Makara Sankranti is not only a Hindu festival but actually a universal phenomenon because it is purely based on the science of astronomy & crop cycle which is not limited to any particular religion. 

      Basically, it is a celebration of the “revival” of sunlight (solar energy & positivity) into our lives and it coincides with the harvest season as well.

      The zodiac phases of the Sun from July to December witness decreasing sunlight, and after that, the subsequent zodiac phases witness increase in sunlight. 

      It looks like the Sun is on a downward journey between July to December and this downward journey suddenly changes to upward journey or northward movement in late December & early January. 

      Since "Uttara" means "Northward" & "Aayana" means "Movement" in Sanskrit, this phenomenon of phase reversal from Southward movement to Northward movement of the Sun is called “Uttara Ayana” or “Uttarayan” in short. 

      We have 12 Zodiacs in an year, there will be 12 Sankrantis each year. 

      But as we saw how Makara is significant due to the revival of sunlight, the “Sankranti of Makara” (or transmigration of Sun into Makara) is celebrated as “Makara Sankranti”. 

Wish you and your family happy Makara Sankranti.🌹💐🌺