‘Uttarayan’ and ‘Dakshinayan’ and Sankranti

Sun God has become ‘Dakshinayan’. In our scriptures, ‘Dakshinayan’ and ‘Uttarayan’ of the Sun have special significance. According to mythology, in the Mahabharata, even after receiving the boon of euthanasia, grandfather Bhishma had left his body and waited for the Sun to reach ‘Uttarayan’ before leaving the mortal world.It is believed that when the Sun dies during ‘Uttarayan’, one attains salvation whereas if the Sun dies during ‘Dakshinayan’, the soul has to return to this mortal world again.

What is ‘Uttarayan’ and ‘Dakshinayan’

According to the scriptures, there are two ayanas in one solar year.

1👉Uttarayan

2👉Dakshinayan

1. Uttarayan

The northward movement of the Sun is said to be ‘Uttarayan’ (Soumyayan) of the Sun. Due to transit, when the Sun transits from Capricorn to Gemini, then this period is called ‘Uttarayan’ of the Sun. ‘Uttarayan’ starts from ‘Makar-Sankranti’. Uttarayan is considered the day of the gods. This is very auspicious and positive.Therefore, all the auspicious and auspicious activities like marriage, tonsure, initiation, housewarming, fast-learning, Upanayan Sanskar (Janeu), Dev-Pratishtha etc. are considered more auspicious when the Sun is in ‘Uttarayan’. Winter, spring and summer come in Uttarayan.

2. Dakshinayan

The southward movement of the Sun is said to be ‘Dakshinayan’ (Yamyayan) of the Sun. Due to transit, when the Sun transits from Cancer to Sagittarius, then this period is called ‘Dakshinayan’ of the Sun. ‘Dakshinayan’ starts from Cancer-Sankranti. Dakshinayan is considered the night of the gods. This period is extremely negative and weak.Therefore, all the auspicious and auspicious functions like marriage, tonsure, initiation, housewarming, fasting, Upanayana Sanskar (Janeu), Dev-Pratishtha etc. are prohibited during ‘Dakshinayana’ of the Sun, but in case of urgency, they can be performed by performing proper Vedic puja. Could. Rainy, Autumn and Hemant seasons come in Dakshinayan.

What is Sankranti?

According to the scriptures, the transit of the Sun from one zodiac sign to another is called ‘Sankranti’. There are twelve solstices in a solar year. Due to transit, Sun stays in one zodiac sign for one month, hence Sankranti comes every month. Sankranti is named according to the name of the zodiac sign in which the Sun enters due to transit.For example, the entry of Sun into Cancer is called ‘Kark Sankranti’ and its entry into Capricorn is called ‘Makar Sankranti’. Among all these twelve Sankranti, ‘Makar Sankranti’ has special significance because from this day the Sun becomes ‘Uttarayan’.