Mesha Sankranti: The Celebration of a New Year

Mesha Sankranti is a festival that marks the beginning of a New Year with regards to the Hindu lunisolar calendar. As per the Vedic Astrology, the Sun transits the Mesha Rashi (Aries) from the Meena Rashi (Pisces) in the Hindu month of Vaishakha on this auspicious day. This festival falls generally on the 13th and 14th of April every year on the Gregorian Calendar.

Mesha Sankranti 2025 is on April 14 Monday

Mesha Sankranti

Mesha Sankranti is celebrated differently across India in different names unique to each state. In Tamil Nadu, Puthandu is the festival that celebrates New Year, while it is known and observed as Vishu in Kerala. Vaisakhi marks the beginning of a New Year in Punjab, while the festival goes by the name Bihu in Assam and Pana Sankranti in Orissa. Pohela Boishakh celebrates the advent of a New Year in certain Eastern states, especially in West Bengal.

On all the twelve occasions of Sankranti, devotees worship Surya Dev, the Sun God and perform ‘daan punya’ activity as much as their social and economic stature can afford. It is believed as per Hindu mythology that seva of the needful is equivalent to praying and seeking the blessing of God. The ten ghatis before and after the Sankranti tithi, a period known as the ‘Punya Kaal,’ is considered auspicious for all sacred pujas and prayers.

Rituals of Mesha Sankranti

• On this day, it is considered auspicious to worship Lord Shiva, Hanuman, Vishnu and Maa Kali.
• Devotees take sacred bath in the holy waters of river Ganga, Jamuna, and Godavari.
• On this day, certain communities prepare a special drink, called 'Pana,' and is consumed by everyone.
• It is important for devotees to keep in mind the 'punya kaal' muhurat for all the activities they perform to receive the benefits of your deeds.
• One should try to spend the day eating satvik (clean freshly prepared vegetarian) food and avoid any bad habits.
• One must chant strotas and hymns while performing other rituals during celebrations that take place in each community.

Important Timings On Mesha Sankranti 2025

On the day of Mesha Sankranti, devotees visit Puri Jagannath, Samaleshwari, Cuttack Chandi, and Biraja temples to offer prayers and puja. All Hindu men and women indulge themselves in religious rituals and celebrations on this auspicious day. There is plenty of celebration for New Year that includes wearing new clothes, singing and dancing.

Mesha Sankranti festival dates between 2020 & 2030

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