The month of Dhanurmasa or (Marghazi) is considered a very special month for religious services. Dhanurmasa starts with Margashirsha shukla ekadasi (the eleventh day in the bright half of the lunar month of Margashira) and extends up to the end of Dakshinayana. Lord Krishna declares in the Bhagavad Gita: "I manifest the most in the month of Margashira, (also known as Dhanurmasa - Dec 16 to Jan. 13) among the months of a year.” This highlights the religious significance of Dhanurmasa in the Hindu calendar. For this reason, sages have set apart this month to be completely focused on devotional activities. Other non-devotional social activities (such as weddings) are prohibited during this month so that attention can be given exclusively to the worship of God without any diversions. According to tradition, the Gods wake up early in the morning during the month of Dhanurmasa. They perform special prayers to Sri Maha Vishnu during the auspicious period of “Brahma Muhurta,” which is one and half hours before sunrise. During this month, people in many parts of India offer prayers to the Lord very early in the morning.

      There are two important religious events that are observed in the month of Dhanurmasa. The first event is paying tribute to Sri Bhudevi (Andal) through the study and recitation of Thiruppavi, a composition in Tamil. According to traditional legends, Sri Andal (Bhudevi) spent her youth pursuing her goal of realizing oneness with Sri Maha Vishnu (i.e. to become his bride). She successfully achieved her union with Sri Maha Vishnu through Bhakti or devotion. Thiruppavai is a poem of 30 verses composed by Sri Andal, in which she imagines herself to be Narayana’s bride, yearning to serve him in this life and forever. She also describes the religious vow (pavai) that she will take in order to achieve this purpose. The second event is the celebration of “Vaikuntha Ekadasi.” Vaikuntha (the abode of Sri Maha Vishnu) Ekadasi falls on the 11th day of the sukla paksha (the waxing phase of the moon) of Dhanurmasa. Hindus consider this day as a very auspicious and holy day, for, it is the time when Sri Maha Vishnu comes out of his Sanctorum and enters the “Vaikuntha Dvaram” (doors to heaven). Therefore, many Hindus visit Sri Maha Vishnu temples on this day to seek salvation. It is also believed that whoever passes away on this day will reach the lotus feet of Sri Maha Vishnu and his abode Vaikuntha (Heaven) without enduring the pains of further reincarnations. Hindu scriptures also state that the gods and demons churned the divine ocean for Amrita on the day of Vaikuntha Ekadasi.

      Dhanurmasa is celebrated at the Balaji Temple in accordance with these traditions. On the first day, abhishekam is performed for utsava vigraha of Sri Andal. During the month of Dhanurmasa, a special worship (vishesha aradhanam) is performed for Sri Balaj accompanied by a specially prepared offering of delicious pongal prasadam. Fortunate devotees who visit the Temple during the morning hours receive this pongal prasadam. During the month of Dhanurmasa, the daily Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam (morning hymns to wake up Sri Balaji) is complemented with Tiruppalliyelichhi, a Tamil composition of 10 verses from Alwar’s Divyaprabandham. On the Saturday following the 27th day of the Dhanurmasa, a wedding ceremony (Andal Kalyanotsavam) of Sri Andal with Sri Maha Vishnu is performed with music, pomp, and show. The Dhanurmasa celebrations include the function of Vaikuntha Ekadasi. On this day, a special entry way is constructed with a pedestal to represent the Vaikuntha Dvaram (doors to heaven). The Sri Venkateswara Swami utsava murti resides on an elevated pedestal for the entire day. As per our traditions, on the Vaikuntha Ekadasi day, special puja services and the daily religious services (like archana) are performed to Sri Balaji utsava murti residing at the Vaikuntha Dvaram. Devotees enter the Vaikuntha Dvaram and receive the blessings of Sri Balaji. Priests lead the “Akhanda Vishnu Sahasranama Parayanam,” a recitation that continues without any break from 11:00 AM until 6:30 PM.