The Tamil community will once again enter the sacred month of Puratassi, a special period of fasting, prayer and spiritual discipline dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is also known as Narayana, Venketeshwara, Perumalswami, Strinivasa and Balaji. Observed this year from
Friday (Sept 18) to Saturday (Oct 17), the fast is an abstinence of eating meat, smoking,
consuming alcohol and restrictions of certain pleasures. In addition, various prayers are held such as reciting Mantras in praise of Lord Vishnu. Saturdays are regarded as particularly auspicious during this month. In many homes where prayers are conducted, a strict Viradham (dry fast) is observed, up to the observation of the prayer, with a variety of vegetarian cooked meals and various delicacies, such as Vadhai, Payasam and Kadalai, offered to Lord Vishnu, before breaking the fast. The Laudium Sun wishes all our Tamil readers observing Puratassi, a blessed and spiritually fulfilling month.
Puratassi wishes from the community
One of the most important religious practices observed by the Tamil community, is fasting during the month of Puratassi.
Puratassi is the 6th month on the Tamil Calendar, traditionally falling between mid-September and mid-October (18 Sept to 17 Oct). It is a deeply sacred month for devotees of Lord Vishnu, the Divine Preserver and particularly for those who worship Him as Lord Venkateshwara. The Saturdays of Purtassi are considered especially auspicious, creating a beautiful opportunity to turn hearts towards the Divine, surrender burdens and seek the grace, protection and blessings of Lord Venkateshwara. Puratassi is far more than simply a month on the calendar. Spiritually, it is a time of purification, devotion, surrender and renewal. It calls devotees to step away from the noise of the material world and remember the Divine presence that sustains through every circumstance. It is a month to strengthen faith, discipline, minds, purify intentions and place lives at the feet of the Lord.
Puratassi occurs when the Sun is in the sign of Virgo, ruled by Mercury. Mercury is connected with the intellect, discrimination, communication and the ability to discern what is true from what is not. Lord Vishnu, as the Preserver of the universe, represents the Divine intelligence that maintains order and harmony within creation. Spiritually, this makes Puratassi a powerful period for bringing the mind into alignment with the heart and allowing Divine wisdom to guide thoughts, words and actions. According to sacred tradition, Lord Vishnu descended upon the earthly plane in the form of Lord Venkateshwara at the sacred Tirumala Hills during Puratassi. His descent carries a profound spiritual message: whenever humanity calls upon the Divine with sincerity, the Divine presence is never distant. Venkateshwara is the compassionate Lord who comes closer to His devotees, offering refuge, protection and grace. There is a belief that Shani Dev’s influence is diminished during Puratassi. Saturn represents karma, discipline, responsibility, patience and the lessons through which the soul grows.
Rather than viewing Shani Dev merely through fear, Puratassi reminds devotees that Divine grace can transform the way they walk through karmic lessons. When surrendering to Lord Venkateshwara, devotees are reminded that no period of difficulty is greater than the grace of the Divine. This is why the Saturdays of Puratassi hold such profound significance. Saturday becomes a day of surrender: a day to place worries, fears, karmic burdens and uncertainties before Lord Venkateshwara.
Through prayer, fasting, vegetarian observances, chanting, temple worship and sincere devotion, the devotee seeks not only blessings but purification of the soul and a deeper connection with the Divine.
Guru Emmanuel Marian of Jacinth Str, Ldm:
“Vanakkam, Aum Sai Ram, Namaste, Namaskaram,Salaam, Greetings
BLESSED PARTASI MONTH
On this Holy Month of Partasi / Puratassi, I bless you and your family from my heart. May Lord Venkateswara Perumal
Remove all your worries and Sani Dosham
Fill your home with Health, Wealth and Peace
Protect your children wherever they go
Open all closed doors in your life
Stay pure, speak truth, help others in this holy month
Perumal will stay in your house as Lakshmi.
I pray for each of you by name in this Partasi.
Govinda, Govinda, Govinda.”
Kamalan Padayachy of Taj Str, Ldm:
“To my family, friends and community, may His divine grace shine upon you and your family, today, throughout Puratassi, and always.
May our homes be filled with love and harmony.
May our families be protected and blessed with good health.
May those who are struggling find strength and comfort.
May those who have lost their way find guidance and light.
May every sincere prayer be answered in the way that is best for us.
Let us enter this Purtassi with a humble heart, leave our worries in His hands, and walk forward with unwavering faith.
Om Namo Venkatesaya.”
Guru Eeshwaran (Thoven) of the Laudium Sivan Alayam on 13th Ave, Ldm:
“Vanakkam, Namaste and Namaskaram, humble embodiments of love.
Wishing all devotees observing Puratassi a blessed month of discipline,dedication and devotion to Lord Vishnu. GOVINDA, GOVINDA…GOVINDA.”
Priya Govender of Mustard Str, Ldm:
“Vanakkam! Wishing you a blessed and peaceful Puratassi. May Lord Venkateswara bless you with strength, good health, happiness and reduce all your karmas during this holy fast.”
Sujata Chiba of Taj Str, Ldm:
“Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and meaningful Puratassi. May this sacred period of fasting, prayer and devotion bring you closer to the Divine, strengthen your faith, and fill your heart with peace, courage and hope. With love from the Red Chilli Kitchen to yours.”
Usheeka Chetty, Viashnie Chetty and Alliyaah Naidoo of Eosin Str, Ldm:
“Puratassi month holds a significant place for devotees of Lord Vishnu. It is a time to seek his blessings for prosperity peace and the removal of obstacles in life. The month emphasizes devotion humility and the importance of living in harmony with divine principles… Devotees believe that observing rituals during this month brings the grace of Lord Vishnu leading to spiritual growth and well being… A blessed month to everyone observing Puratassi…”
Priya Govender, Nirmala Rasool, Thanusha Marais and Ruby Govender of Ldm:
“On this sacred Tamil fasting period, may this time of devotion, prayer and self-discipline bring peace, strength and happiness to every family. May our prayers be blessed with good health, prosperity and success, and may our homes always be filled with love, harmony and positivity. Let us observe this holy period with faith, patience and a grateful heart, remembering the importance of kindness, compassion and unity. May the divine blessings guide us through every challenge and give us strength to move forward with hope. Wishing all families observing the Tamil fasting month a blessed, peaceful and spiritually fulfilling fasting period.”
Members of the Laudium Cha Raja Group of Aquamarine Str, Ldm:
“Wishing all devotees a happy Puratassi and Ganesh Sutar.”