Dakshinayana

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Dakshinayana (Sanskrit: दक्षिणायण) is the six-month period between Summer solstice and Winter solstice, when the sun travels towards the south on the celestial sphere. Dakshinayana begins on Karkada Sankranti or July 16, as it marks the transition of the Sun into Karkada rashi (Cancer).

It marks the end of the six-month Uttarayana period of Hindu calendar and the beginning of Dakshinayana, which itself ends at Makar Sankranti and the Uttarayan period begins.

According to the Puranas, Dakshinayana marks the period when the Gods and Goddesses are in their celestial sleep.