The Hindu : New Delhi News : Celebrating the festival of Sun

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Monday, Jan 14, 2008
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Celebrating the festival of Sun

Madhur Tankha

NEW DELHI: For the benefit of children as well as amateur astronomers, Nehru Planetarium is organising a festival of the Sun at its Teen Murti House premises here on Monday.

The main purpose behind the interactive session for children is to make them appreciate the astronomical connection of “Makar Sakranti” with Winter Solstice.

Explaining ‘Makar Sakranti’

Speaking about the festival, Nehru Planetarium Director N. Rathnasree says: “The festival is aimed at teaching school children about the shift of ‘Makar Sakranti’ from Winter Solstice. We want them to understand the relevance of Sun and the seasons. This will make the little ones celebrate the seasons, the Sun that is the source of all our energy, and our environment.”

Fixed date

Pointing out that though the date of “Makar Sankranti” seems fixed in the calendar year, other traditional festivals have slightly changing dates, Dr. Rathnasree said: “Nearly all Indian festivals have a bit of astronomy in them. Most of them are related to a specific position of the Moon against the background of distant stars. However, ‘Makar Sankranti’ is the one festival that does not look at the position of the Moon and is determined purely by the position of the Sun against the background of the Zodiacal constellations. It is supposed to signal the entry of the Sun into the zodiacal constellation of Capricorn. Its date, therefore, seems fixed within our calendars.” However, at some time in the past, informs Nehru Planetarium Director, the Winter Solstice and Makar Sakranti had taken place at the same time.

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