The beginning of the monsoon season is an exciting change for all the rain-lovers and people belonging to the profession of agriculture. Karka Sankranti's day and moment bring this breeze of change along with the Sun transition event.
Although the certain time frame of Shubh Muhurat or auspicious time duration is considered to be very beneficial to perform the righteous activities of the charity, yet people avoid starting new jobs or important works during Sankramanam.
Overview
Meaning of Karka Sankranti
The word Karka Sankranti includes two words in itself- ‘Karka’ and ‘Sankranti’.
Karka or Cancer is an astrological Zodiac Sign which is indicated by the Crab.
Sankranti entails the Sun transmigration from one Rashi to another Rashi (Zodiac sign).
The Karka Sankranti day is observed when the Sun moves from Mithuna to Karka Rashi or Gemini to Cancer zodiac.
Names of Karka Sankranti
As this day marks the beginning of the southern journey of the Lord Surya or Sun God, Karka Sankranti is also known as Dakshinayana. Some people of specific Indian regions know Karka Sankranti as Karkataka Sankranti as well.
Day and Date of Karka Sankranti
According to the Hindu Lunar calendar, it comes in ‘Shravana’, the fifth month of the ‘Panchang’ Hindi calendar.
Auspicious Muhurat Time of Karka Sankranti
Karka Sankranti is one of the Ayan Sankranti(S); the other is Makar Sankranti. Karka Sankranti related auspicious muhurat for Daan-Punya falls 30 Ghati(s) before the Karka Sankraman moment.
It informs that the Muhurat for Daan-Punya-related righteous activities is the time window of 30 Ghati before Sankranti to Sankranti.
(Time of Sankraman)
(Duration of Muhurat: 06 Hour 39 Mins)
(Duration of Muhurat: 02 Hours 13 Mins)
God of the Festival
Along with Lord Surya, Lord Vishnu is also prayed this day and in further four months that is during throughout the period of Dakshinayana.
Rituals
Devotees take the sacred bath in the holy water of Indian rivers for washing all their past sins and taking a fresh start again without the weight of heavy sins.
Special worships to Lord Surya are made at the river bank. Lord Vishnu is also prayed with chanting the Vishnu Shahstra Strotam during the puja performance.
People believe that it is extremely beneficial and fulfilling to offer the donation of food and clothes to needy people. So they donate grains, oil, and clothes to the poor and needy people. Some prefer to donate to the Hindu Brahmin priests and find this very auspicious if given during the right Muhurat time period.
Many wait for this Sankranti to perform the Pitra Tarpan rituals in which the worships and donations are offered remembering the ancestors for providing peace to the departed soul.
Significance of Karka Sankranti
Karka Sankranti marks the arrival of the fourth month of the Hindu Solar calendar which falls in August.
It is said that those who keep fast this day of Karka Sankranti, they get rid of all the bad luck and aspects which affect or may influence health, prosperity, or family-related matters.
Beginning of Dakshinayana
From here, the Lord Surya begins the Dakshinayana or southern journey, ending the six-month-long period of Uttarayana or Northern journey.
Mythologies
The counterpart of significant Makar Sankranti, Karka Sankranti is an important event like other Sankranti(s) for performing righteous deeds of charity.
In Hinduism, it is believed that the Gods sleep during these six months. The day of Karka Sankranti is also observed as the Dev Shayani Ekadashi. Devotees keep fast for pleasing God and getting the blessings.
It is believed that the worships that are offered during the Sankranti Shubh Muhurat, one gets good health, happiness, and prosperity.
Celebrations
Karka Sankranti doesn’t come with offering many celebration events. Only worships are being done and few common Sankranti rituals are performed.
