Kolkata, 14 January (H.S.) :

A massive gathering of devotees was witnessed along the banks of the River Ganga in Kolkata and Howrah on Monday on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. From early morning till afternoon, large numbers of people thronged the ghats to take the holy dip and offer prayers.

Although the auspicious timing of Makar Sankranti this year begins after 8 pm and continues till Tuesday afternoon, the festival is traditionally observed on January 14. Adhering to this custom, devotees from Howrah, Hooghly, Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, Nadia and other Ganga-belt districts reached the riverbanks from early morning to perform the ritual bath.

Men, women, youths and elderly devotees gathered in large numbers at various ghats and performed prayers after bathing in the river. Several priests were also present, conducting rituals and post-Pitru Paksha rites in accordance with Vedic traditions.

Priest Bhim Banerjee said that, as per tradition, the period from December 15 to January 14 is observed as Kharmas, which is considered a part of Pitru Paksha. During this time, no auspicious activities are undertaken. The completion of Kharmas after the holy bath on Makar Sankranti marks the resumption of auspicious rituals, which is why devotees attach special importance to the Ganga bath on this day.

He added that while bathing at Gangasagar holds unique religious significance, it is believed that taking a dip in the Ganga anywhere brings spiritual merit, as the river granted salvation to the 60,000 sons of King Sagar. Guided by this belief, countless devotees from towns and villages along the Ganga gathered at the riverbanks to observe the sacred ritual.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh