Purattasi Masam, or Puratasi, is the sixth month in a Tamil calendar and is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara (Lord Vishnu). Saturdays in the Purattasi month are dedicated to Lord Shani and special prayers are offered for escaping from the bad effects of Sani in one’s horoscope. In 2010, Puratasi month starts on September 17 and ends on October 17.
Legend has it that Lord Venkateswara appeared on earth in Purattasi Masam. Lord Vishnu devotees consider Puratasi as the ideal month for thanking Lord Vishnu for preserving the Universe. Lord Vishnu is believed to do the job of preservation in Hinduism.
Special prayers are offered at the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple
Another legend suggests that Lord Saneswara (Shani) loses his powers in Puratasi month and so it is easy to escape his malefic influences.
Devotees of Lord Venkateswara take only a meal on Puratasi Saturdays. Some devotees only eat vegetarian food during the month.
On Saturdays, Naamum, the two feet symbol of Lord Vishnu’s feet, is drawn on the forehead by males and women opt for a red dot. Hymns dedicated to Lord Vishnu are chanted on Saturdays.Devotees offer Mavilakku to God.
Devotees in large number visit Lord Vishnu temples and special flags with Garuda emblem are hoisted in Vishnu temples.
Malaya Paksham
•Malaya Paksham Is observed at the end of Avani or Puratassai starting on 'Prathama' (after full moon day) and concluding after the fifteenth day, on 'amavasai. Those who have lost their father should perform 'tharpanam' on the day (thithi) coinciding with the day of the death of the father.Those, whose mothers are alive, should perform (Hiranya shrardham) with four Vedic priests. If both parents are not alive, the Shrardha should be performed with five priests.Shrardha can be performed in two ways, one is by offering dakshinai only and the other is by feedinthem and offering dakshinai as well. The items to be prepared include payasam, Vadai, Poli, Thenkozhal, Appam; Gingely seeds balls (Ellurundai). The ingredients should be fried and freshly ground.If Shrardham could not be performed on the specified day due to circumstances, it may be performed on the following days viz. Mahabarani, maha vidhiapadham and madyaashtami. Those who perform this shrardham should have a light meal at night.
Malaya Paksham
•Malaya Paksham Is observed at the end of Avani or Puratassai starting on 'Prathama' (after full moon day) and concluding after the fifteenth day, on 'amavasai. Those who have lost their father should perform 'tharpanam' on the day (thithi) coinciding with the day of the death of the father.Those, whose mothers are alive, should perform (Hiranya shrardham) with four Vedic priests. If both parents are not alive, the Shrardha should be performed with five priests.Shrardha can be performed in two ways, one is by offering dakshinai only and the other is by feedinthem and offering dakshinai as well. The items to be prepared include payasam, Vadai, Poli, Thenkozhal, Appam; Gingely seeds balls (Ellurundai). The ingredients should be fried and freshly ground.If Shrardham could not be performed on the specified day due to circumstances, it may be performed on the following days viz. Mahabarani, maha vidhiapadham and madyaashtami. Those who perform this shrardham should have a light meal at night.
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