Dhanu Sankranti 2024: Meaning, Significance and Facts

In India, we celebrate many festivals. One of these is Dhanu Sankranti, which is when we worship Lord Jagannath and the Sun God. This festival is of special significance in Odisha. In 2024, we will celebrate Dhanu Sankranti on 15 December. Let’s explore its importance and other interesting facts!

Dhanu Sankranti 2024 Date and Time

Dhanu Sankranti Date: 15th December, 2024
Sankranti Moment: 15th Dec, 10:11 p.m.
Punya Kaal Muhurta: 12:22 p.m.- 05:39 p.m.
Maha Punya Kaal Muhurta: 03:54 p.m.- 05:39 p.m.
Sunrise: 07:04 A.M
Sunset: 05:39 P.M

What is Dhanu Sankranti?

People mainly celebrate Dhanu Sankranti in the eastern part of India. It’s the sun’s transit to the sagittarius sign. This is of cultural and spiritual importance in many parts of India. This Sankranti is among the nine Sankrantis of the Margashirsha month.

Devotees pray to Lord Jagannath on this day to seek happiness and wealth. Farmers associate Dhanu Sankranti with good harvest. It marks the commencement of several Hindu festivals called the Kharmas.

Also Read: Rama Ekadashi 2024: Rituals, Significance And Puja Muhurat

Story and Importance of Dhanu Sankranti

Dhanu Sankranti is an important festival with a story behind it. We know about a legend about Kansa, who invited Lord Krishna and Balarama to Mathura for the Bow Ceremony (Dhanu Yatra). Krishna and Balarama were aware of his intentions, that he wanted to kill krishna. Akrura, the minister of King Kansa, was told to escort Krishna to the bow ceremony in Kansa’s Palace.

Akrura was a devotee of Lord Krishna and went to meet him. He warned Krishna, who left for a bath in Yamuna before leaving for the Bow ceremony. Akrura was surprised the moment he dipped his head into the water. He saw the divine form of Lord Krishna. Arkura happily continued his journey with Krishna and his brother, Balaram, in Mathura.

Another legend tells about King Bhagiratha. He performed penance to bring the holy Ganga river to the earth. Lord Brahma was pleased with his penance and accepted his wish. Goddess Ganga came to the world on the day of Dhanu Sankranti, which states why the day is auspicious for us.

Once, Lord vishnu took the form of a Matsya to save Vedas from the demon, Haryagriva. This depicts the cycles of incarnations of Lord Vishnu on the earth.

Importance of the Day

We wake up early, perform special pujas in our houses, and give arghya to the Sun God. You can start a yatra on this day and end it at the end of Pausha Purnima. Some women keep a fast on this day. Pitru Tarpan is performed on Dhanu Sankranti. If we do Pitru Tapan on this day, we can get the blessings of our ancestors.

On this day, Lord Jagannath is worshipped, and people make a sweet called ‘Dhanu Muan’. Street plays depicting various episodes of Krishna’s life are organized. On this occasion, we prepare cakes for Lord Jagannath called ‘Pahili Bhog’. People take sacred baths in holy Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari. The peasant families of Odissa clean their houses and make rangolis in their homes.

Cultural events, folk music programmes, dances, traditional games, etc., occur in some areas. It’s a time of feasting with our family and friends. Giving things to the poor can bring us joy and prosperity. This year, on Dhanu Sankranti 2024, we can visit the temples of Lord Vishnu and the Sun God.

Rituals of Dhanu Sankranti

There are various rituals that we follow in the festival. The devotees need to follow these properly on this Dhanu Sankranti 2024. These are:

We need to wake up early and take a bath. We need to wear clean clothes after bathing.
You should keep the idol of the Sun God in a place where sun rays can fall on him. You can sprinkle water on an image of Surya Dev.
We need to light a diya or a lamp.
You need to offer the Panchamitra to the idol of Surya God.
People should recite the shlokas of Aditya Hridaya Stotram
We should offer flowers and garlands to the idol of and image of God.
Fruits, Bel, and Nuts should be offered to Lakshmi, Brahma and Vishnu.
We should offer prayers with devotion to the Sun God.
After Puja, we should distribute fruits to our family members and guests.

Also Read: Govatsa Dwadashi 2024: Meaning, Significance and Facts

Do’s and Dont’s of the Festival

We should refrain from doing a few things in this Dhanu Sankranti 2024. Some do’s and dont’s of this festival are:

We should not consume non-veg foods.
You should not not drink alcohol on this auspicious day.
It is not a favourable day for tying the knot, and we should avoid marriage rituals.
We should avoid purchasing or selling any property or assets in Dhanu Sankranti.
People with Pitra Dosa in their charts should arrange a Brahmin Bhoj in no-moon days.
We should touch the feet of elders on this day.
You should apply Tilak of Chandan on this auspicious day.