Sankranti means 'sacred changes’. According to the Hindu calendar, there are 12 Sankranti days in a year, which also marks the beginning of each of these months.
12 Sankranti dates for 2023 will be observed in the following months. The list of Sankranti dates include-
Makar Sankranti is the most important and significant Sankranti. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival is celebrated in the month of ‘Magha’, every year. Makar Sankranti is associated with the Sun Transit in Capricorn and is one of the most important harvest festivals in India.
Kumbh Sankranti is celebrated in the Hindu month of Phalguna. It signifies the transition of the Sun from the Makar (Capricorn) Rashi to Kumbh (Sun Transit in Aquarius) Rashi. Devotees often travel to Allahabad (Prayagraj) on this day to take a dip in the holy river, Ganga, to get salvation after death.
According to the Hindu calendar, the festival of Meena Sankranti is celebrated in Chaitra. The festival signifies the transit of the Sun from the Meena (Sun Transit in Pisces) Rashi to the Maish (Aries) Rashi. Sankranti celebrations include doing charity. In the Southern parts of India, the festival is called Sankramanam.
Also known as Maha Vishuva Sankranti and Pana Sankranti, the festival of Mesha Sankranti is celebrated in the Hindu month of Vaishakha. The day also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and also signifies the beginning of the summer season. On this day, the Sun enters Mesha (Sun Transit in Aries) Rashi.
Vrishabha Sankranti, also called Vrushabha Sankraman, is celebrated in the Hindu month of Jyestha. It signifies the transit of the Sun from Mesha Rashi to the Vrishabha (Sun Transit in Taurus) Rashi. On this day, the tradition of Gau Daan (gifting cows) to loved ones and family members is considered very significant.
Also known as Raja Sankranti (Swing festival), the festival of Mithuna Sankranti is celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashadha. In Orissa, the festival is celebrated over a period of four days. It marks the transit of the Sun into Mithuna (Sun Transit in Gemini) Rashi. It is considered highly auspicious to gift and donate clothes on this day.
Karka Sankranti is celebrated in the Hindu month of Shravana and marks the journey of Lord Surya towards the South. On this day, the Sun transits into Karka (Sun Transit in Cancer) Rashi. The festival is also considered significant for charitable activities.
Sun Transit 2023 | Planet | Today's Panchang
Simha/ Singh Sankranti signifies the transition of the Sun to the Simha ( Sun Transit in Leo) Rashi. It is celebrated in the Hindu month of Bhadra. The festival of Simha Sankranti is also celebrated as New Year's Day in the Malayalam Calendar in Kerala.
Kanya Sankranti signifies the transition of the Sun into Kanya (Sun Transit in Virgo) Rashi. The day is also celebrated as Vishwakarma Jayanti (the birthday of Lord Vishwakarma, a deity who is known as the "The Architect of Gods”). The festival is celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashvin.
Tula Sankranti, also known as Garbhana Sankranti is celebrated in the Hindu month of Kartika. It signifies the transition of the Sun into the Tula (Sun Transit in Libra) Rashi. It is celebrated on the same day as the festival of Mahashtami.
Vrishchika Sankranti, also known as Vruschika Sankramanam, is celebrated in the Hindu month of Aghana. It signifies the transit of the Sun to the Vrishchika (Sun Transit in Scorpio) Rashi.
Dhanu Sankranti is celebrated in the Hindu month of Pausha. It signifies the transition of the Sun from Vrishchika (Scorpio) Rashi to Dhanu (Sun Transit in Sagittarius) Rashi. On this day, Lord Surya, the Sun God, and Lord Jagannath are worshiped. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Orissa.
Makar Sankranti - 14th January 2023, Sunday
Kumbh Sankrant - 13th February 2023, Monday
Meena Sankranti - 15th March 2023, Wednesday
Mesh Sankranti - 14th April 2023,Friday
Vrishabha Sankranti - 15th May 2023,Monday
Mithuna Sankranti - 15th June 2023, Thursday
Karka Sankranti - 16th July 2023, Sunday
Singh Sankranti - 17th August 2023, Thursday
Kanya Sankranti - 17th September 2023, Sunday
Tula Sankranti - 18th October 2023, Wednesday
Vrischika Sankranti - 17th November 2023, Friday
Dhanu Sankranti - 16th December 2023, Saturday