Makara Sankranti
Topic: India, That Is Bharat: Names of India and Unity in Diversity · NCERT: Class 6, Ch 8 "Unity in Diversity, or 'Many in the One'"
Meaning
Makara Sankranti is a harvest festival held on or around 14 January. It marks the day the sun enters the zodiac sign Makara (Capricorn), and it marks the start of the harvest season. People celebrate it across India at the same time but under different regional names and customs. Because it shares a date and meaning but has many local forms, it is a classic example of unity in diversity.
Example
In mid-January, Tamil Nadu celebrates Pongal by cooking new rice. Assam celebrates Magh Bihu, and Gujarat celebrates Uttarayan by flying kites. Punjab lights bonfires for Lohri on the eve of the festival.
Don't confuse with
- Winter solstice (about 21–22 December): this is the shortest day of the year. Makara Sankranti is fixed by the sun's entry into Capricorn and falls around 14 January.
- Lunar-calendar festivals such as Diwali: their dates move each year. Makara Sankranti follows the solar calendar, so its date stays almost fixed.