Most Hindus know that Purattasi is a sacred month when they have to observe vrat, avoid non-veg food and worship Vishnu on Saturdays. There is a reason why this month, the sixth in the Hindu calendar, is held sacred and why people worship Vishnu with special Poojas on the Saturdays that fall in this month.
Lord Vishnu is the deity who is responsible for the protection and preservation of the Universe. Whenever the Universe is in peril, he incarnates to rescue it from the forces of evil and restore order in the Universe. Legends say that Vishnu came down to earth in the month of Purattasi in the form of Lord Venkateshwara. Devotees believe that he will protect his devotees from harm during Kali Yuga, the current epoch when many evil forces will hold sway over the world. But Vishnu protects those who profess true devotion to him and lead a pure and righteous life adhering to the rules of Dharma. Hence, people worship Vishnu with great devotion during this holy month to earn his blessings. Many visit Tirupathi for this purpose. Those who cannot, make maavilakkus and light them instead.
It is also believed that doing Pooja for Vishnu on Purattasi Saturdays can also bring relief from Shani or Saturn afflictions. It is also one reason for observing a fast during this month. While some take only one meal a day, others avoid non-vegetarian food. By doing the Pooja and fast, we can please Shani and get his blessings as well as relief from the problems he causes.
There is a story that explains Purattasi month’s sacred nature.
Story behind Purattasi
Many years ago, there was a potter called Bheeman. A great devotee of Vishnu, he took a vow that he would observe a fast on every Saturday for the Lord. However, his work did not allow him an opportunity to visit the temple and worship the deity. So he thought he would make the God come to him. with this intention, he made a clay idol. As he could not afford to buy flowers, he made some flowers using the left-over clay and made garlands to adorn the clay idol. Similarly, he was too poor to offer sweets and prasad for the Pooja, so he decided to share the humble curd rice that he used to eat, with the deity.
Thondaiman was the ruler of the kingdom, and he was also an ardent Vishnu devotee. He used to go to the temple daily and adorn the idol with gold necklaces. But when he returned to the temple the next day, all he found were garlands of sand flowers. He thought the priest was stealing them, but Vishnu appeared to him in a dream and spoke to him about the potter. The king found out where the potter lived and offered him money. But Bheeman politely refused the king’s help and continued to worship Vishnu in his own way. This impressed the king so much that henceforth he made all offerings to Vishnu in a clay pot during Purattasi month. This is why even when devotees prepare a grand feast for the deity in this month, they also keep a clay pot filled with curd rice among the offerings.
This story proves that God does not measure devotion by the richness of the offerings he receives from his devotees. Instead, it is the purity of the devotion that matters to him. When offered with true devotion, even the humble curd rice beats a rich repast, hands down.
Budhan and Purattasi Month
The planet Mercury, or Budhan, rules Wednesday. This planet rules the zodiac sign of Virgo (Kanni). In Purattasi month, Budhan enters the House of Virgo. As Budhan likes vegetarian dishes, Hindus do not consume non-vegetarian food during this month.
Purattasi Saturday Fast/Vrat
Some devotees observe a strict fast on all Saturdays in Purattasi month. This helps reduce or nullify the malefic effects of Planet Shani on their lives and also eliminate obstacles that hinder their progress. It also helps us gain the blessings of Vishnu. It is said that the positive effects of this fast are so powerful that it’s comparable to fasting on all Saturdays and doing Pooja for Vishnu all through the year. Also, God rewards all acts of charity done on these days, manifold. Even the smallest acts of kindness will bring big rewards as long as it is done with pure intentions. Only on Purattasi Saturdays, this spiritual magnification occurs.
The Scientific reason for the Purattasi fast
Purattasi month is from mid-September to mid-October. At this time, the hot and sultry climate gives way to cool breezes and spells of rain. Hence, viral infections, colds, coughs, and fever will be on the rise. Eating non-vegetarian food may make it worse as it is more difficult to digest. So people eat vegetarian food which is healthy and wholesome. It also removes toxins from the body.
Significance of Maavilakku
Among Tamil people, there is a ritual of offering Maavilakku (flour lamp) to Gods and Goddesses on certain special days like Aadi Fridays, Thai Fridays, and Purattasi Saturdays. Among the Vaishnava community, it is the custom to offer Maavilakku on Purattasi Saturdays. This is done to invite Lord Vishnu into the devotee’s home. Devotees believe that Vishnu comes to their homes to grant his blessings and also to those who are unable to go to Tirupathi and worship him. They also believe that he manifests as the ‘Jyothi’ or light from the Maavilakku.
Lighting the Maavilakku is usually done on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Purattasi Saturdays. The lamps are made using rice flour, ghee, and jaggery. Some use cardamom, raw camphor, and grated coconut, too. The flour mixture is shaped like a sphere or a small hill, and a depression is made by pressing it in the middle. Ghee is poured into the depression, and a wick is also placed in it. After the lamp stops burning, the wick is removed. The dough is then mixed well and distributed as prasad.
In Purattasi 2021, there are five Saturdays. Purattasi Shani 2021 dates are Sept 18, Sept 25, Oct 2, Oct 9, and Oct 16.
