What is Uttarayan?
Uttarayan is the sun's northward journey — the bright, auspicious half of the year, beginning at Makar Sankranti.
Uttarayan explained
Uttarayan (uttara = north, ayana = movement) is the six-month period when the Sun appears to move northward, beginning at Makar Sankranti (around 14 January) and lasting until Karka Sankranti (around mid-July).
During this half the days lengthen in the northern hemisphere. Traditionally it is called the "day of the devas" (gods) and is regarded as the more auspicious, light-filled half of the year.
Its counterpart is Dakshinayan, the sun's southern course.
Spiritual significance
Uttarayan is associated with light, clarity and liberation. So sacred is this period that the patriarch Bhishma, in the Mahabharata, is said to have waited on his deathbed for Uttarayan to begin before leaving his body — choosing the bright path.
Why it matters in daily life
Auspicious ceremonies are favoured during Uttarayan, and Makar Sankranti that opens it is celebrated with holy bathing, charity and kite-flying across India.
The Bhagavad Gita connection
Krishna names the sun's northern course as the bright path by which the knowers of Brahman attain the supreme and do not return — making Uttarayan a symbol of the soul's liberation.
“Fire, light, day, the bright fortnight, the six months of the sun's northern course — departing then, the knowers of Brahman attain Brahman.”
Related festivals & observances
See Uttarayan in today's Panchang
Now that you understand it, see it live in today's Panchang for your city — and ask Krishna what today is inviting you toward.