--> Skip to main content


What is Uttarayana? – Meaning Of It On December 21 - Importance - Uttarayana Punyakalam 2024

In Hindu tradition, one human year is believed to be one day for Gods. For Gods, it is Day during Uttarayana and it is night during Dakshinayana. Uttarayana starts on Makar Sankramana Day usually January 14th or 15th. Uttarayana festival in 2025 begins on January 14.  The day is also marked on December 21, 2024 in some calendars.

Please note that there are many scholars in India who believe that the Uttarayana Punyakalam or winter solstice falls on the 21st of December. But this has been ignored for observing Uttarayan festival. 

Uttarayana Punyakalam 2019


Please not that sun's northern transit or Uttarayana in North Indian and western India calendars begins on December 21, 2024. But Uttarayan festival is observed on January 15 on Makar Sankranti day.

Uttarayana Meaning

Uttarayana means the northern movement of the sun.

Importance of Uttarayana Punyakalam

Uttarayana and Dakshinayana comprises of six months each. The period starting from Capricorn Zodiac (Makara Rashi) up to Gemini Zodiac (Mithuna Rasi) is called as Uttarayana. The period when Sun leaves Gemini Zodiac is known as Kataka Sankramana and this marks the end of the Uttarayana period. This happens annually on July 15th or 16th.

Uttarayana is referred as Devayana, as it is the daytime for Gods, and most of the auspicious ceremonies and rituals are performed only in this period by certain Hindu communities.

A human year is believed to be equal to one day of Gods. The six months of Uttarayan is the day time of Gods (Devas). In Uttarayana period the days are longer and the six months is considered highly auspicious part of a year.

Marriages, Griha Pravesh, Upanayanam, and such other auspicious event are held only during this period in some communities.

Bhishma in the Mahabharata who was lying in a bed of arrows chose this period of Uttarayana Punyakalam to leave his body and merge with Brahman. It is said that those that had lived according to Dharma and die during Uttarayana Punyakalam, will not have punarjanma or rebirth.

It is believed that performing various rituals on the day using ellu or Sesame (Til) will be highly beneficial. Feeding and helping the poor on the day is considered highly meritorious.

Uttarayana Starts From

Uttarayana starts from Paush (end) or Magh month in Hindu Lunar Calendars.

In Tamil Nadu, it begins from the first day of Thai Masam.

In Kerala, it begins from the first day of Makara Masam.

Uttarayana Months

Uttarayana Months in Hindu Lunar calendar followed in North, West and certain regions in South India are:

Paush end
Magh
Falgun
Chaitra
Vaishakh
Jyeshta
Ashada
beginning of Shravan

Uttarayana Months in Tamil Calendar are:
  1. Thai (mid Jan to mid Feb)
  2. Masi (mid February to mid March)
  3. Panguni (mid March to mid April)
  4. Chithirai (mid April to mid May)
  5. Vaikasi (mid May to mid June)
  6. Aani (mid June to mid July)