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What is Makara
Sankranti and why is it celebrated on January 14th?
Most dates on the Hindu calendar are based on the movements of the Moon and
not the Sun. For this reason the Hindu calendar is a lunar calendar. One
exception to this is Makara Sankranti which is calculated according to solar
movements and so always takes place on January 14th.
Makara refers to the Makara rashi which is the sign of the zodiac
corresponding to Capricorn. Sankranti means “to cross into.” Makara Sankranti
is therefore the day that the sun moves into the sign of the zodiac known as
Capricorn.
This is important because Makara Sankranti marks the date when the sun starts
its northern course in the sky. This is the coming of light into the Northern
Hemisphere. The sun will now rise higher in the sky each day which symbolizes
spiritual light increasing in the world.
This event is marked by different celebrations all over India with various
customs such as flying kites in Gujarat, bringing of different sesame
offerings to temples, and so on.
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The counterpart to Makara
Sankranti is July 17th when the sun begins its southern course. This is
generally not celebrated because it means the coming of darkness into the
Northern Hemisphere.
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