Significance Of Sani Pradosham
According to Hindu mythology, the day Saturday is dedicated to Lord Shani or Shaneeshwara, one of the Navagrahas or nine celestial gods. Lord Shani or Sani has always been related with troubles and ill effects. Moreover, all Hindus believing in astrology dread the effects of Shani over a person’s life. To overcome and avoid the adversities and misfortunes of Lord Shani, people observe fasts on Shanivar or Saturday. And when a Pradosh falls on a Saturday, it is termed as Shani Pradosh. To overcome the bad influence of Shani, devotees observe a vrat on Shani Pradosh and offering prayers to Shiva during the day. 

The fast is observed from sunrise to sunset and ends with the evening puja. Since the name Pradosha literally means ‘a period just before sunset and after sunset’, the Pradosha period for prayers is from 1.5 hours before sunset and 1 hour after sunset. While most of the devotees prefer observing a strict fast by refraining from food and drinking only water, some devotees practice a partial fast by consuming fruits and water. Nonetheless, the strictness of the fast totally depends on the devotees. Even after offering the evening prayers, devotees eat only the Prasad and recommence with eating proper food only in the next morning. During the day of the fast, devotees visit Shiva temples and offer pujas and chant mantras.

Maasi Magam Festival 2013 Tamilnadu - Masi Magam
Masi Magam or Masi Makam is one of the most important Tamil Hindu festivals celebrated in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, especially by the Tamil speaking people. Every year, Masi Makam is celebrated on the full moon day of Makam nakshatra (Magam or Magha) on the Tamil month of Masi (February – March). Hence Masi Makam is observed on the full moon day, it is also called Masi Pournami. The date of Masi Magam festival 2012 is  25th February 2013.

On the auspicious day of Maasi Makam, temple idols of Gods, especially Lord Shiva, Goddess Shakti, and Lord Vishnu, are brought to the sea shore and ritually bathed. Thousands of devotees gather to get a glimpse of the holy ritual. After the ritual immersion the idols are returned to the respective temples in huge procession.

On Masi Makam day, all the households prepare payasam (rice pudding made with milk and sugar) and offer it to Lord Chandra (Moon God). It is believed that offering payasam to Lord Chandra on Masi Pourmani day attain good health and long life to Children.

Maha Maham or Maha Magam Festival 

Once in every 12 years, apart from the full moon being in conjunction with the Makam Nakshatram in the month of Maasi, Planet Jupiter (Guru or Brihaspati graha) moves in to the Singa Rasi also takes place. This Masi Makam which is considered much auspicious and is called Maha Maham.

Masi Magam Festival Dates in Previous Years

In 2009, Masi Magam festival was on 9th March 2009.
The dates of Masi Magam 2010 festival was on 28th February 2010.
Maasi  Magam 2011 was on 18th February 2011. 
In 2012, the festival was on 7th March.

Masi Magam in Temples

Masi Makam Festival is observed with much pomp and splendor on Srirangam, Pondicherry, Mahabalipuram, and Kumbakonam and in numerous other temples in Tamil Nadu.

Vasant Panchami is an important Indian festival celebrated every year in the month of Magh according to the Hindu calendar. Celebrated on the fifth day of Magh, the day falls somewhere in the months of February or March according to the Gregorian calendar. The significance of the day lies in the worship of Goddess Saraswati, symbol of wisdom and also the onset of spring season. 
 

According to the popular belief, the origins of this festival lie in Aryan period. Aryans came and settled in India through Khyber Pass, crossing the Saraswati River among many others. Being a primitive civilization, most of their development took place along the banks of the River Saraswati. Thus, River Saraswati began to be associated with fertility and knowledge. It is then that the day began to be celebrated.
 

According to mythology, a popular associated with this day is connected with poet Kalidasa. After he was married off to a beautiful princess through trickery, the princess kicked him out of her bed as she learned that he was foolish. Following this, Kalidasa went to commit suicide, upon which Saraswati emerged from the waters and asked him to take a dip there. After taking a dip in the holy waters, Kalidasa became knowledgeable and began writing poetry. Thus, Vasant Panchami is celebrated to venerate Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of education and learning. 
 

In today’s times, the festival is celebrated by farmers as the on-coming of the spring season. The day is largely celebrated in Northern Parts of India. Here, people offer food to the Brahmins and organize rituals in the name of Goddess Saraswati. 
 

The color yellow is the predominant color associated with the festival, the origins of which are supposed to be the fields of mustard which can be seen in Punjab and Haryana during this period. Kite flying is also commonly associated with this festival. Children as well as adults fly kites on this day to celebrate freedom and enjoyment. 
 

Another tradition associated with this day is that of initiating studies in the young. Young children often begin learning on this day, which is believed to be the reason why the school sessions start in the month of March. Sweets with a yellow hue are also distributed on this day and people can also be seen donating books and other literary material to the poor. 
 

Pongal is one of the most popular harvest festivals of South India. Pongal falls in the mid-January every year and marks the auspicious beginning of Uttarayana - which represents the northward journey of Sun.


Pongal follows the winter solstice and marks the favorable course of the Sun, when He purportedly enters the 10th house, Capricorn. Pongal is traditionally dedicated to the Sun God to thank the solar deity for the good harvest and sanctifies the first grain to him on this 'Surya Mangalyam'.

Pongal in Tamil means "spill over" or "boiling over". The boiling over of milk in the clay pot symbolizes material abundance for the household. The saying often quoted regarding the Pongal festival is "Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum" meaning "the commencement of Thai paves the way for new opportunities". The festival usually occurs from the last day of the Tamil month Maargazhi to the third day of Thai.

Participate in Pongal 2013 Rituals
4 Days of New LuckThe Vedic Winter Solstice is also known in South India as "Pongal" or the harvest time and thanksgiving festival. Agriculturists, who provide the world with our food stores, look to the Sun to guide them on planting as well as harvesting seasons. In India, the farmers celebrate the Sun as playing a critical role in the growth of rice paddy and other agricultural activities. The Thai Pongal festival is anticipated not only as a Thanksgiving for a bountiful rice and sugar cane harvest but as a renewal of life energies. This is a 4 day festival.  

Bogi Pongal is a good time to clean your home; clean your closets and throw out old items that you are not using or that no longer suit your life; that carry the vibrations of the past. Spiritually, this symbolizes overhauling your current life and preparing room for the new abundance and happiness to come in. Clear some space for your higher self.

Pongal Day is celebrated as the harvest day. On this day, the cooking of rice with sweet raw sugar cane, jaggary is done during sunrise in a small pot, usually outdoors as the dish is dedicated to the Sun god, Surya. “Pongalo Pongal” is recited by everyone in a festive tone and is considered a prayer of thanks to the Sun and to receive the full blessings.

The 3rd day is known as Mattu or Cow Pongal. This is traditionally a time to celebrate the harvest and share the spoils. People, cows, crows and ants are all well fed and their part in the big eco wheel is acknowledged.

The 4th Day or Kannum Pongal day is the time to gather with family, buy new clothes etc. This charges the day with a festive new air to welcome in the new luck and fortune.