Leh, Dec 22: Traditional local event ‘Winter Solstice’ also known as ‘Nima Jul Pe Meto’ which marks the shortest day and longest night in the northern hemisphere on the intervening night of December 21-22 was celebrated in the Turtuk village of UT Ladakh with much fanfare.
Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Ghulam Mehdi was the chief guest on the occasion.
Marking the occasion, the villagers, especially the youngsters, marched around the village carrying fire torches (Meto) singing traditional folk songs.
According to the astronomical definition of the seasons, the winter solstice also marks the beginning of the season of winter, which lasts until the vernal equinox.
After the solstice, the days get longer, and the day has thus been celebrated in many cultures as a time of rebirth.
Winter solstice, the moment during the year when the path of the Sun in the sky is farthest south in the Northern Hemisphere.
When the winter solstice happens in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun.
