Myriad hues of harvest fest
The passage of sun from the Tropic of Cancer to Capricorn popularly known as Makara Sankranti is perhaps the only festival celebrated all over India and even in different parts of the world with different nomenclatures, rituals and customs Post News Network
According to Hindu almanac, Makara Sankranti, one of the most auspicious days of Hinduism, marks the Sun’s transit into Makara rashi i.e. the Zodiac sign of Capricorn. The sun starts its northward sojourn or Uttarayana indicating the beginning of the longer and warmer days from the day of Makar Sankranti. However, Makara Sankranti tentatively occurs January 14. Though most of the Hindu festivals are dictated by lunar cycle, Makar Sankranti follows solar cycle. Therefore, the festival of Makara Sankranti is dedicated to the Surya Dev (Sun God), the infinite sources of light and energy that are the preconditions of the creation and preservation of life on earth.