Lucknow,

14 Jan (HS): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has extended his

heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the people of the state on the

auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti and Khichdi festival. In his

congratulatory message on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said that Makar

Sankranti is an important festival in India's ancient cultural traditions,

which is celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm in different states of the

country under different names and traditions.

Chief

Minister Yogi said that it is traditionally celebrated as Pongal in Tamil Nadu,

Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Magh Bihu in Assam, Lohri in Punjab

and Haryana, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Til Sankranti in Maharashtra, and Khichdi

festival in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. This diversity powerfully expresses

India's cultural unity and social harmony. The

Chief Minister said that on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, the Sun God enters

Capricorn from Sagittarius and becomes Uttarayan. In Indian culture, the Sun's

Uttarayan is considered a symbol of auspiciousness, positivity, and new

consciousness. This change signals a transition from darkness to light, from

inertia to action, and from negativity to positive energy.

The

Chief Minister said that on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti and the

month of Magh, lakhs of devotees will take a holy dip in the sacred Triveni

Sangam at the Magh Mela organised in Prayagraj. Bathing in holy rivers, charity

and worship in Prayagraj and various districts of the state hold special

significance on this festival, strengthening the spirit of social harmony,

service and public welfare. On this occasion, the Chief Minister appealed to

the people of the state to celebrate Makar Sankranti and Khichdi festival with

traditional devotion, mutual harmony and social responsibility and participate

in further strengthening the rich cultural traditions of the state.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi