Sun enters Scorpio; Vrischikam and Karthigai months begin, opening the Sabarimala season

Vrischika Sankranti is the moment the Sun enters the sign Scorpio (Vrischika), beginning the solar month of Vrischika. In the Malayalam calendar it starts the month of Vrischikam, and in the Tamil calendar the month of Karthigai; in Odisha and Bengal it begins Margashira/Agrahayan. It is one of the twelve monthly Sankrantis, each an auspicious time for holy bathing, charity and Surya worship. Scorpio is ruled by Mars and is the sign in which the Moon is debilitated, and the Sun's transit here is associated with inner transformation, discipline and penance. It opens Kerala's pilgrimage season: from Vrischikam 1, lakhs of Ayyappa devotees wear the tulsi or rudraksha mala and begin the 41-day Mandala vratam of celibacy, simple food and prayer before climbing Sabarimala. In Tamil Nadu, Karthigai is the month of lamps, culminating in Karthigai Deepam. The punya kaal after the Sankranti moment is the time for bathing, arghya to the Sun, and daan of sesame, cloth and food; Shraddha is also recommended.

No fast required; Ayyappa devotees begin the 41-day vratam from Vrischikam 1.