The night for the gods started from today, know the secret of Dakshinayan

Cancer Sankranti 2026Image Credit source: PTI

Kark Sankranti 2026: In astrology, the date of Sankranti is considered very sacred and a day of great changes. Whenever Sun God changes his zodiac sign, it is called Sankranti. Today i.e. on 16th July, Sun God is leaving Gemini and entering Cancer. This change is called ‘Karka Sankranti’. This day has a very special significance in the Sanatan tradition, because from today onwards the movement of the Sun God is changing and ‘Dakshinayan’ is beginning. According to religious beliefs, as soon as Dakshinayan begins, the night of the gods begins, which continues for the next 6 months. Let us understand in detail what Dakshinayan is, what is its religious and scientific importance and why it is called the night of the gods.

What is Dakshinayan?

According to astrology, when the Sun enters Cancer, its movement is considered towards the south. This period is called Dakshinayan. This time lasts for about six months. After this, when the Sun enters Capricorn, then Uttarayan begins. There is a religious belief that Uttarayan is the day of the gods, while Dakshinayan is considered the night of the gods. Therefore, from today onwards it will be considered as the night of the gods for the next six months.

Why is it called the night of the gods?

In Sanatan Dharma, time has been calculated not only from the perspective of humans, but also from the perspective of the gods. It is believed that one year of humans is considered one day of the gods. This one day has two parts. The first six months, i.e. from Makar Sankranti to Karka Sankranti, are called the days of the gods. The time from Karka Sankranti to Makar Sankranti is considered the night of the gods. This is the reason why the night of the gods is believed to begin as soon as Dakshinayan begins with Cancer Sankranti.

Religious importance of Dakshinayan

The time of Dakshinayan is considered very important for worship, chanting, penance, charity and introspection. According to religious texts, during this period a person should pay more attention to his spiritual life. Auspicious results are achieved by devotion to God, chanting mantras, fasting and doing charity. Many major religious festivals also fall during this period. Important festivals like the holy month of Saavan, Nag Panchami, Rakshabandhan, Shri Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Pitru Paksha, Sharadiya Navratri and Deepawali are celebrated during Dakshinayan only.

Does it affect auspicious deeds?

Many people have a question in their mind whether all the auspicious works stop during Dakshinayan. This is not so according to religious beliefs. During this period, worship, charity, fasting and most auspicious works can be done. However, for some special auspicious functions, the auspicious time of marriage, house warming or other rituals is decided on the basis of Panchang and astrological calculations.

What to do in Dakshinayan?

It is considered auspicious to take bath and offer water to the Sun God on the day of the beginning of Dakshinayan. After this chant Aditya Hridaya Stotra or Surya Mantra. Donate food, clothes, jaggery, wheat or whatever according to your capacity to the needy people. It is believed that by worshiping Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Sun God regularly during this period, one gets positive energy and mental peace.

Also read: Today is Cancer Sankranti, do these easy steps to get the blessings of Sun God.

Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and general information. TV9 Bharatvarsha does not confirm this.

Varun Chauhan

More than a decade of experience in electronic and digital media. After doing a journalism course from Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT) Noida in 2008, I started my journey in media with the idea of ​​doing something different and new. Since the beginning, I have been interested in making those topics related to Indian culture and religious traditions available to the common people. During his career, he got the opportunity to work in prestigious media organizations like Channel One News, Sahara Samay, A2Z News, News Express, National Voice and Punjab Kesari Digital. While working in these institutions, I got the experience of learning news writing, field reporting, and digital content. At present, in the country’s largest news network TV9 Bharatvarsha, I am fulfilling the responsibility of delivering news related to religion and faith, religious events, astrology, vastu, mythology, temple traditions and fasts and festivals to the readers in simple, easy and factual language. The coverage of Maha Kumbh 2025 is one of the important experiences of my career, where I got the opportunity to write in detail on the faith of crores of devotees, the traditions of the Akharas, the activities of the Sant Samaj and the religious and cultural aspects related to the Kumbh. Apart from this, he has also continuously written on Chardham Yatra, Sawan, Navratri, Diwali, Holi, Chhath Puja, Amarnath Yatra, Ramzan and other major religious events. I have special interest in the study of Indian culture, religious philosophy, astrology, numerology, Vastu Shastra, Puranas and folk beliefs. My endeavor is always to convey religious and spiritual topics to the readers through simple language, so that they can better understand their traditions and cultural heritage.

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