Sun is the lifegiver for the earthlings. The movement of the sun and moon decides our days, weeks, months, seasons, and years. The movement of the sun is known as Ayan in Sanskrit.
The northward journey of the Sun is called Uttarayan (uttar=north). The southward journey of the Sun is called Dakshinayan. (dakshin= south).
The entry of sun in Makar or Capricorn marks Uttarayana. Similarly, the entry of sun in Karkataka or Cancer signals Dakshinayana.
When the sun transitions from one zodiac sign to another, it is called Sankranti. Sankranti is the foundation of Hindu solar calendar. One solar month is calculated upon the period the sun spends in a zodiac sign which is 30 or 31 days. So we have twelve sankranthi in a year or 365 days.
The sun is called by a specific name on each sankranti. We term it as Dwadasa Adityas (12 suns). The Aditya that governs karka sankranti is ‘Varuna’ Aditya.
There are four major Sankranti out of twelve Sankranti. They are -Mesh Or Aries Sankranti, Kark Or Cancer Sankranti, Tula Or Libra Sankranti, and Makar or Capricorn Sankranti.
Mesh Sankranti marks the major harvest festival of the Vaishakh month. In Bengal, the new year starts with the first day of Vaishakh.
Kark Sankranti is the commencement point of the southward journey of the Sun.
Tula Sankranti is celebrated when the paddy crop starts to ripen. It is a major festival in Orissa and Karnataka. The festival is celebrated by offering the new rice crop to Goddess Lakshmi.
On Capricorn Sankranti, since the times immemorial, people on this day bathe at the confluence of river Ganges and Bay of Bengal. This is called Gangasagar. Additionally, people take dips in various holy rivers to attain the blessings of the Lord Sun.
From Makar Sankranti the days become longer and nights become shorter. The heat or fire element becomes dominant in the northern hemisphere. The positive energies gain momentum so all sorts of new beginnings like marriage, buying new stuff are carried out in this period.
It is said that Uttarayan is such an auspicious period that Bhishma Pitamah waited for six months for its arrival to give up his mortal body.
The period of Uttarayan also includes 21st June or Summer Solstice. It is the longest day and shortest night of the year. It goes on till the first six months of the Gregorian calendar.
The southward journey of the Sun is called Dakshinayan. The journey starts on Karka Sankranti and continues for the next six months of the year.
Kark Sankranti is also known as Shravan or monsoon Sankranti. This sankranti points that the sun appears to travel southward in the sky.
From the onset of Karka sankranti, the dominance of water and humidity is observed in the environment. In ancient times, formal monsoon onset was denoted on Karka Sankranti. With the receding energy of the sun, the dark or negative energies sprout out.
As per Drik panchang the Karka Sankranti falls on :
The moon will be transiting Meena rashi (Pisces sign) in UttaraBhadrapada nakshatra, 3rd pada..
The southward journey of the sun goes on till Dhanu or Sagittarius sankranti. It covers the months of -Shravan, Bhadrapad, Ashwin, Kartik, Margshirsh, and Paush- of the Hindu lunar calendar.
A major spiritual period called Chaturmas begins around Karka sankranti. Chaturmas means a bundle of four months in Sanskrit.
In Hinduism, it is believed that one year of human life is equal to one day of Gods. So Uttarayan is considered to be the daytime while Dakshinayan is the night time for the Gods.
Therefore, Lord Vishnu goes to sleep or rest for four months during Chaturmas. Lord Vishnu is one of the Gods of the supreme trinity of Hinduism. He is the sustainer of the universe.
Lord Surya is also regarded as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu sustains the universe as well as the earth in the form of the Sun. During this resting phase he hands over his duties to Lord Shiva. This explains why Lord Shiva is worshipped during Shravan.
During the Chaturmas, due to the dominance of water element, the negative energies become powerful so any new beginnings like marriage or housewarming is prohibited.
This period is solely dedicated to charity and spiritual growth. This period is a time of introspection and cleansing the soul. The receding energy of the Sun gives us a chance to look into our own minds and souls.
It is said that Pitri or our deceased ancestors travel to earth to meet their children during Dakshinayan. So major Shraadha are held in Dakshinayan. It is a celebration of honoring our ancestors by offering sacrifices and food in their name. It is called Pitripaksh.
The Uttarayan is called the masculine cycle of the earth. Whereas the Dakshinayan cycle is called the feminine cycle. In these months the earth behaves as a woman. The Dakshinayan period also has many festivals specifically dedicated to Devi worship.
Therefore, Dakshinayan is also known as the moon phase or phase of intimacy. In fact, the beginning of Dakshinayan is Karka which is the lone sign owned by the moon in the zodiac cluster.
The Karka sankranti is followed by shravan month. This is the month when Mother Nature revives herself with greenery and rain.
The Chaturmas ends when Lord Vishnu wakes up from his cosmic sleep. This year chaturmas will end on 2nd November 2025 during the Devuthani Ekadashi.
In short, this southward movement of the sun rejuvenates the fertility and greenery of nature. The string of festivals keep the negative energies at bay.
The Karkataka Sankranti is celebrated by worshipping Lord Vishnu. Some people also worship Lord Vishnu in the form of Varaha dev. Lord Vishnu is worshipped by offering Jamun fruit. This brings good luck and robust health to the devotee.
The punya kaal of Karka sankranti is called Maha Punya kaal. Charity done during this time frame brings quick favorable results.
Donations of food and garments hold special spiritual benefits on this day.
Karka Sankranti is a cosmological event that can remove all the obstacles leading to a happy and fulfilling life.
People who often suffer from unexplained illnesses, delayed or failed marriages, childlessness usually have pitridosh in their natal chart.
Pitridosh is a curse given by our deceased ancestors. Karka Sankranti is one of the best days to appease your ancestors.
If you are suffering from recurring health issues, financial losses then you must contact Smt Ekktaa Daithankar for an online consultation for astrology to find out if you are suffering from Pitri doshas. She is a learned Vedic astrologer. She prescribes doable and fruitful remedies to bring quick relief.
A period of darkness doesn’t prevail throughout. Instead, it is replaced by a bright sunrise the next day. Our lives make a compilation of these dark and brighter days, helping us learn and grow with our experiences. Vedic Astrology, spirituality, numerology and coaching enable you to hone the power of optimism and triumph the darkness with a positive stride.
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