Karka Sankranti, also known as Karkataka Sankranti, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated on the occasion of the sun's transition into the zodiac sign of Cancer (Karkataka). This typically falls on July 16 or 17 every year.
Here are some interesting aspects of Karka Sankranti:
1. Auspicious Beginnings: Karka Sankranti marks the beginning of the Dakshinayana Punyakala, a six-month period considered auspicious for spiritual pursuits and new beginnings.
2. Rituals and Pujas: Devotees perform special pujas, offer prayers, and perform rituals like Snana (holy bath), Japa (mantra recitation), and Tarpana (offerings to ancestors) to seek blessings.
3. Charity and Donations: Karka Sankranti is considered an ideal day for charitable acts, like donating clothes, food, and other essential items to the needy.
4. Spiritual Significance: This festival is associated with the victory of good over evil, symbolizing the triumph of divine forces over demonic forces.
5. Regional Celebrations: Karka Sankranti is celebrated with great fervor in various parts of India, like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and West Bengal, with unique regional traditions and customs.
Karka Sankranti holds great cultural and spiritual significance, marking a new beginning in the Hindu calendar and offering a chance for devotees to seek blessings, renewal, and spiritual growth.
