| During six
months of the year, the days are longer than the nights. During the other six months, the
nights are longer than the days. Have you noticed this? The first period is called Uttaraayana. Uttara means north. Then the sun moves
north from the centre of the sky. The second period is Dakshinaayaria.Dakshina means
south. The sun moves southwards now. The Uttaraayana starts roughly in the period
January-February. The day Uttaraayana starts is called Makara Sankranti. That day is very
auspicious. We celebrate it as a festival all over the country. People bathe in holy
waters. They worship the sun-god and give away gifts. During the six following months,
happy events like marriages are celebrated.
The day after Sankranti is Pongal-day. This festival is
observed specially in Tamil Nadu. |
