Any kind of auspicious activity like marriage, engagement, yagya, housewarming, buying a new vehicle, starting any new work, mundan sanskar, yagyopaveet, namkaran, bride’s entry, etc., during this period, brings negative results, which is why auspicious activities are forbidden. Malmas is a one-month period wherein all auspicious activities are prohibited. It began on December 16, 2023, and will end on Makar Sankranti on January 15, 2024. 

MALMAS 2024 ASTROLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

In astrology, Sankranti refers to the change of Sun God’s place from one zodiac sign to another. During this period, the Sun travels from Scorpio to Sagittarius, and the day is called Dhanu Sankranti. When the Sun God enters the zodiac sign Sagittarius, Malmas starts. A month later, when the Sun God exits Sagittarius and enters Capricorn, Malmas period will end. This process happens twice in a year - once in December-January and the other in March-April. 

According to astrology, Jupiter rules Sagittarius. So when Jupiter enters its zodiac sign, it is not good for humans. In the same way, in March when Sun enters Pisces, kharmas occurs. During this period, the Sun becomes weak in its zodiac signs and its nature becomes furious. That is why auspicious activity, excluding the worshipping of the Sun, is prohibited. 

On Makar Sankranti, one should perform Surya Puja after bathing in a holy river. One should also make donations. From the day of Makar Sankranti, the Sun is referred to as Uttarayan.

THE STORY OF MALMAS  IN HINDU MYTHOLOGY

There is a mythological story behind Malmas. It is believed that Lord Suryadev riding in his chariot is pulled by seven horses. He revolves around the universe on this chariot. The horses get tired but he is not allowed to stop anywhere because if he stops, a disaster might occur. The Sun God eventually ends up feeling for the horses leaving them there to rest and drink water. Then, he added donkeys instead of horses to his chariot. Because it takes more effort for the donkeys to pull his chariot, this time is called kharmas. The speed of the chariot also decreases for the same reason. This entire process happens for a month, during wherein the horses also rest. The Sun God reattaches the horses after a month which speedens his chariot. This sequence repeats itself every year.  

What NOT to do during MALMAS 2024:
●    Attend or organize marriage or engagement
●    Purchase a new vehicle 
●    Enter into a new house
●    Conduct mundan ceremony
●    Start new business ventures
●    Consume non-vegetarian food
●    Consume alcohol
●    Drink water kept in copper vessels
●    Consume any tamasic food
●    Purchase new items

What to do during Malmas 2024:
●    Worship the Sun
●    Offer water to the Sun every morning
●    Offer Arghya to the Sun God in a copper vessel
●    Chant ‘Om Ghrani Suryaye Namah’
●    Taking holy baths in holy rivers
●    Visiting temples
●    Pray to Lord Shiva
●    Read holy books like the Gita or Ramayana
●    Donate food and clothes to the underprivileged
●    Serve Brahmins, saints, and cows
●    Performing Pilgrimage

This is a small list of things to avoid and things to do during Malmas. For example, if you end up getting married during malmas, it will not be emotionally or physically happy. Another example - when houses are built during this period, they are weak and they do not provide the comfort of living. It is rare to see businesses flourish during this period. Auspicious activities done during this period may harm relationships. Religious rituals, too, should not be done during this period. However, one can perform daily rituals. 

Remedies:

•    This is a very good thing to offer sesame seeds to birds on this day as it shows your gratitude towards animals.
•    You are going to be blessed and filled with positivity if you can apply tilak made of haldi and sesame oil on the day of Makar Sankranti.
•    On this day plant a tree to show your gratitude towards the environment as you are celebrating the auspicious harvest festival.
•    You can distribute sweets to your friends and family, and you can prepare sweets at your home, such as til ka Ladoo and gur Rewari. Doing this will enhance your relationship.

Read more: https://dhwaniastro.com/blog/new-year-2024 Check your horoscope here: https://dhwaniastro.com/blog/monthly-horoscope-astrological-prediction-for-january-2024 

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