Venkat's Random Thoughts

Friends, It is with a heavy heart (hand)that I sit down to type the last instalment of the ongoing series on Tamil month names and the respective festivals associated with each month. I never imagined when I started that this will evoke such overwhelming response from my readers, It has been a more than satisfactory journey for me and I hope you all enjoyed as much as I did. The amount of knowledge I gained researching for the series cannot be measured. I never ever imagined that so much reason was involved behind every festival we celebrate. I hope some knowledge has rubbed off on my readers.  The writing and research behind each instalment gave me immense confidence as a writer. I only hope I have not bored some of of you.  In any event/sport you do not expect the last man to perform exceptionally. Take cricket for example. You don't expect a Umesh Yadav or a Ashish Nehra to hit a century do you? Even the great Don Bradman scored a zero in his last innings bringing ...

Masi (Eleventh Month) The Festivals in Masi Masi Makam or Masi Magam is an important festival in the Tamil speaking world. The festival falls in the Tamil Month of Masi (February – March). In 2018, Masi Makam is on March 1. This year it is the Mahamaham. Maham or Makam is one among the twenty seven stars in the astrological system. The makam star in the Masi month usually falls on the full moon day and is considered highly auspicious in many temples across South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala. One of the important rituals on this day is the taking of idols to the seashore or ponds. Therefore the festival is also referred as holy bath ceremony. Long processions from different temples arrive at the sea shore with the idols of Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva. Idols from Shakti temples are also brought to the seashore. Pujas and other rituals are held at the sea shore and thousands of devotees throng the sea shore on this day to offer prayer. There are numerous my...