Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj
Video Producer: Fabeha Syed
As the harvest season for new crops approach, people across India are getting in a festive mood. Hindus and Sikhs celebrated Lohri and Makar Sankranti, in a bid to pay their gratitude for the new produce.
Many devotees took a dip in river Ganga at the time of sunrise on Makar Sankranti. The dip in river Ganga or “Ganga snan” as the devotees call it, has a special significance on this day.
“Today, we take a dip in Ganga and then pay a visit to Kashi Vishwanath and offer our prayers on this auspicious day that comes once every year. May Kashi Vishwanath accept our prayers.”Varanasi resident
Meanwhile, many Sikhs lit bonfires across India on Sunday night to celebrate the festival of Lohri. The people of Himachal Pradesh had a distinct pleasure of celebrating a ‘white’ Lohri as they lit bonfire amidst a blanket of snow.
In many Gurudwaras across the country, langars (feasts) were organised to celebrate the festival.
“Praise to the one true God. We celebrated the festival of Lohri with great fervour. By God’s grace, we also organised a langar (feast) and took the blessings of God. All of us came together to celebrate Lohri. Jai Mata Di, Jai Baabe Di.”Ludhiana resident
In both Lohri and Makar Sankranti, delicacies made of til (sesame) and jaggery are very popular. Another popular delicacy of these festivals is khichdi.
“Ingredients used to prepare khichdi, like rice, pulses, vegetables etc (are offered to Gods). Some people offer jaggery, til ladoos (sesame sweets) whatever suits them, they offer to Gods during the festival of Makar Sankranti.”Priest, Gorakhpur
However, for many others it’s that time of the year when they can cheerfully scream ‘kai po che’ (I have cut your kite’s string). Makar Sankranti, also known as Uttarayan, is also famous for kite flying. Kite enthusiasts often compete to see who is the better kite flyer.
“The kite teaches us many things. Like a kite, we should try to always aim for the sky.”Mumbai resident
At the same time, as the 2019 Lok Sabha polls draw closer, the “election fever” has begun to take the nation in its grip. No wonder, you can find kites with faces of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)