HOLY MAKAR SANKRANTI

India follows the Luni-solar calendar.

- PRIYA S. TANDON

The solar calendar is used for determining the Sun's position and all things related. Our horoscopes and most festivals are determined by the lunar calendar; while a few are determined by the solar calendar. Sankranti is the day when the Sun transitions from one Zodiac sign into the other. Makar Sankranti is believed to be the most auspicious of all Sankrantis. This is the day when the Sun moves from the Zodiac sign Sagittarius into Capricorn.

Because Makar Sankranti is determined by the solar calendar, it always falls on 14/15th January. It marks the end of the khar maas and heralds the beginning of the auspicious days. This festival is known by different names in different states. It may be called Magh Bihu, Pongal, Maghi, Shishur Saenkraat, Suggi Habba, etc.

The Sun is the most visible devta that showers us with heat and light everyday. Sunlight is most important for our wellbeing as well as for plants because if there is no sunlight even the plants cannot perform photosynthesis. So if there was no sun, there would be no food. And if there was no food, nothing could survive on the earth. It is awe inspiring to reflect upon how silently, the Earth transitions from one Rashi (zodiac sign) into the next. It's also inspiring to note how diligently and silently the Sun rises everyday and showers its benevolence on us all. This is in stark contrast to how humans operate. If they give ten rupees to someone, they announce it to ten people.