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Uttarayan is a Hindu festival in celebration of the winter solstice and the transition to springtime, as well as the harvest.

The name Uttarayan often refers to the period between the winter solstice and the summer solstice, but sometimes the name is used to refer to a celebration lasting a few days.

In some places, Uttarayan is celebrated with kite flying, and the name Uttarayan is sometimes used as the name of a kite festival, notably in the Indian state of Gujarat. 

Uttarayan is sometimes called Makar Sankranti.

Similar festivals that take place at the same time are known as Pongal and Lohri, though these may be considered entirely separate observances (even though they also celebrate the harvest and the transition to springtime).

When is Uttarayan?

Those who celebrate Uttarayan differ about the date on which its observance should begin.

Many people observe its start on the fixed date of January 14.

However, some people instead use the date of the winter solstice as the start of Uttarayan.

Uttarayan often refers to the entire period between the winter solstice and the summer solstice, but the name is also sometimes used to refer to a celebration lasting a few days.

Uttarayan

Makar Sankranti, the Festival of Kites, is popularly known as Uttarayan.

Uttarayan is a combination of two Sanskrit words, ‘uttar’ meaning north and ‘ayan’ meaning movement towards.

Uttarayan occurs on Posh Vad Pancham and celebrates the sun’s northward movement.

Since the northern direction is considered sacred, the time span in which the sun moves from one zodiac to another is considered auspicious.

Dan, or the act of donating, is given great importance on this day.

Hindus go to mandir and donate grains, other food items, money, and even vehicles and homes for punya.

In the Swaminarayan Sampraday, devotees gather to where Pramukh Swami Maharaj is and offer their donations for the benefit of the local community.

Rituals:

• During Makar Sankranti, devotees go on a pilgrimage and bathe in Prayag, where the three sacred rivers, Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, meet.
• In south India, this festival is called Pongal, and in north India, the festival is called Lohri.
• In south India, on the night before Makar Sankranti, people clean their homes, after which they burn the waste collected.
• Pongal means to overflow.

Thus, people cook rice in milk until the milk begins to overflow, signifying abundance and prosperity.

• People make sweets out of sesame seed and jaggery and offer them to one another as a form of good

Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti)

Uttarayan, Also Known As Makar Sankranti, Is A Hindu Festival Celebrated In India And Various Other Parts Of South Asia.

It Marks The Transition Of The Sun Into The Northern Hemisphere, A Period Known As The Winter Solstice.

Typically Falling On January 14th Or 15th, Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) Holds Great Cultural And Spiritual Significance.

The Festival Signifies The End Of Winter And The Onset Of Longer Days, Symbolizing A Time Of Harvest, Warmth, And New Beginnings.

The Kite Flying Aspect Of Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti)  Is Not Just A Recreational Activity But Also Holds Symbolic Significance.

It Is Believed To Represent The Human Desire To Be Close To The Divine, Reaching For Greater Heights And Breaking Free From Earthly Attachments.

As Kites Soar High In The Sky, Participants Revel In The Joy Of Competition, Skill, And The Sheer Beauty Of The Moment.

Men’s Traditional Attire:

Dhoti Kurta

1. Dhoti:

•           Description: The Dhoti Is A Traditional Men’s Garment, Typically A Rectangular Piece Of Unstitched Cloth, Worn Around The Waist And Legs.

•           Styles And Colors: Dhotis Come In Various Styles, Such As Plain White Or Vibrant Colors, And Can Be Paired With Contrasting Or Matching Kurtas.

•           Occasions: Dhoti Kurta Is Commonly Worn During Festivals, Weddings, And Other Cultural Events.

2. Kurta:

•           Description: The Kurta Is A Long Tunic-Like Shirt That Can Vary In Length, Usually Reaching Below The Knees.

•           Styles And Colors: Kurtas Can Be Simple Or Heavily Embroidered, And They Come In A Wide Range Of Colors And Fabrics.

Kediyu

1. Kediyu:

Description: The Kediyu Is A Traditional Gujarati Jacket With A Unique Design, Often Embellished With Intricate Embroidery Or Mirror Work.

•           Styles And Colors: Kediyu Jackets Come In Various Styles And Colors, And They Are Often Paired With Dhotis, Churidars, Or Other Bottom Wear.

•           Occasions: Kediyu Is Commonly Worn During Festivals Like Navratri And Special Occasions In Gujarat.

2. Churidar:

•           Description: Churidar Is A Type Of Traditional Indian Trousers Characterized By Its Tight-Fitting Design Around The Legs.

•           Styles And Colors: Churidars Can Be Plain Or Embroidered, And They Are Often Paired With Kurtas Or Jackets Like The Kediyu.

Women’s Traditional Attire:

Saree

1.         Elegance In Every Drape:

o          Sarees, With Their Diverse Fabrics, Intricate Designs, And Vibrant Colors, Exude Elegance And Grace. Explore The Timeless Appeal Of Sarees To Add A Touch Of Tradition And Sophistication To Your Wardrobe. Whether You’re Planning A Special Occasion Or Simply Want To Appreciate The Artistry, Take A Moment To Discover The Beauty Of Sarees.

2.         Discover Your Saree Style:

o          From Traditional Silk Sarees To Modern Prints, Find The Perfect Saree That Suits Your Style.

Embrace The Beauty Of Indian Craftsmanship And Express Your Unique Personality Through The Artistry Of Saree Fashion.

Take Your Time Exploring The Various Options Available And Enjoy The Journey Of Discovering The Saree Style That Resonates With You.

Dupatta Draping Styles:

The Dupatta Is A Versatile Piece Of Fabric That Adds Elegance To The Overall Look. Here Are Different Ways To Drape The Dupatta With A Chaniya Choli:

1. Single Dupatta Over Shoulder:

•           How To Drape:

o          Place One End Of The Dupatta On The Right Shoulder And Let It Flow Diagonally Across The Back.

o          Secure The Other End On The Left Side Of The Waist Or Drape It Across The Back, Allowing It To Fall Gracefully.

2. Double Dupatta Style:

•           How To Drape:

o          Use One Dupatta Over The Head Like A Veil, And Let The Other One Drape Over One Shoulder.

o          This Style Adds Layers And Complexity To The Overall Look, Especially Suitable For Special Occasions.

3. Front Pallu Style:

•           How To Drape:

o          Bring The Dupatta To The Front Over Both Shoulders, Creating A Pallu-Like Effect In The Front.

o          This Style Allows For A More Visible Display Of The Dupatta’s Design.

4. Gujarati Style:

•           How To Drape:

o          Bring The Dupatta From The Back Over Both Shoulders And Let It Fall Freely In The Front.

o          This Style Is Traditional And Widely Used During Festivals In Gujarat.

5. Lehenga Saree Style:

•           How To Drape:

o          Drape The Dupatta Like A Saree Pallu Over One Shoulder And Secure It On The Opposite Side Of The Waist.

o          This Style Combines Elements Of Both Lehenga And Saree Draping, Giving A Unique Look.

Color Palette:

In Traditional Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) Clothing, The Choice Of Colors Holds Significant Cultural And Symbolic Meanings.

Bright And Lively Colors Are Commonly Chosen To Represent The Festive Spirit And Contribute To The Overall Celebratory Atmosphere.

Here’s A Discussion On The Significance Of Colors In Traditional Uttarayan Clothing:

1.         Red:

•           Significance: Red Is Often Associated With Energy, Passion, And Auspiciousness. It Symbolizes The Vibrant And Joyful Nature Of Festivals, Representing The Zeal And Enthusiasm Of The Celebratory Occasion.

2.         Yellow:

•           Significance: Yellow Is Considered An Auspicious And Sacred Color In Indian Culture. It Symbolizes Purity, Spirituality, And Knowledge. During Uttarayan, Yellow May Be Chosen To Evoke A Sense Of Positivity And Divine Blessings.

3.         Green:

•           Significance: Green Is Associated With Nature, Growth, And Fertility. It Represents The Rejuvenation Of Life And The Harvest Season, Aligning With The Agricultural Significance Of Uttarayan.

4.         Blue:

•           Significance: Blue Is Often Linked To The Divine And Is Associated With Lord Krishna. It Represents Serenity, Calmness, And Spirituality. Wearing Blue During Uttarayan May Symbolize A Connection To The Divine And A Sense Of Inner Peace.

5.         Orange:

•           Significance: Orange Is A Vibrant And Energetic Color, Symbolizing Enthusiasm And Creativity. It Is Often Associated With The Rising Sun, Signifying New Beginnings And Positivity.

Fabric Choices:

Cotton And Silk Are Popular Fabric Choices For Traditional Uttarayan Clothing Due To Their Comfort, Breathability, And Suitability For The Weather During The Festival.

Here’s An Explanation Of Why These Fabrics Are Preferred:

Cotton:

1.         Comfort

2.         Absorbency

3.         Softness

4.         Versatility

5.         Traditional Appeal

Silk:

1.         Luxurious Look

2.         Drapability

3.         Temperature Regulation

4.         Durability

5.         Variety

Both Cotton And Silk Cater To The Need For Comfortable And Weather-Appropriate Clothing During Uttarayan, Where The Festival Often Takes Place In A Season That May Be Warm.

The Combination Of Comfort, Breathability, And The Ability To Showcase Vibrant Colors And Intricate Designs Makes These Fabrics Well-Suited For The Celebratory And Cultural Atmosphere Of Uttarayan.

The significance of Makar Sankranti (Uttarayan)

Unlike other Hindu festivals which follow the lunar motion, Makar Sankranti follows the movement of the sun.

It marks the beginning of the sun’s transition into the zodiac of Capricorn (Makar=Capricorn, Sankranti= transition).

This makes it the only festival to fall on a fixed date every year – January 14th.

It is a festive day all over India.

Each region celebrates its own local form of this festival.

In the western parts of India, it is called the “Makar Sankranti”.

This is the day winter officially ends and spring begins – a transition symbolic of discarding the previous season’s bad and the beginning of a fresh new season.

Food – important to any Indian festival.

In Gujarat, a special winter vegetable called undhiyo is the speciality of the day.

It’s a preparation of several beans, roots and other local seasonal vegetables.

Then there are the twisted and crooked orange spirals called jalebee. 

Their explosive sweetness is a perfect accompaniment to the rustic goodness of the undhiyo.

We had the privilege of visiting a hundred-year-old jalebee joint.

Even at the rush hour, they let us peek into their kitchens and click a few photos.

The smooth flowing batter is first fried in the shape of these spirals.

The fiery golden discs are then instantly dunked in sugar syrup.

The result is melt-in-your-mouth sweet heaven.

Jalebees are not for the mild-hearted, mind you! They are desserts meant for the hardcore sugar lover!

Mornings are for the International Kite Festival

While the Makar Sankranti celebrations take place in the evening, mornings are the perfect time to attend the International Kite Festival on the banks of the river Sabarmati.

After a hearty breakfast, head straight to the festival grounds.

The first glimpse of the kites at the International Kite Festival is an arresting and slightly unbelievable sight.

Horses and tigers are vying for air space with aliens, pirates !

Kite makers take pride in their creation and are happy to let you take a picture.

They’ll even let you try your hand at flying some of their creations.

You realise kite flying is no child’s play when you see the strength exerted by these kite fliers to keep their kites afloat.

The longest kite we saw was the one from Turkey.

It took the effort of several people and many attempts to finally get it to fly.

The award for the most innovative kite though would go to this Rubik’s cube.

How does one think of making a kite like this?

Imagine the genius creativity it takes to think up of something like this, and then execute it flawlessly.

How many failed attempts this kite maker would’ve endured, before seeing the fruits of his/her labour high up in the sky?

Uttarayan

The term Uttarayan is made from two sanskrit words ?

uttara?

and ?ayan?

which means north and movement respectively.

So, the word Uttarayan means the movement of earth towards earth on the celestial sphere.

This process starts the day after winter solstice in January and is continued till the period of summer in June.

 As per the calculations, when Sun enters Capricorn sign from Gemini, this transit is known as Uttarayan.

And after this when Sun transit from Cancer to Sagittarius, this is termed as Dakshinayan.
The beginning of Uttarayan is on 14 January.

On this day, Sun enters the capricorn sign.

That is why, this day is celebrated as Makar Sankranti.

In Gujarat and Maharashtra, this festival is celebrated as Uttarayan.

This festival is celebrated as Pongal in the southern states of India.

It?s a belief that this day is very fruitful.

The day of Uttarayan is said to be the day of God, so commencing for new work, yajna, vow, marriages, etc.

is said to be very auspicious.

In Gujarat, Kite playing festival is celebrated on this day.

Legends behind Uttarayan

1.  In Bhagwad Geeta, Lord Krishna has said, Uttarayan is the most auspicious period of six months in which it has maximum light. If somebody leaves his body in this period then he will attain moksha and will be regenerated.
2.  During the era of Mahabharat, Bhishm Pitamah was blessed with euthanasia. His soul also left his body on the day of Makar Sankranti.
3.  On this auspicious day only, Goddess Ganga came on Earth and blessed the genealogy of Bhagirath. That?s why, bathing in Ganga on Uttarayan has a religious significance.

Astrological viewpoint of Uttarayan

According to Hindu calendar, sun transits from one zodiac sign to another twice in a year.

This change is known as Uttarayan or Dakshinayan.

In Hinduism, the transit of Sun from south to north is meant to be very auspicious.

When the Sun transits from East to South, the rays during this period is meant to be harmful.

But when the Sun moves from East to North, the rays signifies the improvement in health and peace in life.

When the period of Uttarayan is about to begin, the Sun transits from Gemini to Capricorn.

It is considered that it is the starting of new morning of hopes.

From this day, the days are likely to be longer whereas nights become shorter.