And this is how the first festival of the year was celebrated...
People in most parts of the country were under the grip of festivity on Saturday with Makar Sankranti being celebrated in north and eastern states and those in Assam and Tamil Nadu soaking in harvest festivals of Magh Bihu, Lohri and Pongal.
Lakhs of devotees took holy dip in Gangasagar in West Bengal, Sangam in Allahabad -- the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical river Saraswati, and other rivers and water bodies on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, braving biting cold.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many chief ministers and political leaders greeted the nation on harvest festivals. "On the special occasion of Magh Bihu, my greetings to the people of Assam," he said. "Uttarayan greetings to the people of Gujarat," Modi said in another tweet. He tweeted the messages in local languages also.
Tamil Nadu celebrated the harvest festival of 'Pongal' with great zeal and fervour, with people preparing traditional food and offering prayers to the Sun God. The streets in both rural and urban areas of the state were decked up with drawings made of flour (called 'Kolam' in Tamil).
People decorated their homes with mango leaves and strings of flowers. Special prayers were held at temples. Sweet rice (pongal), made of jaggery with rice and milk, in a traditional mud pot, was offered to the Sun God along with pieces of sugarcanes. The food is shared with relatives and neighbours after being offered to the Sun God.
President Pranab Mukherjee has expressed hope that celebrations of festivals will bind all sections together with the spirit of love, compassion and joy. Greeting people on the eve of Lohri, Makar Sankranti and Pongal, President Mukherjee in his message has said, "These festivals are expressions of joy and prosperity ushered in by a fresh harvest. The festivals will bring happiness, peace and prosperity in every one's life."
With agency inputs
1. The crowded streets of Mumbai hinting towards festivity
)
Families line up on streets of Mumbai to celebrate Pongal, which marks the beginning of northward movement of sun.
(Image courtesy: Reuters)
2. The 'traditional' dish
)
Ritual rice dish prepared to offer the Sun God as a part of Pongal celebrations.
(Image courtesy: PTI)
3. Invoking the deity
)
A priest at a Hindu temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka worships the deity as a part of festivity.
(Image courtesy: Reuters)
4. 'I too would want to soar high'
)
Makar Sankranti celebrations in Thane.
(Image courtesy: PTI)
5. All adorned in traditional outfits
)
College students decked up in traditional outfits during Makar Sankranti celebration at Karad in Maharashtra.
(Image courtesy: PTI)
6. The early start to a short day
)
Devotees arrive at Gangasagar Island, around 150 kms south of Kolkata, to take the holy dip and perform rituals.
(Image courtesy: AFP)
7. Pilgrims flock to Gangasagar Mela
)
More than 700,000 Hindu pilgrims are expected to gather at the confluence of the River Ganges and the Bay of Bengal during the Gangasagar Mela to take a holy dip in the ocean on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.
(Image courtesy: PTI)
8. Marking the end of winter solstice by lighting of bonfires
)
As a part of Lohri celebrations puffed rice, peanuts and popcorn are tossed into a bonfire during Lohri celebrations.
(Image courtesy: PTI)
9. Lo aayegi Lohri ve!
)
Students dance during Lohri celebrations.
(Image courtesy: PTI)
10. 'Holy day, holy dip'
)
A devotee takes a dip in the holy sarovar (water tank) at the Golden Temple, Amritsar on the occasion of Lohri on Friday.
(Image courtesy: AFP)
