All you need to know about Dhanu Sankranti 2025

Dhanu Sankranti 2025- Date, Rituals and Significance

Dhanu Sankranti marks the Sun’s spiritual transition into Sagittarius (Dhanu Rashi). This is seen as a sacred event in the Hindu solar calendar, especially observed with early morning rituals, Surya Arghya, donations followed by Vishnu Puja. It commences the Dhanu Masa, a spiritually strong month that leads up to the auspicious Makara Sankranti. 

Dhanu Sanakranti in 2025 will be observed on December 16

Dhanu Sanakrati 2025 Key Timings 

Sankranti: 2:25 AM IST on December 16, 2025

Punya Kaal (for daan and rituals): Sunrise to 12:30 PM IST

Mahapunya Kaal: Sunrise to 08:30 AM IST

Rituals to Perform

Brahnma Muhurat Snan and Suurya Argya

-Take a holy bath using tulsi-infused water before sunrise. 

-Use Argya (Water) as offering to the rising sun, chanting “Om Ghrini Suryaya Namah”. To seek divine blessings, meditate facing east while lighting a ghee diya. 

Daan (Seva and Charity) 

-Donate: 

(i) Poha (flattened rice)

(ii) Til (Sesame Seeds)

(iii) Jaggery, Blankets or Woolen Clothes  and Ghee

-Feeding is seen as a holy act. One should definitely engage in such a pious act and feed cows, sadhus, and Brahmins. 

-Dhanu Muan, a sweet made from rice flakes and jaggery is distributed in Odisha

Vishnu Puja and Daily Dhanurmasa Rituals

-Offer banana, jaggery, tulsi leaves and yellow flowers  

-Recite Purusha Suktam or Vishnu Sahasrnama 

-Do deep daan near the Tulsi plant

How is Dhanu Sankranti celebrated in different regions?

Odisha: Temples celebrate it with Jannath rituals, bhogs (dhanu specific) and playing devotional music.

Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka: Starting of Dhanumasam with Tiruppavaj recitations and pre-sunrise Vishnu pujas,

Tamil Nadu: Beginning of the Margazhi month, devoted to Andal Devi, kolam drawings, and divine hymns. 

Significance of Dhanu Sankranti

This day marks the beginning of Dhanu Masa, a spell perfect for early morning puja, introspection, and self discipline. Worship during this month, especially Surya Dev and Lord Vishnu, as it is believed to bring clarity and remove sins. Lord Krishna also highlights the Margashirsha month (when Dhanu Masa falls) as most beloved to him in the Bhagavad Gita.