Efficacy of Purattasi

Discipline is key to every aspect of life, be it work, health, accumulating and managing wealth, in raising a family etc. It is of utmost importance in one’s devotional quest. In human life one will chase material wealth but will never forget that he has to discipline his mind and grow spiritually as well. This is evident from the austerities followed by a devotee in Purattasi, the Tamil month which is also very dear to Venkatachalapthy (Srinivasan, Balaji, Ezhumalaiyan), who beckons devotees to His abode in Tirupati in order to shower His blessings upon them, said Damal S. Ramakrishnan. Lakhs of devotees undertake yatra to Tirumala during this holy month, chanting the Govinda namam, seeking His darshan, divine gaze, and everlasting compassion that makes Him accept the surrender of devotees. It is the time when devotees get closer to divinity.

Saturdays falling in this month are considered efficacious for visiting various temples and gaining the darshan of Vishnu’s numerous archa avatars. Devotees voluntarily opt for a sattvic diet, shun ostentatious events, observe fasts as a way of disciplining the senses, attend discourses and offer annadhanam (free offering of food preparations).

Devotees also pray to Garuda, Vishnu’s favourite divine mount, whom they view as the guardian angel of their travels on earth. In His many manifestations, Garuda has never been far from Him. The Garuda vahana in this month at Tirupati is world famous. One of Garuda’s hands is painted reaching skywards, symbolically beckoning everyone to assemble in the Seven Hills and pray to Srinivasa and reduce their burden of sins.

Preparing the mavilakku, an edible ‘mountain’ prepared with flour, jaggery and cardamom, is another feature undertaken in many homes on any one of the Saturdays during the month of Purattasi. The centre of the mound is filled with ghee and a cotton wick is inserted and lit. Many of the devout see the image of Srinivasa when the wick is lit and seek His blessings from their respective homes.