Normally Sankranti is seen as just an astrological Sun transition event in which the Sun enters from its existing Rashi to the next Rashi, but its significance is much more.
Tula Sankranti is not observed just for fulfilling the religious ritual, but it is celebrated with thanksgiving for the food and prosperity people get from their God. It is believed that God not only blesses with the growth of the grain but also keeps them safe by keeping the harmful species and events at bay.
Meaning of Tula Sankranti
The word Tula Sankranti can be splitted into two words- ‘Tula’ and ‘Sankranti’.
Tula is also spelled as Tulaa, and also known as Libra. It is a significant Zodiac Sign which is denoted by the Balance.
Sankranti marks the Sun shifting act from one Zodiac sign to another sign or Rashi.
Simha Sankranti signifies the movement of Sun from Kanya Rashi to Tula Rashi, that is, from Virgo to Libra zodiac.
Names of Tula Sankranti
Tula Sankranti is also famous as Garbhana Sankranti and is one of the important Hindu festivals in Karnataka and Orissa states. Other than these, Tamil Nadu, Bhagamandala, and Mayavaram are also some regions that observe Tula Sankranti with great significance.
Garbha is the Hindi word for the womb of a mother. The way a mother feels blissful of conceiving, the farmers also rejoice, seeing the growth of their rice fields which they look after like a baby. They enjoy the achievement of shedding their sweat on the fields for growing the grain. Thus Tula Sankranti holds high value for the farmers and they celebrate it as the Garbhana Sankranti.
Day and Date of Tula Sankranti
As per the Hindu Lunar calendar system, it marks the beginning of ‘Kartik’, the eighth month of the ‘Panchang’ Hindi calendar.
People observe Tula Sankranthi on the same day as Mahashtami.
Shubh Muhurat (Auspicious Time) of Tula Sankranti
Tula Sankranti is one of the Vishuva or Sampat Sankramanam(s); the other one which falls into the same category is, Mesha Sankranti.
Those who follow the right muhurta for Daan-Punya-related deeds, they consider the time frame of fifteen Ghati(s) before and fifteen Ghati(s) after the Tula Sankranti.
(Time of Sankraman)
(Duration of Muhurat: 01 Hour 54 Mins)
(Duration of Muhurat: 05 Hours 43 Mins)
God of the Festival
Devotees offer worships to Goddess Laxmi for getting good crops in the year. Many people perform their puja to Goddess Parvati as well.
In Odisha and Karnataka, the followers specifically perform worship to Maa Laxmi and Maa Parvati respectively.
Rituals
Though Indian people with Hindu religious beliefs follow different rituals in various regions of India, yet the importance of Tula Sankranti is the same and the Sankranti festival is observed with great social and cultural significance.
Sacred Bath
We all know the significance of taking bath during Sankranti is very high. In the case of Tula Sankranti, people in Karnataka, Bhagamandala, and Mayavaram consider the whole Tula month important for taking the holy dip or sacred bath in the holy rivers.
Measurement of Yields
In Odisha, one more interesting ritual is performed in which people measure their yield of wheat, rice, and pulses.
Puja
Offerings to Deities
Those who worship Goddess Laxmi, they offer rice grains, wheat grains, and Kara plant branches in front of the image or the idol of Maa Laxmi.
People who worship Goddess Parvati, present palm nuts and betel leaves to Maa Parvati. They also adorn her with vermillion paste, sandalwood paste, and beautiful bangles.
Devotees in Karnataka offer a coconut to Goddess Parvati. They decorate the coconut covering it with a red or other traditional colored cloth and garland.
Significance of Simha Sankranti
Tula Sankranti brings along with the Hindi Panchang month Kartik that falls in October.
Mythologies
Worships for Avoiding the Shortage of Grain
The farmers perform different Pujas with the entire family and have a rich meal after that believing that Goddess Laxmi will bestow the grain and prosperity in abundance and there will be no lack of food in their houses. So they celebrate their belief.
Keeping the Spoilers Away
The farmers and harvesters celebrate the Tula Sankranti day believing that the draughts and famines will remain away from their farms and they will get plenty of crops in the year.
Observations
Alike other Sankranti(s), the priests and devotees decorate the temples and visit them in a large number of gathering. Among all, the temples of Lord Surya (Sun God), Goddess Laxmi, and Navgraha temple hold special attention of the devotees.
Other than praying to Gods and Goddesses for abundant grain, prosperity, and no scarcity, they also perform righteous deeds such as giving a donation to needy people.
Celebrations
Tula Sankramanam celebration doesn't necessarily involve singing or dancing; people find joy in worshipping their deities and thanking them for the growth of their crops. People have a feast after the worship and enjoy the food given by their deity after their hard work. The celebration also includes charitable activities, which are a way of sharing happiness with others through helping them in their needs.
