While going through reports posted by various ambassadors regarding March 21 which is celebrated as different festival in different countries, I was wondering if this date has anything to do astronomically . Then I recalled studying in my Geography subject about Solstice and Equinoxes. After further researching on it , I came to know something interesting which I would like to share with all of you.

It is called equinox because on the equinox, night and day are nearly exactly the same length – 12 hours – all over the world. This is the reason it's called an ?equinox?, derived from Latin, meaning "equal night".

What Happens on the Equinox?

The Earth's axis is always tilted at an angle of about 23.5?in relation to the ecliptic, the imaginary plane created by the Earth's path around the Sun. On any other day of the year, the Earth's axis tilts a little away from or towards the Sun. But on the two equinoxes, the tilt of the Earth's is neither away from nor towards the Sun. In fact, it is perpendicular to the Sun's rays.

Customs , celebrations and holidays around the world around / on Equinox

The March equinox has long been celebrated as a time of rebirth in the Northern Hemisphere.

Many cultures around the world hold feasts and celebrate festivals and holidays to mark the March Equinox.

Celebrating new Beginnings

Equinoxes and solstices are opposite on either side of the equator, and the March equinox is also known as the"spring (vernal) equinox" in the northern hemisphere and as the "autumnal (fall) equinox" in the southern hemisphere. In many cultures, the March Equinox is associated with a time of transition and new beginnings. People in the Northern Hemisphere consider it as the first day of spring while those in the Southern Hemisphere see it as the first day of Fall.

Chistian's Easter

In addition to being the Spring (Vernal) Equinox in the North and the Fall (Autumnal) Equinox in the South, the date of the March Equinox plays a huge role in calculating the dates for when to celebrate Jewish Passover and Christian Easter.

An ancient Chinese tradition calls for balancing eggs, a symbol of fertility, on the day of the March Equinox for good luck and prosperity. This ancient custom has given rise to a modern myth. Every year on the Spring Equinox, we hear about how it is the only day of the year when an egg can be perfectly balanced on its end. Many try it and those who fail are told that they didn't try it at the exact time of the equinox.

The Iranian New Year (Nowruz, No-Ruz, No-Rooz or No Ruz) occurs during the time of the March Equinox, in accordance with the Persian astronomical calendar. It has been celebrated for over 3000 years and is rooted in the traditions of Zoroastrianism. No-Ruz celebrations lasts for about 12 days. Preparations start well in advance and include buying new clothes for family members and thoroughly cleaning homes. Wheat or lentil representing new growth is grown in a flat dish a few days before the New Year and is called Sabzeh (green shoots).

In Japan, People Remember their Ancestors : Higan (Higan-e or Ohigan), is a week of Buddhist services in Japan during the March and September equinoxes. Both equinoxes have been national holidays since the Meiji period (1868-1912). Higan" means the ?other shore? and refers to dead spirits who reach Nirvana after crossing the river of existence. It celebrates the spiritual move from the world of suffering to the world of enlightenment.

Many Celebrate the Earth Day on March 20 due to equinox

Some organizations schedule Earth Day for March 20, while others set the date for April 22. For some, Earth Day is when people from all nations, religions and cultural backgrounds celebrate their similarities: living on Earth. For others, Earth Day is observed to promote the protection the natural environment from pollution and other destructive forces. Earth Day activities include planting trees, cleaning roadside rubbish and conducting recycling and conservation programs. Earth day was first observed in 1970.

In Indonesia , People observe a day of silence on Nyepi : Nyepi is a Balinese "Day of Silence" that is commemorated every Isakawarsa (Saka new year) according to the Balinese calendar (in 2015, it falls on March 21). It is a Hindu celebration mainly celebrated in Bali, Indonesia. Nyepi, a public holiday in Indonesia, is a day of silence, fasting and meditation for the Balinese. The day following Nyepi is also celebrated as New Year's Day.[1][2] On this day, the youth of Bali practice the ceremony of Omed-omedan or 'The Kissing Ritual' to celebrate the new year. On this day , there is no light , no fire , no traffic  on road and even garbage demon parade happens which is symbolic  of waste haunting as demon as explained so nicely by our fellow ambassador Ni Putu  in his report on below links

https://tunza.eco-generation.org/ambassadorReportView.jsp?viewID=12047&searchType=&searchName=&pageNumber=2

https://tunza.eco-generation.org/ambassadorReportView.jsp?viewID=12035&searchType=&searchName=&pageNumber=4

In India :  The same day celebrated in India as ugadi. Ugadi is the Telegu New Year's Day for the people of the Deccan region of India. The name Yugadi or Ugadi is derived from the Sanskrit words yuga (age) and ādi (starting) - 'the beginning of a new age'. The legend behind this festival is that Lord Brahma created the universe on Ugadi. The date of Ugadi is based on calculations of the position of the moon dating back to 12th century. Ugadi begins on the first new moon after the Spring Equinox. Ugadi is celebrated the next morning as an Indian day starts from sunrise. Ugadi heralds the arrival of Spring and warmer weather. As such it is a joyous festival signifying growth and properity and as with all New Year festivals it is a chance to put the errors of the past behind, make predictions and a good time to start new ventures.

 It is a public holiday in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and  Uttar Pradesh.

In Maharashtra it is known as Gudipadawa.

Beginning of famous 9 day fast period Navratris  : The nine day long well known spring festival of Vasanta Navratri (Chaitra Navratri) begins on this day and concludes on Ram Navami.  It is said that if you fast during these days , all your wishes are fulfilled. My mother has firm faith in these and from last so many years she has been fasting for these 9 days.We feel a different positve energy during these 9 days.

Arbor Day (from the Latin arbor, meaning tree) is a holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees. Today, many countries observe such a holiday. 21st march is the  National Arbor Day  in Algeria  , Spain , Portugal and few other countries and is called National Tee Planting Day in Lesotho.