Science And Spirituality

A Celebration Of Science And Spirituality- Uttarayan & Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn on its celestial path. The celebration of major cosmic changes, such as the migration of the sun from one zodiac sign to another is known as Sankranti. Of the twelve sankrantis, where the sun migrates from one zodiac sign to another, Makara Sankranti on January 14th is the most significant. On this auspicious day, the sun passes through the winter solstice, from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn (Makar). The sun starts moving northwards ie uttarayan, towards the Tropic of Cancer in the Hindu month of Paush (starts mid-December).

As we observe this cosmic and astronomical harmony, we pay a tribute to this scientific truth. The six months of northern movement of the sun which is called as Uttarayan starts on this day. After six months the sun follows six months of southern movement which is known as Dakshinayan.

As it is associated with the sun, it is one of the few Indian festivals which falls on the same day every year in the Western Calendar - January 14th (or 15th if it’s a leap year). Makar Sankranti takes its name from the movement of the Sun into Makara or Capricorn and is celebrated as the start of the harvest season.

Similarly in the month of July , Kark Sankranti or Dakshinayan sankranti is marked around 15^th/16^th July and it marks the coming of shorter days and longer nights. On this day, the sun passes through the summer solstice, from the Tropic of Capricorn(Makar) to the Tropic of Cancer(Kark).The sun starts is southern-ward journey with the onset of Dakshinayan.

Sankranti Calender 2019

Date	Festival
January 14	Makar Sankranti
February 13	Kumbh Sankranti
March 15	Meena Sankranti
April 14	Mesha Sankranti
May 15	Vrishabha Sankranti
June 15	Mithuna Sankranti
July 16	Karka Sankranti
August 17	Singh Sankranti
September 17	Kanya Sankranti
October 18	Tula Sankranti
November 17	Vrishchika Sankranti
December 16	Dhanu Sankranti