For several years now, there has been recurring confusion over the date of Makar Sankranti. Is the festival celebrated on January 14 or January 15? This question arises almost every year. In the coming
centuries, this confusion is expected to increase further, as Makar Sankranti will not always fall on January 14.
Due to extremely slow changes in the Earth’s axis, the Sun’s entry into the zodiac sign of Capricorn keeps shifting over time. As a result, the date of Makar Sankranti gradually moves forward.
After many centuries, the festival could even be observed in May. This slow shift in the Earth’s axis is known as axial wobble or precession, a phenomenon in which the Earth wobbles gently as it rotates.
Significance Of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti holds immense religious as well as astronomical importance and is considered one of the most auspicious festivals in India. Traditionally, it is believed that on this day the Sun begins its northward journey. However, in reality, the Sun starts moving northward several days before Makar Sankranti.
The date of January 14 was never fixed by any permanent rule or calendar system. It only settled around this date in the early 20th century due to accumulated astronomical shifts.
Three Key Astronomical Events Explained
To understand the science behind Makar Sankranti, three important astronomical events must be considered.
- The first is the Winter Solstice, which occurs around December 21. On this day, the Earth’s northern hemisphere is tilted furthest away from the Sun, making it the shortest day and longest night of the year. After this point, the Sun stops moving southward and begins moving north, causing days to gradually become longer.
- The second is Uttarayan, the six-month period during which the Sun continues its northward movement.
- The third is Makar Sankranti itself, the specific day when the Sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn.
Around 285 AD, the Winter Solstice, the beginning of Uttarayan, and Makar Sankranti all occurred on the same day. This rare alignment led ancient astronomers to declare it a major festival, celebrating the return of light and longer days.
Earth’s Wobble And The Shifting Of Zodiac Signs
The Earth does not only rotate on its axis; it also wobbles slowly like a spinning top. This motion, known as precession, causes the positions of so-called ‘fixed’ stars, including Capricorn, to shift by about one degree every 72 years.
Over roughly 1,700 years, this shift has amounted to about 24 degrees, or nearly 24 days. As a result, the Sun now enters Capricorn approximately 24 days later than it did in 285 AD.
Why The Dates No Longer Match
Today, these three astronomical events no longer occur on the same day. The Winter Solstice remains around December 21, the actual Uttarayan begins immediately after, and Makar Sankranti is celebrated around January 14.
This difference also arises because the modern Gregorian calendar follows the tropical system, which is based on the Earth’s tilt, while the Indian calendar follows the sidereal system, which tracks the Sun’s position against the stars. This mismatch causes Makar Sankranti to drift gradually forward over time.
Tradition Rooted In Science
When Makar Sankranti is celebrated today, the Sun’s true northward journey has already begun nearly three weeks earlier. Yet the festival continues to be observed on this day because it once marked the exact moment when the Earth’s movement and the zodiac signs were perfectly aligned.
This makes Makar Sankranti a remarkable blend of tradition and scientific understanding.
When Will Makar Sankranti Fall In The Future?
The Indian sidereal calendar measures the Sun’s position relative to the fixed stars. Since the position of Capricorn continues to shift, Makar Sankranti will move further forward with every passing century.
In thousands of years, the festival could even be observed during the peak of summer, around June or July, in the northern hemisphere.
A Living Example Of Cosmic Movement
Makar Sankranti is not tied to a fixed calendar date. Instead, it stands as a living example of cosmic motion, reminding us that India’s festivals are deeply connected not only to faith and tradition, but also to profound scientific principles governing the universe.
