Varanasi: On the occasion of Makar Sankranti on Saturday, thousands of devotees took the holy dip in river Ganga in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. As devotees flocked to the river for the holy dip on the occasion of the harvest festival, a huge crowd was seen on the Varanasi ghats queuing up to offer prayers to the sun god.
To ensure that the tourists take the holy dip safely, bath kunds have been developed on floating jetties. Handicraft, ODOP, GI. Product stalls have been integrated with the tent city which will act as a sustainable economic platform for the local population.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Devotees take a holy dip in the river Ganga in Varanasi on the occasion of #MakarSankranti pic.twitter.com/YiLdDrgbwk
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 14, 2023
Makar Sankranti is a festival in the Hindu calendar, in which devotees make offerings to the deity Surya. The day marks the first day of the sun`s transit into the Makara, marking the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days.
Makar Sankranti, which is one of the most auspicious times in the year that marks the transition of the Sun from Dakshinayan to Uttarayan. Observed on January 14 every year, the festival is known by various names in different parts of the country such as Pongal, Bihu and Maghi. Devotees in several parts of the country performed rituals at different ghats.
Gujarat | Colourful kites hit markets on the occasion of Makar Sankranti festival in Vadodara (13.01) pic.twitter.com/DmfoQxLhRw
— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2023
#WATCH | Punjab: Devotees take a holy dip in ‘Sarovar’ at Golden Temple in Amritsar and offer prayers.#MakarSankranti pic.twitter.com/yaVDRJIDGd
— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2023
#WATCH | West Bengal: Devotees and seers take a holy dip in river Ganga at Gangasagar in South 24 Parganas on the occasion of #MakarSankranti. pic.twitter.com/iacXV1BmRC
— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2023
Uttarakhand | Devotees took a holy dip in river Ganga in Haridwar on the occassion of #MakarSankranti pic.twitter.com/yzxfMLMY1b
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 14, 2023
Uttar Pradesh | Devotees took holy dip at Sangam in Prayagraj today, on the occasion of #MakarSankranti pic.twitter.com/b9nctOJMY2
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 14, 2023
Several Hindu devotees and Naga Sadhus from different parts of the country gathered at Kolkata`s Babu Ghat to take a holy dip during Gangasagar Mela on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.