Kartik Sankranti is one of the most important festivals of the Hindus. It is celebrated when the Sun enters Libra sign. It is mainly celebrated in the mid of October.
This year it will be celebrated on 16 October 2024, Wednesday. In this Sankranti, the Sun will enter the Libra sign at 07:42. The Punya Kaal of this 30 Muhurati Sankranti will continue from Afternoon
Kartik Sankranti Puja
Everyone should get up before sunrise and take a bath on the day of Sankranti. According to beliefs, if a person doesn’t take a bath on this day, then he/she becomes unhealthy and lazy. Til Snan is considered auspicious on this day. It is believed to improve one’s health. There is a tradition of bathing on this day at religious places, temples and holy rivers.
Surya Dev is worshipped on Kartik Sankranti. According to beliefs, when one worships Surya Dev on this day not only does his/her health improve but his/her looks too improve. Tarpan for ancestors is also performed on Kartik Sankranti. On this day, after worshipping Surya Dev, one should remember their ancestors and present them water filled with sesame seeds. This pleases the ancestors’ souls.
Other colours of Kartik Sankranti
Many religious programmes are organised on the occasion of Kartik Sankranti. People celebrate it as a festival. This day is celebrated across different parts of India by different names and different rituals. On this day, farmers seek blessings and thank Gods for a good harvest. Kartik Sankranti is primarily associated with harvest and farmers.
This festival is celebrated by different communities. People take a bath in religious places and then offer donations and charity. Lakhs of devotees visit the banks of Sangam river. Fairs are also organised at these places.
This festival is celebrated with excitement right from North India to South India. Houses are decorated by making Rangolis. This festival unites everyone in some or the other way. The different forms of this festival cannot be compared with any other festival.
Timing of Deep Daan on Kartik Sankranti
Deep Daan holds great importance on Kartik Sankranti. According to ancient scriptures, it fulfills all the wishes. Although Deep Daan is done in the entire Kartik month, donating Diyas on Kartik Sankranti holds more importance. This is an age old tradition.
One who performs Deep Daan in Kartik month achieves salvation. On this day, Diyas Daan is done in rivers, puddles, houses, etc. Deep Daan increases virtue. According to religious scriptures, fasting and meditation in Kartik month too is of great importance
Tulsi Puja
Tulsi Puja is also considered important on Kartik Sankranti. It leads to marital happiness. One also gets success at the workplace. Tulsi Puja is performed and a Diya is lit in front of the Tulsi tree on the day of Kartik Sankranti.
Tulsi Puja on Kartik Sankranti brings happiness to the family. The devotee gets blessed with a child. It helps in increasing the lineage of the family.
Lakshmi Puja too is performed and animals are also worshipped on this day. Kheer is made in an earthen vessel and is offered to Surya Dev as Bhoga and distributed as Prasad amongst everyone.
Kartik Sankranti – Festival of charity
According to Shastras, Jap, Tap, Daan, Snan, Shradh, Tarpan, etc. religious works are performed on the day of Kartik Sankranti. It is believed that donations done on this day are equivalent to a hundred times the results. Donating Ghee and blankets on this day leads to salvation.
On this day, fairs are organized near Ganga, Yamuna and Sangam which are called Kartik Melas. Donations after bathing are performed on this day. After Ganga Snan food items made of sesame seeds are donated to Brahmins and other people. Khichdi is prepared and distributed amongst the poor.
On the day of Kartik Sankranti, Urad Dal, rice, cow, Gold, woollen clothes, blankets, etc. are donated. Sesame seeds and jaggery are also distributed amongst each other.
The effect of the transition of Sun from Virgo sign to Libra Sign
The placement of the Sun changes on Kartik Sankranti. The Sun transits from Virgo sign to Libra sign. The day of this transition is called Sankranti. The Sun is debilitated in Libra sign and this situation is not considered auspicious. The powers of the Sun wane and become weak. This is proven by the change in the weather. Evidently, the weather becomes cold after Kartik Sankranti and there is a decline in Sun rays too. The light of the Sun starts decreasing. That’s why this day becomes special for those who are born in Libra sign. They should perform Puja on this day and should worship Surya Dev.