Uttarayana Parvakala - Makara Sankramana
UTTARAYANA (Makara Sankramana) [Concept - Significance - ParvakaAla - ShatThila Karma] Concept of Uttaraayana In Hindu calendar, year is broadly divided into two periods called Aayanas having duration of six months each that indicates the direction of the Sun. They are referred to as Uttarayana and Dakshinaayana. All spiritual and religious activities in Hindu religion take place during these two Sun centric periods. Sun is the focal point and the movement or transit of Sun around the zodiac forms the basis for deciding a particular season or a month etc. Travel of Sun in the zodiac starting from Makara (Capricorn) raasi to Mithuna raasi (Gemini) is known as Uttaraayana or northward journey. Similarly travel of Sun from Karkataka raasi (Cancer) to Dhanus raasi (Sagittarius) is called as Dakshinaayana or southward journey. Uttaraayana is a confluence of two words; UTTARA+AAYANA. Uttara means North and Aayana mean travel or journey. Uttaraayana means the travel ...