info on puratassi

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THE MONTH OF PURATASSI!!!!

 

 

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SEPT 17TH - OCT 17TH

 

 

Amongst South African Tamils this festival is the most important one

dedicated to lord VISHNU who takes on the form of lord PERUMAL.It is

observed in the Tamil month of of PURATASSI (September/October). During this

month devotees observe a very strict month long fast (viratham)-abstaining

from non-vegetarian meals and alcohol and offering special prayers to lord

VISHNU on a Saturday which is considered auspicious to lord VISHNU.Temples

take out the image of Lord Vishnu on a procession during these Saturdays for

worship by those who cannont come to the temple, (the sick and elderly).

When preparing food items for the prayer the strictest of precautions are

taken to ensure cleanliness and piety. A very noteworthy feature of this

festival is the public reading of the " Shree Veerabogha Vasantharaayir

Sarithiram " - an important Vaishnavaite literature that documents the

prediction of events to occur in this world. The book also informs us of the

birth of the Kalki avatharam of Lord Vishnu, to restore virtue and world

peace.

 

 

 

THE OBSERVANCE OR " PURATASSI VIRATHAM " AT HOME

 

 

 

In the South African context, on a Saturday fixed for the prayer, family and

friends gather to offer worship to Lord Vishnu.The head of the household

places the " naamum " on the forehead of only the males, and places a red dot

on the foreheads of the females. The offerings include cooked rice, a

variety of curried vegetables, milk, fruit, coconut, betel nut, betel

leaves, agarpathy (incense), camphor, flowers, kozhukattai (steamed rice

cakes), vadhai (deep fried pattis made from pea dhal and seasoning),

urandai, payasam, kadalai, etc. the thulsi leaves are used liberally in the

worship.

Once the offerings are made to Lord Vishnu, inside the house, everyone goes

out side where camphor is lit and the Lord is welcomed into the house by the

by the devotees calling out the lord's name or praise to him " gwayndha

govindha! " Once inside, devotinal hymms praising the glory of Lord Vishnu

are sung as the devotees offer prayer. In some instances the " Shree

Veerabhogha Vasantharaayir Sarithiram " is read .At the conclusion of the

prayer precaution is taken to make sure that the naamum is wiped out from

the foreheads and the water disposed off in an unpolluted area as this

symbol of Lord Vishnu is considered to be sacred .The strictest of rules,

concerning hygiene, are followed during the preparation of the offerings.

Further, the prayer is conducted with utmost piety and steadfast devotion.

 

 

 

 

BEST WISHES OVER THE MONTH OF PURATASSI!!!