The Sun changes its zodiac sign every month. Whenever the Sun enters a zodiac sign, that day is called the Sankranti of that zodiac sign. Going from one place to another or meeting each other is called Sankranti. The Sun rises from the east and goes towards the south for six months and towards the north for six months and sets in the west. The time of Uttarayan is considered to be the day of the gods and the time of Dakshinayan is considered to be the night of the gods. In the Vedic period, Uttarayan has been called Devayana and Dakshinayan has been called Pitryana. Leo Sankranti is an important Hindu festival which is celebrated with great enthusiasm in different parts of India. This festival is celebrated when the Sun enters Leo from Cancer. The time of Leo Sankranti usually falls in the month of August and is associated with agriculture and crop related activities.
Religious and cultural significance of Singh Sankranti:-
The movement of the Sun from Cancer to Leo has special religious and cultural significance. From a religious point of view, Lord Vishnu and Sun God are worshipped on this day. On this day, all the devotees earn virtue by bathing in holy rivers and performing special prayers.
Singh Sankranti also has an important place in agriculture and animal husbandry. This time symbolizes the growth of crops and the arrival of new crops. On this day, farmers perform special rituals and pray for a good harvest. In Uttarakhand, it is celebrated as Ghee Sankranti or Olgi Sankranti where earrings are pasted with cow dung on the main door of the house and ghee is used especially. From a social point of view, Singh Sankranti promotes unity and collectivism in the society, which makes this festival even more important.
Tradition of celebrating Singh Sankranti:-
The festival of Singh Sankranti is celebrated with great pomp in India, especially in Uttarakhand. This festival is celebrated on the occasion of the Sun entering Leo from Cancer. This day is also known as Ghee Sankranti or Olgi Sankranti. Special dishes are prepared on this occasion which include lentil stuffed rotis, kheer and gundla or gaba (a dish made from pindalu or pinalu leaves). The lentil stuffed roti is called bedu ki roti which is filled with ground urad dal and is cooked and eaten with ghee. A vegetable made from arbi leaves called gaba is also prepared on this day. On this day, farmers perform special rituals in their fields and pray for a good harvest of crops. Crop ears are pasted on the main doors of houses with cow dung which is considered a symbol of prosperity and happiness.
Different sections of society, such as architects, craftsmen, artisans, blacksmiths and carpenters, give gifts made by their own hands to people on this day and receive rewards. This tradition of giving gifts is called Olgi, hence it is also called Olgi Sankranti. Thus, Singh Sankranti is not only a festival of religious and agricultural importance but also a festival to promote social unity and collectivism.
Vidhi of worship of Singh Sankranti:-
- Wake up early in the morning, take a bath and wear clean clothes.
- Clean the place of worship in the house and purify it by sprinkling Gangajal there.
- Install the idol or picture of Sun God on a stool.
- After that, offer rice, roli, turmeric, and flowers.
- Fill water in a copper pot, add red sandalwood and jaggery to it and offer it to the Sun.
- Bathe the idol of Lord Vishnu and dress him in yellow clothes.
- Offer him rice, roli, turmeric, flowers, basil leaves and sweets.
- Recite Vishnu Sahasranama or chant Vishnu Mantra.
- Prepare special dishes like lentil stuffed rotis, kheer, and gundla or gaba and offer them as bhog.
- Distribute these dishes among all the members of the house and consume ghee.
- Stick the crop ears with cow dung on the main door of the house.
- Light incense sticks and lamps for happiness and prosperity in the house.
- Donate food, clothes, and dakshina to Brahmins and the needy.
- Donate handmade items to the craftsmen, architects, artisans, and blacksmiths of the society.
- Perform the Aarti of the Sun and Lord Vishnu.
- After that distribute the Prasad and take the Prasad together with everyone.
- In this way, complete the worship of Singh Sankranti in a complete and systematic way so that happiness, peace and prosperity remain in the house.
Story of Singh Sankranti:-
In ancient times, there was a king named Mahipal. King Mahipal was very religious and loved his subjects. In his kingdom, all the people lived happily and peacefully. Once the king heard that on the day of Singh Sankranti, the Sun God enters the Leo zodiac and this day has special significance, so he thought that special worship should be done on this occasion. The king wanted to know about the glory of this day and the method of worship from his Guru Vashishtha. Guru Vashishtha told that worshiping the Sun God on the day of Singh Sankranti brings happiness, prosperity and peace in life. Making special dishes and consuming ghee on this day also has special significance. King Mahipal organized the worship of Sun God especially on the day of Singh Sankranti. He told all the citizens of his kingdom the importance of this festival and urged everyone to celebrate it with pomp and show. On this day, everyone together made special dishes, worshiped the Sun God, and donated to the Brahmins. In this way, happiness and prosperity was achieved in the kingdom. Since this event of King Mahipal, the tradition of celebrating the festival of Singh Sankranti has been going on. This story gives the message that worshiping the Sun God, donating, and consuming special dishes on the day of Singh Sankranti brings happiness, prosperity and peace in life.
Importance of holy bath on the day of Singh Sankranti:-
- Taking holy bath on the day of Singh Sankranti is of great importance from religious and spiritual point of view.
- Taking holy bath purifies the body and mind. It is considered very auspicious from the religious point of view because it makes the body pure and holy.
- After taking bath, positive energy is transmitted in the person. This energy helps in making the whole day auspicious.
- According to religious beliefs, bathing in holy rivers on the day of Singh Sankranti gives special virtue. This virtue helps in destroying all the sins of life and attaining salvation.
- Holy bath provides freshness and vigor to the body of a person. It is also considered beneficial for health.
- After taking bath on this day, Sun God is worshipped, which brings blessings of Sun God. It brings success, prosperity and peace in life.
- After bathing, spiritual awareness increases in a person. It is helpful for the advancement of the soul and mental peace.
- Holy bath is a part of Indian culture and traditions. It plays an important role in keeping the rituals and traditions alive.
Singh Sankranti Punyakaal Muhurat:-
Singh Sankranti will be celebrated on Friday, 16 August 2024.
Singh Sankranti Punyakaal – From 12:01 pm to 06:32 pm,
Singh Sankranti Maha Punyakaal – From 04:22 pm to 06:32 pm.