Sanskrit: मकर संक्रांति. It marks the first day of sun’s transit into the Makara (Capricorn zodiac), marking the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days[Uttarayan]. In Bengal, it is called Poush Sankranti. Basanta Kal or Spring season starts on 14th January in Northan hemisphere. Though Uttarayan starts on December 21.
Sankranti is based on Solar Calendar and in the Month of Magha. There are twelve Sankranti in Hindu solar calendar but Makar Sankranti is the most significant among all Sankranti(s). In the year of 285 C.E. (as per Lahiri Ayanamsha) the day of Makar Sankranti was coinciding with the day of Uttarayana. Sankranti follows a 40-year cycle due to which it slowly moves forward (average 9 minutes/year).
The day of Makar Sankranti continuously drifts away from winter solstice. In the year 1600, Makar Sankranti fell on January 9, and in the year 2600, Makar Sankranti would fall on January 23. After 5000 years of 2019, i.e. in the year, 7019 Makar Sankranti would be observed on March 23, much after winter season in India and Vernal Equinox. Sayan and Nirayan Sankrantis were together about 1800 years ago. Today the difference has accumulated to 24 days,
Makar Sankranti is the oldest Hindu religious institution, which was reimposed by Sankaracharya in the form of Kumbha Mela. People worship Lord Vishnu in the form of Sun. Rig Veda mentions the motion of Vishnu [Sun- Aditya].
12 Sankranti 2019
14-15 January (Tuesday) Makar Sankranti
13 February (Wednesday) Kumbha Sankranti
15 March (Friday) Meena Sankranti
14 April (Sunday) Solar New Year, Mesha Sankranti
15 May (Wednesday) Vrishabha Sankranti
15 June (Saturday) Mithuna Sankranti
16 July (Tuesday) Karka Sankranti
17 August (Saturday) Simha Sankranti
17 September (Tuesday) Kanya Sankranti, Vishwakarma Puja
18 October (Friday) Tula Sankranti
17 November (Sunday) Vrischika Sankranti
16 December (Monday) Dhanu Sankranti
Reference :
- Bhaskaracharya’s Siddhanta Shiromani
- Brahmagupta’s Brahmasphutasiddhanta