A week-long celebration would lead up to the Winter Solstice. Ancient Romans celebrated the day in honour of Saturn, the god of agriculture.This phenomena causes the movement of the Sun from the Northern to the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa bringing in seasonal changes in the year. The Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees as it rotates around the Sun. Winter Solstice: On this day of the year we see the fewest hours of daylight. After Winter Solstice days start getting longer Why does Winter Solstice happen?Īround this time every year, countries in the Northern Hemisphere are farthest from the Sun and the Sun shines overhead on the Tropic of Capricorn. Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, takes place between December 19 and 23. Both Summer and Winter Solstices are astronomical events marking the movement of the Sun and change in the duration of day and night time. The world 'solstice' is derived from a Latin word meaning the 'stalled sun'. This year, the day got more exciting as it coincides with the once in a lifetime celestial event, the 'Great Conjunction' of our two planetary giants, Jupiter and Saturn happening after nearly 400 years.

Countries and cultures have unique ways of celebrating Winter Solstice. Let's take a look at when and why Winter Solstice happens, and the traditions associated with it. After Winter Solstice, days start becoming longer and nights shorter for people in the Northern Hemisphere and it's just the reverse in the Southern Hemisphere. Winter Solstice is that day of the year when we see fewest hours of daylight. Traditionally Winter Solstice marks the beginning of Christmas and New Year celebrations worldwide.

Winter equinox