Each year is divided into two halves, known as ayana. Uttarayana begins on the day of the (winter or summer) solstice, normally December 21, when the sun begins its apparent northward journey. Dakshinayana begins on the first day of the (summer or winter) solstice, normally June 21, marking the sun’s southward movement. (Which solstice – summer or winter – depends if one lives above or below the Earth’s equator!)
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