Significance and Importance of Purattasi Month and Vishnu Saturdays

Want to know why your Tamil friends become vegetarians by the mid of September every year? In order to understand this, you need to know all about Purattasi, which is one of the most significant Tamil months that is totally dedicated to Vishnu.

What Exactly is Purattasi?

Purattasi is the sixth month in the Tamil Hindu calendar, and it's absolutely sacred to Vaishnavites, especially in South India. When this month rolls around, you will hear joyful chants of "Govinda, Govinda" echoing from homes and temples. It's believed that Vishnu descended to Earth during this time, making it incredibly auspicious for devotees.

Now, don't worry if you have always associated this Puratasi Month with just avoiding non-vegetarian food. Here is a beautiful story and a deeper meaning behind all the traditions.

The Heartwarming Story Behind It All

Long ago in Tirupati, there was a humble potter, Bheeman, who was deeply devoted to Vishnu. He wanted to fast every Saturday for Venkatachalapathy, but his work kept him from visiting the temple regularly. So, he created his own clay idol of Vishnu at home. Since he couldn't afford real flowers, he crafted beautiful blooms from leftover clay. Instead of offering plenty of items, he offered simple curd rice. His devotion was pure and heartfelt, even though it was not a grand offering.

Meanwhile, King Thondaiman would visit the temple every Saturday, offering gold chains to Vishnu. To his surprise, he would find clay flower garlands on the idol the following week. Just like anyone else would, the king suspected that someone was stealing his offerings and replacing them with clay garlands. Just as he was about to blame the priests, Vishnu himself appeared in his dream, telling him about the devoted potter.

The king met Bheeman after the dream and offered money to the potter, which he politely declined. The king was so impressed with this genuine devotion that he started the tradition of offering food to Vishnu in clay pots during Purattasi. Even today, no matter how grand the feast, you will find a simple clay pot of curd rice among the offerings.

The Planetary Connection You Should Know

Planet Mars is called as Budhan as per the Hindu traditions and it governs the zodiac sign Virgo, also called as Kanni Rasi. During the month of Purattasi, Mars enters the house of Virgo. Since He prefers vegetarian food, devotees follow the same throughout the month to invoke His blessings.

Saturday Fasting: More Than Just Skipping Meals

While the entire month involves avoiding meat, dedicated devotees fast completely on Purattasi Saturdays. These Saturday fasts are believed to reduce the adverse effects of Shani (Saturn) and remove obstacles from your path.

The beautiful thing is that Purattasi Viratham (fasting) on all four or five Saturdays of this auspicious month is considered to be as powerful as fasting every Saturday throughout the year. You don't need elaborate rituals or expensive offerings to observe this, whatever you do with a pure heart gets magnified manifold during this sacred time.

The Science Behind the Traditions

Purattasi falls during the transition from hot, humid weather to cooler temperatures with occasional rains. Your body becomes more susceptible to seasonal illnesses during this climate shift. Switching to vegetarian food during this period actually supports your immune system. Plant-based meals are easier to digest, help flush out toxins, and keeps you healthier during weather changes.

Special Rituals You Can Try

If you want to participate in the rituals, here are some simple practices you can do:

● Wake up early, preferably during the Brahma Muhurtham that is between 4 to 6 am.

● Clean the home, take a bath and apply Thiru namam on your forehead

● Make beautiful kolam designs at the entrance of your home.

● Hang mango leaf thoran at the entrance of your home - a decoration made with mango leaves.

● Maavilakku, a flour lamp made with rice flour, jaggery, coconut and ghee, is lit on the 1st, 3rd or 5th Saturdays.

● Take a small clay pot and ask your neighbors for rice donations while chanting “Govinda, Govinda”. Later, cook this rice and offer it to the deity.

Why This Matters Today

Purattasi is not just about following ancient customs - it's about finding spiritual grounding in our busy modern lives. Whether you're deeply religious or simply curious about different traditions, this month offers valuable lessons about gratitude, simplicity, and community connection.

So next time September rolls around and you see your friends going vegetarian, you will know they are participating in something much deeper than a dietary change - they are connecting with centuries of devotion, community spirit, and the simple yet profound belief that pure intentions matter more than grand gestures.