About Simha Sankranti:
Sankranti falls during the solar transition from one zodiac sign to other. Simha Sankranti occurs every year. During Simha Sankranti, the sun is in the transit from Karka Rashi (Cancer) to Simha Rashi (Leo). It is also known as Simha Sankraman in South India. Simha Sankranti falls in the Chinga month as per Malayalam calendar, Avni month as per Tamil month and Bhadra month according to Bengali calendar. Sankraman Punya Snana is an important ritual of the day. It is performed only in holy water. In ancient times, common people would offer fruits and flowers to the royal family members.
Significance of Simha Sankranti:
Sankranti signifies the movement of Sun from one Rashi to the another. Simha Sankranti is unique as one can expel out the darkness from the life and usher in an era of prosperity. Devotees offer traditional offerings to the Sun God, Lord Vishnu and Lord Narasimha Swami. They seek blessings for dignified life. Devotees perform religious bath on this auspicious day at holy places. It is believed that during the Chand dynasty, the artisans would display their wares. They used to be suitably rewarded for their efforts on Simha Sankranti day. Rite of Olag is the tradition where fruits and other offerings are made to the royal family members. There is a widespread tradition where locals consume horse bean flour bread with ghee or purified butter. The huge usage of ghee on the occasion of Simha Sankranti gave rise to the name of Ghrita Sankranti. It is believed that the observing Simha Sankranti helps to oust and eradicate darkness from the lives and usher in peace and prosperity. Devotees who offer worship to Lord Vishnu, Surya God, and Lord Narasimha are blessed with peaceful life.
Celebrations and Rituals:
Devotees pray to Lord Vishnu, Sun God, and Lord Narasimha Swami on the occasion of Simha Sankranti. Coconut Abhisheka is performed as it is considered a part of the holy bath. Only fresh Coconut water is used for Abhishek. Lord Ganesha is worshipped before the beginning of puja ceremony. It is called the Appada puja. The Hoovina puja is offered to Lord Vishnumurthy. It continues for a month until the sun transits to Kanya Rashi. Flowers, fruits and different types of sweets are offered to the deity and mantras are chanted to seek blessings from the Lord.