Uttarayana - 2012 (Makara Sankramana)

Om! Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha!

Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha!

Om! Namo! Bhagavathe! Vasudevaya!

Om! Ham! Hanumathe! Sri Rama Doothaya Namaha!

Generally, Makara Sankranthi (Makara Sankramana) occurs on 14^th day of January every year that also marks the beginning of Uttarayana. Sometimes due to an imbalance between lunar and solar calendars it also occurs on 15^th January. Research in Astronomy found that, 1500 years back Makara Sankranthi used to fall on 22^nd December.  This is said to be due to a concept called Precession or Ayanachalan that makes the seasons slide backwards with respect to the stars at the rate of one Indian star in about 950 years. Accordingly it is said that 14^th January no longer represents the beginning of Uttarayana. In India we find two different dates being followed for the onset of Uttarayana, one on 22^nd December as per the North Indian calendar and the other on 14^th January as per the South Indian calendar. www.vigyanprasar.gov.in/dream/march2006/English.pdf

What is to be done during Uttarayana Parvakala?

Uttarayana is a parvakala highly sacred time that marks the beginning of Sun’s northward journey. During any Parvakala sacred bath, prayer, japa, penace, and charity are prescribed. When it is Uttarayana they will be still more significant and meritorious. Those who are eligible should also give Thila Tharpana to their forefathers. This day one should desist from sensual pleasures, should not apply oil to the body/head, and should take only vegetarian food.

 

Shat Thila karma

On the day of Uttarayana Parvakala (Makara Sankramana) one should use Thil (Sesame) seeds in six ways viz…Thila Snana, Thila Deepa, Thila Homa, Thila tarpana, Thila Dana and Thila Bhakshana. Worshipping Lord SriManNarayana and Sun God is highly meritorious during this time. Parayana of Vishnu Sahasranama sthothram, Aaditya Hridayam, Purusha Sooktham, Sri Rama Raksha Sthothram and Gayathri Japa, are useful prayers suggested at this time.

As per Masa dharma of Pushya Masam donating clothes (Vasthra Dana) to a Brahmin on this day is sacred and meritorious. Donating Pumpkin (Kushmanda Dana) on this day is also meritorious. Performing Sri Sathyanarayana Vratham on any Sankramana (Sun transit) day is meritorious and when it is Makara Sankramana associated with Uttarayana Parvakala it will be highly meritorious.
http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2011/12/om-gam-ganapathaye-namaha-om-sri.html

Uttarayana -2012 Schedule

As per the Almanac followed in South India, Uttarayana Parvakala (Makara Sankramana) transit of Sun into Makara Raasi (Capricorn) is taking place this year on 15^th January 2012 (early hours of Sunday) at 05.53 hrs. Hence, Parva-Punya kala for performing sacred rites will be from Sunrise up to Sunset on this day 15.01.2012

For more information on

Concept & Significance of Uttarayana Parvakala

Makara Sankranthi (Makara Sankramana) festival – Customs and traditions

You may like to read from the following link…..

http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/search/label/MAKARA%20SANKRANTHI

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu