6 Facts about Makar Sakranti you didn't know

Usually falling on the date of January 15 annually, this occasion marks the transition of the Sun from the zodiac of Sagittarius to Capricorn

Since the Sun is regarded to have moved from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere on this day in the Hindu calendar, the festival is dedicated to the solar deity, Surya, and is observed to mark a new beginning.

The festivities associated with Makar Sankranti are known by various names: Makara Sankranti in Kerala Magh Bihu in Assam Maghi Saaji in Himachal Pradesh Maghi Sangrand in Jammu Sakrat in Haryana Sakraat in Rajasthan Sukarat in central India Pongal in Tamil Nadu Uttarayana in Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh Ghughuti in Uttarakhand Dahi Chura in Bihar Makar Sankranti in Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, West Bengal Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana The festivities associated with Makar Sankranti are known by various names: Makara Sankranti in Kerala Magh Bihu in Assam Maghi Saaji in Himachal Pradesh Maghi Sangrand in Jammu Sakrat in Haryana Sakraat in Rajasthan Sukarat in central India Pongal in Tamil Nadu Uttarayana in Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh Ghughuti in Uttarakhand Dahi Chura in Bihar Makar Sankranti in Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, West Bengal Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Makar Sankranti is celebrated when the Sun's ecliptic longitude becomes 270° measured from a fixed starting point which is in opposition to Spica i.e. this is a sidereal measure.

Uttarayana begins when the Sun's ecliptic longitude becomes 270° measured from the Vernal equinox i.e. this is a tropical measure. While both concern a measure of 270° their starting points are different.

6 Facts about Makar Sakranti you didn't know

6 Facts about Makar Sakranti you didn't know

Usually falling on the date of January 15 annually, this occasion marks the transition of the Sun from the zodiac of Sagittarius to Capricorn

Usually falling on the date of January 15 annually, this occasion marks the transition of the Sun from the zodiac of Sagittarius to Capricorn

Since the Sun is regarded to have moved from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere on this day in the Hindu calendar, the festival is dedicated to the solar deity, Surya, and is observed to mark a new beginning.

Since the Sun is regarded to have moved from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere on this day in the Hindu calendar, the festival is dedicated to the solar deity, Surya, and is observed to mark a new beginning.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated when the Sun's ecliptic longitude becomes 270° measured from a fixed starting point which is in opposition to Spica i.e. this is a sidereal measure.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated when the Sun's ecliptic longitude becomes 270° measured from a fixed starting point which is in opposition to Spica i.e. this is a sidereal measure.

Uttarayana begins when the Sun's ecliptic longitude becomes 270° measured from the Vernal equinox i.e. this is a tropical measure. While both concern a measure of 270° their starting points are different.

Uttarayana begins when the Sun's ecliptic longitude becomes 270° measured from the Vernal equinox i.e. this is a tropical measure. While both concern a measure of 270° their starting points are different.

On the Gregorian calendar, Makar Sankranti occurs on 14 or 15 January; Uttarayana starts on 21 December.

On the Gregorian calendar, Makar Sankranti occurs on 14 or 15 January; Uttarayana starts on 21 December.