Significance & Rituals of Mithuna Sankranti 2021
In Hinduism, the transit of the Sun is termed as Sankranti. There are 12 Sankranti in a year and out of which, one is known as Mithuna Sankranti, which means the transit of the Sun in Gemini. This year, it is going to be celebrated on June 15. With the transit of the Sun, the position of all the Nakshatras also changes. On this day, special worship of Surya Dev is performed.
Significance
In the Southern part of the country, Mithun Sankranti is known as Aani or Asharh while in Kerala, it is remembered as Mithunam Onth. This Sankranti has a special significance for the people of Odisha as they celebrate it with great pomp and show and immense devotion. This Sankranti is known as Raja Parba and goes on for 4 days during which people pray to Lord Sun for hefty rainfall and better crops. The unmarried girls adorn themselves with beautiful clothes and ornaments and the married women take a break from household responsibilities and perform singing and dancing to greet the rain. There is also a transition of observing fast to please Lord Sun in many parts of the state.
Rituals
- On this day, devotees adorn themselves beautifully and worship mother earth. As a symbol of earth, they worship Sil Batta. In addition to this, Lord Vishnu is also worshipped.
- As per prevailing ritual, Sil Batta is bathed with milk and water and then, is decorated with Sindoor, Chandan, turmeric, and flowers.
- People give donations to the needy and Brahmins to please Lord Sun.
- Besides this, girls wear beautiful clothes, tie the swings on the banyan tree and enjoy swinging on it.
- Also, people remember their ancestors, and a special dish called Poda-pita is prepared with jaggery, coconut, camphor, molasses, and butter.
- On this very day, people avoid eating rice and grains.
