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 of Sun towards the North.

Zodiacally when Sun enters into Makara Raasi, Uttaraayana (as per the calendar that is being followed in South India) begins and this moment of transit is called Uttaraayana Parva Punya Kala considered as holy and celestial.

What is a Parvakaala?

Vedic meaning of Parva is said to be a knot; a confluence; a celebration etc. Based on the meanings; the time of confluence of two periods is called Parvakaala.

Accordingly, the time of confluence (Sandhi) of two seasons Dakshinaayana and Uttaraayana is considered to be holy, auspicious and celestial and it is known as Parva Punya Kaala.

Uttaraayana Parvakaala

Bhogi and Makara Sankramana (Makara Sankranthi) are Sun-centric festivals associated with the exit of Sun from Dhanus Raasi (Sagittarius) and entry (transit) into Makara Raasi (Capricorn) in the zodiac.

In general, every year the calendar dates for Bhogi & Makara Sankranthi (Makara Sankramana) festival falls on 13th & 14th January and the day of Makara Sankramana marks the beginning of Uttaraayana (as per South Indian Calendar).

A day before Makara Sankramana marks the last day of the solar month Dhanurmasam that is celebrated as Bhogi festival that generally falls on 13th January.

Generally, Parvakaala (meritorious time) of Uttaraayana is observed on the day of Makara Sankramana ie. 14th January provided,transit (Sankramana) of Sun takes place before Sunset on that day.

How to reckon Parvakaala for Makara Sankramana?

Sacred scripts (Dharma Saastras) define Parva Punya kaala to be observed for each transit of Sun. Even Hindu Panchangas’ also indicate the meritorious timings during a transit.

So far as Makara Sankramana is concerned; Dharma Sindhu indicates 40 Ghatis’ (1 Ghati = 24 minutes) from the time of transit is considered as meritorious that is called Uttaraayana Parva Punya Kaala.

If the transit occurs after Sunset; five Ghatis’ duration on the next day after Sunrise is considered as Parva- Kaala.

Accordingly, if Sun’s transit in Makara raasi (Capricorn) takes place on 14th January after Sunset, Bhogi festival (last day of Dhanurmasam) will be observed on 14th January and Makara Sankramana (Makara Sankranthi) on the next day ie. 15th January.

Significance of Uttaraayana Parva Kaala

Uttarayana represents Devathas and Dakshinayana represents Pithrus and the significance is to seek the blessings of both at this transit time.

Uttaraayana is the day time and Dakshinaayana is the night time for Devathas. In this Universe it is said that, Vaikunta the abode of the Supreme God Vishnu is in the Northern direction (Uttara) and the time of movement of Sun in the direction of Vaikunta is believed to be incredibly celestial and sacred.

Bheeshma Pithamaha (Mahabharata fame) waited on his death bed for the onset of this celestial period Uttaraayana.

What is to be done during Uttarayana Parvakala?

During any Parvakaala sacred bath, prayer, japa, penance, tharpana, charity etc. are prescribed.

If it is Uttaraayana then it will be more significant and more meritorious.

ShatThila Karma

ShatThila karma is prescribed on the day of Makara Sankramana by usage of Thila in six ways viz.

Thila Snana, Thila Deepa, Thila Homa, Thila tharpana, Thila Dana

and Thila Bhakshana;

Usage of Thila on this day has acquired lot of spiritual, religious and health significance. Due to the significance given to Thila (sesame) usage during this festival it is also called as Thila Sankranthi.

Sarva Pithru Tharpana:

Those who are eligible should give Thila Tharpana to their forefathers (Sarva Pithru).

Tharpana should not be performed if Uttaraayana occurs on Ekaadasi day.

One should desist from sensual pleasures,

should not apply oil to the body/head,

on the day of Makara Sankramana (Uttarayana).

Worshiping Lord SriManNarayana (Savithrunaamaka Lakshmi Narayana) is highly meritorious during this time.

Paaraayana of... (suggested during Parvakaala)

·        Sri Vishnu Sahasranama stothra,

·        Sri Hari Vayu Stuthi,

·        Aaditya Hridayam,

·        Sri Raama Raksha Stothra;

·        Sri RamaCharitrya Manjari;

·        Gayathri Japa;

DaAna

ThilaDana: Donating Thila (black sesame) on this day with dakshina is considered sacred and meritorious;

VasthraDana: As per Maasa dharma (Pushya Maasa) donating clothes to a Brahmin is prescribed during Uttaraayana Parvakaala.

KushmandaDana: Donating of Pumpkin on this day is also meritorious.

Sankramana (Sun’s transit) is one of the elected days for performing Sri Sathyanarayana Swamy Vratha. If it is Makara Sankramana associated with Uttaraayana Parvakaala it will be highly meritorious.

In general transit of Sun is not considered as auspicious as there will be certain disturbances in organization of solar forces and generally such times are not recommended for any good work.

On the contrary they are held to be auspicious for meditation, initiation into sacred manthras; performance of certain religious rites etc. which are held to purify both the body and soul.

Sun is the most visible personification of the Supreme God on Earth and is called Prathyaksha Daivam Surya Naaraayana.

Dhyeyassada Savithrumandala madhyavarthi

Narayana Sarasijasana Sannivishtah

Keyuuravaan Makarakundalavaan Kireeti

Haari Hiranmaya Vapuhdhruta Sankha Chakrah;

Sun directs our vision towards the holy and pure spirituality and guides us to dedicate our activities for a higher cause thus following the northward path.

During this period of Uttaraayana, Sun’s power gradually increases and the day will be longer than night.

Since time immemorial human kind is accustomed to co-relate the cosmic events with individual life. Sun is an important cosmic body and every Sun-centric event has lot of spiritual, religious and cultural value.

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu

Hari Sarvottama - Vaayu Jeevottama

Sri Gururaajo Vijayate

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