Dhanurmasa

Dhanur Mas, or Dhanurmasa, is an important period in traditional Hindu calendar. The month is known as Dhanur Maas as the sun transits through the Dhanur Rashi (Sagitarius) and the period ends with the Makar Sankranti. In some regions the first day of Dhanur Maas is known as Dhanur Sankranti. In North India in 2008, Dhanur Masa begins on December 15 and ends on January 13, 2009. The period is highly auspicious, Daan (donations), Japa, tapa (dhyan) done in this month is believed to yeild lot of good.
It must be noted here that in South India ,this month is known as Dhanurmasam, begins on December 16 and ends on January 13, 2009.
Dhanur Mas is not an independent month in any Hindu calendar. It begins in the middle of Margashirsh month in Gujarati and Marathi calendar. In North Indian, calendar it begins in the beginning of Poush month. Dhanur Mas is therefore the period the sun shifts from the Dhanur rashi to Makar Sankranti.
The Ekadasi falling during this period is considered highly auspicious. In South India, especially the Vaikunta Ekadasi which falls during the waning phase of the moon in Dhanur Mas attracts thousands of devotees.
- courtesy- Hindu blog

HISTORIC VIJAYA STAMBHA (VITORY PILLAR) OF SRI AKSHOBHYA TEERTHA

As Recorded in the History , the Vijaya Stambha (VICTORY PILLAR) was erected as a monument of historical event when a debate (Vedanta Vaada) with regard to the topic "TATVAMASI" took place in the year 1350-1351 A.D. between Shri Akshobhya teertha the fourth pointiff in the order of Sri Madhwacharya samsthana and the then Rajaguru Sri Vidyaranya(who has written commentry on Vedas). The debate took place in the pressence of great shcolars and the royal representatives of Sri Vijayanagar Empire. The occasion was graced by His highness Prince Kemparaya , the Son of the then Ruler His Highness Sri Harihara.
After the debate, Sri Vedantha Deshikacharya of Srirangam , a great scholar and Pontiff in Vishisthadvaitha (decendent of Sri Ramanujacharya) who was witness and judge to the debate declared to the enlightenment and joy of the learned scholars that Sri Akshobhya teertha by the virtue of his apt arguments is Victorious. On this occasion with the request of His Highness and other assembled scholars The VIJAYASTMABHA (VICTORY PILLAR) was installed to commemorate this great event . This is located on Hanchikallu Hillock(HANCHIKALLU GUDDA) 1 km near Mulbagal Kolar District in Karnataka(on NH 4 Bangalore - Madras road).This historic event is also a witness to the fact that right knowledge spread by vedas alone is the salvation for all the ills of mankind. Even today on the occasion of Sri Akshobhya teertha's Aradhana (Margasheersha bahula Panchami) every year devotees perform all the holy rituals like Panchamrutha abhishekam , pooja, archana and naivaedyam to the Vijayastambha.