Devotees thronged to Haridwar on Makar Sankranti, taking a dip in the Ganges River amidst the biting cold.Devotees thronged to Haridwar on Makar Sankranti, taking a dip in the Ganges River amidst the biting cold.

In the holy city of Haridwar, a sea of ​​devotion surged today on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti. Since the early hours of dawn, bathing rituals have been underway at Har Ki Pauri and all the major ghats along the Ganges River.

Despite the biting cold, dense fog, and chilly winds, the enthusiasm of the devotees remains undiminished. Thousands of devotees have taken a dip in the holy Ganges since the auspicious Brahma Muhurta (pre-dawn period).

The largest crowds are at Har Ki Pauri. Besides this, there are also large gatherings of devotees at Subhash Ghat, Gau Ghat, and other ghats. Traditional palanquins carrying deities from the hilly regions have also arrived in Haridwar.

The palanquins, accompanied by the sounds of drums, trumpets, and conch shells, reached Har Ki Pauri. Chants of "Har Har Gange" and "Jai Maa Gange" resonated at the ghats. Along with bathing in the Ganges, devotees performed acts of charity, including donating khichdi (a rice and lentil dish), sesame seeds, jaggery, and woolen clothes.