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Sankraanti 
[From Devee Bhaagvat]

Sankraanti means transition. When Sun transits from one Raashi (Zodiac Sign) to another Raashi that day is called Sankraanti. Since Sun passes through 12 Raashi (signs) every month, there is one Sankraanti every month. Although each Sankraanti has its own importance but two Sankraantis are most important - Makar (Capricorn) Sankraanti and Mesh (Aries) Sankraanti.

Makar Sankraanti, which usually falls on 14th January is considered the greatest Sankraanti among all Sankraanti. In Indian astrology, although Sankraanti is always a holy and important festival, but Makar (Capricorn) Sankraanti, which usually falls on 14th January, is considered the most important Sankraanti among all the Sankraanti, because on this day Soorya's path becomes Uttaraayan (northward), and is celebrated by taking bath in Gangaa River, or Sangam (Prayaag) and  giving all kinds of donations. It is believed that donations given on this day are immortal in their fruit - means they continue for all lives, they are Akhand (unbroken) Akshaya (undestroyable).

In the same way on Kark Sankraanti on 13th or 14th July Soorya's path becomes Dakshinaayan (southward). 

When a Sankranti falls on Shukla Saptamee, then it is called Mahaajayaa or Sooryapriyaa Sankraanti.

Time of Bhagavaan's Sleeping and Waking up

When Soorya enters Kark Raashi (Cancer sign - on July Sankraanti), Bhagavaan sleeps; and 
When Soorya enters Tulaa Raashi (Libra sign - on October Sankraanti), Bhagavaan wakes up.

Other Significances

(1) Puraans say that on Makar Sankraanti, Soorya Dev visits his son, Shani who is the Swaamee (Master) of Makar Raashi (Capricorn). These father and son do not get along nicely, but in spite of all kinds of differences, Soorya Dev makes a point to visit his son on this day and stays there for a month. This symbolizes that it is the son's responsibility to carry forward his father's dream and continuity of the family, that is what Soorya Dev comes to him to request this.

(2) From this day, Makar Sankraanti day, Uttaraayan (Soorya's path towards Northward) starts, so this is Devtaa's day time, and from the Kark Sankraanti (July Sankraanti) Dakshinaayan starts which is Devtaa's night. Uttaraayan is called Devayaan and Dakshinaayan is called Pitrayaan. All auspicious things are done only during Uttaraayan.

(3) On Makar Sankraanti day, King Bhageerath did Tarpan of his 60,000 grandfathers by Gangaa water. A great fair is organized to commemorate this event at Gangaa Saagar, near Kalkattaa.

(4) On Makar Sankraanti day, Bheeshm left his mortal body. As he had the boon of Ichchhaa Mrityu, he chose this auspicious day to die and got released from the cycle of rebirth.
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Dhanu (Sagittarius), Mithun (Gemini), Meen (Pisces) and Kanya (Virgo) signs Sankraanti are called Shadasheeti; and
Vrish (Taurus) Vrishchik (Scorpio), Kumbh (Aquarius), and Sinh (Leo) signs Sankraanti are called Vishnupadee.

Any Punya Karm (Daan etc) done in Shadsheeti Sankraanti gives 86,000 times fruits; and in Vishnupadee Sankraanti gives 100,000 (1 Lakh) times, and on Uttaraayan and Dakshinaayan Sankraanti gives millions of times. This Punya Karm, done on Uttaraayan and Dakshinaayan Sankraanti is eternal. On Makar (Capricorn) Sankraanti, in January, one should take bath before sunrise - this gives the fruit of 10,000 cows donation.

The Triteeyaa (third day) of Shukl Paksh of Maagh Maas is called Manvantar Tithi. Who donates anything on that day, it is all indestructible."
[Padm Puraan, 1/32]

There are 12 Sankraanti divided like this  ---        [Ghadee = 24 minutes]
Two Ayan (January and July), and two Vishuv (April and September) - these four Sankraanti
Four Shadasheetimukhaa Sankraanti - Dhanu, Mithun, Meen and Kanyaa
Four Vishnupadee Sankraanti  - Vrish, Vrishchik, Kumbh, and Sinh

Shadasheetimukhaa Sankraanti give fruits 86 times more.
--For January and July Sankraati Ateet and Anaagat (previous and later) Ghatikaa are considered Punya. In Kark Sankraanti 30-30 Ghadee, and Makar Sankraanti's 20-20 Ghadee are good for Punya Karm.
--For Tualaa and Mesh Sankraanti, their 10-10 Ghadee before and after, time is good for Punya.
--For Dhanu, Mithun, Meen and Kanyaa Sankraanti, 60 Ghadee later time is good for Punya.
--For Vrish, Vrishchik, Kumbh and Sinh Sankraanti, 16-16 Ghadee time is considered Punya Kaal.
[Agni Puraan, 24, p 395]

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