Which months does Paush Maas fall in?

Paush is the tenth Hindu lunar month and falls roughly across December and January, the heart of winter. Exact dates change each year, so confirm them with a current Panchang.

Which deity is worshipped in Paush Maas?

Paush is most closely linked to the worship of Surya, the Sun god. In the cold winter, devotees offer arghya and chant Surya mantras to invite his warmth, strength, health and vitality back into life.

Why are marriages avoided in Paush Maas?

The Sun, the karaka of vitality, is considered weak in Paush, and the month often coincides with Kharmas or Dhanurmas when major celebrations pause. So marriages and grand ceremonies are usually deferred until after Makar Sankranti.

How is Surya arghya offered in Paush?

After an early bath, face the rising Sun with a copper vessel of clean water mixed with roli, red flowers and rice, and pour it slowly so the rays pass through the stream while chanting 'Om Suryaya Namah'.

Which mantras are best chanted in Paush?

'Om Suryaya Namah', the fuller beej mantra 'Om Hram Hrim Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah', and the Gayatri Mantra are ideal. Chanting any of these 108 times at sunrise is believed to bless health, confidence and willpower.

What are the benefits of Paush worship?

Worshipping Surya in Paush is believed to grant health, vitality and confidence and to remove winter lethargy. The discipline of early rising, arghya and charity builds inner strength, gratitude and a steady mind.

Paush Maas | Significance, Surya Puja & Niyam

What Is Paush Maas

Paush Maas is the tenth month of the Hindu lunar calendar and falls roughly across December and January, the heart of winter. It is the month most closely linked to the worship of Surya, the Sun god, whose warmth and light are most longed for in the cold and short days. While Paush is considered less auspicious for grand worldly ceremonies, it is regarded as an excellent time for Sun worship, japa and quiet inner devotion.

Significance of Paush Maas

In Paush the Sun appears weak and distant, so the scriptures encourage devotees to worship Surya to invite his strength, health and vitality back into life. It is a contemplative, inward month - a time to build discipline, recite mantras and serve others through the cold. The month ends near Makar Sankranti, when the Sun begins its northward journey (Uttarayan), marking the return of longer, brighter days and renewed auspiciousness.

Why Marriages Are Avoided in Paush

Paush is traditionally avoided for marriages and other grand auspicious ceremonies. One reason is that the Sun, the karaka of vitality and authority, is considered weak in this month. Another is that the period often coincides with Kharmas / Dhanurmas, when the Sun transits Sagittarius and major celebrations are paused. Devotees use this quieter time for worship, self-discipline and charity rather than worldly festivities, resuming celebrations after Makar Sankranti.

Surya Puja and Arghya

The central practice of Paush is the daily Surya arghya: 1. Rise early, bathe, and face the rising Sun in the east. 2. Fill a copper vessel with clean water, adding a little roli (red sindoor), red flowers and akshat (rice). 3. Slowly pour the water as arghya so the Sun's rays pass through the falling stream, while chanting Surya's name. 4. Offer this on Sundays especially, the Sun's day, and ideally each morning of the month. 5. Conclude with a short prayer for health, energy and clarity of purpose.

Surya Mantras for Paush

Powerful chants for the Sun god in Paush include:

Om Suryaya Namah - the simple salutation to Surya, chanted while offering arghya.

Om Hram Hrim Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah - a fuller beej mantra for energy and vitality.

The Gayatri Mantra, addressed to the solar light of Savitr, is also ideal in this month. Chanting any of these 108 times at sunrise is believed to bless the devotee with health, confidence and steady willpower.

Paush Niyam - Do's and Don'ts

Do: offer Surya arghya each morning, chant Surya or Gayatri mantras, eat warm satvik food, donate warm clothes, blankets, til and food to the needy, and keep a calm, disciplined routine.

Don't: hold marriages or major celebrations during Paush and Kharmas, and avoid anger, laziness and tamasic food. Treat the month as a time of inner preparation, so that the brighter days after Makar Sankranti are welcomed with a steady, devoted mind.

Benefits of Paush Worship

Worshipping Surya through Paush is believed to grant good health, vitality, confidence and freedom from lethargy and disease linked to the cold. The discipline of early rising, arghya and charity builds inner strength and gratitude, while regular mantra japa steadies the mind. Devotees emerge from Paush ready to greet the auspicious northward Sun of Makar Sankranti with renewed energy and faith.

Paush Maas - Significance, Surya Puja & Niyam