Notes: All timings are represented in 12-hour notation in local time of Lancaster, United States with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
According to the Hindu Panchang, the time when the Lord Surya transits from the Karka Rashi to Simha Rashi is known as Simha Sankranti. This astronomical event occurs annually at the end of the month of Shravana or the beginning of Bhadrapada. The literal meaning of the word Sankranti is "transition" or "change of position". In some regions, Simha Sankranti is also referred to as Singhudi Sankranti or Singhada Parva. The period during which the Surya moves from one Rashi to another is called Sankranti. Simha Sankranti marks the occasion of the Surya entering the Simha Rashi and is considered highly auspicious for religious activities such as performing rituals, charity, penance, holy bathing and offerings Pitru Tarpan.
According to Vedic astrology, the ruler of Simha Rashi is the Lord Surya. Hence, when the Surya enters Simha Rashi, it is said to be in its own house, i.e., Swagruhi, which amplifies its brilliance, influence and auspiciousness. For this reason, Simha Sankranti is considered a special time for Pitru Aradhana, performing charitable deeds, conducting Shraddha rituals, and offering prayers to the Lord Surya.
Grihya Sutras, Dharma Shastras and various Puranas describe Sankranti periods as especially meritorious times. Notably, texts such as the Narada Purana, Matsya Purana, Skanda Purana and Vishnu Dharmasutra state that religious acts performed during the Sankranti period yield a thousand times more merit compared to those performed at other times. Simha Sankranti is particularly significant for ancestral rituals. Any Shraddha, Tarpan, or Pind Daan performed during this time is believed to deeply satisfy the ancestors and bring prosperity to the lineage.
On this day, one should bathe early in the morning using water mixed with Ganga water and offer Arghya to the Lord Surya. After that, Tarpan should be performed for ancestors using sesame seeds and water, then offer food with Dakshina to a Brahmin. As per scriptures, anyone who donates food, clothing, umbrellas, footwear, cows, gold or land, etc., during Sankranti with devotion and within their means, earns merit for seven lifetimes.
Simha Sankranti represents the inner strength and radiance of Lord Surya. As the Lord Surya enters its own sign Simha, it becomes a symbol of spiritual energy, penance, wisdom, brilliance, and courage. Therefore, this period is especially beneficial for spiritual seekers. Various Upanishads and Yogic texts mention that Surya worship, Gayatri Mantra chanting and Pranayama performed during Sankranti lead to spiritual accomplishment.
Thus, Simha Sankranti is not merely an astronomical event but a significant religious festival. Those who observe fasts, do chanting, take holy baths, offer Tarpan and engage in charity on this day with devotion are blessed both materially and spiritually.