In the Hindu calendar, Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of spring and the end of winter. Makar Sankranti 2025 marks a period of happiness and festivity throughout India, being the inaugural festival of the new year. This celebration signifies the Sun’s movement into Capricorn, heralding the arrival of the new farming season accompanied by harvest festivities. Various regions in India commemorate this significant event in unique manners and under different names, reflecting the rich diversity of traditions.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan. In West Bengal and the northeastern region, it is recognized as Poush Sankranti, during which Patishapta and various sweets are made. Tamil Nadu commemorates this occasion as Pongal, while in Kerala, it is known as Makara Vilakku. In Assam, the festival is referred to as Magh Bihu, and in Punjab, it is celebrated as Maghi.
Thousands of worshippers congregated along the banks of the Ganga River throughout India on Tuesday to observe Makar Sankranti 2025, a festival that signifies the Sun’s entry into Capricorn and the beginning of Uttarayan. From Babughat in Kolkata to the Ganga ghats in Varanasi and Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, devotees braved the cold temperatures to take sacred baths and offer their prayers.
In West Bengal, rituals were conducted at Babughat in Kolkata, where participants immersed themselves in the river. Likewise, the ghats of Varanasi and Patna saw significant attendance, with families, including children, actively engaging in traditional ceremonies despite the chilly conditions.
