Ninth month of the Tamil solar year, equivalent to the northern Indian solar month of Dhanush (Sagittarius zodiac sign), which normally falls in December and January.
The persistence of many calendars is a significant
indication of regional cultural patterns' continued relevance.
The Tamils keep their culture alive by following their
ancient calendar.
Tamil is one of India's few regional languages with a long
and illustrious literary legacy.
Tamil months, Tamil Nadu, and Tamil language are also included.
Margashirsha is the ninth month of the lunar year, generally
occurring between November and December, according to the lunar calendar, which
is used to calculate most Hindu religious events.
Margashirsha is traditionally regarded as an unlucky month,
with only Bhairava Jayanti, Utpanna Ekadashi, and Mokshada Ekadashi as
prominent festivals.
Maricha is the uncle of Ravana, the demon-king of Lanka who
is the epic's nemesis, in the Ramayana, the earlier of the two major Indian
epics.
After Rama and Lakshmana, the epic's heroes, insult and
mutilate Ravana's sister Shurpanakha, Ravana plans to get retribution by
kidnapping Rama's wife, Sita.
He enlists Maricha's assistance in kidnapping Sita.
Maricha transforms into a golden deer.
Sita requests Rama to kill the deer for her when she sees
it.
Rama chases the deer into the forest, instructing Lakshmana
to remain with Sita no matter what happens.
Rama chases the deer for a long time, eventually getting
close enough to kill it.
Maricha calls out Lakshmana's name in a Rama-like voice with
his last breath, trying to entice Lakshmana away from Sita and leave her
unprotected.
Lakshmana is first hesitant to follow his directions.
When Sita accuses Lakshmana of withholding assistance to
Rama because he wants to have her to himself, he eventually departs.
Lakshmana feels compelled to act in response to this unfair
accusation.
He weaves a magical protective circle around Sita before
leaving, telling her that no harm would come to her as long as she remains in
the circle.
Ravana, disguised as an elderly monk, approaches Sita and
begs for charity.
Sita leaves the circle to pay alms out of respect for an
ascetic.
Ravana transforms into his real form and drags her away.
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