Dakshinayana or Pitrayana is the nighttime of gods in Hinduism and it lasts for six months or till Makar Sankranti. Uttarayana period starts with Makar Sankranti and it is the daytime of Devas. A human year is equal to one day of gods in Hindu religion. Dakshinayana is also the southern transit of Sun and nights are longer during this period. In 2011, Dakshinayana starts on June 21 for calendars followed in North India. For calendars followed in South India, Dakshinayana begins on July 16, 2011.
In Tamil Nadu, the month Aadi marks the beginning of Dakshinayana. There is also a belief that Lord Vishnu goes to sleep during this period and the Ekadasi just before Karka Sankranti is referred as Deva Sayani Ekadashi.
There are two methods followed in calculating the movement of the sun. In Drika Siddhanta method Dakshinayana starts when sayana sun enters cancer and this method is followed by some regional calendars. In this system, Dakshinayana begins on June 21, 2011.
But majority of Hindus in South India
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Is there any special puja or fasting to be done on Dakshinayana? My local temple has marked it on their calendar but I would like to know if I should go to temple on that day and if so, what should I do (i.e. which God do I pray, any abhishekam, etc)? Thanks!
You can go to any temple and you can pray to any deity.
we are a newly married couple, my in-laws want us to be separate for one or one and half months starting from june 21st.
they say that during ashada month we are suppose to be separate. is this true or just a belief.
??
Dear Harsha it based on the belief that if a woman conceives during Ashada she will give birth in Chaitra (March - April) which is considered to be the hottest months in India. But with modern technology such belief are changing...
is dakshinayana and uttarayana same as spring and vernal equinox.
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