Makar Sankranti: Difference between revisions

=== Makar SankarantiSankranti and Uttarayana ===

Makar Sankranti is celebrated when the Sun's [[Ecliptic coordinate system|ecliptic longitude]] becomes [[Hindu astrology#rashi|270° measured from a fixed starting point]] which is in opposition to [[Spica]],{{refn|name=chitrapaksha|{{cite book|title= Traditions of Science. Cross--cultural Perspectives. Essays in honour of B.V. Subbarayappa|first=Raymond|last=Mercier|publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers|date=2007|location=New Delhi|editor-first1=Purushottama|editor-last1=Bilimoria|editor-first2=Sridhar|editor-last2=Melukote|at=See discussion of ''Citrā pakṣa''}} }} i.e. this is a [[Sidereal year|sidereal]] measure. [[Uttarayan|Uttarayana]] begins when the Sun's ecliptic longitude becomes 270° measured from the Vernal equinox,{{refn|This is the same as saying "when the Sun reaches the [[winter solstice|December solstice]] point"}} i.e. this is a [[tropical year|tropical]] measure. While both concern a measure of 270° their starting points are different. Hence, Makar SankarantSankranti and Uttarayana occur on different days. On the Gregorian calendar, Makar SankaranthiSankranti occurs on 14th / 15 Jan; Uttarayana starts on Dec 21st.