March Month Festivals List 2018
On March 01, 2018
Masi Magham — March 1, 2018 (IST) Masi Magham is a highly auspicious day. This falls on the day of the powerful star Magham (Magha) during the Tamil month of Masi (February–March), and it also happens to be the day Purnima (the full Moon day). Masi Magham is regarded as a most propitious day for seeking both material and spiritual growth. While deities from various temples are taken to the sacred water bodies for holy dip, people too take sacred bath in those and offer prayers to Gods and ancestors, which is believed to bestow one with prosperity and joy. It is only this day that is celebrated as the grand festival of Maha Magham, once in 12 years. This year, Masi Magham falls on the 1st of March. Venus Enters Pisces — Sign of Exaltation — March 2nd Venus represents fine sentiments like love, aesthetics, artistic temperament and creativity. Venus remains exalted in Pisces, and it enters the sign on March 2, 2018. The day also happens to be a Friday, Venus’ day and also to be the day of the star Purva Phalguni, the one ruled by Venus itself. During the period of about a month that Venus will remain in Pisces, its sign of exaltation, it can bring in all-round positive impacts in wealth, comfort and relationships. Performing rituals for propitiating Venus at the time of its transit can kindle the noble feeling of love in people and enhance their intelligence. Sankatahara Chaturthi — March 5, 2018 (IST) Sankatahara Chaturthi is an auspicious occasion dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganapati. Sankata means ‘problems’ and Hara is ‘removal’, while Chaturthi is the 4th day that falls during Krishna Paksha, the waning phase of the moon. Sankatahara Chaturthi, also known as Sankashti Chaturthi, is thus the day meant specially for eliminating problems and impediments. Lord Ganapati is the remover of obstacles and it is he who is worshipped on this day for getting rid of our difficulties. Devotees smash coconuts before Ganapati for wiping out their Karmic influences and for making progress in life. Some also observe a daylong fast. Sankatahara Chaturthi normally comes once a month and in March, it falls on the 5th. Jupiter Turns Retro in Libra — March 9, 2018 (IST) Jupiter is also known as Guru or Brihaspathi. Jupiter is regarded as an extremely auspicious and influential planet which can bring in immense benefits in the lives of people. Hence, Vedic astrology provides great importance to the placement and movement of Jupiter in a horoscope. Jupiter denotes many important aspects like wisdom, optimism, growth, prosperity and joy. Jupiter moved into the sign Libra in September 2017 and it will turn retrograde there from March 9, 2018 for about 4 months. This is undeniably a great time to finish long-pending things in your life and set your family and wealth in the right direction. Pradosham — March 14, 2018 (IST) Pradosham refers to the period of about 3 hours around the sunset time on Trayodashi, the 13th day of the lunar fortnight. Pradosham occurs twice a month and is considered to be an extremely auspicious occasion for worshipping Lord Shiva. This period is regarded variously as the time when Shiva drank the deadly poison Alahala to save the world, and also the one when the Devas approached Shiva through Nandi for getting relief from the Asuras. Pradosham also means ‘removal of sins’. Worshipping Shiva during the Pradosham time can get his immense blessings and that can relieve devotees of all their sins. The first Pradosham of the month falls on March 14th, when people can worship Shiva and get his divine blessings. Sun Enters Pisces — March 14th Surya or Sun is the king of the planets. This massive ball of fire is also the head of the solar family and remains as the source of light and energy for us. The Sun can impact the lives of people very deeply, and astrology rightly gives great importance to the placement and movement of Surya in a horoscope. This planet denotes courage, influence, power and authority. Sun will move into the zodiac sign of Pisces on March 14, 2018, where it will stay for about a month. When our soul planet Sun enters Pisces, it supports leadership qualities along with wisdom. This is also the placement where humanitarian efforts and spiritual advancement are enhanced. Amavasya — March 17, 2018 (IST) Amavasya is the New Moon Day. There are 30 lunar phases as per the calendar, each of them being called a Thithi, and the dark moon Thithi, when the moon is not seen in the sky, is referred to as Amavasya or Amavasya Thithi. As per the Hindu lunar calendar, a lunar month starts on Purnima or the full moon day, and Amavasya, falls in the middle of this. The Sanskrit word ‘Amavasya’ can mean ‘dwelling together’ or simply as ‘no Moon’. This day is considered auspicious for a variety of activities, and especially for worshipping the ancestors. This monthly occurrence falls on March 17, 2018. People can perform Tarpanam to feed their ancestral souls and seek their blessings for trouble free life. Vasanta Navaratri — March 18, 2018 (IST) Navaratri is one of the very important festivals of our country. Navaratri denotes nine very auspicious nights, which are devoted to the worship of the mother Goddess. Such Navaratris are celebrated in all seasons and Vasanta Navaratri is the one that is observed in Vasant, the spring season. This falls during the summer solstice, in the Hindu month Chaitra or the Tamil month Panguni (March–April). Goddess Bhuvaneshwari is the spring Goddess, who is worshipped principally during Vasanta Navaratri. She is an aspect of the powerful Goddess Durga, and it is believed that worshipping her during Vasanta Navaratri can cure diseases and remove all negativities. The principal day of Vasanta Navaratri falls on March 18, 2018, when prayers can be offered to the Goddess for wealth, prosperity and immense blessings. Shasti — March 23, 2018 (IST) Shasti denotes the 6th day or thithi of Shukla Paksha, the waxing phase of the Moon. This is regarded as a special day for the worship of Lord Muruga. It is believed that Muruga, the valiant son of Lord Shiva and mother Parvati, fought a fierce battle with the mighty demon Soorapadman and his army for 5 whole days and vanquished the evil forces on the 6th day of Shasti. Hence, this occasion remains dedicated to Muruga. This great victory actually happened in the month of Ashwin (October–November) and that day is celebrated as Skanda Shasti. However, commemorating that memorable day, Shashti is observed with piety every month. Devotees observe Vrat or fast on Shasti days for propitiating Lord Muruga. During March, 2018 Shasti falls on the 23rd, when devotees can undertake austerities and offer worship to Muruga, to seek his blessings their all-round welfare. Rama Navami — March 25, 2018 (IST) Rama Navami is the day of advent of Lord Rama on earth. This falls in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March–April). Rama is a very important incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the God of protection and sustenance. As Rama, the Lord showed to the world by his own impeccable practice, the ideal way of living, by being an ideal son, an ideal brother, an ideal husband, an ideal warrior, an ideal ruler and above all, an ideal human being. Rama was born on the Punarvasu Nakshatra day, on the Navami Thithi, the 9th day of Shukla Paksha during the Chaitra month and that Navami Thithi is widely celebrated as Sri Rama Navami. In 2018, Rama Navami falls on March 25th. People can worship the great Lord on the auspicious day of his advent, offer prayers to him in temples, read his story of Ramayana and seek his blessings for their welfare. Ekadasi — March 27th Ekadasi is a day of immense spiritual significance. The word Ekadasi means ‘the eleventh day’ and denotes the 11th Thithi or lunar day of both the lunar fortnights, the Shukla Paksha, the waxing phase of the Moon and Krishna Paksha, the waning phase of the Moon. Normally, two Ekadasis come in a month which counts to 24 in a year. Ekadasi is regarded to be an auspicious day for worshipping Lord Vishnu. Ekadasi Vrat is considered a sacred austerity, when people observe fast throughout the Ekadasi day and devote the occasion for prayers and other religious activities. Further, each of the Ekadasis has its own unique significance and can bestow particular benefits by the observance of specific activities. This day falls on the 27th during March 2018. People can undertake Vrat, worship Lord Vishnu on that auspicious occasion, and get his divine blessings. Pradosham — March 29, 2018 (IST) Pradosham refers to the period of about 3 hours around the sunset time of a Trayodashi day, the 13th day of the lunar fortnight. Pradosham occurs twice a month and is considered to be an extremely auspicious occasion for worshipping Lord Shiva. This period is regarded variously as the time when Shiva drank the deadly poison Alahala in order to save the world and also as the one when the Devas approached Shiva through Nandi for getting relief from the Asuras. Pradosham also means ‘removal of sins’. Worshipping Shiva during the Pradosham time can get his immense blessings for the devotees that can relieve them of all their sins. The second Pradosham of March, 2018 falls on the 29th, when people can worship Shiva and get divine blessings. Panguni Uthiram — March 30, 2018 (IST) Panguni Uthiram is celebrated when the star Uthiram that falls during Panguni, the 12th day the last month of the Tamil calendar, which corresponds to March–April. Uthiram, also known as Uttara Palguni, is an auspicious star. The day assumes significance as Purnima, as the full Moon too normally coincides with the occasion. Panguni Uthiram is the occasion that lays great stress on the institution of marriage. Hence, divine marriages like those of Shiva–Parvati, Murugan–Deivanai, Rama–Sita etc. are all celebrated ceremonially in temples. Further, the Goddess of wealth Mahalakshmi is believed to have emerged from the ocean of milk and Lord Ayyappa is said to have incarnated on this day. Muruga worship is also undertaken with fervor on the occasion. During the current year 2018, Panguni Uthiram falls on March 30th when people can offer worship to Gods and get blessings for a long and happy marriage.
Tags
Related Topics
- Guru Purnima 2024
- Sri Garuda Panchami 2024
- Significance of Ashadha Gupt Navaratri
- Procedure for Ashadha Navratri Pooja
