In Eastern India, Mithuna Sankranti is known as ‘Asharh,’ in Southern India as ‘Aani,’ and in Kerala as ‘Mithunam onth.’ The sun transits from Vrishabha (Taurus) rashi to Mithuna (Gemini) rashi on this day. According to astrological influence, these shifts in the Sun are critical, and one should perform puja on certain days. In Odisha, this day is observed with great zeal, and the festival is called as Raja Parba.
It is a four-day event during which believers greet the rains with love and happiness. It’s the time of year when unmarried girls deck themselves out in jewels and married women relax by playing indoor activities and taking a break from domestic chores. The activities of donating or gifting clothes are regarded extremely fortunate for this Sankranti.
RITUALS OF MITHUNA SANKRANTI
Lord Vishnu and goddess Earth are revered on this day. Odisha’s people dress traditionally, and a particular puja is performed on the grinding stone, which represents Mother Earth.
Flowers and vermillion are carved onto the stone. It is said that, in the same way that the land prepares for rain, young girls prepare for marriage and pray to the almighty.
Another frequent Raja Parba practise is to hang swings to the bark of a banyan tree, which the girls enjoy swinging and singing on. Ram doli, dandi doli, and chakri doli are some of the swing sets that are popular. Mithuna Sankranti is said to be a lucky day for donating clothes to those in need.
It is sacred to pay tribute to one’s ancestor on this day, as it is on all other Sankranti festivals, and many people visit riverbank temples to do so.
IMPORTANCE OF MITHUNA SANKRANTI
The raja gita, a traditional folk song from the state, is being sung. To greet the rain, men and women walk barefoot on the ground, and there is a lot of dancing and singing.
Fasting on Mithuna Sankranti is also practised by Hindus in order to appease the Sun God and make the next months of their lives more calm and cheerful. Devotees go in vast numbers to worship Lord Jagannath and his wife Bhudevi at the Lord Jagannath temple in Odisha (Goddess Earth).
People enjoy singing the Raja Gita, which is a collection of traditional songs. The singing is also accompanied by traditional dancing. Both the man and the lady celebrators stroll barefoot on their motherland, honouring and relishing the rain.
TRADITIONAL ITEMS ON MITHUNA SANKRANTI
Poda-Pitha is a traditional Mithuna Sankranti and Raja Praba meal cooked with rice powder, jaggery, butter, coconut, molasses, and camphor. On Mithuna Sankramanam, however, individuals forgo eating rice grains.
DATE AND PANCHANG
Sunrise: June 15, 2022 5:45 AM
Sunset: June 15, 2022 7:09 PM
Punya Kaal Muhurta: June 15, 12:09 PM – June 15, 6:33 PM
Maha Punya Kaal Muhurta: June 15, 12:09 PM – June 15, 12:33 PM
Sankranti Moment: June 15, 2022 12:09 PM
