Simha Sankranti: It is believed that you must not take important decisions today.
Simha Sankranti is the day when the Sun enters the house of Simha rashi or Leo.
It falls during the Shravan Maas and the Dakshinayana phase (the southern journey of the Sun). It is a day devoted to the Sun, Lord Vishnu and Vishnu avatar Narasimha.
Those wanting to perform poojas like Pitru Dosh Nivaran are encouraged to do so on this day.
Simha Sankranti
Sankranti falls on the solar transition from one zodiac sign to other and Simha Sankranti is one among the twelve sankranti’s that occur every year. During simha Sankranti the sun is in the transit from karka rashi (Cancer) to Simha rashi (Leo). In southern India it is also known as simha sankraman and this day is celebrated more significantly in southern India than northern India. This day starts the Chinga month as per Malayalam calendar, Avni month as per Tamil month and Bhadra month as per the Bengali calendar.
Rituals of the day
- On simha Sankranti, devotees worship Lord Vishnu, Sun God, and Lord Narsimha Swami.
- Nariyal (coconut) abhisheka is performed on this day as it is considered a part of holy bath. Only fresh coconut water is used for this purpose.
- Lord Ganesha is worshipped before all the rest of the puja ceremony to please him and it is called the appada puja.
- The Hoovina puja to Lord Vishnumurthy continues for a month until the sun transits to Kanya rashi.
- Flowers, fruits and different preparation of sweets is offered to the deity and mantras are chanted to seek blessings from the Lord.
Simha Sankranti Celebrations (सिंहा संक्रांति के उत्सव)
Simha Sankranti is a day of worship. Devotees offer their prayers to the Sun God, Lord Vishnu and Lord Narsimha Swami on the occasion of Simha Sankranti. Vishnumurthy Temple situated at Kulai near the city of Mangalore is specially decked up for the festivities.
Narikela Abhishekha which is considered to be a holy bath is specially performed on the occasion of Simha Sankranti. Specially cleansed coconut water is used for Narikela Abhishekha. Appada Pooja to please Lord Ganesh is performed and offerings in form of Hoovina Pooja are made to Lord Vishnumurthy on this occasion and the celebrations continue till Kanya Sankraman.
The festival is celebrated in temples across Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Religious Importance of Simha Sankranti (सिंहा संक्रांति की धार्मिक मान्यता)
Though Simha Sankranti is celebrated primarily throughout the Southern States of India, it is also celebrated in the Kumaun belt of Uttarakhand. It is usually believed that during the reign of the Chand dynasty, artisans displayed their products in the palace on Simha Sankranti. They were suitably rewarded by the King for their efforts. Common people of the dynasty too became a part of these celebrations and offered fruits and flowers to the members of royal family. This tradition of offering fruits and other offerings to the members of royal family was known as Rite of Olag.
