It comes with a regularity, every year December 21, (Sunday) marks the winter solstice, the shortest day and the longest night in Northern Hemisphere including in Pakistan.
A solstice is an astronomical event that occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is the most oriented toward or away from the Sun, causing the Sun to reach its northernmost or southernmost extreme.
The name is derived from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still), because at the solstices, the Sun stands still in declination; that is, its apparent movement north or south comes to a standstill.
The term solstice can also be used in a wider sense, as the date (day) that such a passage happens. The solstices, together with the equinoxes, are connected with the seasons. In some languages they are considered to start or separate the seasons; in others they are considered to be centre points.
In winter, on the day of Solstice, the Sun moves maximum Southwards and we get the shortest day and the longest night of the year. After that, it starts moving Northwards again. From culture to culture, the winter solstice is greatly recognised as a time of rebirth, with rituals, celebrations, festivals, and numerous traditions practised on the days surrounding the solstice.
The extreme of winter or Winter Solstice festival is celebrated by the Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, and other Asian cultures. The origins of the winter festival are traced back to yin and yang philosophy of balance and harmony. With longer daylight hours approaching, an increase in positive energy flows in.
Other festivities, celebrations and events taking place across the globe, during the time of the winter solstice include Hogmanay (New Years Eve celebration) in Scotland, Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) in Peru, Junkanoo (masquerade and street festival) in the Bahamas, numerous local festivals throughout the United States, and many others world-wide.
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