Simha Sankranti 2023 Date, Rituals, Celebrations, and Significance
Simha Sankranti occurs when the Sun transitions from Karka Rashi to Simha Rashi. Simha Sankranti is one of the twelve Sankranti celebrated annually.
Simha Sankranti signifies the beginning of the Malayalam Calendar in Kerala, Avni month as per the Tamil calendar, and Bhadra month in the Bengali calendar. This Sankranti is known as Simha Sankraman in southern India. Northern India commemorates the holiday less than Southern India.
Simha Sankranti Date 2023
Thursday, 17th of August
Rituals of Simha Sankranti
- Lord Vishnu, the Sun God, and Lord Narsimha Swami are worshipped on simha Sankranti.
- On this day, Nariyal (coconut) abhisheka is performed, as it is considered part of the sacred bath. Fresh coconut water is utilised exclusively for this purpose.
- Lord Ganesha is worshipped prior to the remainder of the puja ceremony in order to appease him; this is known as the appada puja.
Lord - Vishnumurthy’s Hoovina puja continues for a month, or until the sun enters Kanya rashi.
- Flowers, fruits, and various sweets are offered to the deity, and mantras are chanted to request the Lord’s blessings.
- Simha Sankranti Celebrations
- Simha Sankranti is a religious holiday. On the occasion of Simha Sankranti, devotees offer their petitions to the Sun God, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Narsimha Swami.
- The Vishnumurthy Temple in Kulai, close to the city of Mangalore, has been specially decorated for the festivities.
On the occasion of Simha Sankranti, the ritual of Narikela Abhishekha, which is regarded as a sacred bath, is performed. Coconut water that has been specially purified is used for the Narikela Abhishekha ceremony. On this occasion, Appada Pooja is performed to please Lord Ganesh, and Hoovina Pooja is performed to honour Lord Vishnumurthy. The festivities continue until Kanya Sankraman.
Significance of Simha Sankranti
Sankranti represents the transit of the Sun from one Rashi to the next. Simha Sankranti is distinct from other Sankranti festivals in that, on the occasion of Simha Sankranti, one can expel darkness from one’s life and herald in an era of prosperity. Those who make traditional sacrifices to the Sun God, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Narsimha Swami are granted a life of dignity.