In Hindu tradition, one human year is believed to be one day for Gods. For Gods, it is Day during Uttarayana and it is night during Dakshinayana. Uttarayana starts on Makar Sankramana Day usually January 14th or 15th.
Uttarayana Meaning:
Uttarayana means the northern
movement of the sun.
Importance of Uttarayana Punyakalam:
Uttarayana and Dakshinayana comprises of six months each. The period starting from Capricorn Zodiac (Makara Rashi) up to Gemini Zodiac (Mithuna Rasi) is called as Uttarayana. The period when Sun leaves Gemini Zodiac is known as Kataka Sankramana and this marks the end of the Uttarayana period. This happens annually on July 15th or 16th.
Uttarayana is referred as Devayana, as it is the daytime for Gods, and most of the auspicious ceremonies and rituals are performed only in this period by certain Hindu communities.
A human year is believed to be equal to one day of Gods. The six months of Uttarayan is the day time of Gods (Devas). In Uttarayana period the days are longer and the six months is considered highly auspicious part of a year.
Marriages, Griha Pravesh,
Upanayanam, and such other auspicious event are held only during this period in
some communities.
Bhishma in the Mahabharata who was
lying in a bed of arrows chose this period of Uttarayana Punyakalam to leave
his body and merge with Brahman. It is said that those that had lived according
to Dharma and die during Uttarayana Punyakalam will not have punarjanma or
rebirth.
It is believed that performing various rituals on the day using ellu or sesame (Til) will be highly beneficial. Feeding and helping the poor on the day is considered highly meritorious.
Uttarayana Starts From:
Uttarayana starts from Pushya (end) or Magha month in Hindu Lunar Calendars.
In Tamil Nadu, it begins from the first day of Thai Masam.
In Kerala, it begins from the first day of Makara Masam.
Uttarayana Months:
Uttarayana Months in Hindu Lunar calendar followed in North West and certain regions in South India are:
Pushya end
Magh
Phalgun
Chaitra
Vaishakh
Jyeshta
Ashada
beginning of Shravan
Uttarayana Months in Tamil
Calendar are:
1. Thai (mid Jan to mid Feb)
2. Masi (mid February to mid
March)
3. Panguni (mid March to mid
April)
4. Chithirai (mid April to mid
May)
5. Vaikasi (mid May to mid June)
6. Aani (mid June to mid July)