Vrischika Sankranti 2026: Sun Enters Scorpio on 17 November — Mandala Kaal, Sabarimala, 12 Signs

2026-09-24

Vrischika Sankranti 2026 falls on Tuesday, 17 November. The Sun enters Scorpio on the night of 16 November (about 7 pm IST) and is in Scorpio at sunrise on the 17th. The same day opens Sabarimala's Mandala Kaal in Kerala and the Tamil month of Karthigai.

Vrischika Sankranti 2026 falls on Tuesday, 17 November 2026. According to our panchang engine, the Sun leaves Tula (Libra) and enters Vrishchik (Scorpio) on the night of 16 November, at roughly 7 pm IST. At sunrise on 17 November (06:46, Delhi) the Sun is already in Scorpio. The same day opens the Malayalam month of Vrischikam and Sabarimala's 41-day Mandala Kaal in Kerala, and Karthigai 1 in the Tamil calendar.

When exactly is Vrischika Sankranti 2026?

A sankranti is the moment the Sun crosses from one rashi (zodiac sign) into the next. There is one every month. This one takes the Sun from Tula into Vrishchik, hence the name.

Our engine places the Sun at 29.44° of Tula at 06:00 IST on 16 November, and at 0.45° of Vrishchik at 06:00 IST on 17 November. Interpolating gives a crossing at about 7 pm IST on 16 November. Treat that as approximate; other panchangs may show it a few minutes earlier or later.

The crossing happens on the evening of the 16th, but the first sunrise with the Sun in Scorpio is on the 17th. Most traditions count the sankranti day, and the first day of a solar month, from that sunrise. That makes 17 November Vrischika Sankranti, Vrischikam 1 and Karthigai 1. Some calendars may print 16 November, since the moment itself falls that day.

Panchang for 16 and 17 November (Delhi)

All times are for Delhi; sunrise and sunset shift by a few minutes in other cities.

Why does the move from Libra to Scorpio matter?

In Jyotish, the Indian astrological tradition, Tula is the Sun's debilitation sign, called neech rashi: the sign where a planet is considered weak or ill at ease. The Sun has been in Tula from 18 October to 16 November. Our Tula Sankranti 2026 article covers that stretch in detail.

Vrishchik is ruled by Mars. Leaving a debilitation sign is traditionally read as a relief for the Sun. The belief is that confidence, decisiveness and pace of work return a little during this month. Read that as a tendency, not a promise.

What begins in South India on this day?

In North India, Vrischika Sankranti is a quiet day. In Kerala and Tamil Nadu it starts a new month, and in Kerala it also starts the biggest pilgrimage season of the year. Hindi coverage rarely mentions this.

Kerala: Vrischikam 1 and Sabarimala's Mandala Kaal

The Malayalam calendar is solar: its month changes on the day the Sun changes sign. This sankranti begins the month of Vrischikam, and Vrischikam 1 is the first day of Mandala Kaal at Sabarimala.

Mandala Kaal, also written Mandalakalam, is the 41-day pilgrimage season in which Ayyappa devotees keep traditional vows and make the hill journey to Sabarimala.

Temple opening dates, darshan arrangements and booking are matters for the temple's official notifications. This article gives only the panchang date.

Tamil Nadu: the first day of Karthigai

The Tamil calendar is solar too. Vrischika Sankranti starts the Tamil month of Karthigai, so 17 November is Karthigai 1. Tamil Karthigai and the North Indian month of Kartik share a name but are counted differently: one by the Sun, the other by the Moon.

How does this relate to Kartik in the North?

North India follows lunar months. Kartik runs from 26 October to 24 November this year, and Vrischika Sankranti falls inside it. In lunar terms, 17 November is Kartik Shukla Ashtami, the eighth day of the bright half.

The Kartik practice of snan-daan (ritual bathing and giving) is already under way. The sankranti adds one more occasion to it. The full list of Kartik rules and fasts is here.

What is punya kaal, and what do people do in it?

Punya kaal is the window around the sankranti moment that is considered auspicious for snan (a bath), surya arghya (offering water to the Sun) and daan (giving according to one's means).

This year the crossing is on the evening of 16 November, so both that evening and the morning of the 17th after sunrise (06:46) are used for these observances. Check the exact punya kaal in your local panchang; the rules for fixing it differ between almanacs.

For a plain introduction to why and how the Sun is worshipped, see our article on Surya.

How does the Sun in Scorpio affect the 12 signs?

A gochar is a planet's transit from one sign to the next. The Sun will spend about a month in Scorpio. Count from your Moon sign, the rashi you read your daily horoscope for, with your own sign as 1, to see which house the Sun occupies.

These are general tendencies from the Jyotish tradition. Your full birth chart changes the picture. Read them as direction, not verdict.

Mesh (Aries): Sun in the 8th house

The 8th house is traditionally the house of depth, research and hidden matters. Work may feel slower this month. Put off rushed decisions. It is considered a useful time for finishing old tasks, looking inward and tightening your health routine.

Vrishabh (Taurus): Sun in the 7th house

The 7th house covers partnership, marriage and business relationships. Ego friction in close relationships is possible. Hear the other person out before you answer, and keep business arrangements in writing. For those who stay patient, the month is also seen as a chance to strengthen a bond.

Mithun (Gemini): Sun in the 6th house

The 6th house is about competition, service and daily routine, and the Sun is traditionally considered well placed here. Work discipline improves and your standing in a competitive setting may rise. Job seekers and exam candidates may see their effort start to show results.

Kark (Cancer): Sun in the 5th house

The 5th house is about intellect, children, study and creativity. Learning something new may come easily. With children, keep the conversation two-way rather than laying down rules. The period is considered favourable for creative work, presentations and anyone who works in front of an audience.

Simha (Leo): Sun in the 4th house

The 4th house is about home, mother, comfort and property. Family matters may ask for your time. If you feel restless, give rest and sleep their due. If a large property or vehicle decision is on the table, think it through without hurry before committing.

Kanya (Virgo): Sun in the 3rd house

The 3rd house is about courage, communication, siblings and short journeys, and this is traditionally a good position for the Sun. The nerve to take initiative grows. The month is seen as supportive for restarting stalled work, settling matters through conversation and short trips.

Tula (Libra): Sun in the 2nd house

The 2nd house is about wealth, speech and family. Words may come out sharper than intended, so choose them with care. Keep an eye on income and spending. Last month the Sun was in your own sign; now the focus shifts from yourself to your resources and your household.

Vrishchik (Scorpio): Sun in your own sign

The 1st house is about identity, energy and the body. Confidence and presence can rise, and so can ego and heat. Speak with a cool head, especially in arguments. Keep your health routine steady and drink enough water through the month.

Dhanu (Sagittarius): Sun in the 12th house

The 12th house is about expenses, distant places, solitude and spirituality. Spending may rise, so work to a budget. The month goes well when attention turns to inner quiet rather than outward show. Seva (service), pilgrimage and meditation are traditionally well suited to this placement.

Makar (Capricorn): Sun in the 11th house

The 11th house is about gains, friends and elder siblings, traditionally a strong placement for the Sun. New income avenues, help from old contacts and a rise in social standing are possible. It is considered a good time to ask for support on a project.

Kumbh (Aquarius): Sun in the 10th house

The 10th house is about career, action and reputation, one of the Sun's strongest traditional positions. Recognition at work, appreciation from seniors and more responsibility are likely themes. Take the responsibility if it comes, but do not overload yourself in the process.

Meen (Pisces): Sun in the 9th house

The 9th house is about dharma, fortune, teachers, father and long journeys. If a pilgrimage or a religious trip is on your mind, this month is considered fitting for it. Advice from your father or a mentor may prove useful. Decisions about higher education can also become clearer.

What to do on 17 November

• Bathe after sunrise (06:46 in Delhi) and offer water to the Sun.
• Give grain or clothing according to your means; this is the old sankranti custom.
• Continue whatever Kartik observances you are already keeping.
• If you plan to visit Sabarimala, take the vow rules and darshan details from the temple's official notifications.

The full panchang for 17 November, from tithi and nakshatra to Rahu Kaal and muhurta timings for your city, is in our daily panchang.