December (Winter) 2025 Solstice (21.12.2025)-Rohit Kumar Parmar
- rohitkparmar
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December (Winter) 2025 Solstice
(21.12.2025)
-Rohit Kumar Parmar [1]
Solstice (अयनांत) is an astronomical event that occurs twice a year, first in June and the second in December. In Sanskrit, अयनांत is a composite word in which अयन is चलना or movement, and अंत is end.
Solstice is derived from the Latin `sol’ (Sun) and `sistere’ (to stand still). The seasonal movement of the Sun's daily path (as seen from Earth) pauses (or appears to pause) at a northern or southern limit, before reversing direction.
This happens because on solstice day, the Sun's declination (the angular distance of a point north or south of the celestial equator) appears to `stand still’.
During a solstice, the Sun reaches its highest/ furthest position in the sky, as seen from the north or the south pole. The position from the other pole is the opposite, that is the lowest/ closest. On a solstice day, the Sun in the sky is the farthest north or south from the equator.
Solstices occur on June 20/ 21 and December 21/ 22nd every year. During the summer solstice in a hemisphere, the duration of the day is the longest in the year and during the winter solstice, duration of the day is shortest in the year.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice signals summer. This is when the north pole is closest to the Sun, and the Sun’s rays are directly overhead viewed from the Tropic of Cancer.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the December solstice signals winter. This is when the north pole is furthest from the Sun, and the Sun’s rays are directly overhead viewed from the Tropic of Capricorn, which is in the Southern Hemisphere.
The reverse of the above, is observed in the Southern Hemisphere.
Equinoxes occur on March (20/ 21) and on September (22/ 23). These are days, when the Sun is exactly above the equator, which makes the duration of day and night equal.
According to Hindu astrology, the change/ shift away from winter, known as Uttarayana (उत्तरायण), is observed on Makar Sankranti day. In Sanskrit, उत्तरायण is a composite word, उत्तर meaning North, and अयन meaning movement.
On Uttarayana day, the Sun starts it’s northward ascent/ movement. This is different from winter solstice, which is the shortest day.
The dates of winter solstice and of Uttarayan are not the same. Winter solstice is observed on December 21/22, while Uttarayan is celebrated on January 13/ 14, coinciding with Makar Sankranti.
The complement of Uttarayana is Dakshinayana (the southward descent/ movement of the Sun).
July 16, 2025 marked the transition of Sun into Karka Rashi (Cancer) and is called Karka Sankranti. Karka Sankranti marks the end of the six-month Uttarayana period as per the Hindu calendar, and the beginning of Dakshinayana, which ends on Makar Sankranti.
[1] Author, Economics, Law, Consumer Issues, Content Creator, Data Analysist, Performance Evaluator. Indian Economic Service, Senior Economic Adviser (Retired), Government of India, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and former Adviser (P 4) UNDP, Yemen has in posts
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