Aani Brahmotsavam is a festival which lasts 10 days. This year it officially commenced with the hoisting of the flag at the Arunachaleswar Temple on July 8, 2014. The purpose of the festival is to commemorate Dakshinayana which marks the beginning of the sun’s movement in a southern direction.
A year in the Hindu calendar consists of two Ayanas (which signfy the sun’s direction) that are divided into two periods of six months each. Summer solstice marks the beginning of Dakshinayana, which means in the Earth’s sky the Sun begins to trace a southward movement in the northern hemisphere of the planet. The Uttarayana period which begins on January 14th or 15th ends with Dakshinayana Punyakalam. The Dakshinayanam period ends on Makar Sankranti (i.e. Uttarayana day).
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| Flag Hoisting Aani Brahmotsavam, 2014 |
The Ayana from the beginning of Dakshinayana to the beginning of Uttarayana is known as the sadhana pada. In terms of sadhana, Dakshinayana is for purification, Uttarayana is for enlightenment.
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| The Gods, Arunachaleswarar Temple |
In the northern hemisphere of the planet, Uttarayana is the time of fulfilment and Dakshinayana is the time of receptivity. They are also understood as – the first six months from January to June to be masculine in nature, and the duration of the southernly run corresponds to the feminine phase of the Earth.
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| Aarti 2014 Aani Brahmotsavam |
Uttarayana and Dakshinayana have a significant impact on how the human system functions and acordingly aspirants shift their activities in relation to the dominant solar influence.
To find out more information about the meaning of Dakshinayana and Uttaraya, go to this link here.
