Dhanu Sankranti 2025: A Sacred Festival of Lord Surya—Date, Puja Time & Vidhi

Why is 16 December 2025 important for Surya worship? Learn Dhanu Sankranti puja time, vidhi, and the deep Sanatangyan meaning of this sacred transition.

Dhanu Sankranti is considered to be an auspicious day as per Hindu mythology, when the Sun enters Dhanu Rashi or Sagittarius. This day, which falls on 16 December, is of much spiritual significance in the SanatanGyan tradition and is celebrated with great pomp and cultural shows in Odisha, where Dhanu Yatra, an important part of the ceremony, is conducted. The day is marked by Surya Puja, offerings, Punya Kala rituals, and prayers for health, prosperity, and divine blessings.

Understanding Dhanu Sankranti 2025

The period of Dhanur Sankraman is of profound spirituality. During this period the Sun enters the Dhanu Rashi (Sagittarius) and since time immemorial this period is a time of devotion and spiritual rejuvenation and refuge in the Sanathana Dharma. 

In 2025, Dhanu Sankranti will be celebrated on:

Date: Tuesday, 16 December 2025

This period is of great significance in the state of Odisha where the grand Dhanu Yatra in Dhenkanal district turns the town into a grand mythological collage. Folk music, devotional dance theatre and Krishna leela (the life of the God Krishna) intertwine and in a great depiction of culture, unity and devotion, the whole town is convulsed in religious activity. 

Dhanu Sankranti 2025: Date, Tithi & Puja Timings

This year in 2025 Dhanu Sankranti is on 16 Dec 2025.

• Dhanu Sankranti Punya Kala: 07:07 AM to 12:18 PM

• Duration: 5 Hours 10 Minutes

• Dhanu Sankranti Maha Punya Kala: 07:07 AM to 08:51 AM

• Duration: 1 Hour 43 Minutes

During this time the Sun is in Dhanu Samkraman and is the time for the auspicious Surya Puja, spiritual Meditation, and almsgiving. As per shashtra, actions performed during these hours hold greater spiritual merit.

Why Dhanu Sankranti 2025 Matters

Dhanu Sankranti is one of the important cultural and spiritual festivals of eastern India, especially Odisha. The early morning would be covered with the aromatic smell of incense, temple bells, and crowded roads moving toward Jagannath temples to seek blessings from Surya Dev for prosperity, good health, and harmony in the family.

Farmers consider this day highly auspicious, praying for favourable weather and abundant harvests. As per sanatangyan belief, the Sun's shift into Sagittarius awakens hope, courage, and renewed energy in nature and human life.

Besides, Dhanu Sankranti heralds the beginning of the Kharmas period, a month considered sacred in view of charity, devotion, and self-discipline.

“उदुत्यं जातवेदसं देवं वहन्ति केतवः।” -( Rigveda (10.158.1))

Translation: “The rays carry the newborn Sun, the divine light that illuminates all directions.”

This verse is the essence of Dhanu Sankranti: inviting divine illumination into life.

Dhanu Yatra – Odisha’s Grand Celebration

One of the most striking features of Dhanu Sankranti is the internationally famous Dhanu Yatra of Odisha. This mega festival, also called the world’s largest open-air theater, depicts ancient mythological tales in a visual form, especially regarding Lord Krishna, Kansa Vadha, and other tales.

Folk artists, dancers, and musicians fill the streets with colourful performances. The festival becomes a living example of shashtra-based storytelling, beautifully blending devotion with culture.

Travelers, spiritual seekers, and even wandering sadhu arrive from across India to experience this vibrant celebration of divine history.

What is Sankranti or Sankraman?

The term Sankranti comes from the Sanskrit word सङ्क्रमणम्, meaning movement or transition. In Vedic astrological beliefs, the Sun makes a complete trip of the zodiac every year and crosses each of the 12 zodiac signs. Each astrological transition is of great spiritual significance.

The Sun is in the zodiac dharma, knowledge and the ultimate purpose. When the Sun is in this zodiac, the atmosphere is great for spirituality and overall personal growth. That is why Dhanu Sankranti is believed to be an apt day to practice clarity, gratitude, and self-purification.

“यदा यदा हि सूर्यः राशिम् आविशति तदा तदा पुण्यम् भवति।”

Translation: Whenever the Sun enters a new sign, that moment becomes sacred and filled with merit.

Dhanu Sankranti Rituals & Vidhi

The devotees get up before the sun and start their day with a holy bath, mixing tulsi in the water for purification.

1. Surya Arghya

Offering water to the rising Sun is the central ritual. While presenting arghya, chant:

“ॐ घृणिः सूर्याय नमः।”

“Om Ghrini Suryaya Namah” — Salutations to the radiant Sun.

This mantra is recommended in several Vedic scriptures for strengthening inner vitality.

2. Surya Puja

Offer red flowers, sesame seeds, jaggery, and peaceful prayers to Surya Dev. A guru or sadhu may guide devotees on deeper meditative practices connected with this day.

3. Traditional Bhog

Nadia Kheer, Pitha, or sweet offerings which denote purity and gratitude are prepared in many households.

4. Charity (Daan)

Offering food, clothes, or essentials during Punya Kala is considered highly meritorious. Shashtra emphasizes dana as a path to inner cleansing.

Dhanu Sankranti 2025 beautifully blends devotion, culture, and timeless wisdom into the folds of sanatangyan traditions. This sacred transition inspires clarity, a sense of gratitude, and spiritual upliftment as Surya Dev enters Dhanu Rashi. Whether through Surya Puja, charity, or the vibrant Dhanu Yatra of Odisha, the day reminds us to embrace divine light, renew our inner strength, and walk the path of dharma with faith and humility.