A note on Schedule of Bhogi - Makara Sankramana (Uttarayana Parvakala)

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, the transit (Sankramana) of Sun takes place before Sunset on that day.

 How to reckon Parvakaala for Makara Sankramana…

Sacred scripts like 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. If the transit occurs during day time 1 Ghati duration immediately after the transit 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.

In which case, Uttaraayana Parva-Punya kaala (most meritorious time) as per Dharma Sindhu will be first five Ghatis (1 ghati = 24 minutes) after Sunrise and accordingly sacred deeds prescribed have to be performed during that time. Please check the local Sunrise time...

For more information on the concept, significance, dos’ and don’ts of Makara Sankramana - Uttaraayana please click on the link given below for an exclusive post ….

http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2010/01/uttarayana-parva-kala-makara-sankramana.html

 


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