Spending Maargazhi in California
Spending Maargazhi in California
By Justice Katju
The month of Maargazhi ( called Maagh in North India ) starts in Tamil Nadu and other South Indian states on December 17 and will last until January 16, which is called Pongal in South India, and Makar Sankranti in North India.
It is regarded as the most sacred month among Tamlians and other south Indians (in North India the Maagh Mela is held every year in my home town Allahabad-Prayagraj where Hindu saints from all over India congregate and give their sermons (pravachans).
Lord Krishna has said in chapter 10 verse 35 of the Bhagavad Geeta, “In the 12 months, I am Margazhi” (Masanam Margaseersho Asmi).”
बृहत्साम तथा साम्नां गायत्री छन्दसामहम् |मासानां मार्गशीर्षोऽहमृतूनां कुसुमाकर: || 35||
bṛihat-sāma tathā sāmnāṁ gāyatrī chhandasām aham
māsānāṁ mārga-śhīrṣho ’ham ṛitūnāṁ kusumākaraḥ
During this month the earth is furthest away from the sun.
https://www.priestservices.com/spirituallibrary/margazhi-significance
I reached Chennai on November 30, 2004, to take over as Chief Justice of Madras High Court, and soon thereafter Maargazhi began.
Throughout this month a song called Thiruppavai, a devotional song in praise of Lord Krishna, is sung very early in the morning, more often by women ( though also by some men ). It is chanted after bathing one and a half hours before sunrise, which is called Brahma Mahurtha.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiruppavai
This song was written many centuries ago ( maybe a thousand years ago ) by the poet-saint Andal, a young woman originally named Goda who lived in the town of Srivilliputhur in Tamilnadu ( which I later visited ). It is sung throughout maargazhi not only in Tamil Nadu but also wherever Tamilians are found, even in America and Canada. In Toronto, which I visited in 2021, I found it was sung by many Sri Lankan Tamil ladies.
Since I became the head of the judiciary of Tamil Nadu, I decided to learn something about the culture of the people of Tamil Nadu. I therefore got a copy of Thiruppavai ( in English translation ), and read it carefully.
What struck my mind most was the accurate description of the Mathura countryside, though that was far away in UP in north India ( about 2490 kms ) from Tamil Nadu. There is accurate depiction of herds of cattle with tinkling bells, the musical sound of butter churning, conch sounds from temples, chirping of birds, girls bathing in ponds, and other minute details of the ambience of Mathura region, which I have visited several times, and I can vouch for the accuracy of these details.
In those days there were no modern methods of transport, no airplanes, trains or cars, so obviously Andal ( Goda ) could not travel far from Srivilliputhur. How could she describe in such detail the ambience of the Mathura region, which is so far away in north India with such accuracy? This is still a mystery to me and requires research.
A major highlight in the month of Maargazhi is the drawing of kolams (rangoli) daily in front of houses.
Music festivals are held in many places in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka during Maarghazhi.
https://www.adda247.com/upsc-exam/chennais-margazhi-festival
In Thiruvaiyaru village in Tanjore district in Tamil Nadu, the birthplace of the great music composer and singer Thyagaraja ( who is regarded as one of the trinity of Carnatac music ) a music festival is held every year during Maarghazi, in which Carnatac religious singers from all over the globe assemble and perform.
These days I am in Fremont, California, which is beautiful with temperate climate, greenery all around, and blue hills. But my heart is not here. It is in Tamilnadu, the state whose people gave me much love and affection when I was Chief Justice of Madras High Court.This is the month of Maargazhi, and I wish I was in Tamilnadu at this time, hearing people sing Thiruppavai in the morning, instead of basking in the pleasant California sun
Honourable Justice Markendey Katju, Very well said. Memories last for ever.