Kalyaanam) starting from Akshaya Thrutheeya for a week days up to the sacred day of Vaisaakha Sukla Dasami is highly meritorious.

Performing or participating Sreenivaasa Kalyaanam on the day of Vaisaakha Sukla Dasami is highly meritorious.

Charities prescribed for Vaisaakha maasam

Thila daana; Thila Snaana; Thila Homa; Thila-thyla Deepa Daana; Thila Tharpana are prescribed on the day of Vaisaakha Sukla Pournami.

Vaisakha Masam is the most sacred and celestial month for giving charities. Among charities to be given during Vaisaakha maasam; donating water (Udaka Kumbha Daana) is given high prominence. It can be given throughout the month and most important days for giving Udaka Kumbha daana are; on the day of Akshaya Thrutheeya; Vaisaakha Pournami; on the day of Vrushabha Sankramana;

Other charities prescribed:

Apart from Udaka Kumbha Daana; giving charity of wheat; curd rice; umbrella; paada raksha (chappals); vasthra (clothes); Gho-Daana (cow), Bhoodana (donating land); Hiranya Daana (Gold/silver/Cash); Honey; are prescribed to be given during the sacred month of Vaisaakha maasam.

With so much of sanctity and auspiciousness assigned to the meritorious Vaisakha Masam; it is one of the most favourite months of Lord Sri Hari referred to as Maadhava Masam and Lord Vishnu known as Madhusuudana is the presiding Deity of this month. We find a reference to the words Maadhava and Madhusuudana in sloka #8; 18; 78 of Sri Vishnu Sahasra Naama Stothram. Maadhava means one who is consort of Goddess Lakshmi Devi; one who is the bestower and Lord of superior knowledge. Madhusuudana means the one who has slained the demon Madhu; one who is a great nourisher and who is as sweet and delicious as Honey; one who directs an individual towards performing good deeds, attaining true knowledge and the one who was born in the clan of King Madhu.