Makara literally means 'Capricorn' and
Sankranti
is the day when the sun passes
from one sign of
the zodiac to the next.
The Sankranti of any month
is considered
auspicious as it signifies a fresh
start.
However Makara Sankranti is celebrated
in the month of Magha when the sun passes
through the winter solstice, from the Tropic
of
Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn.
This feast is celebrated on January 14th,
and
is the only feast of the Indian calendar
which
is not celebrated on a fixed day of the lunar month.
On this day the sun
enters the constellation of Makar (Croco-dile) and begins to move towards the north. Throughout the year the sun passes through twelve constellations: Mesh (Ram, Aries), Vrishabh (Bull, Taurus), Mithun (Couple, Gemini), Kark (Crab, Cancer), Sima (Lion, Leo), Kanya (Girl, Virgo), Tula (Balance, Libra), Vrishchik (Scorpion,Scorpio), Dhanu (Bow, Saggitarius), Makar (Crocodile, Capricorn), Kumbh (Water jar, Aquarius), Min (Fish, Pisces). When the sun does not cross any constellation then there is an extra month called "Adhik Mas". The crossing of the Makar constellation takes place in the month of Paush. |
