✦ Vernal Equinox (Spring Equinox) ✦
✦ Sun crosses the equator — day and night equal ✦
✦ What is Vernal Equinox (Spring Equinox)? ✦
Vernal Equinox = the day of the year when the Sun crosses the equator from south to north. Day and night are equal length — 12 hours each. The date is approximately March 20 or 21 each year.
Astronomically, the tropical Sun enters Aries (Mesha) on this day — the "new year" of Western astrology. Iranian Nowruz, Chinese and Japanese spring festivals also fall here. In the Northern Hemisphere, this marks the astronomical beginning of spring.
In Indian Vedic tradition, the sidereal (nirayana) Mesha Sankranti falls around April 14 — due to ayanamsha drift. This is the "solar new year" — celebrated as Baisakhi in Punjab, Vishu/Puthandu in Tamil, Pohela Boishakh in Bengal, Bihu in Assam. The Vedic solar calendar therefore begins from Chaitra month.
Vernal Equinox symbolizes regeneration, newness, and balance. Equal day and night = balance of nature. Surya Namaskar and prana-shakti sadhana on this day are exceptionally fruitful.
✦ Concept & Rule ✦
Astronomical basis: Earth's axis is tilted 23.5°. Around March 20, the Sun's rays fall perpendicularly on the equator. Neither hemisphere tilts toward the Sun more than the other — day and night are equal in both hemispheres. The Sun rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west. In the Northern Hemisphere, daylight begins to increase; in the Southern, to decrease.