There are many festivals celebrated in India. This is a day during the festival when the sun is changing the Sagittarius sign. This festival has great importance in Odisha. This year, we will be celebrating Dhanu Sankranti on 15th December. Let us understand how significant this festival is.

Dhanu Sankranti 2024 Date and Time

Dhanu Sankranti Date: 15th December, 2024

Sankranti moment: 15th dec, 10:11 Pm

Punya kaal muhurat: 12:22 Pm to 5:39 Pm

Maha punya kaal muhurat: 3:54 Pm to 5:39 Pm

Sunrise: 7:4 Am

Sunset: 5:39 Pm

What is Dhanu Sankranti?

People in eastern India celebrate Dhanu Sankranti. During this festival, the sun moves into the Sagittarius sign. It has many cultural and spiritual importance in many parts of India. Amongst all 9 Sankrantis in the Margashirsha month, one such is taking place.  

People worship lord Jagannath on this day and wish for happiness and wealth. Farmers relate Dhanu Sankranti with good harvests. It marks the beginning of many Hindu Festivals called Kharmas.

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Dhanu Sankranti'ssignificance and story

Everyone remembers Kansa who requested both Krishna and Balaram to attend Dhanu yatra at Mathura. They both know that Kansa wants to kill Krishna. The minister of King Kansa, Akrura, was told to bring Krishna to Dhanu Yatra in Kansa’s Palace.

Akrura was a devotee of Krishna and went to meet him. He warned Krishna, who was going to bathe in the Yamuna before attending Dhanu Yatra. Akrura was amazed when he saw the divine form of Lord Krishna while dipping his head in the water. After that Arkura happily started his journey with Krishna and Balaram in Mathura.

There is also another story about King Bhagiratha. Due to his proper devotion, the Lord was pleased and granted his wish. The goddess Ganga came into the world on Dhanu Sankranti, and therefore this day is such for everybody.

God Vishnu in Matsya Avtaar had come in disguise to rescue the Vedas from an asura known as Hayagriva. This shows the different forms Lord Vishnu takes on earth.

Dhanu Sankranti 2024: Importance of the Day

You should wake up early and do special pujas in your house and give Arghya to God Sun. You can begin on Yatra and end it at the end of Pausha Purnima. Some women observe fast and Pitru Tarpan is performed on Dhanu Sankranti. If you do Pitru Tarpan on this day, you will get the blessings of your ancestors.

People worship Lord Jagannath on this day and people make a sweet named “Dhanu Muan”. Streets play showing many episodes of Krishna’s life are organized. People also make a cake “Pahili Bhog” for Lord Jaganath on this day. People take holy baths in Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari. In Odisha, people clean their houses and make Rangolis.

Cultural events like folk music, traditional games, etc. are organized in some areas. Donating things to the needy will bring joy and prosperity. For Dhanu Sankranti 2024, you should go to temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the Sun God.

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Dhanu Sankranti: Rituals

There are many rituals you should follow in the festival. The devotees need to follow this ritual properly on Dhanu Sankranti 2024. These are:

1. You should wake up early, bathe and wear new and clean clothes.
2. You should sprinkle the water on God's sun image.
3. You should light the Diya or lamp.
4. You should offer Panchamitra to God Sun.
5. People should chant the shlokas of Aditya Hridaya Stotram.
6. You should offer fruits, Bel, and nuts to goddess Laxmi, gid Brahma, and Vishnu.
7. You should offer prayers with devotion.
8. After puja, distribute fruits to your family and guests.

Dhanu Sankranti Odisha

In Odisha, Dhanu Sankranti is known as Dhanu Yatra, and people celebrate this ceremony with much happiness. While celebrating this festival, they put up grand fairs as well as theatrical performances showing the life of Lord Krishna and mythological tales. At a time when Dhanu Sankranti is being observed, many people from every state come to Odisha in view of the festival.

Do’s and don’ts of the festival

You should avoid doing a few things on Dhanu Sankranti 2024. And there are some do’s and Don’ts of this festival:

1. You should not eat non-veg foods.
2. Don’t drink alcohol.
3. This is not the best day for marriage rituals.
4. You should avoid buying or selling any property.  
5. You can also arrange Brahmin Bhoj on this day.
6. Apply Chandan tilak on your forehead.

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