Devotees take holy dip in Ganga on the occasion of Makar Sankranti

Varanasi/Patna/Jodhpur, Jan 15 (ANI): On the occasion of 'Makar Sankranti', marking the beginning of the harvesting season and transition of the Sun into the Zodiac sign of the Capricorn, scores of devotees on Sunday took a holy dip in River Ganga.

In Varanasi, devotees from across India thronged the bank of the River Ganga in order to take holy dip.

"Today is 'Makar Sankranti'. It is referred as 'Khichadi' as well. It is believed that by taking holy bath in the River Ganga and offering religious offerings, one gets relieved from all the sins and the god and goddesses also get pleased. Today, we take bath. 'Til' (Sesame seeds) and jaggery are being offered and in the evening 'Khichadi' is being prepared on this occasion," said a devotee Vidyawati Tiwari.

In Patna, devotees gathered and performed various Hindu rituals on the bank of River Ganga.

"Today on the occasion of 'Makar Sankranti', we take holy bath in water of the Ganges and we also offer 'Till' (sesame seeds). Earlier, this festival was celebrated on January 14 every year but now according to the 'Shashtra' (it would be celebrated on January 15 for around 72 years," said another devotee Sanjay Kumar.

a social organization in Jodhpur, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti distributed free blankets to poor and needy people.

Makar Sankranti is also known as 'Khichadi' or 'Til Sankranti' in parts of northern India, also features distribution of grains to the poor.

This festival also coincides with the end of the harvesting season of Rabi (winter) crops which is celebrated with a lot fervor as Lohri in Punjab whereas in India it is celebrated as Pongal while in Assam, it is hailed as Bihu. (ANI)