To understand Ayana, you first need to understand Samvat. In the Hindu calendar, Ayana refers to the ☀️ Sun's apparent movement between two points during a Samvat. These movements are part of what creates our seasons. Think of Ayana as a way to describe the Sun's yearly journey in the sky, as observed from Earth.
When we say the Sun is in Uttarayana, it means it's moving towards the northern hemisphere.
This period is roughly from mid-January to mid-July.
During Uttarayana, the days are longer in the northern hemisphere, and it's generally warmer. This is when many places experience spring and summer.
n Indian culture, Uttarayana is often associated with growth and auspicious beginnings. Many festivals and important events are celebrated during this time.
Dakshinayana
Dakshinayana is when the Sun moves towards the southern hemisphere.
This period is roughly from mid-July to mid-January.
During Dakshinayana, the days are shorter in the northern hemisphere, leading to cooler temperatures, marking autumn and winter.
This period is often considered inauspicious.
Masa and Ayana
As there are 12 Masa in a Samvat, there are six Masa in each Ayana. As Masa depends on the moon 🌕 & Ayana depends on the sun ☀️- there will be a discrepancy. Hence, the mapping of Masa to Ayana is more cultural and astronomical than astrological.
Masa during Uttarayana are Magha, Phalguna, Chaitra, Vaishakha, Jyeshtha, and Ashadha.
Masa during Dakshinayana are Shravana, Bhadrapada, Ashwin, Kartika, Margashirsha, and Pausha.
