Uttarayan (Uttarayanam, Uttarayana Punyakalam)

Uttarayan, also known as Uttarayanam or Uttarayana Punyakalam, is the six month period between Makara Sankranti or Makar Sankraman and Karka Sankranti (usually July 14) or Karka Sankramanam. In 2026, Uttarayan starts on January 14.

Dakshinayanam is the period between July 14 to January 14. On Makara Sankranti day, Sun transits into Makara Rashi, towards Northern celestial sphere. As per Hinduism and Puranas, on the beginning day of Uttarayana punykal Bhishma went to his heavenly abode. As per his boon, Bhishma, also known as Devavrata, had to choose a day on his own to die and to get salvation.

As per Hindu scriptures, Uttarayanam ends when Devas go for sleep. The first four months of Dakshinayan or Pitrayan are observed as Chaturmas Vratam during which Vishnu Shayana Vratam, Shiva Sayana Vratam, Dev Sayana vratam and Asoonya Sayana Vratham are observed.

Sankraman Snan or Sankramana Punya Snanam is the ritual bath performed by devotees along the river banks of holy rivers like – Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Narmada, etc..

Uttarayan is the six‑month auspicious period of the Sun’s apparent northward movement, beginning with Makara Sankranti, regarded as the “daytime of the devas” and especially favourable for new ventures and sadhana.​

Astronomical and calendrical meaning

• In Hindu usage, Uttarayan begins when the Sun enters Makara (Capricorn), around 14 January, and continues until Karka Sankranti (Sun’s entry into Cancer) in July, covering roughly mid‑January to mid‑July.​

• Astronomically, this corresponds to the Sun’s apparent motion from the southernmost point (around the December solstice) progressively northward until the June solstice, giving longer days and shorter nights in the northern hemisphere.​

Scriptural and spiritual significance

• Texts and traditional teaching describe Uttarayan as the “day of the devas”, while Dakshinayan is their “night”; one human year equals one deva‑day, split into these two ayanas.​

• Uttarayan is seen as a period when higher spiritual efforts, study of shastras, yajnas, and tapas bear special fruit, and death during this ayana is said (e.g., in the Gita narrative of Bhishma) to grant higher gati.​

Festivals and practices in Uttarayan

• Makara Sankranti itself is celebrated as the formal start of Uttarayan, with Surya‑puja, river‑snan, daan (til, gud, grains), and harvest thanksgiving across India.​

• In Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan, “Uttarayan” is also the popular name of the kite‑flying festival on Makara Sankranti, marking joy over the returning Sun and healthier sunlight.​

Uttarayan in sadhana terms

• Many lineages regard Dakshinayan (mid‑July to mid‑January) as a time of purification and groundwork, and Uttarayan as the phase for deeper dhyana and “harvesting” spiritual attainments, with focus on what is above the anahata chakra.​

• Hence, initiations, marriages, new studies, and major temple utsavas are often preferred in Uttarayan, while certain rituals are avoided or reduced in Dakshinayan except in special vratas and chaturmasya.