Lohri and Makara Samkranti

Ignorance is a bliss(better than incomplete information). Recently during one of our chai sessions, there was a discussion that Lohri and Makar Sankranti (or Makar Samkranti) are the only festivals with fixed dates. I was not sure as I never heard it. What I knew was that Indian festivals are not based on British(English) calendar.

In India we used to go to Nani/Dadi or to nearest temple to get any information regarding festivals and used to follow it without thinking. Though they used to tell me the explanations behind that answer but I never paid attention to those details. Just have vague memories that there used to be some reasoning. Now when I am in US, either I have no information or I have too much information. We have people from different parts of the country with different ideas and then internet adds on to it. Now you have 1000 incomplete answers to one simple question. Amazing!

Anyway, I refer this website "mypanchang.com" regarding festival dates. This site has scientific explanations to convince me and my near/dear ones to stick to one festival date.

Coming back to Lohri and Makara Sankranti celebration dates. Lohri is celebrated the day before makara sankranti. Sun's entry into makara rashi is celebrated as makara samkranti and so the day before that transit is Lohri. Hence, I got to know that Lohri and Makara Sankranti are not celebrated on fixed dates. However, it happens to be that it(sun's transition) is on January 14th nearly 99% times. Sometimes it could be before or after. You can read the explanation here.
In 2009, Lohri date: 12th(USA) & 13th(India); Makara Sankranti: 13th(USA) & 14th(India).

By the way, I made Til Ke Ladoo(Sesame seed ladoo). Looked online and it was not difficult. It was my first try so I am satisfied with the results.

So, belated happy Lohri and Makara Sankranti. Be happy! its the start of warmer days:)