Illustration: One is performing worship with an incense stick and the other is washing the tools with milk-water!
Overview
Meaning of Kanya Sankranti
The word Kanya Sankranti can be divided into two words- ‘Kanya’ and ‘Sankranti’.
Kanya Rashi is also known as the Virgo Zodiac sign, which is represented by a Maiden.
Sankranti denotes the walk of the Sun from one Rashi to the other.
Kanya Sankranti is observed when the Sun enters from Simha to Kanya Rashi, that is, from Leo to Virgo zodiac.
Names of Kanya Sankranti
This day is also celebrated as the Vishwakarma Jayanti and Vishwakarma puja day, which is observed in the remembrance of “The Architect of Universe".
The day of Kanya Sankranti worship is also known as Vishwakarma Day and Biswa Karma day.
As this festival falls on the last day of Bhadra, a month of the Bengali calendar, this Sankranthi is also known as Bhadra Sankranti. People in the South Indian region call it Sankramanam.
Day and Date of Kanya Sankranti
According to the Hindu Lunar calendar, it comes in ‘Ashvina’, the seventh month of the ‘Panchang’ Hindi calendar.
Some workers also perform Vishwakarma Pooja with Govardhan Puja after Diwali.
Auspicious Muhurat Time of Kanya Sankranti
Kanya Sankranti is one of the Shadshitimukhi Sankranti(S); others are Mithuna Sankranti, Meena Sankranti, and Dhanu Sankranti. Kanya Sankranti related auspicious muhurat for Daan-Punya falls 16 sixteen Ghati(s) after the Kanya Sankraman moment.
The meaning of this is- the Muhurat for Daan-Punya-related righteous activities is the time window of Sankranti to 16 Ghati after Sankranti.
(Time of Sankraman)
(Duration of Muhurat: 02 Hours 01 Min)
(Duration of Muhurat: 05 Hours 06 Mins)
God of the Festival
Hindus revere Vishwakarma as the "God of Architect". As this day marks the birthday of Lord Vishwakarma who was an outstanding engineer, people in the industrial towns of Bengal and Orissa worship him with great devotion.
Rituals
Alike the rituals performed on other Sankranti days, people take sacred baths in the holy river on the day of Kanya Sankranti as well. Other than this, another special ritual that is performed is- Shradh puja for penance and ancestors.
One more common ritual or observation of all the Sankranti(s) includes the Daan-Dakshina (donation) related activities. People extend their helpful hands towards the needy people and find peace in such offerings believing they would get blessings from their almighty for such righteous deeds.
The followers clean the idols or pictures of Lord Vishwakarma along with their machines, tools, and other instruments which they use in their business.
After cleaning, people worship the Vishwakarma idols and images along with the machines and instruments. They also offer and decorate them all with garlands.
Many people also bring new idols to their homes, factories, and businesses place.
They pray for the smooth and proper mechanism, functions, and operation of their machines and systems.
Vishwakarma Puja Vidhi
After taking the sacred bath the worshipper is supposed to perform the Yagya and Puja rituals with his wife.
The devotee holds whole rice remembering Vishwakarma Ji and chant the mantra dedicated to him.
“Om Shri Shrishtantaya Sarva Siddhahaya Vishwakarmaya Namo Namah!”
Various worship things are used in the further process, such as incense stick, clay lamp (Diya), flowers, red powder for sacred mark, and betel nut (supari). These all things are offered to Lord in front of the Vishwakarma image or idol which is established at the worship place.
After that, work-related tools, weapons, and instruments are worshipped. Followed by this, the Prasad or blessed food is shared among all.
Significance of Kanya Sankranti
Kanya Sankranti marks the arrival of the sixth month of the Hindu Solar calendar which falls in October.
According to the Tamil calendar, the Purattasi month falls in the same time span.
As per the regional calendars that are in trend in Kerala, Kanni Masam is also observed the same day.
Other than Hindu Lord Vishwakarma, people also worship their business belongings considering “The work is worship”. So each and every tool of the business-related work is worshipped.
Why People Do Vishwakarma Puja?
They do it for the betterment of their work which can lead them to increased earnings and thus towards the good life.
Sankranthi worship is also known as Vishwakarma Puja and Biswakarma Puja.
Many decades ago, the name “Vishwakarma” was used for Brahma, a Hindu god who is believed to be the creator of the universe. Later, people began to consider the name for other deities.
Purana and further Hindu chronology introduced the name of the divine architect. He is believed to be the creator of the Swarga (Heaven), Lanka (the city of Gold which was ruled by Ravana in Ramayan), and Dwarka (the holy city in Dwapara Yuga, the era of Krishna who ruled Dwarkadheesh).
Lord Vishwakarma is also known to create the weapons that are talked about in mythological stories and the folklores of the earliest ages (Yuga). This includes the famous weapon of Indra too which is known as “Vajra” which was made by the bones of Sage Dadhichi.
As Lord Vishwakarma, also spelled as Lord Biswakarma is believed to be the architect of the universe, people revere him. Devotees in Hinduism, especially those who belong to the architectural business in Orissa, Bengal, and Eastern India’s region, they do perform Vishwakarma worship. It is indeed a significant occasion for engineers, mechanics, welders, weavers, smiths, artisans, industrial workers, and factory workers as well.
As Bishwakarma Ji is known to have perfection and quality-producing hands, people do not worship him to seek blessings in their work or profession only; they also seek excellence and quality in their work and craftsmanship.
Mythologies
The devotees of Vishwakarma believe that their worships will pay them with increased capability, more efficiency, high quality, and excellence in their work.
Celebrations
The celebrations are made with great joy and dignity.
People establish decorative pandals (tents) for the Vishwakarma Puja ceremony. On the pre-calculated Muhurat time (auspicious time), the Pandits (priests) perform Vishwakarma Puja and Yagya Puja along with his vehicle- Elephant. After finishing the worship ceremony, the Prasad (Pure and blessed food offered to the Lord) is distributed among the worshippers and attendees.
The festive celebration doesn’t end with the worship in pandals. People gather in their factories and workshops, shop floors, industrial areas, and business workplaces to offer prayers collectively to the Lord and the tools or instruments so that they work well throughout the year. The Vishwakarma Day festival and celebrations bring the owners and the laborers together to worship and have a meal at one place. Thus it unites all bridging the gaps of the differences.
Many people install the prosperity Yantra too, believing that such devices attract good vibes and positive cosmic energies, and drive out negative vibrations away from the workplace.
Many people fly kites too on this day in several cities and regions of India.
Sharing of Traditional Sweet Dish of Kanya Sankranti
When it comes to an Indian festive celebration’s time, the special dishes never remain behind. People cook Prasad (food offering to God which is later shared among the believers) and special food with great delight and distribute among all after the Puja (worship rituals).
On this day, the special preparation or cooked items include Kheer and Khichdi. The food offerings also include sweets and fruits.
