Many regional Hindu calendar systems and Muhurat finding rules bring New Year with Mesha Sankranti. If not the same day, then the day followed by Mesha Sankraman is celebrated as the first day of the Solar cycle year.
However, the Shubh Muhurat for Sankranti-related Daan-Punya activities is considered as per its own rules through the Hindu solar calendar system.
Mesha Sankranti is associated with Sankramanam, Vishu Kani, Pana Sankranti, Puthandu, Vishu, Pohela Boishakh (Naba Barsha), Vaisakh, and Bihu in various regions of India.
Illustration: Couples performing Punjabi dance on Baisakhi, fallen with Mesha Sankranti
Overview
All About Mesha Sankranti
Contents:
- Introduction : About Mesha Sankranti,
- Meaning of Mesha Sankranti,
- Mesha SankrantiNames,
- Day and Date of Mesha Sankranti,
- Mesha Sankranti 2019 Date and Time Period as per Panchang Muhurat,Auspicious Muhurat Timeof Sankranti as per Hindu calendar Panchang,
- God of Mesha Sankranti,
- Mesha SankrantiRituals, Vrishabh Sankranti Observances,
- Mesha SankrantiPuja Vidhi,
- Significance of Mesha Sankranti,
- Vrishibha SankrantiMythology
- , Mesha SankrantiFolklores, Vrishabh Sankranti Stories
- Celebration of Mesha Sankranti,
- Special Dishof Mesha Sankranti,
As mentioned above as well, Mesha Sankranti is known for donations or charity and the New Year celebration. Its significance is indeed greater than this.
In this Brisk Post, we will know that what is the meaning of Mesha Sankranti, what are the popular names of it by whom it is famous and celebrated.
In the midsection of the article, we will know the day, date, and Shubh Muhurat time of Mesha Sankranti moment related righteous deeds. And will know more about which deity and rituals are followed.
The last section will cover the info about the significance of this Sankramanam and know that how people celebrate the Sankranti festival.
Meaning of Mesha Sankranti
The word Mesha Sankranti is made of two terms- ‘Mesha’ and ‘Sankranti’.
Mesha or Aries is one of the astrological Zodiac Signs which is symbolized as the Ram or Sheep.
Sankranti implies the transmigration of the Sun from one to another Rashi (Zodiac sign).
Mesha Sankranti marks the entrance of the Sun in Mesha Rashi or Aries zodiac.
Names of Mesha Sankranti as New Year's First Day
Mesha Sankranti is celebrated as Sankramanam in South India, Vishu Kani in Malayam, Pana Sankranti in Orissa, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Vishu in Kerala, Pohela Boishakh (Naba Barsha) in Bengal, Vaisakh in Punjab, and Bihu in Assam.
In Malayalam, where people follow the Malayalam calendar, Mesha Sankranti is celebrated as Vishu Kani. In Orissa, also known as Odisha, Mesha Sankranti, and the first day of the New Year are celebrated as Pana Sankranti.
In India, there are many calendars that are based on the Solar System and are known as Solar calendars. Although they all follow the same system, yet they have different rules to identify the first day of the year which relies on the exact time of Sankramanam or Sankranti.
Such Solar calendars are- Bengali calendar, Tamil calendar, Oriya calendar, and Malayalam calendar.
The day of Mesha Sankranti is observed with many different names, significance, and rules as per the reference calendar. Let’s know some of the popular names of Mesha Sankramanam!
Vishu Kani in Malayam
As per the Malayalam calendar, this first day of New Year is celebrated as Vishu Kani which is based on the Mesha Sankranti.
Pana Sankranti in Odisha
If Sankranti comes before midnight, then the first day of New Year is also celebrated with the Mesha Sankranti. Popularly known as Orissa and officially named Odisha celebrates Mesha Sankranti as Pana Sankranti.
Puthandu in Tamil Nadu
If Mesha Sankranti falls between the time duration from “after sunset” to “before sunrise” then the beginning of the New Year is celebrated on the same day. In such a case, the believers in Tamil Nadu celebrate New Year's day as Puthandu.
Vishu in Kerala
As per the Malayalam calendar system, a day is counted as per the sunrise and sunset and can be seen in five parts. When the Sankranti falls in the first three parts of the day between sunrise and sunset, then the first day of the year is observed the same day. In other cases, it is celebrated the next day.
It means that when the Mesha Sankranti comes till or before the Madhyahna, the New Year celebration takes place on the same day, else it is observed on the following day.
Thus in the first case, People who observe Mesha Sankranti and the traditional calendar system and the festivals as per that, celebrate Mesha Sankranti as Vishu in Kerala.
Pohela Boishakh or Naba Barsha in Bengal
If the Sankranti moment falls between sunrise and midnight, the New Year occurs on the same day. If it begins after midnight, the first day of the year starts on the next day which follows the Sankranti day. When the New Year occurs on the same day, it is observed with great celebration as Pohela Boishakh or Naba Barsha with Mesha Sankranti.
Vaisakhi in Punjab
Also spelled as Baisakhi or Baisakhi or Vaisakha, this festival brings one of the greatest celebrations for Punjabi(s) or the Sikh community.
In Punjab, people celebrate Mesha Sankranti as Vaisakha.
Bihu in Assam
Mesha Sankranti is observed as Bihu in the Indian state Assam.
Day and Date of Mesha Sankranti
According to the Hindu Lunar calendar, it comes in ‘Vaisakha’, the second month of the ‘Panchang’ Hindi calendar.
In India, people follow different calendars based on their region for religious events and celebrations. However, most of them mark the first day of the new year considering the Mesha Sankranti which is observed as per the Solar Hindu calendar. These calendars are- Tamil calendar, Bengali calendar, Oriya calendar, and Malayalam calendar.
Auspicious Muhurat Time of Mesha Sankranti
Mesha Sankranti is one of the Vishuva Sankranti(S); other is Tula Sankranti. Mesha Sankranti related auspicious Muhurat for Daan-Punya falls 15 Ghati(s) before the Mesha Sankraman moment.
It denotes that the Muhurat for Daan-Punya-related righteous activities is the time window of 15 Ghati before Sankranti to Sankranti.
(Time of Sankraman)
(Duration of Muhurat: 04 Hours 11 Mins)
(Duration of Muhurat: 08 Hours 21 Mins)
God of the Festival
Although Sankranti witness special devotion for Hindu God Surya (Sun) who is worshipped as Surya Deva too, yet people also worship Shiva, Vishnu, Hindu Goddess Kali, and Hanuman.
Rituals
Holy Bath for Sanctification
The devotees following the rituals of Mesha Sankranti take sacred baths in Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati Nadi (rivers).
Sacred Text Reading
Devotees also chant hymns and Strotas from the sacred books.
Prohibition to Any Food: 'Yes' to Only Vegetarian Dishes!
People so eat vegetarian dishes only. The veg food is considered to be Satvik which helps in avoiding the bad habits and controlling the self desires. Satvik food is also seen as a recipe that is prepared with complete cleanliness, freshness, and good intentions.
Significance of Mesha Sankranti
Mesha Sankranti marks the arrival of the first month of the Hindu Solar calendar which falls in May.
This Sankranti day is not just the day signifying the movement of the Sun into another Rashi; it also brings the change in season. It announces the farewell of the spring season and the starting of the summer season.
Mythologies
Those, who hold a very fast belief in Sankranti-related rituals, also visit Jagannath Puri, Cuttak Chandi, Biraja temple, and Samaleshwari. They believe that such a visit adds to their Punya (righteous gestures) and the prayers and worships offered there are surely heard.
Celebrations
Mesha Sankranti can be seen the second special sankranti after Makar Sankranti. Where Makar Sankranti is the most famous type of Sankranti, Mesha Sankranti is nowhere behind because of the observation of New Year’s first day.
People celebrate Mesha Sankranti or Hindu New Year by wearing new clothes, dancing, singing, and performing charitable activities.
Special Dish of Mehsa Sankranti
Indian festivals are fun mostly because of the specific dishes of the special occasions. All the 12 Sankranti(s) are no exception.
On Mesha Sankranti, people prepare Pana for all their family members, relatives, friends, and visitors. Pana is a special drink that is consumed at Sankramanam events with great delight.
