What are the Solstices, and why do those in Sikh Dharma celebrate them?

Many on the Sikh Dharma path celebrate both Summer and Winter Solstice. In the Northern hemisphere, Winter Solstice occurs each year December 21 or 22, and Summer Solstice occurs June 20 or 21.

The Solstices are the nadir and zenith (the closest and furthest points) of the earth’s orbit as it revolves around the sun, in relation to the earth’s axis throughout the year. They result in the shortest and the longest days of the year.

Those in Sikh Dharma celebrate the two solstices by coming together to meditate, to pray, and uplift each other. They gather once in the midst of winter, in Florida, at the darkest point of the year. The Winter Solstice is a time of seed energy, and a sacred celebration of the return of the light. 

At Summer Solstice, many in Sikh Dharma gather in New Mexico at the height of summer, when there is the the greatest boost of solar energy to share.

The Solstice gatherings provide a time for the community to gather in love, and offer a cleansing vegetarian diet, spiritual classes, morning Sadhana, group practice of Kundalini Yoga and meditation, and Sikh Gurdwara services.

Click Here for More information about 3HO Summer and Winter Solstice Programs

~Resource:  Living Reality (1994) by Bibiji Inderjit Kaur Khalsa.