When the sun transits through the Dhanu Rashi, then it is named Dhanurmas. This is a holy month that starts from 15/16 Dec to 14/15 of Jan. Dharma is also called Shoonya Masa (the “zero month”) because this month is only devoted to gods and holy functions. No other functions have taken place. When the sun transits through the Dhanu Rashi, then it is called Dhanurmas. We call this Dhanurmas, with different names like Chapa Mas, Kodanda Mas, Karmuka Mas, etc. Chapa, Kodanda, Karmuka, etc

In southern India, it is a very pious month, and it is a festival of 30 days. Dhanurmas is mentioned in Smriti Muktavali. During this auspicious month, devotees worship Lord Vishnu in the morning. Worshiping Lord Vishnu for a single day is equivalent to worshiping him for a thousand years. During this Dhanurmas, Vishnu Sahasranama and mantras associated with Lakshmi Devi are chanted. The holiness of Dhanurmasa is presented in 4 chapters in Pancharatra Agama. Pancharatra Agma highlights the holiness of Dhanurmas. The conversation between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma is narrated by Sage Sutta, , replying to a query raised by Sage Shaunaka.

In the first chapter, it highlights how being simple can be rewarded. It means a person should be self-disciplined and he or she should be without any frills or luxuries (austerities). He describes King Satyasandha observing Dhanurmas Vratam during the holy month of Dhanurmas in the second chapter. The third chapter emphasizes the significance of giving alms during this holy month. As explained in the fourth chapter, the best way to reach Lord Vishnu’s charan is to feed the poor during this holy month.

Nagara sankeertana is performed by devotees during Dhanurmasam. During the holy month of Dhanurmasam, the mud floor is daubed with cow dung, and women create rangolis. In addition to welcoming Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune, the rangoli symbolizes the happiness, positivity, and liveliness of a household. The quintessential Haridasu tradition is in Dhanurmasam. They walk around the streets singing “Harilo Ranga Hari,” “keertanas of Ramadasu,” and the glory of Lord Mahavishnu while holding ‘chidathalu’ (cymbals) in one hand and a tambura in the other. This tradition and Hridasulu are rapidly fading in India’s southern states. Future generations must be informed about them.

This month begins Margashirsh month in the Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, and Marathi calendars. During Margashirsha or Paush month in North Indian calendars, it begins. Mukkoti Ekadashi, which falls on Dhanurmas and coincides with the waxing crescent of the moon, draws a large number of devotees to Moksha Dwaram or Swarga Vathil in south India.