Meena Sankranti 2024 मीन संक्रान्ति
Thursday, 14 March 2024
Sun Ingress Time
12:44 IST
Sun Enters
Meena (Pisces)
Deity
Surya, Vishnu
Maha Punya Kaal
14 Mar 11:08 AM
Punya Kaal Start
14 Mar 06:20 AM
Punya Kaal End
14 Mar 07:08 PM
Significance
Sun enters Pisces. Marks the end of Magha and beginning of Phalguna in solar reckoning. Holi falls close to this transit.
Rituals
- Snan, dana, tarpan
- Visit Vishnu temples (Pisces is Vishnu's rashi)
Punya Kaal — The Auspicious Window
Duration: 16 ghati (~6h 24m) before AND after the exact Sankranti moment, totaling ~12h 48m
- Bathing in sacred rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Kshipra, Narmada, Kaveri) during Punya Kaal multiplies merit 1000-fold
- Donations made during Punya Kaal carry maximum punya — especially til (sesame), gud (jaggery), warm clothes, blankets
- Tarpan to ancestors is highly meritorious
- Avoid travel and major commitments at the exact sankranti moment — wait for it to pass
- Pregnant women avoid stepping outdoors during the actual transit moment
Mantras
Surya Mantra
ॐ ह्रां ह्रीं ह्रौं सः सूर्याय नमः
Om Hraam Hreem Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah
Meaning: Salutations to Surya
Aditya Hridayam (opening)
ॐ नमो भगवते आदित्याय। ॐ खखोल्काय नमः।
Om Namo Bhagavate Adityaya. Om Khakholkaya Namah.
Meaning: Salutations to Lord Aditya, the brilliant Sun.
Surya Gayatri
ॐ भास्कराय विद्महे महद्द्युतिकराय धीमहि। तन्नो आदित्यः प्रचोदयात्॥
Om Bhaskaraya Vidmahe Mahad-dyutikaraya Dhimahi. Tanno Adityah Prachodayat.
Meaning: We meditate on Bhaskara, the illuminator. May Aditya inspire us.