Makar Sankranti 2023: Celebrations Begin With Holy Dip In Ganga. Tamil Nadu Prepares For Pongal Festivities

Makar Sankranti 2023: Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival, hinting the end of winter season. Here is how celebrations have begun across the country.

Devotees take a holy dip in the river Ganga in Varanasi | TN CM MK Stalin at pre-Pongal celebrations recently. ( Image Source :ANI | PTI )

New Delhi: Makar Sankranti celebrations began across India on Saturday with much fervour as devotees were seen taking a holy dip in the river Ganga while colourful kites hit markets. It is a harvest festival observed as the Sun enters the Capricorn or Makara phase, signalling the end of winter. Devotees worship the Sun God on the occasion. Sankranti is celebrated annually on January 14 or 15.

In Uttar Pradesh, devotees took a holy dip in the river Ganga in Varanasi on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

#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

Similarly in West Bengal, 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 today.

West Bengal | 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 (13.01) pic.twitter.com/vj6KsPukoT

— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2023

Colourful kites were seen at markets in Gujarat's Vadodara, some featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo. The day is celebrated as 'Uttarayan' in Gujarat wherein kite flying and special delicacies such as Undhiyu as well as delightful Gujarati sweets such as Chikkis and Jalebees are a main feature.

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

All over the country, the harvest festival is celebrated with various names. It is observed as Magh Bihu in Assam, Ghughuti in Uttarakhand, Maghi in Punjab, and Pongal in Tamil Nadu.

Boghi & Pongal Celebrations

'Pongal' in Tamil Nadu is celebrated over a period of four days with a variety of delectable savouries and sweets made with rice, milk, jaggery, sesame, and other ingredients.  A special boiling of rice in a pot marks the main celebration of Pongal. In Tamil Nadu, students of Sri Meenakshi Government College for Women in Madurai celebrated the festival.

As per the actual dates, Pongal will begin on January 15 and will continue till January 18.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Students of Sri Meenakshi Government College for Women in Madurai celebrate Pongal, a four-day harvest festival. The festival starts on 15th January and will continue till 18th January (13.01) pic.twitter.com/cWIZYP8oKh

— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2023

In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Sankranti is celebrated over three days: Bhogi, Sankranti, and Kanuma. 

BRS MLC K Kavitha participated in the Bhogi celebrations organised by Bharat Jagruthi at KBR park in Telangana's Hyderabad.

Telangana | BRS MLC K Kavitha participated in the Bhogi celebrations organised by Bharat Jagruthi at KBR park in Hyderabad. pic.twitter.com/n31mFG4Sxy

— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2023

As Bhogi is being celebrated today, Sankranti will be observed tomorrow (January 15), and Kanuma on Monday (January 16).

(With Agency Inputs)