Mārkaḻi 1974

Margazhi (மார்கழி) is the Tamil month when the Sun is in Dhanu, Dhanur masa. In the Gita, Krishna says "among the months I am Margashirsha", and the whole month is given to worship before dawn.

In the Brahma muhurta, women draw large kolams at the doorstep, bhajan groups walk the streets singing, and temples open early for the special dawn worship. Each day one verse is sung of Andal's Tiruppavai, thirty verses for the thirty days, and of Manikkavasagar's Tiruvempavai with the Tiruppalliyezhuchi.

The month holds Vaikunta Ekadasi, when the gate of heaven opens at Srirangam, Arudra Darisanam of Lord Nataraja at Chidambaram, and Hanuman Jayanti. Chennai's music and dance season fills the month, and Margazhi ends with Bhogi, the eve of Thai Pongal.