| Life
on earth is made possible largely due to an important and
never-failing phenomenon – the regular, periodic rising of the
sun. It is no wonder that the sun is worshipped as a god by the
ancient peoples of the world. It is said that one full year for us
humans corresponds to one full day for the divine.
Thus the night- time of the gods
corresponds to that six-month period which ends on a day designated
by Hindus as Makara Sankranti. A new day begins for the gods and for
us on earth; when the generally southern direction of the sun (dakshinaayana)
changes to a generally northern direction (uttaraayana).
This point in time when dakshinaayana
ends and uttaraayana begins, proclaiming a new day for the heavenly,
is a cause for worship of the sun and a festival. It is also the
time when the winter crop is harvested – another reason for
feasting.
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