Dhanu Sankranti 2025
Dhanu Sankranti 2025 will be celebrated when Lord Surya (the Sun God) transits from Scorpio to Sagittarius. The term Sankranti means the movement of the Sun from one zodiac sign to another. There are 12 Sankrantis in a year, each marking the beginning of a new solar month. On the day of Dhanu Sankranti, Lord Surya is specially worshiped, and the importance of pious deeds increases manifold. This Sankranti holds great significance in South India for the worship of Lord Vishnu and for taking holy dips in sacred rivers. Bathing, charity, and religious rituals performed on this day are considered highly meritorious.
What is Dhanu Sankranti?
When Lord Surya leaves Scorpio and enters Sagittarius, this transition is known as Dhanu Sankranti. The movement of the Sun from one zodiac sign to another is called Sankranti, and the name of the Sankranti depends on the zodiac sign the Sun enters. Dhanu Sankranti marks the beginning of Kharmas, during which auspicious ceremonies are avoided.
Dhanu Sankranti 2025 Date and Time
Date: Tuesday, 16 December 2025
Sun’s Entry into Sagittarius (Sankranti Moment): 4:19 A.M
Auspicious Time for Bath and Charity: From sunrise on 16 December 2025
Significance of Dhanu Sankranti
1. Dhanu Sankranti occurs when Lord Surya transits from Scorpio to Sagittarius.
2. The day is considered highly significant from a religious perspective.
3. It is also known as Dharma Sankranti.
4. On this day, Kharmas begins, which is considered an inauspicious period.
5. During Kharmas, auspicious functions such as marriage, ceremonies, and inaugurations are avoided.
6. This period is dedicated to the worship and devotion of Lord Vishnu.
7. It is considered the best time for japa (chanting), tapa (austerity), meditation, and spiritual practices.
8. Taking a holy dip in the Ganga is believed to be highly meritorious on this day.
9. Worshiping Lord Surya and offering water (Arghya) brings good fortune.
10. Donating yellow items such as gram dal, turmeric, or yellow clothes is considered beneficial.
11. Feeding Brahmins and donating food and clothes to the poor hold special importance.
12. All these pious acts bring multiplied spiritual merit and lead to purification of the soul.
Kharmas: The Month of Religious Discipline
1. Kharmas refers to the period when the Sun stays in Sagittarius or Pisces, considered inauspicious for auspicious works.
2. During Kharmas, auspicious activities like marriage, housewarming, new business ventures, or tonsure ceremonies are avoided.
3. It is believed that during this time, the radiance of the Sun and the auspicious influence of Jupiter are reduced, causing hindrances in auspicious undertakings.
4. According to scriptures, when the Sun resides in Sagittarius or Pisces, its energy weakens, and auspicious results are not obtained.
5. However, this month is considered ideal for spiritual practices, penance, charity, and devotion to God, leading to inner strength and accumulation of virtue.
How to Perform Puja on the Day of Sankranti
Morning Bath and Purification
• Wake up early in the morning.
• After completing daily rituals, bathe in water mixed with Ganga Jal.
• Wear clean clothes.
• Sit on a holy seat in a clean place.
• Meditate upon Lord Surya and Lord Vishnu.
• Take a vow (Sankalp): “On this sacred occasion of Sankranti, I perform this worship with faith and devotion.”
Collect Puja Materials
Required items for worship:
• Copper pot (Lota)
• Clean water
• Akshat (unbroken rice)
• Red flowers
• Red cloth
• Roli/Kumkum
• Jaggery (Gur)
• Sesame seeds (Til)
• Incense and lamp (Dhoop-Deep)
• Coconut
• Mixed dry fruits (Panchmeva, if possible)
Offer Arghya to the Sun
• Fill a copper pot with water, rice, and flowers.
• Face east and offer Arghya to Lord Surya three times.
Surya Arghya Mantra:
• Om Ghrinih Suryaya Namah
• Chant this mantra while offering water and pray to the Sun God for health, prosperity, and inner strength.
Worship of Lord Vishnu and Lord Surya
• Light a lamp.
• Offer flowers, sesame seeds, and jaggery.
• Recite Vishnu Sahasranama or Aditya Hridaya Stotra.
• Chant “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” and “Om Suryaya Namah.”
Special Charity (Daan)
Charity holds immense importance on Sankranti. The following donations are considered highly auspicious:
• Black sesame seeds
• Jaggery
• Ghee
• Blanket / woolen clothes
• Food grains / rice
• Copper utensils
• Sweets or fruits
Donate these items to the poor, Brahmins, elderly, or orphans. Performing charity on Sankranti helps one get rid of sins from past lives and attain heavenly merit.
Auspicious Deeds to Perform on Dhanu Sankranti
• Before sunrise, take a holy bath in a sacred river or with Ganga Jal at home and offer Arghya to Lord Surya.
• Donate sesame, jaggery, blankets, ghee, and food grains to Brahmins or the poor for great merit.
• Worship the Sun and chant “Om Ghritnih Suryaya Namah” 108 times for long life, brilliance, and good health.
• The month following Dhanu Sankranti is considered highly auspicious for fasting, chanting, meditation, and charity, which brings immense spiritual rewards.
Frequently asked questions
1. When does Dhanu Sankranti occur?
Dhanu Sankranti occurs every year when Lord Surya transits from Scorpio to Sagittarius. It usually falls in December. In 2025, Dhanu Sankranti will be celebrated on Tuesday, 16 December 2025.
2. How should one perform worship on Dhanu Sankranti?
After bathing early in the morning, offer water, sesame, jaggery, red flowers, and rice to the Sun God while chanting “Om Ghritnih Suryaya Namah.” Then perform charity by donating sesame, food, clothes, and blankets.
3. What should not be done on Dhanu Sankranti?
• Avoid anger, arguments, and harsh speech.
• Do not sleep late; wake up during Brahma Muhurta.
• Refrain from non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and tamasic diet.
• Do not perform worship without bathing and purity.
• Donate with humility, not pride.
4. What is the effect of Dhanu Sankranti on our lives?
Dhanu Sankranti brings positive spiritual energy into life. It is a period of self-purification, faith, and accumulation of merit. Good deeds performed on this day yield manifold results, bringing happiness, peace, prosperity, and good fortune.
5. What donations are considered auspicious on Dhanu Sankranti?
Donating sesame, jaggery, blankets, food grains, clothes, and cows is considered highly meritorious. Offering Arghya to the Sun and feeding the needy are especially rewarding on this sacred day.
