In the year 1201, Sri Lanka was invaded by
Magha, a Dravidian Kalinga prince who took the king captive, tortured him and robbed him of all riches.
Such actions are also ascribed to the gods: it is said that Sakka (who gained his divine status by being the helpful
Magha, above) was once fleeing with his army from the army of the asuras.
He resolves the problem by arguing that the year number is expressed in elapsed rather than correct years, making it possible to place the inscription in the month
Magha of 1088 rather than 1089 of the Mahasakaraja Era.
The Conquest of Cool: Theology and Aesthetics in
Magha's Sisupalavadha.
Vijaya Kulankai (Kalinga
Magha) Segarajasekaran circa
bSod-Nams-LogSar has been celebrated in
Magha (January-February), whereas rGyal-PoLo-gSar has been celebrated in Phalguna (February-March).
The bhikkhunis took the lead in offering the light at
Magha Puja festival, July 13,2003
The great masters of the kavya form (which was also exported to Java) were Asvaghosa, Kalidasa, Bana, Dandin,
Magha, Bhavabhuti, and Bharavi.
This Indian festival coincides with Makar Sankranti in various parts of north India, Pongal in Tamil Nadu,
Magha Bihu in Assam, Tai Pongal in Kerala and Ghughutiya in Uttarakhand.
Part III presents four essays that bring out the innovative features of Kalidasa's chronologically nearest descendants--the canonical poets Bharavi,
Magha, and Bhatti--all of whom composed longer, multi-canto kavya known as mahakavya.