look news india
In Hinduism and Vedic astrology, the zodiac change and movement of Sun God have a special and deep significance. Today i.e. on 16th July 2026 (Thursday), Sun God is leaving Gemini and entering Cancer, which is called ‘Karka Sankranti’. As soon as the Sun enters Cancer, the ‘Dakshinayan’ period begins.
In the scriptures, Dakshinayan is considered very mysterious and important from spiritual point of view. According to mythological beliefs, the night of the gods has started from today. Let us know what Dakshinayan is, what is its religious secret and what things are important to keep in mind during this time.
What is Dakshinayan? (Religious and scientific importance)
-
Religious belief (night of the gods): According to Hindu time calculation, one year of humans is equal to one day and night of the gods. When the Sun remains in Uttarayan for six months (from Makar Sankranti), it is called the day of the Gods. At the same time, when the Sun transits from Cancer to Sagittarius in Dakshinayan, this period of six months is considered as the Night of the Gods (Celestials’ Night). During this time, as it is night in the heavenly world, all the gods and goddesses go into ‘Yoga Nidra’.
-
Scientific viewpoint: According to astronomy, after the summer solstice on June 21, the Sun gradually starts moving towards the south of the equator. As a result, days gradually become shorter and nights become longer in the Northern Hemisphere. (According to the calculations of the Vedic calendar, this astronomical change is considered to be fully effective from Karka Sankranti i.e. 16th July).
Three main features and rules of Dakshinayana
| Aspect/Parameter | Effect and importance of Dakshinayan period |
| Ban on auspicious works | During this period of six months, all the major auspicious and auspicious functions like marriage, mundan, sacred thread, house warming etc. are banned, because the actions performed during the sleeping period of the deities are not considered to be fully fruitful. |
| Sadhana and fasting time | It is also called ‘Sadhana Pad’. It is in Dakshinayan that the biggest fasts and festivals of Sanatan Dharma like Chaturmas, Sawan Monday, Rakshabandhan, Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali occur. This time is best for spiritual purification and mental peace. |
| Worship of ancestors (Shraddha) | Dakshinayan period is considered best for the satisfaction of ancestors. During this period, ‘Pitru Paksha’ (Mahalaya Shradh) comes, in which blessings of ancestors are taken by doing Pind Daan and Tarpan. |
That mystery of Mahabharata period: Why did Bhishma Pitamah wait for Uttarayan?
A very famous story of Mahabharata is related to this mystery of Dakshinayan and Uttarayan. During the Mahabharata war, when Bhishma Pitamah, who had received the boon of voluntary death, lay down on the bed of arrows, the Sun God was moving in Dakshinayan.
Mythological Mystery: It is believed in the scriptures that a person who sacrifices his life during Dakshinayan (Night of the Gods) has to go through a blurry path and does not get freedom from the cycle of rebirth. At the same time, one attains salvation by going through the bright path of Uttarayan. This was the reason that despite suffering the unbearable pain of arrows, Bhishma Pitamah did not sacrifice his life till the sun’s Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti).
What to do during Dakshinayan so that happiness and prosperity remain in life?
Since negative powers or Tamasic energy start becoming a little active during this period, some special remedies have been suggested in the scriptures:
-
Worship of Lord Vishnu and Shiva: After Devshayani Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu rests in the underworld and Mahadev takes charge of the creation. Therefore, definitely worship Shiva in Sawan and Chaturmas.
-
Regular charity: Donation, Yagya and fasting done during this period relieve mental distress and attain health.
-
Giving up Tamasic food: Due to the arrival of rainy season and autumn, digestion process slows down during this period, hence adopting Satvik food is better from both scientific and religious point of view.