Vaishakh Sankranti 2024 - Puja Dates and Timings

Sankranti is celebrated with great joy in India. Charity done on Surya Sankranti of any month is believed to give ten times the results compared to other auspicious days of the month. Vaishakh Sankranti also comes under this category. This year Vaishakh Sankranti will be on 13 April 2024, when the Sun will enter the Aries sign at 21:15                           

Vaishakh Sankranti Punya Kaal Muhurta
Vaishakh Sankranti on Saturday, April 13, 2024
Vaishakh Sankranti Punya Kaal 12:22 to 18:46
Vaishakh Sankranti Maha Punya Kaal – 16:38 to 18:46                                                                          

Vaishakh Sankranti enters Libra Ascendant in Bharani Nakshatra. In this uhurati Sankranti, the time for bathing and donation will at 08:34. In this month, reciting Vishnu Sahasranama and "ऊँ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय'' holds great importance.

Vaishakh Sankranti is also known as Sattua Sankranti. On this day, people donate pots filled with water, fans and also consume and donate Sattu. In this month, the devotees wake up early and bathe with clean water and perform Tirthatan. Donations of grains, clothes, fruits, etc. also hold great importance in this month. These rituals alleviate diseases and sadness. They lead to the attainment of health, wealth, money, etc. They provide energy to the mind and the body. Snan and Darshan in the holy rivers on this day are believed to provide virtuous fruits.

Vaishakh Sankranti Puja

Sankranti fast holds great importance. Ideally, a devotee should observe fast on all Sankrantis that occur in each Hindu month. One must take a bath early in the morning, finish all the daily chores and then worship Lord Ganesha and other Lords. Surya Narayan Lord should be worshipped next by performing the Shodashopachara Puja and following the Sankalp Aadi rituals. When these rituals are carried out properly the devotee is blessed with health, wealth, knowledge, etc. and his/her enemies are also destroyed.

A devotee is absolved of all his sins when he/she observes fasts and performs Snan on Sankranti. According to religious scriptures, Lord Brahma has himself said that Vaishakh Sankranti impresses Lord Vishnu. Even something as simple as the distribution of water can help in earning Punya.

Importance of Vaishakh Sankranti

According to Hindu Panchang, Vaishakh month is the second month of the year. It is believed that worshipping lord, meditation, and performing good deeds on this day is considered auspicious. Remembering the lord gives benefits to the devotee. On the day of Vaishakh Sankranti, the devotee puts sesame seeds in their bathing water. They offer sesame seeds in fire and donate vessels filled with honey and sesame seeds. A detailed description of similar important rituals is given in the religious texts.

According to Hindu Panchang, Vaishakh Sankranti is considered auspicious from both religious and people’s point of view. In Vaishakh Sankranti, Kashi Kalpvas, Nitya Shipra, Snan, donation, Darshan, Satsang, reading religious scriptures, patience, rituals, fast, etc. hold great importance. On the occasion of Vaisakha Sankranti, thousands of devotees receive blessings of Mahadeva.

Follow these rules on Vaishakh Sankranti

Many religious tasks are performed on the occasion of Vaishakh Sankranti. During this time the weather is quite hot. Several rituals have been prescribed in various religions. These rituals not only confirm to religion but they also meet the test of science.

During this month, the level of heat increases continuously and people get afflicted by various types of infections and diseases. The food to be consumed and the rituals that need to be followed on Sankranti offer protection against all this.

On this day water is donated that’s why water facilities are arranged for people at various places which is helpful in the welfare and development of the people. Spicy, oily and non-vegetarian food should be avoided in this month.

This month, one must try and consume juicy fruits and have a lot of water. The use of Sattu is also emphasized in this season. Cleanliness and simplicity should be followed in the daily routine. One must avoid sleeping too much in this month, especially during day time.

Puja and rituals in Vaishakh Sankranti

On the day of Vaishakh Sankranti, one should wake up in the morning and meditate. If possible, the devotee should wake up during the Brahma Muhurta in the entire month. On waking up, one must take a bath in water filled with sesame seeds. Lord Shri Hari should be worshipped. If possible the devotee should take a bath in Gangajal, river water or clean water. The devotee should wear clean clothes and then perform the Puja. Jal Abhishek should be performed on the Shivling. After that Sankranti Mahatmya Path should be recited.

Surya Upasna holds great importance on the day of Sankranti. This is because on this day, the Sun moves from one sign to another. It also marks the beginning of Sor month. Water should be offered to the Sun and Surya Puja should also be performed. Aditya Hridya Stotra should be recited and different names of the Sun should be recited.

Religious scriptures should be read on this day. Bhagavad Katha should also be read on this day. Seasonal fruits and flowers should be offered to the Lord. Donation and Puja should be performed during the Punya Kaal of the Sankranti.

Vaishakh Sankranti Mahatamay

Sankranti implies a change, primarily in nature. As the Sun moves from one sign to another on this day, this day holds a lot of importance for calendar computation. Along with this it also leaves an impact on nature. Therefore, the Vaishakh Sankranti has an effect on all forms of life. Worshipping the sun and donations done on this day give relief from unintentional sins and also provide physical and intellectual strength to a person. As per Puranas, donations and Snan done on this day yield the same results as performing thousands of Yagnas.