Dhanurmas - Wednesday 17th December
Dhanurmas starts on December 17th and ends on January 14th.
This designation is given to a period of one month from when the sun enters the Dhanur rashi (Sagitarius) till the 14th of January. Great glory is attached to serving food to Brahmins and devotees during this month.
In the period the sun shifts from the Dhanur rashi till Makar Sankranti, the Samhita advocates bhakti by celebrating Adhyayan, Mokshada and Vun Mahotsavs.
Adhyayan Festival The Lord's murti is offered pujan. Then the four Vedas, and Vedangas are recited. Every morning during Dhanurmas, at around sunrise shiro of mung and sweets made from milk are offered to the Lord. Since Adhyayan refers to study of scriptures, they are arranged in the following directions: Rg-Veda in the east, Atharva in the north, Yajur Veda in the south, Saam Veda in the west, Ramayan-Mahabharat in the south-east, Stotras in the south-west, Dharma Shastra in the north-west, poetic literature written in Prakrut in the north-east.
The month of Magshar is considered the morning period of the Devas and therefore sattvic. Therefore this festival boosts the sattvic attributes of aspirants.
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