As per the Almanac followed in South
India, Uttarayana Parvakala (Makara Sankramana) transit of Sun into Makara
Raasi (Capricorn) of the zodiac is taking place and the parvakala will be up to Sunset on that
day. For Sunset time please check the local calendars. It is followed by a
Solar Eclipse on the next day.
Significance of Uttarayana
One year of Hindu calendar consists of
two Ayanas that signifies the direction of the Sun. It is broadly divided into
two periods (Ayanas) of six months each. The two broad periods are referred to
as Uttarayana and Dakshinayana. All the spiritual and religious activities in
Hindu philosophy 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. Starting from Makara
(Capricorn) raasi to Mithuna raasi (Gemini) travel of the Sun is known as
Uttarayana (Northward journey). Similarly, travel of the Sun from Karkataka
(Cancer) to Dhanus (Sagittarius) is called as Dakshinayana (Southward journey).
Uttarayana is a confluence of two words,
UTTARA+ AYANA. Uttara means North and Aayana mean travel. Uttarayana means
travel of Sun towards North. Zodiacally when Sun enters into Makara Raasi,
Uttarayana starts and this moment is called Uttarayana Punya Kala (Parvakala)
which is considered as holy and celestial. As per the scripts it is said that
when Sun during his transit in Makara Raasi comes opposite to Sravana star the
doors of Vaikuntam gets opened (Moksha Dwara)
What is a Parvakala (Punyakala)
The Vedic meaning of Parva is said to be
a Knot, a Confluence, and a Celebration. Based on the meanings, the time of
confluence of two periods is called as Parvakala. This we observe during Yuga
Sandhi (ending of one Yuga and beginning of another Yuga). It is said that Sri
Krishna’s Avatara had taken place in the Yuga Sandhi of Dwapara and Kali Yuga.
This Sandhi period is said to be very celestial, holy and sacred since the
Supreme God himself was present on the Earth. This sandhi period will have
features of Krita Yuga (Where Dharma will prevail on four legs). Similarly the
time of confluence (Sandhi) of two seasons Dakshinayana and Uttarayana is
considered to be very holy, auspicious and celestial and is called as Parva
Kala.
Significance of Uttarayana Parva Kala
It is said that Uttarayana represents
Devathas and Dakshinayana represents Pithrus, and the significance is to seek
the blessings of both at this transit time. Uttarayana is said to be the day
time for Devathas.
In this Universe it is said that
Vaikuntam, the abode of Supreme Lord Sri Maha Vishnu is in the Northern
direction (Uttara) and the time of movement of Sun in the direction of Vaikunta
is said to be very holy, celestial and sacred. This is coinciding with the last
day of the Dhanurmasam, most sacred and celestial period to worship Lord
SriMann Narayana. Vaikunta Ekadasi falls in Dhanurmasam only. The gate to
Vaikunta (Swarga Dwara) is believed to open on the day of Makara Sankranthi. It
is believed and said that, those who die during the six months period of
Uttarayana will attain salvation.
During the days of Mahabharatha,
Bheeshma Pitamaha waited on his death bed for the onset of this celestial
period (Uttarayana).
Sun is the most visible personification
of the Lord on Earth and is called Prathyaksha Dhaivam. Purusha Sooktha says
that Sun is represented as eyes of the Supreme Lord SriMann Narayana (Chaksho!
Suryo Ajayatha!). Sun directs our vision towards the pure, holy, sacred, divine
and to dedicate our activities for a higher cause following the northward path.
During this period of Uttarayana, Sun’s power gradually increases and the day
will be longer than the night.
What is to be done on this day?
Generally during any Parvakala one has
to take sacred bath, perform prayer, Japa, penace, and give Charity/Dana
(donation). Those who have lost their parents should also give 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: It is said that on
this day 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 SriMann Narayana and
Lord Sun 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.
Thila Dana: Donating Thil seeds on this
day with dakshina is considered as very sacred and meritorious
Vasthra Dana: As per Masa dharma being
Pushya Masa donating clothes to a Brahmin is sacred and meritorious.
Kushmanda Dana: Donating of Pumpkin on
this day is also meritorious.
Calendar date of Makara Sankranthi
(Uttarayana)
Invariably Makara Sankranthi falls on
14th day of January in any year. Sometimes due to the following of lunar
calendar (thithi bhedha), Adhika Maasa, it also occurs on 15th January.
Research in Astronomy found that, 1500 years back Makara Sankranthi used to
fall on 22nd 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. Hence, the change in the
calendar date and it is said that January 14th no longer represents the
beginning of Uttarayana Source collection from Vigyan Prasar.
For more details in this regard please
refer to www.vigyanprasar.gov.in/dream/march2006/English.pdf
In India we find two different dates
being followed for the onset of Uttarayana, one on 22nd December as per the
North Indian calendar and the other on 14th January as per the South Indian
calendar.
Since time immemorial human kind is
accustomed to co-relate cosmic events with individual life and Sun is an
important cosmic body and every Sun-centric event has lot of spiritual,
religious and cultural value.
Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu
PS
For detailed information on significance
of Makara Sankranthi festival you may like to read a revised version of the
article labelled - MAKARA SANKRANTHI
bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/search/label/MAKARA%20SANKRANTHI