What is Uttarayana and Dakshinayana?

What is Uttarayana and Dakshinayana?

This motion of the sun going from south to north is called Uttarayana – the sun is moving towards north and when it reaches north it starts moving south and it is called Dakshinayana – the sun is moving towards south.

What happens on Uttarayana?

According to the Hindu scriptures, Uttarayan is the period when Sun travels from South to North which is also known as Makar Sankranti. Out of six seasons, three falls in this solstice that is winter, spring and summer. During Uttarayan all yagyas, austerities, marriages etc. are carried out.

What is the period of Dakshinayan?

Dakshinayana (Sanskrit: दक्षिणायन) is the six-month period between Summer solstice and Winter solstice, when the sun travels towards the south on the celestial sphere. Dakshinayana begins on Karka Sankranti or July 16, as it marks the transition of the Sun into Karka rashi (Cancer).

What is the significance of Uttrayan?

The festival of Uttarayan marks the day when winter begins to turn into summer, according to the Indian calendar. It is the sign for farmers that the sun is back and that harvest season is approaching which is called Makara Sankranti/Mahasankranti.

What happens to Sun on Makar Sankranti?

It also refers to a specific solar day in the Hindu calendar. On this auspicious day, the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn or Makar which marks the end of winter months and the beginning of longer days. From the day of Makar Sankranti, the sun begins its northward journey or Uttarayan journey.

Which festival is celebrated on the first day of Uttarayana?

Makar Sankranti: The auspicious period of Uttarayan starts on Makar Sankranti. The Sun god is worshipped on Makar Sankranti. Devotees on Sankranti also worship Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Makar Sankranti is the first big festival of the year celebrated across India.

Is Uttarayan and Makar Sankranti same?

Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan or Maghi or simply Sankranti, also known in Bangladesh as Poush Sankranti, is a festival day in the Hindu calendar, dedicated to the deity Surya (sun). It is observed each year the day Sun enters the Capricorn zodiac which corresponds with the month of January as per the Gregorian calendar.

What is the period of Dakshinayan in one sentence?

Dakshinayana (Sanskrit: दक्षिणायण) is the six-month period between Summer solstice and Winter solstice, when the sun travels towards the south on the celestial sphere. Dakshinayana begins on Karkada Sankranti or July 16, as it marks the transition of the Sun into Karkada rashi (Cancer).

Which date is called the summer solstice and why?

Summer solstice, the two moments during the year when the path of the Sun in the sky is farthest north in the Northern Hemisphere (June 20 or 21) or farthest south in the Southern Hemisphere (December 21 or 22). Learn more about the summer solstice, the day the Sun travels the longest path through the sky.

What are the 6 traditional Makar Sankranti foods?

Here are 6 traditional Makar Sankranti foods that you must try this festive weekend.

• Til Ladoo. Til ladoo is a sumptuous Sankranti staple.
• Puran Poli.
• Makara Chaula.
• Khichdi.
• Payesh.
• Pinni.

What is the difference between Dakshinayan and Uttarayan?

In terms of sadhana, Dakshinayana is for purification. Uttarayan is for enlightenment. So, now it is clear that Uttarayan is the movement of Sun from South to North and just opposite is the Dakshinayan. Both have their own importance.

When does Dakshinayana start and end in India?

Dakshinayana is the six-month period between Summer solstice and Winter solstice, when the sun travels towards the south on the celestial sphere. Dakshinayana begins on Karkada Sankranti or July 16, as it marks the transition of the Sun into Karkada rashi (Cancer).

What did the ancient Indians mean by Dakshinayanam?

Uttarayanam means sun traveling towards north-east from equator. Dakshanayanam means traveling towards south-east from equator. The Sun travels towards North-East for 6months and South-East for 6months in a year. Ancient Indians described this phenomenon as Uttarayanam and Dakshinayanam.

Why is the season of Dakshinayana based on the Sun?

Uttarayana / Dakshinayana: The season occurs based on tropical sun (without ayanamsha). This is due to earth’s tilt of 23.45 degrees. The earth circles around sun with this tilt. When the tilt is facing the Sun we get summer and when the tilt is away from the Sun we get winter.