In the south Indian states of Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana the month of Maarghazhi ( called Maagh in north ) India started on 16th/17th December 2025 and will end on 13th/14th January, 2026. It is considered a holy month and regarded as highly auspicious in south India
https://polkajunction.com/best-time-to-visit-tamil-nadu-is-maargazhi-december-january/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margazhi
Maarghazhi ends on Pongal day ( 14th January ) called Makar Sankranti in north India, when the sun begins its upward ascent ( uttarayan ), and is celebrated with great festivity
https://indicanews.com/justice-katju-a-slice-of-tamil-history-on-the-occasion-of-pongal/
I had written an article about Maarghazhi some years back, which is reproduced below. Hence I am not reproducing its contents
https://indicanews.com/spending-maargazhi-in-california/
On each of these days many people, particularly ladies, get up very early in the morning, have a bath, and pray, singing each day one one stanza of the poem Thiruppavai written by the poet saint Andal, perhaps over a thousand years ago
https://www.ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/andal/tiruppavai/verse1.html
When I was in Toronto, Canada ( where many Tamilians are settled ) some years back, I came to know that many Tamil ladies settled there sing it throughout the month after getting up early in the morning and having a bath.
It is a shame that most north Indians do not know much about south India, its great culture and history.
https://legalmaestros.com/column/ignorance-of-the-great-achievement-of-south-indians-is-a-shame-by-justice-katju/
I extend my greetings to my south Indian brothers and sisters on the occasion of Maarghazhi. They have done the country proud by their great achievements in various fields–science, art, literature, etc. May they prosper in the years to come
