Uttarayan And Dakshinayan 2024: Dates, Celebrations & Rituals — All You Need To Know

From dates to their cultural significance, explore everything you need to know about Uttarayan and Dakshinayan. Read on to know more.

It's that time of the year when the harvest festival brings joy and festivity. Families adorn their homes, fly kites, and relish delicious meals, embracing the winter sun with hopes for a brighter future. This season marks the transition of the sun from the Sagittarius to Capricorn zodiac, known as Makar Sankranti. In North India, this occasion is observed as Uttarayan during Makar Sankranti, symbolizing the sun's northward movement, dedicated to Lord Surya.

Uttarayan And Dakshinayan 2024 Dates

In the North, devotees rise early for a dip in the Ganges, offering prayers to seek Lord Surya's blessings for prosperity. Farmers also pray for a bountiful harvest. Gujarat celebrates a two-day Uttarayan festival, with Ahmedabad hosting the International Kite Festival. According to Drik Panchang, Uttarayan falls on January 15, with the Sankranti moment at 2:54 AM on January 14.

As per the Bhagwad Gita, the six months of Uttarayan are considered highly auspicious. It's believed that those who pass away during this period ascend directly to heaven. Auspicious events like yojna, job, business, vows, and weddings are encouraged on this day. Many visit Prayag, Sangam, or Gangasagar for a holy dip in the Ganga or Yamuna.

Conversely, Dakshinayan, marking the sun's movement from Cancer to Capricorn zodiac, is the opposite of Uttarayan and begins on July 16 this year.

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Makar Sankranti is annually celebrated with social festivals, featuring fairs, colourful decorations, music, dance, bonfires, and feasts. As we prepare to celebrate Makar Sankranti this year, the festivities promise joy and cultural vibrancy.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated diversely across India. In Maharashtra and Gujarat, it's marked by kite-flying and special dishes like tilgul. In Punjab, it's known as Lohri, celebrated with bonfires and traditional dance. In Tamil Nadu, it's Pongal, with families cooking rice dishes outdoors. In Assam, it's Magh Bihu, featuring feasts and traditional games.