Tarpanam time for Dakshinayan puyakalam

[ksr57]

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If Dakasinaayana punyakaalam starts at midnight or early morning, when is tarpanam be done? I heard tarpanam for Dashinayana punkaalam should be done in Uttaraayana itself, within 8 hours before Dakshinayana starts. If so, should tarpanam be done in the previous day, previous evening or previous night?

 

[sunita]

This is a really good question and quite a common doubt. Many people are confused about the exact timing of tarpanam for Dakshinayana Punyakalam because it's tied to the sun's movement, and sometimes the transition happens at odd hours like midnight or early morning.

Dakshinayana starts when the sun enters Kataka Rashi (Cancer) - this is known as Karka Sankramanam. Now, the rule for tarpanam is that it should be done before Dakshinayana begins, ideally in the Uttarayana period itself. The idea is, we are offering this tarpanam as a gratitude before the sun shifts its course.

You’re right - many traditions, especially among Smarthas and also followed in Apastamba sutram, mention that tarpanam for Dakshinayana Punyakalam should be done within 6 to 8 hours before the actual Sankramanam. So if the Sankramanam is happening at midnight or say around 3:00 AM, then we do the tarpanam during the previous evening itself - not after the Ayana has begun.

Even though we normally do tarpanam in the morning (like for amavasya), for Ayana-related tarpanam the rule is slightly different. The timing is based on the solar transit and not just sunrise. That’s why, if Sankramanam is at 2 AM, we don’t wait till morning - we finish it during the last part of the day before.

So yes, if Dakshinayana starts early in the morning or around midnight, then tarpanam should be done the previous evening - ideally after sunset and before nightfall. Some traditions might even do it later in the night if it's convenient, but generally before Sankramanam starts.

If you know your exact location and this year’s Sankramana time, I maybe able to help you confirm the best window for tarpanam.

 

[ksr57]

This is a really good question and quite a common doubt. Many people are confused about the exact timing of tarpanam for Dakshinayana Punyakalam because it's tied to the sun's movement, and sometimes the transition happens at odd hours like midnight or early morning.

Dakshinayana starts when the sun enters Kataka Rashi (Cancer) - this is known as Karka Sankramanam. Now, the rule for tarpanam is that it should be done before Dakshinayana begins, ideally in the Uttarayana period itself. The idea is, we are offering this tarpanam as a gratitude before the sun shifts its course.

You’re right - many traditions, especially among Smarthas and also followed in Apastamba sutram, mention that tarpanam for Dakshinayana Punyakalam should be done within 6 to 8 hours before the actual Sankramanam. So if the Sankramanam is happening at midnight or say around 3:00 AM, then we do the tarpanam during the previous evening itself - not after the Ayana has begun.

Even though we normally do tarpanam in the morning (like for amavasya), for Ayana-related tarpanam the rule is slightly different. The timing is based on the solar transit and not just sunrise. That’s why, if Sankramanam is at 2 AM, we don’t wait till morning - we finish it during the last part of the day before.

So yes, if Dakshinayana starts early in the morning or around midnight, then tarpanam should be done the previous evening - ideally after sunset and before nightfall. Some traditions might even do it later in the night if it's convenient, but generally before Sankramanam starts.

If you know your exact location and this year’s Sankramana time, I maybe able to help you confirm the best window for tarpanam.

Thank you for your elaborate reply. I follow Vakya Panchangam (Pampu panchangam). As per Pambu panchangam, Kataka Ravi is 47.18 naazhi on 16 July 2025. So assuming Sun rises at 6 am on 16 July 2025, Dakshinayan Punya Kalam starts at 06.56 am on 17 July 2025. I reside in Delhi. So please help me know the best window for tarpanam.

 

[ksr57]

Thank you for your elaborate reply. I follow Vakya Panchangam (Pampu panchangam). As per Pambu panchangam, Kataka Ravi is 47.18 naazhi on 16 July 2025. So assuming Sun rises at 6 am on 16 July 2025, Dakshinayan Punya Kalam starts at 06.56 am on 17 July 2025. I reside in Delhi. So please help me know the best window for tarpanam.

There is an error in my statement. I will rewrite the query.
Thank you for your elaborate reply. I follow Vakya panchangam (pampu panchangam). According to pambu panchangam, Kataka Ravi is at 47.18 on 16 July 2025. Assuming Sun rises at 6 am on 16 July 2025, Dakshinayana punya kalam starts at 00. 56 am on 17 July 2025. I reside in Delhi. Depending on the sun rising time on 16 July 2025 at Delhi, the Dakshinayana punya kalam may start at / before / after 00.56 am. Please help me to know the best window for tarpanam.

 

[sunita]

Thank you for the clarification, sir.

Since you're following Vakya Panchangam (Pambu Panchangam), and as per that, Kataka Sankramanam (Kataka Ravi) happens at 47.18 on 16th July 2025 — which means 47.18 * 24 minutes = roughly 18 hours and 52 minutes. So Sankramanam occurs at 12:52 AM on 17th July 2025.

Sunrise time in Delhi can shift this slightly, but for Sankramanam-related tarpanam, solar transition time is what matters, not sunrise.

Now, as the Dakshinayana Punyakalam starts at 12:52 AM on 17th July 2025, we should finish tarpanam before that - that is, while it’s still Uttarayanam.

In such cases, the best time to do tarpanam would be:

• On 16th July 2025, in the evening, ideally after 5:30 PM and before 9:30 PM, depending on your convenience.
• The idea is to complete it well before 12:52 AM, when the Ayana actually changes.

Some elders prefer doing it just before sunset, but there is no strict restriction for that - evening time (say between 6 PM to 9 PM) is perfectly acceptable for this purpose, especially when the Sankramanam is at such odd hours.

 

[ksr57]

Thank you for the clarification, sir.

Since you're following Vakya Panchangam (Pambu Panchangam), and as per that, Kataka Sankramanam (Kataka Ravi) happens at 47.18 on 16th July 2025 — which means 47.18 * 24 minutes = roughly 18 hours and 52 minutes. So Sankramanam occurs at 12:52 AM on 17th July 2025.

Sunrise time in Delhi can shift this slightly, but for Sankramanam-related tarpanam, solar transition time is what matters, not sunrise.

Now, as the Dakshinayana Punyakalam starts at 12:52 AM on 17th July 2025, we should finish tarpanam before that - that is, while it’s still Uttarayanam.

In such cases, the best time to do tarpanam would be:

• On 16th July 2025, in the evening, ideally after 5:30 PM and before 9:30 PM, depending on your convenience.
• The idea is to complete it well before 12:52 AM, when the Ayana actually changes.

Some elders prefer doing it just before sunset, but there is no strict restriction for that - evening time (say between 6 PM to 9 PM) is perfectly acceptable for this purpose, especially when the Sankramanam is at such odd hours.

Thank you