Why Is Makar Sankranti Celebrated on 14 January?
(A Scientific, Astronomical, and Traditional Explanation)
Makar Sankranti is one of the very few Indian festivals that is celebrated on an almost fixed date every year, usually 14 January. This often raises an important question:
If most Hindu festivals change dates every year, why does Makar Sankranti almost always fall on 14 January?
And why does it sometimes occur on 15 January?
To answer this clearly, we need to understand astronomy, calendars, Earth’s movement, and traditional Indian calculations. This article explains the topic in a detailed yet easy-to-understand manner.
What Is Makar Sankranti?
Makar Sankranti marks the moment when the Sun enters the zodiac sign Capricorn (Makara) from Sagittarius.
- Makara = Capricorn
- Sankranti = transition of the Sun from one zodiac sign to another
It also signifies the beginning of Uttarayan, the northward movement of the Sun, which is considered highly auspicious in Indian tradition.
👉 Makar Sankranti is a solar event, not a lunar one.
Why Makar Sankranti Is a Solar Festival (Not Lunar)
Most Hindu festivals like Diwali, Holi, Navratri, and Raksha Bandhan are based on the lunar calendar, which depends on the Moon’s phases. That is why their dates change every year.
Makar Sankranti is different.
Calendar Used for Makar Sankranti
✔ Solar calendar
✔ Based entirely on the actual position of the Sun
This means:
- Moon phases have no role
- The festival depends only on when the Sun enters Capricorn
Because the Sun’s movement is predictable and steady, the date remains almost constant.
Why Is Makar Sankranti Celebrated on 14 January?
The main reason lies in Earth’s revolution around the Sun.
Length of a Solar Year
Earth takes approximately:
- 365 days
- 5 hours
- 48 minutes
- 46 seconds
to complete one orbit around the Sun.
This is known as the tropical year.
Difference Between Solar Year and Calendar Year
| Type | Days |
|---|---|
| Actual solar year | ~365.2422 days |
| Normal calendar year | 365 days |
| Leap year | 366 days |
Because of this difference:
- About 6 extra hours accumulate every year
- This affects the exact timing of the Sun’s zodiac transition
However, leap years (every 4 years) correct most of this difference.
👉 As a result, the Sun usually enters Capricorn on 14 January, keeping Makar Sankranti stable.
Then Why Does Makar Sankranti Sometimes Fall on 15 January?
This is where timing becomes important.
Role of Exact Solar Transition Time
If the Sun enters Capricorn:
- Before midnight on 14 January → Sankranti is on 14 January
- After midnight (late night) → Sankranti is observed on 15 January
Indian religious calendars (Panchangs) follow precise astronomical calculations, not just dates.
So:
The festival date depends on the exact moment of solar transition, not the calendar date alone.
Does Makar Sankranti Always Remain on 14 January?
No, not permanently.
Long-Term Astronomical Effect (Ayanamsa)
Over centuries, Earth’s axis slowly shifts due to a phenomenon called axial precession.
In Indian astronomy, this shift is called Ayanamsa.
Because of this:
- The Sun’s zodiac positions slowly move forward
- Over hundreds of years, Sankranti shifts from 14 January to 15 January
- Over thousands of years, it may even move into February
This gradual shift is natural and scientifically predictable.
Religious and Traditional Importance of 14 January
Uttarayan in Hindu Scriptures
- Uttarayan is considered the daytime of the gods
- Dakshinayan is considered their night
This makes Makar Sankranti:
- Highly auspicious
- Ideal for charity, holy bathing, prayers, and spiritual practices
Example from the Mahabharata
According to tradition:
- Bhishma Pitamah waited for Uttarayan to leave his body
- This highlights the spiritual importance of this solar transition
Why Makar Sankranti Is Different from Other Hindu Festivals
| Feature | Makar Sankranti | Most Hindu Festivals |
|---|---|---|
| Calendar basis | Solar | Lunar |
| Date pattern | Almost fixed | Changes yearly |
| Astronomical basis | Sun’s zodiac entry | Moon phases |
| Agricultural link | Very strong | Moderate |
Simple One-Line Answer
Makar Sankranti is celebrated on 14 January because it is based on the Sun’s entry into Capricorn, which follows the solar calendar. Due to slight differences between the solar year and the calendar year, it occasionally falls on 15 January.
Conclusion
Makar Sankranti is not fixed by tradition alone—it is governed by precise astronomical science. Its near-constant date proves the advanced understanding of solar movement in ancient Indian astronomy.
This festival beautifully connects:
- Science and spirituality
- Astronomy and agriculture
- Nature and human life
That is why, even after thousands of years, Makar Sankranti continues to be celebrated with remarkable accuracy and significance.
