Margazhi - 2024 A cultural guide
Date: December 15 - December 31
Sabhas
1) Vani Mahal
2) Krishna Gana Sabha
3) Mylapore Fine Arts Club
4) Parthasarathy Swami Sabha
5) The Music Academy
Chennai Margazhi Sabha Canteens
Link: Click here to know more about Sabha Caterers, timings and more
Chennai Margazhi Sabha Events & more
Link: Click here to know more about events, artists, timings & more
Other details
Krishna Gana Sabha
Programme Schedule : - December 13, 2024 - January 2, 2025
Parking : - Valet Parking Available.
Ticketing : -Tikkl: Delightful Events In-Person and Hybrid
Restaurant :- SATTVAA
The Music Academy
Programme Schedule : - December 15, 2024 - January 2, 2025
Hall : - The Kasturi Srinivasan Hall
Parking : - Parking space available, arrive early to get parking.
Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha ( Vani Mahal )
Programme Schedule : - December 9, 2024 - January 15, 2025
Hall : - changes according to the programme
Parking : - Parking space available, arrive early to get parking.
Ticketing : - Daily and Season Tickets can also be booked at their official website.
Parthasarathy Swami Sabha : -
Programme Schedule :- December 14, 2024 - January 2, 2025
Admission :- Admission free except 4.00 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. concerts
Ticketing :- https://www.mdnd.in
( Season and daily donor passes available ) at the venue from 02-12-2024
Mylapore Fine Arts Club :-
Programme Schedule : - December 18, 2024 - January 19, 2025
Admission : - All are welcome for all 9:00 AM & 10:15 AM concerts and all dance programmes except 7:15 PM Dance ballets on January 14, 15 & 16.
Ticketing:- Ticketing available from 08.12.2024 onwards at the Sabha office
Sabha working hours :- 9.00 AM to 11.00 & 5.00 PM to 8.00 PM
Online Ticketing and Daily tickets : - https://www.mdnd.in
Canteen facilities : - ABC Caterers
Margazhi - A month to reconnect with your roots
Etymology : The name Margazhi comes from the Nakshatra "Mrigasheersham"
It marks the ninth month of the Tamil calendar. This month is known for its cold solstice period and is celebrated across South India with spiritual reflection and cultural festivities.
When you think of Margazhi, several things come to mind - Bhajans, Sabhas, canteens but the first thing most people associate with it is Mylapore, or Thirumayilai. Did you know that Mylapore, a place older than Chennai itself, was once a bustling sea harbor? It was even mentioned by the Greek geographer Ptolemy, who referred to it as Millarpha.
Mylapore holds immense cultural significance and is also the birthplace of the globally renowned philosopher Thiruvalluvar. Isn’t it fascinating how this historic place continues to be the heart of Margazhi celebrations?
Margazhi And Mylapore: -
Margazhi and Mylapore are inseparable, with the vibrant streets of Mylapore coming alive during this sacred month through bhajans, temple festivities, and cultural performances. It's a time when devotion, art, and heritage seamlessly blend, making Mylapore the heart of Margazhi celebrations.
Mylapore is home to the iconic Kapaleeshwarar Temple, which has withstood countless demolitions over time. Thanks to the efforts of Naatu Subburaya Muthali, a dubash during the colonial era, who built this sacred site still stands tall today.
Margazhi in Mylapore isn’t just about the temple, though. It’s also known for its legendary messes like Rayar’s Mess, Maami Tiffin Stall, and Karpagambal Mess, each offering a slice of tradition on your plate. During this season, the streets of Mylapore are an absolute treat to the eyes, alive with festive charm.
Have you ever wondered how Mylapore got its name? According to Thirumyilai Sthala Puranam, Mylapore has been a flourishing cultural and spiritual hub since ancient times. It’s said that Goddess Parvathi, in the form of a peacock (mayil), worshipped Lord Shiva here. That’s how the place came to be called Myilai, derived from the Tamil word mayil. The Pallava kings even built a temple for Kapaleeshwarar along the shore, which finds mention in the sacred Tirumurai. Isn’t it amazing how much history and devotion are woven into this place !
Whispers Of Myilai In Ancient Scriptures:-
Mylapore isn’t just a place; it’s a living, breathing piece of history. Imagine walking on the very ground where saints and scholars once set foot, where every corner hums with stories of devotion and miracles. Mylapore, or Thirumayilai, is older than Chennai itself, and its name echoes through ancient scriptures.
Take the story of Poompavai, for instance. Sivanesan Chettiar, a wealthy merchant and a devout follower of Lord Shiva, lived here, near the Kapaleeshwarar Temple. When his daughter, Poompavai, tragically passed away from a cobra bite, Sivanesan kept her ashes, praying for divine intervention.
When the saint Sambandhar, a pious devotee of Shiva, visited Myilai, Sivanesan poured out his grief. Moved, Sambandhar sang the Mattita Punnaiya Hymn, and a miracle unfolded - Poompavai came back to life!
Think about it - this land witnessed such divine acts, where saints like Sambandhar walked, sang, and transformed lives. Mylapore holds stories that can move hearts and stir souls, making it a truly sacred and special place.
Margazhi In India And Thailand : -
Arudra Darisanam - an important occasion in Margazhi is celebrated as Triyampawai - Trippawai in Thailand. It’s a fifteen-day ceremony held every year in December and January by the Thai Royal Court Brahmins. This ceremony is really interesting because it shows a connection between the rituals of Thailand and Tamil Nadu, a link that many people have forgotten.
This month is also celebrated in Odisha as Manasa Gururbara
Arudra Dharisanam ( Thiruvathirai ) is also being celebrated in Kerala and Karnataka in Dhanu Maasam ( Margazhi )
Rituals And Occasions:-
Lord Krishna mentions in the Bhagavad Gita, "I am Margazhi". The entire month of Margazhi is special for religious and spiritual practices. During this time, the earth is closest to the ozone layer, which means if you wake up during Brahma Muhurtham (between 4.00 - 6.00 am), you can breathe the purest form of oxygen. Many of the rituals during Margazhi help us connect with this natural energy.
In Margazhi, people wake up early, take a cold bath in temple tanks, visit temples, and join in Veedhi Bhajans (street prayers). There are also several social events like the Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival, Margazhi Nrityotsav, and The Hindu’s Margazhi Music Concert, where people come together to celebrate the season.
The Evenings Of Margazhi :-
The city is filled with the delicious smells of Filter Coffee, Ghee-Dripping Ashoka Halwa, Ven Pongal, and other classic South Indian dishes like Idli Sambar, coming from the canteens at the Sabhas. After the soul-stirring performances by Tamil Nadu’s great artists, the programs run from December 10th to the end of the month, with over 1,000 concerts across more than 200 Sabhas. During this time, the Sabhas feel like social gatherings, where people come together and feel a sense of community.
We’re also excited to share that EF-IF will be setting up stalls at some of the major Sabhas, and we can’t wait to meet you there! The Sabhas are Parthasarathy Sabha, Krishna Gana Sabha, Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha ( Vani Mahal ), Music Academy and Mylapore Fine Arts Club.
Sources:
The information, images, and historical details presented in this document have been gathered from publicly available online resources. For further details, please refer to the original articles and references provided below.
Intellectual Kshatriya
https://intellectualkshatriya.com/thirumayilai-the-itihasa-of-mylapore/
D’ Source
https://www.dsource.in/resource/margazhi-festival-tamilnadu/about-margazhi