Maha Visubha Sankranti is an important festival in India. It marks the beginning of the
Hindu solar year. It is also the first day of the Hindu month of Vaishakh (April-May). This festival is known by different names in different parts of the country. In the north, it is referred as Jala Visuva Samkranti. In the south, it is called Sakkara Pongal. In
Orissa, in the eastern region of India, this festival is celebrated as Pana Samkranti.
According to Hindu astronomy, the sun is directly over the equator on two particular days called Mesha Samkranti and Tula Samkranti. On these days, the day and night are of equal duration. It is during the day of Maha Visubha Sankranti that the sun comes in the northern direction of the equator, towards India. Hence in India, this day is considered as the beginning of the solar year. This special day is celebrated with lots of festivities and religious rituals.
