Mesha Sankranti 2026 मेष संक्रान्ति
Tuesday, 14 April 2026
Sun Ingress Time
08:58 IST
Sun Enters
Mesha (Aries)
Deity
Surya
Maha Punya Kaal
14 Apr 07:22 AM
Punya Kaal Start
14 Apr 02:34 AM
Punya Kaal End
14 Apr 03:22 PM
Regional Names
Puthandu (Tamil New Year)
Pohela Boishakh (Bengali)
Vishu (Kerala)
Vaisakhi (Punjab)
Pana Sankranti / Maha Vishuva (Odisha)
Significance
Most important Sankranti after Makar. Sun enters its exalted sign (Aries). Solar New Year for Tamil, Bengali, Malayalam, Punjabi, Odia calendars.
Rituals
- Sangam snan
- New Year festivities across multiple regions
- Vishu Kani arrangement (Kerala)
- Vaisakhi Khalsa anniversary (Sikh)
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.