FOUR TYPES OF SANKRANTI

THE 12 Sankrantis as per Hindu calendar can be broadly classified into four types – Ayan Sankranti, Vishuva Sankranti, Vishupadi Sankranti and Shadshitimukhi Sankranti.

AYAN SANKRANTI

Ayan Sankranti occurs twice a year, comprising the two halves of Sun’s annual journey, which also marks the solstices when Sun transitions from southern to northern hemisphere and again back from northern to southern hemisphere. These two half-yearly transits include Makar Sankranti and Karka Sankranti.

Makar Sankranti, also called Uttarayana occurs in mid-January with Sun's journey into the northern hemisphere through its entry into Makar sign. However, as per celestial science Sun moves into the northern hemisphere on 21st or 22nd December, which is 24 days prior to Makar Sankranti.

On the other hand, Karka Sankranti, also called Dakshinayana occurs in mid-July, marking Sun's journey into the southern hemisphere through its entry into Karkat sign. Similarly, as per cosmic science Sun moves into the southern hemisphere on 21st or 22nd July, which is 24 days prior to karka Sankranti.

Uttarayana and Dakshinayana in Hindu calendar are somewhat equivalent to winter and summer solstices respectively, which is moving away of the Sun from one seasonal solstice to another. While the northern transit is considered an auspicious event for spiritual practices with the beginning of longer days, the southern journey symbolizes a focus on introspection with daylight duration starting to turn shorter.

According to ancient Hindu texts, 40 Ghati after Makar Sankranti and 30 Ghati before Karka Sankranti are considered auspicious for performing all Sankranti rituals.

VISHUVA SANKRANTI

Vishuva Sankranti, also known as Sampat Sankranti occurs twice a year, marking the equinoxes when day and night are of equal length. It comprises Sun’s Mesha transit in mid-April and its entry into Tula in mid-October.

Mesha and Tula Sankranti are also known as Vasant Sampat and Sharad Sampat respectively because these are conceptually equivalent to Vernal Equinox and Autumnal Equinox in Hindu calendar. It is drifting apart from seasonal Equinoxes due to precession of the Earth.

Vasanta Vishuva, occurring in mid-March marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere, after which Ugadi is celebrated in some parts of India. And Sharad Vishuva in mid-October heralds autumn season in the northern hemisphere.

The auspicious moments for performing different rituals are fifteen Ghati before and after both of the Vishuva Sankrantis.

VISHNUPADI SANKRANTI

Vishupadi Sankranti occurs when Sun transits Kumbha in mid-February, Vrishabha in mid-May, Simha in mid-August and Vrishchika in mid-November. These transits take place exactly at a gap of 3-month each.

Kumbha Sankranti, also known as Kumbha Sankramanam is celebrated on the first day of Hindu month of Phalguna by taking a holy dip in sacred rivers and through charitable acts, while worshipping Yama and Surya.

Simha Sankranti, celebrated in the Hindu month of Bhadra is special because Sun enters its own house – Leo and gains in strength. On this day, believers worship Sun God, Lord Vishnu and Lord Narasimha. Further, devotees donate wheat, red clothes, red sandalwood, copper, jaggery etc to fortify Sun, the most powerful force in astrology and on earth.

On the other hand, Vrishabha Sankranti and Vrishchika Sankranti which starts the Hindu month of Jyeshtha and Agrahayana respectively take people to higher spiritualism and introspection. Believers take the holy dip in sacred rivers and perform ‘Pitru Tarpan’ in remembrance of ancestors.

The auspicious period for performing different rituals are sixteen Ghatis before all of the four Vishnipadi Sankranti moments. According to the Vedas, performing every ritual, charity and good work during any of the Vishnupadi Sankrantis bestows eternal blessings to the believers, which is 1,00,000 times more beneficial than on other days.

SHADSHITIMUKHI SANKRANTI

Shadshitimukhi Sankranti occurs when Sun enters the respective four signs of Meena in mid-March, Mithuna in mid-June, Kanya in mid-September and Dhanu in mid-December.

Meena Sankranti and Dhanu Sankranti, which starts in the Hindu month of Chaitra and Pausha respectively, are considered ‘kharmasa’ or ‘malamasha’ or Dhanurmasa. Thus, these two Vedic calendar months prohibit any auspicious ritualistic event.

On the other hand, Mithuna Sankranti, also known as Raja Sankranti or Swing festival is celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashadha and is considered mother earth’s annual menstrual cycle. This Sun transit heralds the advent of monsoons. Again, on Kanya Sankranti in the Hindu month of Ashwin, the ‘God of architects’ - Vishwakarma’s Puja is held at factories.

The auspicious moments for performing different rituals are Sixteen Ghati after all the four Shadshitimukhi Sankrantis. According to the Puranas, meditation, jaapa, rituals done during on all of these Shadshitimukhi transits enhance effectiveness of rituals to 86,000 times.

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