Winter Solstice 2022: Everything You Wanted to Know About the Shortest Day of the Year

 

Winter Solstice will fall on December 22 this year, which will start at 3:18 pm Indian time and will last for about 10 hours.

This year the Winter Solstice will be celebrated on 22nd December. After the winter solstice, the days begin to get longer and the nights shorter for people in the Northern Hemisphere. The opposite phenomenon occurs for people in the Southern Hemisphere.

Giving information about Sankranti, NASA tweeted, 'It's going to be a long night. In the Northern Hemisphere, ie. Tonight is the #WinterSolstice, which occurs when either pole of Earth reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun. This happens twice. Annual, once in each hemisphere"

It's going to be a long night.

In the Northern Hemisphere, ie. Tonight is the #WinterSolstice, which occurs when either pole of Earth reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun. This happens twice a year, once in each hemisphere. learn more:

— NASA (@NASA) December 21, 2022

What is winter solstice?:

The winter solstice is an event that occurs when Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees as it revolves around the Sun. It moves the sun from northern to southern hemisphere and vice versa causing seasonal changes.

Every year during this time, the countries in the Northern Hemisphere are farthest from the Sun as it shines overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn. Sankranti happens twice a year, once in summer and second time in winter.

Winter Solstice 2022 Timings:

This year Winter Solstice will be celebrated on December 2022. It will begin at 3:18 PM IST in New Delhi and will last for approximately 10 hours. During the winter solstice, the Sun will be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn.

Winter Solstice Meaning:

The word "solstice" is derived from the Latin solstitium meaning "the Sun stands still.

Significance of Winter Solstice:

While the winter solstice marks the lengthening of the days and the shortening of the nights, it has been celebrated since the time of the ancient Romans. The Romans held a week-long festival honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture, until the solstice.

Similarly, Pagans believe that the solstice marks the end of darkness and the rebirth of the sun and light. They feel that this is the best time for holidays as the sun is at its peak.

Since the winter solstice occurs around Christmas, it holds a special significance for them. It also marks the beginning of Christ's ministry on earth.