There are 12 Sankranthi in Hinduism. Here is a look at the
importance of each Sankranti. Sankranti literally means movement. It is the
movement of Sun from one Rashi (zodiac) to the other.
Makar Sankranti (January 14 or 15) – Transit of sun from Dhanu
Rashi to Makar Rashi (Sagittarius to Capricorn) - Uttarayan starts – the daytime
of Devas begin from this day. It is celebrated across the world as Sankranti,
Pongal and by numerous other names.
Kumbha Sankranti (February 12, 13 or 14) – Transit of sun
from Makar Rashi to Kumbha Rashi (Capricorn to Aquarius). Devotees residing
along the banks of holy rivers and in most eastern part of India celebrate this
by taking holy dip in Ganges. Offerings are given to cows and to poor people.
Meena Sankranti (March 14 or 15) - Transit of sun from Kumbha
Rashi to Meena Rashi (Aquarius to Pisces). Offer are done to sun god on the day
by devotees.
Mesha Sankranti (April 14 or 15) – Transit of sun from Meena
Rashi to Mesha or Meda Rashi (Pisces to Aries). The day is observed as New Year
in Odisha, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Vrishabha Sankranti (May 14 or 15) – Transit of sun from Mesha
or Meda Rashi to Vrishabha Rashi (Aries to Taurus). Prayers are offered to
Vishnu and Shiva on the day. Donations are made. People also perform holy dip
in sacred rivers.
Mithuna Sankranti (June 15 or 16) – Transit of sun from Vrishabha
Rashi to Mithuna Rashi (Taurus to Gemini). It is known as Asharh in eastern
parts of India. Prayers are offered to Vishnu and mother earth. Grinding stone
is decorated and treated as mother earth. Homage is paid to ancestors.
Karka Sankranti (July 16 or 17) – Transit of sun from
Mithuna Rashi to Karka Rashi (Gemini to Cancer) – The Dakshinayana or the night
of the Devas begins. Prayers and pooja are offered to the departed souls in many
regions during the period. Prayers are offered to Vishnu and Shiva.
Simha Sankranti (August 16, 17 or 18) – Transit of sun from
Karka Rashi to Simha Rashi (Cancer Zodiac to Leo Zodiac) – Narasimha, Vishnu,
Shiva and Surya are worshipped. Ganesha is offered special pujas and bath with
coconut water. Havan is performed in the name of the various avatars of Lord
Vishnu.
Kanya Sankranti (September 16, 17 or 18) – Transit of sun
from Simha Rashi to Kanya rashi (Leo to Virgo) – Vishwakarma Puja is observed on
the day in eastern parts of India.
Tula Sankranti (October 16, 17 or 18) – Transit of sun from Kanya
Rashi to Tula rashi (Virgo to Libra ) – Prayers are offered to Durga, Lakshmi
and Saraswati. It is also known as Garbhana Sankranti. Special rituals are
observed at the origin of Cauvery river during the period.
Vrischika Sankranti (November 16, 17 or 18) – Transit of sun
from Tula Rashi to Vrischika Rashi (Libra to Scorpio). The famous Sabarimala
Pilgrimage begins on this day. Vishnu Sahasranamam and Aditya Hridayam are
chanted on the day.
Dhanu Sankranti – Transit of sun from Vrischika Rashi to
Dhanu Rashi (Scorpio to Sagittarius). The day is of great importance in Odisha
and Tamil Nadu (marks the beginning of Margazhi Masam). Special pujas are
offered at Jagannath Temple in Puri.