Uttarayan and Dakshinayan – Difference Between Uttarayan and Dakshinayan
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 14th, 2023
The difference between Uttarayan and Dakshinayan is that Uttarayan is considered a positive sign, whereas Dakshinayan is a negative one. Uttarayan is celebrated as one of the main festivals in India. A day on the solar calendar marks the beginning of the Sun’s Northward movement. The Hindu calendar suggests two Ayans in a year, meaning the Sun changes its motion twice in 12 months.
Difference Between Uttarayan and Dakshinayan PDF
The changes in the Sun’s motion are known as Uttarayan and Dakshinayan. Both these refer to different periods and have their own significance. These solstices also relate to the changes in season. Check the difference between uttarayan and dakshinayan based on various factors along with their individual importance.
Table of content
Difference Between Uttarayan and Dakshinayan
Even though Uttarayan and Dakshinayan are considered opposite to each other. They each have their own importance as per the Hindu religious practices. In the following table, let us see the most pertinent difference between Uttarayan and Dakshinayan in detail.
Uttarayanam and Dakshinayanam in English are known as Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice, respectively.
Uttarayan and Dakshinayan
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Difference Between Uttarayan and Dakshinayan |
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Uttarayan |
Dakshinayan |
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The Uttarayan meaning is Summer Solstice. |
The Dakshinayan meaning is Winter Solstice. |
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It is associated with positive energy. |
It is associated with negative energy. |
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The spiritual and auspicious activities are conducted in the Uttarayanam period. |
The spiritual and auspicious activities are not conducted in the Dakshinayan. |
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The seasons involved in Uttarayan are Winter with Spring and Summer. |
The seasons involved in Uttarayan are monsoon, autumn, and winter. |
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Starting time – 22nd December |
Dakshinayan date – 21st or 22nd June. |
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The days are usually longer than the nights in Uttarayan. |
The nights are usually longer than the days in Dakshinayan. |
Uttarayan and Dakshinayan
The difference between Uttarayan and Dakshinayan lies entirely in their significance to Hindu religious practices. Uttarayan is considered auspicious for enlightenment, whereas Dakshinayan is for purification, with fasting and worshipping given increased prominence during this period.
What is Uttarayan?
The summer solstice is called the Uttarayan, which starts on the day of Makar Sankranti, the 14th of January. This six-month-long period is when the Sun starts travelling towards the North.
- It symbolizes positivity and encourages donations, marriages, charities, and other good occasions.
- During this time, days are longer than nights.
- Rays of the Sun are considered healthy during Uttarayan; people leverage the benefits of sunbath by flying kites on the festival.
- The northward movement of the Sun spans three seasons winter, spring, and summer.
What is Dakhsinayan?
Dakshinayan is the opposite of Uttarayan and marks the period when the Sun travels back to Capricorn towards the South. The seasons of winter, monsoon, and autumn fall during this period.
- Dakshinayanam starts from June end, and the period is associated with negativity, so auspicious work is generally avoided during Dakshinayan.
- Nights are longer than days during the period.
Conclusion:
Uttarayan and Dakshinayan – Key Differences
The key Difference Between Uttarayan and Dakshinayan is that Uttarayan refers to the northward motion of the Sun, whereas Dakshinayan constitutes winter, autumn, and monsoon. Uttarayan symbolizes positivity as it is auspicious, while Dakshinayan symbolizes negativity as it is inauspicious.
