The son-in-law was emotional and wiping his tears as his father garlanded him.

Thousands of devotees gathered at the banks of the river Ganga across India on Tuesday to celebrate Makar Sankranti 2025, a festival marking the Sun’s transition into Capricorn and the onset of Uttarayan. From Kolkata’s Babughat to Varanasi’s Ganga ghats and Haridwar’s Har Ki Pauri devotees braved the chilly weather to take holy dips and offer prayers.

In West Bengal, devotees performed rituals at Babughat in Kolkata, taking a holy dip in the river. Similarly, the ghats of Varanasi and Patna witnessed large crowds engaging in traditional practices, with families, including children, participating enthusiastically despite the cold.

In Uttarakhand, devotees gathered at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar to perform the customary Ganga snan (holy bath) on this auspicious occasion. In Rajasthan, devotees offer prayers at Balaji temple in Jaipur on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

In Bihar, people in thousands visited Ganga Ghat in Patna to take a dip on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Children along with their parents and grandparents could be seen taking a dip in the cold water of the Ganges.

Vijaya Laxmi, a devotee, said, “May we continue to celebrate Makar Sankranti joyously every year, and may everyone’s wishes come true.”

She said that “faith in God” inspires people to endure the cold a dip in the Ganges during the chilly weather.

In Prayagraj, the first Amrit Snan of Maha Kumbh 2025 on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti began on Tuesday as Sadhus from Sadhus of Mahanirvani Panchayati Akhada took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam.

Makar Sankranti celebrated across the country with great enthusiasm on January 14, marks the Sun’s transition into Capricorn from Sagittarius, heralding the beginning of Uttarayan.

Bathing in holy rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna during Makar Sankranti is believed to cleanse sins and bestow spiritual merit.

The day is also dedicated to acts of charity and devotion. Traditional dishes such as sesame-jaggery laddus, khichdi, and other festive treats grace the occasion. Kite flying, symbolising vibrant energy, and cheer, is a cherished tradition on this day.

The festival is known by various names in different parts of the country such as Pongal, Bihu, and Maghi.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the various festivals, including Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu, being celebrated across the country on Tuesday.

On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, PM Modi wished people, hoping it would bring new energy and enthusiasm. In a post on social media X, he said (in Hindi), “Many best wishes to all countrymen on Makar Sankranti. May this holy festival dedicated to the Uttarayan Sun bring new energy and enthusiasm into your life.”

Along with Makar Sankranti, the people are also celebrating the ‘Uttarayan’, which is an astronomical event of the sun’s transition from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere. It is considered an auspicious period in Hindu cosmology. The sun’s movement from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana is significant as per ancient Vedic beliefs.

Greeting the nation on this occasion, PM Modi wrote on X, “Have a wonderful Uttarayan! May this festival bring success and happiness in everyone’s lives.”

Magh Bihu, also known as Bhogali Bihu or Maghor Bihu, is also being celebrated today. It is one of Assam’s most anticipated festivals, a vibrant celebration of the harvest season that marks the transition into the new year. It is a festival to express gratitude for a bountiful harvest and celebrate the rich agricultural heritage of Assam.

Wishing the best on the day, PM Modi said, “Best Wishes on Magh Bihu! We celebrate the abundance of nature, the joy of harvest and the spirit of togetherness. May this festival further the spirit of happiness and togetherness.”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also extended his heartfelt greetings to devotees on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

Coinciding with the Maha Kumbh festival, which commenced on Monday with the ‘Pavitra Snan,’ Makar Sankranti marked the second day of the celebrations. Devotees thronged the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj to take the ‘Amrit Snan’ at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.

Taking to X, CM Yogi shared, “This is the living form of our eternal culture and faith. Today, on the auspicious occasion of the great festival of folk faith ‘Makar Sankranti’, congratulations to all the devotees who earned virtue by taking the first ‘Amrit Snan’ at the Triveni Sangam in Mahakumbh-2025, Prayagraj!”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mahakumbh commenced with great enthusiasm in Prayagraj. All preparations are now in place for the ‘Amrit Snan’, which will take place on Makar Sankranti, on January 14.

The Mahakumbh Mela administration finalized the sequence of Amrit Snan for the 13 Akharas on Tuesday, ensuring adherence to traditional customs. Each Akhara has been informed about their designated time and sequence, according to a press release.

Mahant Acharya Devendra Singh Shastri, Secretary of Panchayati Akhara Nirmal, said that the information about the date, sequence and time of Amrit Snan of the Akharas has been received.

According to the press release, Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani and Shri Shambhu Panchayati Atal Akhara will be the first ones to take Amrit Snan. The two Akharas will depart from the camp at 5.15 am and reach the ghat at 6.15. Both have been given 40 minutes for bathing. They will depart from the ghat for the camp at 6.55 am and reach the camp at 7.55 am.

Shri Taponidhi Panchayati Shri Niranjani Akhara and Shri Panchayati Akhara Anand will be the second ones to take Amrit Snan.

Three Sanyasi Akharas will take Amrit Snan at third number and they include Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhara, Shri Panchdashnam Aawahan Akhara and Shri Panchagni Akhara.

Among the three Bairagi Akharas, All India Shri Panch Nirmohi Ani Akhara will be the first to start from the camp at 9.40 am, reach ghat at 10.40 am and after bathing for 30 minutes, will leave the ghat at 11.10 am. Likewise, All India Shri Panch Nirvani Ani Akhara will start from the camp at 11.20 am and reach ghat at 12.20 pm. After bathing for 30 minutes, it will come back from there at 12.50 pm

The remaining three to take the dip are Udasin Akharas. Udasin Shri Panchayati Naya Udasin Akhara will leave its camp at 12.15 pm. After this, it is the turn of Shri Panchayati Akhara, Naya Udasin, Nirvana which will leave the camp at 1.20 pm. After bathing for an hour here, it will leave the ghat at 3.20 pm

Shri Panchayati Nirmal Akhara will be the last to take the Amrit bath, said the press release.

Maha Kumbh is one of the largest and most significant religious congregation in the world, held every 12 years at one of four locations in India.

The Maha Kumbh-2025, which is Poorna Kumbh will take place till February 26, 2025. Key ‘snan’ dates include January 14 (Makar Sankranti – First Shahi Snan), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya – Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)