Uttarayan: The Festival of Sunshine and Kite Flying

Highlights Of The Blog:

• Dakshinayan and Uttarayan
• Uttarayan's Significance: Sun's Transition And Spiritual Awakening
• The Legend of Bhishma Pitamah and Uttarayan
• Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan
• Why January 14-15?
• Why Do We Fly Kites on Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan?
• Kite Festival In India — Gujarat Kite Festival
• Auspicious Time (Muhurat) For Snan (Ritual Bathing)

Dakshinayan And Uttarayan

(Offering prayers to the Sun God on Uttarayan)

Dakshinayan ('Dakshin' means south) or winter solstice refers to six months of the Sun's journey towards the Southern hemisphere; it begins around Kark Sankranti (June–July). According to the scriptures, Dakshinayan symbolises the night of the Gods (a sign of negativity), whereas Uttarayan, or Devayan, symbolises the day of the Gods (a sign of positivity).

Uttarayan's Significance: Sun's Transition And Spiritual Awakening

Our body is a microcosm, a small-scale version of the Universe, moving with the same patterns and rhythms as that of the cosmos. During Uttarayan, the Sun's movement heightens energy, making this period ideal for receiving grace and growing spiritually.

While nature celebrates with abundant harvests, spiritual seekers have the golden opportunity to harvest their inner potential through sadhana.

The Legend of Bhishma Pitamah and Uttarayan

(Bhishma Pitamah lying on a bed of arrows, awaiting Uttarayan)

The significance of Uttarayan can be traced back to the epic battle of Kurukshetra.

Pandav prince Arjun wanted to know how one can be united with God at the time of death. Srimad Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 8, Verses 23-26) records Sri Krishna's explanation about two eternal paths.

He said those who depart during Uttarayan, the bright fortnight, attain liberation, while those who leave during Dakshinayan, the dark fortnight, reach celestial realms but eventually take rebirth.

These two, bright and dark paths, always exist in this world. The way of light leads to liberation and the way of darkness leads to rebirth.

This is why Bhishma Pitamah (the grandsire of the Kuru clan), even though severely injured during the Mahabharata war, lay on a bed of arrows, waiting for Uttarayan. He had been blessed with Icchamrityu (or death by choice), but he chose to leave his body during Uttarrayan to reach the Divine abode.

Although Uttarayan and Makar Sankranti honour Suryadev, Sri Vishnu, the Supreme Preserver, is also widely worshipped. Just as Suryadev gives physical light, Sri Vishnu guides a seeker from ignorance to knowledge (the inner light).

Makar Sankranti And Uttarayan

In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is popularly known as Uttarayan.

'Uttarayan ni shubhkamnao'

The above line, meaning good wishes on the day of Uttarayan, is a popular Gujarati greeting on Makar Sankranti. Uttarayan is a two-day festival in Gujarat. The first day is celebrated with kite flying, relishing Undhiyu (a traditional mixed vegetable dish), and sweet Chikki (peanut-sesame-jaggery brittle). On the second day, also known as Vasi Uttarayan, celebrations continue with families bonding over traditional food and kite flying.

Why January 14-15?

According to Vedic Astrology, the actual Uttarayan, or winter solstice, begins around 21st-22nd December, coinciding with the longest night of the year. However, we celebrate Uttarayan and Makar Sankranti in January. The Panchang Kartas (Vedic Astrologers) are aware of these misplaced events. They follow the alignment of the stars (Sun's transition into the constellation of Makar or Capricorn) to mark the exact Makar Sankranti date. The alignment happens in January, and not on the winter solstice in December. Therefore, we celebrate both Uttarayan and Makar Sankranti around 14th-15th January.

Why Do We Fly Kites on Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan?

(Kite Flying, a popular sport on Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan)

The Indian subcontinent has an ancient tradition of kite flying. The 13th-14th-century Marathi saint and poet Namdev uses kite flying as a symbol of detachment and the mind's focus on God in one of his famous abhangas (devotional poetry). The kite or 'gudi' (a Prakrit word for kite) represents the soul soaring in the sky of higher consciousness. The string is the constant thread of remembrance (naam jap or chanting) that keeps the soul connected to the divine. Even as the kite flyer has many distractions (chattering friends), he keeps his attention on the string. Similarly, a Sadhak should keep his/her focus on the deity despite worldly distractions.

Kite flying references come again in Sri Ramcharitmanas by Goswami Tulsidas.

'raam ek din chang udaee
indralok mein pahunchee jaee'
(Balakand, Ramcharitmanas)

The above couplet describes how young Lord Ram once while flying a kite, flew it so high that it reached Devlok (the abode of Lord Indra).

Kite flying also has many health benefits. It encourages people to spend time in the Sun, get fresh air, and a good dose of Vitamin D. Looking up and focusing on the sky improves flexibility, posture and eye health.

Kite Festival In India - Gujarat Kite Festival

(Tukkals or lantern-shaped kites light up the night sky on Uttarayan)

In Gujarat, kite flying is inseparable from Uttarayan. Ahmedabad is called the kite capital of India. On this vibrant day, many kite competitions (also called patangbazi) are held in Gujarat, and the shouts of Kai Po Che (I have cut the kite) echo in the air. A tradition that began as a royal hobby was transformed into a formal kite-flying festival by the Gujarat government in 1989. Each year, the International Kite Festival in India is held in Ahmedabad around Uttarayan. The preparations begin in November, followed by a grand Patang Bazaar (Kite Market).

Gujarat witnesses a grand festival with kites of all shapes and sizes. Tukkal kites (lantern-like kites) illuminate the sky at night, keeping the festive vibe alive for the day-long festival. One can witness this energy at the banks of the Sabarmati. People from all over India and abroad participate in this grand festival.

Recently, Tamil Nadu has started hosting its own kite festival, called the Tamil Nadu International Kite Festival in Chennai.

Deeper Significance

Kite flying is more than just a sport. It is a celebration of freedom, hope, joy, and positivity for a brighter future. A deep connection is formed between our soul and nature as the kites soar high in the perfect breeze. The faces of the kite fliers soak in the soft warmth of the sun, and the open sky reminds them of the infinite opportunities.

A popular Gujarat saying truly reflects the significance of kite: 'Patang chhe tane udavani, ane yaado chhe tane sambhalvani,' meaning kites are meant to fly, and memories are meant to be cherished.

At the heart, Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan remind us that life moves in cycles. As the Sun changes direction, nature invites us to shed our old habits, embrace its warmth, and move consciously towards both material and spiritual upliftment.

Snan (Ritual Bath) on Makar Sankranti

On the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, acts of charity and ritual bath in the Ganga river hold special significance. Countless devotees gather to perform the sacred Snan (ritual bath) at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj. During the periods known as Maha Punya Kaal and Punya Kaal, devotees across India immerse themselves in sacred rivers. Scriptures state that these rituals wash away sins, end suffering, and lead to moksh (liberation).

Did you know?

If one does not have access to a sacred river on Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan, Snan mantra (given below) may be chanted to sanctify the bath water. It symbolically invokes the seven sacred rivers and brings their auspiciousness into the bath.

ganga ca yamune caiva godavari sarasvati ।
narmade sindhu kaveri jalesmina sannidhima kuru ।।
(Source: Om Swami, Jaico Impression 22, Page 133, The Ancient Science Of Mantras)

Meaning: In this water, I invoke the presence of the divine waters of the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu, and Kaveri rivers. May they kindly be present.

Auspicious Time (Muhurat) For Snan (Ritual Bathing)

Festival Date: Wednesday, 14 January 2026

Moment of Uttarayan Sankranti: 03:13 PM

• Makar Sankranti Punya Kaal: From 03:13 PM to 05:45 PM
  Duration: 2 hours 32 minutes
• Makar Sankranti Maha Punya Kaal: From 03:13 PM to 04:58 PM
  Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes