Sankranti means
"transition" in Sanskrit.
The passage of a celestial body (the sun, moon, or planet)
from one zodiac sign to the next.
Such transformations might bestow beneficial or harmful
traits on celestial bodies or the historical period in issue.
The sun is the most significant of these celestial bodies,
since its two directional transitions—northward at Makara Sankranti and
southerly at Karka Sankranti—define more and less fortunate seasons throughout
the year.
