Uttarayana

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For the kite-flying festival, see Makar Sankranti.

Uttarāyana (उत्तरायन) is the six month period between Makar Sankranti around (January 14) and Karka Sankranti around (July 14), when the Sun travels towards north on the celestial sphere. The period from July 14 to January 14 is known is Dakshināyana (दक्षिणायन). The starting of Uttarayana is celebrated as Makara Sankranti throughout India.

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[edit] Makar Sankranti

Makara Sankranti Uttarayana means transmigration of Sun from one Zodiac sign to the other. Hence there are 12 such Sankrantis in all. But the transition of the Sun from 'Dhanu' Rasi (Sagittarius) to 'Makara' Rasi (Capricorn) marks the starting of Uttarayana which means northern movement of Sun. Uttarayana is considered an auspicious time.

It is celebrated differently by various groups within India.The festival is observed on January the 14th. Uttrayan is the name given to this day because it is when the sun starts moving towards the uttar or north.

Uttarayan is a national holiday and is celebrated by flying kites and kite fighting. Generally men do the Kite Fighting while women hold the string or manja in a coil.

The Gujarati people are the most prominent in celebrating Uttarayana, and it is a prominent part of the culture

[edit] Fun and kite flying on Uttarayan

The name Uttarayan comes from joining two different Sanskrit words "Uttar" (North) and "ayan" (movement towards). Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) is the day when the sun starts to travel towards north as a sign of coming summer. People from all age groups, come to the roof of their houses and apartments to fly kites in celebration of the festival.

On this beautiful day, millions of people pitch themselves at their roof-tops(terrace) to fly kites. The thread used to fly kites is specially made with granulated glass pieces to facilitate kite wars. Here people will fly kites and get the thread intertwined with on another and pull on the thread until one of the thread breaks. The winners will cheer using a popular phrase 'Kaypo che' (I cut the kites) and other local slangs. The sky is filled with a rainbow of kites. People of Gujarat, generally have sesame and peanut bars called "Tal-sankadi" and "chiki" on this day.

Gujarat is most famous for the festival of Uttarayan.

[edit] Safety Issues

Manja, the glass powder coated kite flying string is extremely hazardous to birds flying in the sky and to humans. Many birds are maimed or killed by the kite string and there are often protests especially from Jain monks asking the population to be considerate of the animal life which may be harmed or killed as a result of the kite string. Many kite fliers get deep cuts in their fingers(they deserve those cuts) when they are not careful while handling the manja. Several people have died when their necks get slashed with the deadly manja, people commuting on two wheelers like cycles, and scooters are especially vulnerable since the to manja from kites being flown nearby can get entangled arount their necks and cause deep cuts. Yet, the barbaric festivities continue, and people continue using manja.

Many people also get seriously injured and lose their lives when they fall off rooftops while flying and fighting kites and handling the manja reels and vigorously pulling or releasing it during battle of the kites. In the Indian subcontinent kites are generally flown and fought from the rooftops of houses.

Kite running is the practice of running after drifting kites in the sky that have been cut loose in battle with other kites.

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