Why is Uttarayan And Dakshinayana Celebrated? Uttarayan And Dakshinayan Dates 2023

Why is Uttarayan And Dakshinayana Celebrated? – Uttarayan is a Hindu festival in celebration of the winter solstice and the transition to springtime, as well as the harvest. Uttarayan refers to the period when the sun moves towards the northern hemisphere, beginning on Makar Sankranti (January 14) and lasting for six months

Dakshinayana is the six-month period between the Summer solstice and Winter solstice when the sun travels towards the south on the celestial sphere. Dakshinayana is just opposite Uttarayan, it is the time when the Sun returns from Cancer to Capricorn, or from North.

In Hindu mythology, the transition of the sun from Dakshinayan to Uttarayan is seen as a time of spiritual awakening and renewal.

Every year in the middle of January, Indians celebrate Makar Sankranti. It’s interesting that while this festival goes by different names in different places, its fundamentals never change. People celebrate and watch the sun enter Makar (Capricorn), which signals the start of Uttarayan, as it moves northward. This festival is essential from a spiritual, cultural, and social standpoint.

What is Uttarayan?

The term Uttarāyaṇa (commonly Uttarayan) is derived from two different Sanskrit words – “Uttara” (north) and “Ayana” (movement), indicating the semantics of the northward movement of the sun on the celestial sphere. This movement begins the day after the December winter solstice, which occurs around December 22nd, and continues for six months through the summer solstice around June 21st (dates vary).

This difference is due to the fact that the equinox precesses continuously process the summer solstice at a rate of 50 arcseconds per year. So this difference is the difference between the fixed star and the tropical zodiac. Surya Siddhanta bridges this difference by contrasting four points of the sun and the equinox with four of the twelve boundaries of Rashi.

It is the time frame between Makar and Karat Sankranti. Uttarayan denotes migration toward the north. This six-month span represents a quarter of the Sun’s northward motion on the celestial hemisphere. Days throughout this time span are greater than nights.

Hindus celebrate the winter solstice, the start of spring, and the harvest at the festival of Uttarayan. The term Uttarayan is frequently used to describe the time between the winter and summer solstices, but it is also sometimes used to describe a short-lived festival.

Uttarayan is occasionally used as the name of a kite festival, most notably in the Indian state of Gujarat. In certain regions, Uttarayan is observed through kite flying. Makar Sankranti is another name for Uttarayan. Pongal and Lohri are two similar festivals that occur at the same time, however, they may be regarded as wholly independent celebrations.

Uttarayan Meaning in English

Uttarayan means northward movement. This six-month span represents a quarter of the Sun’s northward travel on the celestial hemisphere. On this day, Lord Surya, the Sun God, is worshipped as a great benefactor. This event commemorates the rebirth of solar energy, light, and heat, as well as the harvest season for farmers in India.

Significance of Uttarayan

Uttarayan day is God’s day. According to Hindu scriptures, all auspicious activities such as new jobs, yagnas, vows, and marriages begin on this day. According to Bhagwad Gita, Uttarayan is considered the most auspicious time of the six months when the sun shines in its greatest light.

Uttarayana also stands for enlightenment. This is a time of receptivity, grace, enlightenment, and highest attainment.

Uttarayana is also significant because Indians celebrate the deity Surya (Sun) to mark the first day of the sun’s transit into Makara Rashi.

The astrologically significant holiday of Uttarayan is observed on the day the sun changes signs from Sagittarius to Capricorn, heralding the arrival of spring and the harvest season. In many ways, Uttarayan is India’s equivalent of Thanksgiving in Western culture since it embraces harvest, prosperity, and hope and is a time of year when people gather to rejoice with their loved ones.

Uttarayan Dates 2022

Makar Sankranti also referred to as Uttarayana, Makar, or simply Sankranti is a Hindu observance and a festival that usually falls on the date of January 15 annually, this occasion marks the transition of the Sun from the zodiac of Sagittarius to Capricorn.

Uttarayana 2022 is believed to have been observed on Friday, January 14, 2022. The day which is dedicated to Lord Surya (the sun) is considered highly auspicious and people believe starting a new work on this day makes it all the more auspicious.

Also, some people think that since the earth rotates around the sun every eight years, the date of Uttarayan has been moved up by one day from its original celebration date of December 31. On December 31st, a thousand years ago, it is thought that Uttarayan was observed.

Why is Uttarayan is Celebrated?

Uttarayan is celebrated because it holds immense astrological and traditional importance and it is celebrated on the day the sun transitions from Sagittarius to Capricorn while announcing the onset of spring and the harvest season. Also, Uttarayana was celebrated because it marked the end of the bleak climate as well as an increase in daytime

Kite flying has positive health effects, and it is one of the main draws of the Uttarayan festival in Gujarat. While it is today regarded as a sport, this was not always the case; kite flying was once associated with excellent health due to prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Most places celebrate Uttarayan for two to four days, during which time people worship the Sun God, take holy baths in revered pools of water, show kindness by offering alms to the poor, fly kites, make sesame and jaggery-based sweets, worship animals, and engage in a variety of other activities. Additionally, during this holiday, particularly in Eastern Uttar, khichdi is prepared and consumed.

Why Uttarayan is celebrated on 14 January?

Uttarayan is celebrated on the 14 January because it marks the transition of the Sun from the zodiac of Sagittarius (Dhanu) to Capricorn (Makara).

The festival will take place this year on January 15, 2023, on a Sunday. It is observed every year on January 14, or January 15 if it is a leap year. The celebration commemorates the moment the sun enters the Capricorn zodiac sign, or Makara Rashi.

It occurs every year on January 14 according to the solar calendar. A new harvest season and the end of winter are also heralded by the festivity. It is significant in terms of the seasons and religion.

Is Uttarayan the same as winter solstice?

The Uttarayan movement begins to occur a day after the winter solstice in December, which occurs around 22 December and during the Uttarayan on December 21st / 22nd, the Sun reaches tangential to the tropic of Capricorn hence, we can say the winter solstice and the starting date of Uttarayan are same.

Moreover, Uttarayan is a Hindu festival in celebration of the winter solstice and the transition to springtime, as well as the harvest.

What should I wear in Uttarayan?

Although Uttarayan is all about flying kites and indulging in some delectable Gujarati cuisine, it’s also the perfect opportunity to dress to impress and attract the attention of your cute neighbor. Girls can experiment with a variety of options, including high boots, ankle-length boots, big scarves, thin cardigans, winter vests, palazzos, peplums, and bright-toned coats.

Designer Kalgi Shah advises pairing fitted jeans, a basic kurta, and a vest with mirror work if you want to try something Indian. Chinese collared shirts with stripes or solid colors worn by guys look great when paired with ripped jeans, funky patterned shoes, and reflective sunglasses.

They can also go for a more laid-back appearance by pairing tight jeans and boots with funny printed tees. When worn with a kurta, jodhpur pants also add a lot of flair. A printed muffler or maybe a fedora hat added to the straightforward t-shirt and jeans ensemble would appear fashionable.

Bermuda shorts with a t-shirt and vest are a stylish and comfortable outfit. Add suspenders or perhaps a casual bow tie to your formal attire if you want to try to be a little edgier, advises Kalgi. Girls can wear crop tops and culottes together.

The style factor can be increased by wearing Birkenstocks or accessorizing their plain Jane outfit with trendy sneakers. Men can add earthy or pastel-colored coats. The perfect combination of comfort and style is washed blue jeans, a simple white shirt, a black belt, and boots.

Girls can combine comfort and flair by wearing ripped jeans with shirts, jackets, and high boots, or high-waisted palazzos with crop tops. To spruce up your style, add a printed stole in a vibrant hue. For a little additional zing, consider a fish braid or French plait.

Additionally, one can experiment with shoes like loafers, brogues, funky printed shoes, moccasins, and classic or upbeat sneakers. There are various options, including bandanas, straw hats, warrior hats, skull caps, woollies, and fedoras. There are some must-have fashion essentials that are always on trend. Keep your best alternatives close at hand because Uttarayan is one of the best occasions to flaunt your eyewear. Taksh Rawal, a kite enthusiast, advises using UV-protective sunglasses.

Thin cardigans in lovely colors are a need for girls since they keep you warm and provide comfort while flying kites. Your feet will be protected from the rough kite threads that typically build on the terrace by ankle-length boots, in addition to their fashionable appearance. Boldly colored scarves or stoles are also great attention-getters.

Titbits

Sunglasses: One can choose from aviators, cat-eye glasses, wayfarers, reflective spectacles, and more. However, UV-protective sunglasses are your best option.

Headgear/hats: You can also experiment with hats and headwear. Be it woolies, Fedoras, warrior hats, straw hats, skull caps, or bandanas they all continue to dominate the chart.

Is Uttarayana a religious festival?

The harvest festival is both a religious as well as a seasonal observance and is dedicated to Surya whom the Hindu community believes to be the Sun God.

Hindus celebrate the harvest and the winter solstice, as well as the beginning of spring, during the festival of Uttarayan. The term “Uttarayan” frequently refers to the time between the winter and summer solstices, although it can also refer to a short-lived celebration.

History of Uttarayan

Uttarayan is a Hindu festival in celebration of the winter solstice and the transition to springtime, as well as the harvest. The term Uttarayan is frequently used to describe the time between the winter and summer solstices, but it is also sometimes used to describe a short-lived festival.

According to the Indian calendar, the festival of Uttarayan commemorates the day when winter officially transitions into summer. Many years ago, Uttarayan was observed on December 31. However, due to the earth’s orbiting the sun, every eight years the date of Uttarayan is moved forward by one day. According to popular belief, Uttarayan was observed on December 31st, a thousand years ago.

For farmers, it is a sign that the sun has returned and that Makara Sankranti/Mahasankranti, the harvest season, is quickly approaching. Given that it signals the end of winter and the start of the harvest season, this is one of the most important harvest days in India. Gujarat has many cities that host kite contests for their residents.

Uttarayan is such a significant event in this region of Gujarat and many other states that it has been declared a two-day national holiday in India. Local dishes like Undhiyu (a mixed vegetable dish with yam and beans), chikki (sesame seed brittle), and jalebi are offered to the masses during the event.

Although Uttarayan is primarily a Hindu festival commemorating the awakening of the gods from a deep sleep, history shows that India had a rich tradition of worship under the auspices of kings and ‘nawabs’. Trained aviators were used to fly kites for the king. Slowly the art began to gain popularity among the masses. Kite-making is a serious business these days. Kites attract big names from the corporate world as they offer the most cost-effective branding opportunity. The stakes are high and the prizes are great for competition.

Months before the Uttarayan Festival, village houses in various cities in Gujarat are transformed into kite-producing factories, and whole families participate in the seasonal cottage business. Paper and sticks are cut, glue is stirred, and thousands of kites are made in the market. The line is coated with a special glass powder and rice paste prepared to cut the line from each other and knock down kites. Kites range in size from 9 inches to 3 feet.

Members of various communities are involved in the kite business, regardless of caste or creed. Rich and poor alike enjoy the festival in their own way. The aerodynamic skill, dedication, and ingenuity that goes into building and flying a kite, deceptively simple, is almost a religion in itself, refined to the level of an art form.

But there is a common misconception that Makar Sankranti is the beginning of Uttarayana. This is because Sayana and Nirayana were once of the same zodiac sign. Each year, the stellar and tropical vernal equinoxes shift by 50 seconds due to axial precession, giving rise to Ayanamsha and Makar Sankranti.

As the equinox glides, Ayanamsha increases and Makar Sankranti also glides. This misconception persists and the actual Uttarayana date is not much difference between the day after the winter solstice (December 21st) when the Sun moves northwards and it’s January 14th. However, as the vernal equinox continues to shift, the difference will grow. In AD 272 Makar Sankranti was December 21st. In AD 1000 Makar Sankranti was December 31st, and now it is January 14th.

After 9000 years, Makar Sankranti will be in June. Then Makar Sankranti would mark the beginning of Dakshinayana. However, in Hindu rituals, Makar Sankranti still has important significance. All the creators of Drika Panchanga such as mypanchang.com, datepanchang, janmabhumi panchang, rashtriya panchang, Vishuddha Siddhanta Panjika use the position of the tropical sun to determine the Uttarayana and Dakshinayana.

The festival is now celebrated on January 14th or 15th but continues to deviate from the actual season due to the Earth’s axial precession. Seasons are relative to the tropical sun (except for Ayanamsha). The Earth revolves around the Sun at an inclination of 23.44 degrees. When it tilts toward the sun it is summer and when it tilts away from the sun it is winter.

That is why it is summer north of the equator and winter south of the equator. Because of this tilt, the Sun appears to move north and south of the equator. This south-to-north movement of the sun is called Uttarayana (the movement of the sun to the north). When the sun reaches the north it begins to move south and is called Dakshinayana – sun moves south.

In the Hindu scriptures, Uttarayana is called the day of new, good, healthy, and prosperous beginnings. According to Kauravas and Pandavas, on that day in Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamaha decided to leave for his heavenly abode. According to the blessing given to Devavrata, the young Bheeshma of him, he was able to choose the time of his death by choosing the day when the sun would begin its course toward the northern hemisphere. According to the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, those who die while the sun is moving north (south to north) will reach Nirvana. This explains Devabratha’s decision to wait until Uttarayana dies.

According to Hindu tradition, the six months of Uttarayana are a day for the gods. The six months of Dakshinayana are a night of the gods. Therefore the year of twelve months is Nychthemeron of one of the gods. This refers to six months in which he spends only one day at the North Pole and six months in which he spends the night in Antarctica at the same time.

What is the difference between Uttarayan and Dakshinayan?

Uttarayan refers to the northward movement of the Sun. Dakshinayan comprises winter, autumn, and monsoon. The difference between Uttarayan and Dakshinayan is that Uttarayan is seen as a positive sign and Dakshinayan is seen as a negative sign.

Uttarayan is celebrated as one of the most important festivals in India. it means summer solstice. The name Dakshinayan means winter solstice.

Uttarayan is associated with positive energy while Dakshinayan is associated with negative energy. There are Spiritual and auspicious activities that take place in Uttarayan but there are no spiritual and auspicious activities performed during Dakshinayan.

The seasons in Uttarayan are winter, spring, and summer whereas the seasons in Uttarayan are monsoon, autumn, and winter. Uttarayan starts December 22nd and ends June 21st. while Dakshinayan starts June 21st or 22nd.

Days are usually longer than nights in Uttarayan and the night is usually longer than the day in Dakshinayan.

Uttarayana: Definition

Uttarayan is a Hindu festival in celebration of the winter solstice and the transition to springtime, as well as the harvest. Uttarayan refers to the period when the sun moves towards the northern hemisphere, beginning on Makar Sankranti (January 14) and lasting for six months

We can say that the Sun changes positions twice a year because there are two Solstices or Ayans in a calendar year. The summer solstice and the winter solstice are known as Uttarayan and Dakshinayan, respectively. It starts on Makar Sankranti Day, which is seen as a symbol of optimism. Sun moves from Capricorn to Cancer during this time, or from south to north.

Makar Sankranti is the traditional name for Uttarayan, which is celebrated under a variety of names in India. This is the harvest season. Basically, it is the sun’s journey from south to north.
Every year on January 14, a set day of the solar calendar, India celebrates Makar Sankranti. The sun starts moving away from the Tropic of Capricorn and toward the Northern Hemisphere on this day. It also goes by the name Uttarayan.

What is the period of Uttarayan?

Uttarayan starts around 22nd December and lasts for 6 months till approximately June 21. This year, the festival falls on Sunday, January 15, 2023. It is celebrated annually on January 14 else on January 15 in case of a leap year.

What is the period of Dakshinayan?

Dakshinayana is the six months between the summer and winter solstice when the sun moves south on the celestial sphere. Dakshinayana begins on Karka Sankranti or July 16th and marks the transition of the Sun into Karka Rashi (Cancer). Dakshinayan starts on either 21 June or 22nd June.

Wishes For Uttarayan And Dakshinayan?

One can wish another “Have a cheerful Uttarayan, and may god bless you and your family with every bit of happiness, prosperity, and kindness in the world! May your life is blessed with love. May your life be blessed with happiness.” Happy Uttarayan! or “Wishing a very Happy Uttarayan to everyone. May the bright colors and great zeal of this festive season infuse us with happiness and smiles.” or “May you soar high with success just like your kites this Makar Sankranti. Happy Uttarayan!”

Since Dakshinayan is the opposite of Uttaranyan and is significantly done for purification, it appears there are no wishes for that as it’s not a celebration of life and harvest as Uttaranyan.

What is the meaning of Dakshinayan?

The period of the Hindu calendar, the beginning of Dakshinayana, which itself ends at Makar Sankranti, and the beginning of the Uttarayan period. According to the Puranas, Dakshinayana represents the time when the gods and goddesses are asleep in heaven.

It is the period when Sun travels back from Cancer to Capricorn that is from North to South. As Sun travels in the South direction, this journey of the Sun is known as Dakshinayan. In this period rainy season, autumn, and winter season fall.

When Does Dakshinayan start?

21st June to 22nd December is the time period when the sun rotates from Cancer to Capricorn which is from North to South direction which is known as Dakshinayan. This period starts from 21st June and continues till six months in which nights are longer and days are shorter.

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