Maagha Maasam - Merits & Significance
Significance... The month in which Moon will be at or nearer to the constellation of Makhah (Maghah) nakshathra on the full moon day that month is reckoned as Maagha maasam, which occur during the calendar months of January/February. Makhah also means Yagna and Lord Vishnu is referred to as MahaMakhah (Sri Vishnu Sahasranama sthothram sloka # 47) the presiding Deity of Yagna. The Lord is also worshiped through the medium of Yagna. Maagham is a Sanskrit word Ma+Agham. Ma means not present and Agham means sin, evil, malefic, annoyance, suffering, grief and Maagha masam is the month which is highly meritorious, auspicious and free from any sin or suffering. Lord Maha Vishnu in the name of Maadhava is the presiding deity (Masa Niyamaka) who governs Maagha Masam and to be worshiped. We find a reference to the words Madhava in sloka #8, 18 and 78 of Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Sthothram. Madhava means one who is the consort of Goddess Lakshmi Devi, one who is the bestower...