Chennai: The Puducherry Education Department announced a holiday for all schools in Puducherry and Karaikal on the occasion of Masi Magam festival on March 7. However, the Department said that HSC Public Practical Examinations will be conducted as per the schedule.
The release from the School Education Department said, “It is informed that 07.03.2023 (Tuesday) is declared a holiday for all schools in Puducherry and Karaikal regions on account of Masi Magam Festival. However, the HSC Public Practical Examinations will be conducted as per the schedule.”
The order was issued by Joint Director VG Sivagami on the direction of the Director of School Education.
Last year, Masi Magam was celebrated by taking temple deities on a procession in the streets of Puducherry. The devotees gathered on the streets and beaches to witness the procession of the deities and take a holy dip in the water.
According to The Hindu, Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan along with Public Works Minister Lakshminarayanan celebrated the day with religious fervour last year.
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Significance of Masi Magam
Masi Magam is celebrated on the Magam nakshatra of Tamil month Masi every year. On the auspicious day, special ritual and ceremonial baths are performed to get rid of the sins and attain salvation after death.
On Masi Magam day, the people take dips in holy water to get over the negativity of all seven births.
The day also signifies the recreation of the universe.
As per mythology, there are multiple sayings like Lord Shiva recreated the world on Masi Magam Day and Lord Shiva performed the last rites of childless king Vallala of Tiruvannamalai.
Masi Magam is also viewed as a day to start new things.