Context: 

This year 20^th March marks the spring Equinox in the northern hemisphere of the earth. 

What are equinoxes?

As per NCERT, when direct rays of the sun fall on the equator at this position, neither of the poles is tilted towards the sun, so the whole earth experiences equal days and equal nights this is called an equinox.

The term ‘equinoxes’ is derived from the Latin words “aequus” meaning “equal”, and “nox” (meaning “night”).

An equinox occurs twice a year 

• Vernal Equinox (Spring Equinox): It typically occurs between March 19 and 21, marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Autumnal Equinox (Autumn Equinox): It typically occurs between September 21 and 24, marking the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Contrary to the equinox, is solstice marks the days when the Earth is extremely tilted toward or away from the sun.

How Equinox days are celebrated?

Babylonian Calendar: The ancient Babylonian calendar began the first full moon after the March equinox, a tradition carried forward by many cultures celebrating the new year in spring.

Nowruz (Persian New Year): Nowruz, the Persian New Year, coincides with the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years, including by the Parsi community in India. 

• It begins on the first day of Farvardin, the first month of the Iranian solar calendar, and lasts for 12 days.

Vernal Equinox Day (Japan): Vernal Equinox Day is a national holiday in Japan, celebrating the arrival of spring.

Easter (Christian Calendar): Easter, one of the most significant Christian holidays, is determined based on the vernal equinox.

Passover (Jewish Calendar): Passover, the Jewish festival, begins on the first full moon following the vernal equinox.

Autumnal Equinox Festivals: The autumnal equinox marks the celebration of harvest festivals such as Chuseok, observed over three days in both Koreas.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (Jewish Calendar): Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, falls 163 days after Passover, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is observed ten days after Rosh Hashanah.