The month of Purtassi (mid September to mid October) is dedicated to the worship of Maha Vishnu (the preserver) who is the absolute symbol of the Transcendent state of Ananda. In the Holy Trinity (Trimurthi) of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, the Preserver is Vishnu. It is the he year in which we pay homage to Lord Vishnu. Therefore our worship is thanksgiving to mother nature for preservation.

Preservation is a Divine Attribute which embraces many aspects of our life to which we invoke Lord Vishnu as Emperumal, Govinda, Gopala, Venketeswara, Hari Narayana, Balaji, Srinivasa, Runganatha, Ramchandra, etc. It was in the month of Purtassi, Lord Vishnu in the form of Sri Venketa Chala Pahi (Balaji) came to earth to guide people and left his form in the Thiruppathi Hills in India. Therefore people from all parts of the world flock to India to pay homage to Thirupathi to get a glimpse of the Divine form by taking vows to overcome their problems.

At many Temples, the Garudan Flag is hoisted on the first day of the month. The Shree Emperumal Hindu Temple does not hoist the flag on the first day of the month because the insignia of Garudan lies permanently at the entrance of the Temple. This flag is renewed annually during the Thiruna Festival. However, the first day of the month, Malayppa Swami and his two consorts and Lord Ganesha are taken in procession around the temple to herald this sacred month.

Thereafter prayers are held on each Saturday of the month. Special recitals pertaining to Lord Vishnu are conducted from religious books like Garuda Parthu and Thirunaam Padhigam. Devotees hail the phrase: “Govinda, Govinda, Govinda”, after each verse is recited.

The Naamam

Devotees especially on Saturdays wear the Naamam or the Vaishnavite symbol. Symbolically, the Naamam represents Lord Vishnu’s two feet in his reclined pose – which is represented in the shape of a capital “U” (white). The central stroke represents the Thrishaum (red stroke) – Mother Lutchmee.

Why are prayers are observed on Saturdays?

Saturdays are observed for the worship of Hanuman and Shri Balaji because Saturdays are free from the influences of Saturn and other planetary forces (Grahas).

In this month planets like Mercury and Ketha influence the earth. Therefore, the worship of Lord Vishnu with devotion and love will help us to have a peaceful and happy life with good and obedient children.