Mesha Sankranti 2024: Significance Of Celebrating
Mesha Sankranti commemorates the New Hindu Solar calendar., which occurs on the first day of the solar cycle year. The Hindu calendar also has a lunar new year, which is more religiously important and occurs on various dates.
People believe that on this day, it reflects a particular solar movement. As per Indian astrology, this day marks the entry of the Sun in the Zodiac sign of Aries. Mesha Sankranti serves as the foundation for major Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist festivals, the most well-known festivals are Vaisakhi and Vesak. Now, let us move on to check other interesting facts about this auspicious day.
How Mesha Sankranti Originated?
Basically, Mesha Sankranti is composed of two Sanskrit phrases. In Sankranti means ‘the change of course’, which refers to the direction of the sun or other planets. Whereas Mesha refers to the constellation. Mesha Sankranti indicates that this entire day is based on timekeeping, the practice established in the Vedanga field’s ancient scriptures.
Mesha Sankranti's Celebration Across India
There are two components in regional calendars: lunar and solar. The lunar element is based on the movement of the moon. It is based on the religious calendars, which begins with Chaitra month. Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra and Goa, Cheti Chand for Sindhi Hindus, and Navreh for Kashmiri Hindus all festival indicates the beginning of the new years. Even in Gujarat, the new year is celebrated the day after Diwali in the month of Kartika. Whereas, people of Kerala believe that there is a five sections between the sunrise and sunset. Whenever the Sankranti takes places in the first three of them, it is said to be New Year Day or Sri Maha Vishu. On Mesha Sankranti, the solar variable of lunisolar calendars marks the starting of the year in Vaisakha month. Therefore, it is also known as Vaisakha Sankranti. People all over India celebrate this day with immense joy and pleasure. In terms of Vedic astrology, this day is known as Maha Vishuva Sankranti.
Important Date And Time For Mesha Sankranti 2023
- Date: 13th April, 2024 – Saturday,
- Tithi Timings:
- Mesha Sankranti Punya Kala: 12:23 PM to 06:32 PM
- Mesha Sankranti Maha Punya Kala: 04:29 PM to 06:32 PM
How People Celebrate Mesha Sankranti?
On this special day, people remember Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman, Lord Vishnu, and Maa Kali by offering sincere prayers. They take in the holy river of Ganga or Yamuna. Some of them prepare Pana (Special drinks) and then serve it to other devotees as well. People only eat vegetarian and fresh cooked foods. They avoid any alcohol consumption or any non-veg food items. Later, on many devotees gather under one roof to sing devotional songs. Devotees visit Puri Jagannath, Samaleshwari, Cuttack Chandi, and Biraja temples on the day of Mesha Sankranti to worship Lord. Many people on this day come up with new clothes and wearing ornaments. People invest more time with their family and friends.
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Wrapping Up
Mesha Sankranti brings us new opportunities to start our new year with fresh energy and positivity in mind. During the first day of a new year, people seek blessings from their clan deity and Hindu deities to achieve desired success in the upcoming year. We understood how the people of India celebrate in different ways in different parts of the country. People not only perform the rituals of the day but also make donations to the needy ones. May you have a happy Mesha Sankranti in 2024.