Lunar month 9 of 12 · Hemanta (pre-winter)
Margashirsha Maas मार्गशीर्ष
Margashirsha, the ninth month, is praised by Krishna himself in the Bhagavad Gita: 'of the months I am Margashirsha.' It is a serene, devotional month as winter sets in.
- Presiding deity
- Krishna & Dattatreya
- Season (ritu)
- Hemanta (pre-winter)
- Order
- Month 9 of 12
Significance
It carries Gita Jayanti (on Mokshada Ekadashi), marking the day the Gita was spoken, and Datta Jayanti on its full moon, the birth of Dattatreya. In many regions the month's Thursdays are kept for Lakshmi.
Festivals in Margashirsha
- Gita Jayanti (Mokshada Ekadashi)
- Datta Jayanti
- Margashirsha Lakshmi Vrat (Thursdays)
Observances
A gentle, auspicious month for devotion and study - reading the Gita, Margashirsha Lakshmi vrat on Thursdays, and worship of Krishna and Dattatreya.