Margazhi is the ninth month in the
Tamil calendar, and it occurs from mid-December to mid-January. It starts
today, December 16th, 2024.
The month of Margazhi is special to both Vaishnavites and Saivites. Andal's Thiruppavai is recited in Vishnu temples in Margazhi.
During this month, in the Arudra
star, Lord Nataraja showed his divine dance to sages Vyagrapada and Patanjali. Saivites
recite Thiruvempavai and Thirupalliezhuchi in Margazhi.
Other festivities during Margazhi include
chanting hymns, listening to classical music, and watching dance performances.
At Margazhi month, there will be less daytime and less sunlight. So people will be less exposed to the sunlight. But by performing activities like drawing kolams or walking to temples in the early morning, people can get sun rays that help to get vitamin D which is important for bone and immunity.
Kolam is a traditional and cultural art form practiced predominantly in South India. The word kolam in the Tamil language means form and beauty. Kolams are intricate geometric patterns drawn on the floor with rice flour and are a symbol of auspiciousness and divinity.
The origin of this beautiful art
form can be traced back to the Sangam Literature from 300 BCE, where it was
mentioned in various places.
A symbol of auspiciousness and
divinity, it is made with rice flour, finely ground rice powder /paste (called
kola-podi in Tamil), or at times vegetable and mineral-based colored powders on
carefully swept grounds and water sprinkled and cleaned grounds.
The month of Margazhi is a sacred
time in the Tamil calendar when people draw kolams to welcome the Goddess
of Prosperity, Lakshmi, into their homes. Here's some more information about
the role of kolams in Margazhi:
Cultural significance
Kolams are a time-honored custom
that is embedded in Tamil culture and are mentioned in the Nachiyar Tirumoli.
Spiritual Significance
Kolams are drawn to welcome
Lakshmi into the home and drive away evil spirits.
Mathematical precision
Drawing kolams involves counting,
identifying, measuring, designing, experimenting, and explaining.
Cognitive benefits
Drawing kolams can enhance the
mind's mathematical abilities and reduce anxiety levels.
Environmental impact
Rice flour is used to make kolams,
which also feed ants and other small creatures while keeping them away from
households.
Different types of kolams
There are different types of
kolams, including kolams made for festivals, family events, and special days of
the week.
Thus, Kolam has a rich cultural
significance and is deeply rooted in the traditions of South India. It is
considered a cultural practice that has been passed down through
generations, connecting people to their heritage. Kolam is often associated with religious
practices too.
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