Chronicle Reporter, Bhopal, The city is all set to celebrate Makar Sankranti today. The city has geared up to welcome the Lohri bonfire and spread the Makar Sankranti cheer.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated in various parts of the country to observe the day which marks the shift of the Sun into ever-lengthening days.The festival is a seasonal observance as well as a religious celebration.
It is believed to be a time for peace and prosperity.The day is regarded as important for spiritual practices, and accordingly, people take a holy dip in rivers. The bathing is believed to wash away sins.
Lohri celebrated
The Punjabi festival Lohri was celebrated by the people from the Punjab region in the city on Sunday. The festival is associated with the harvest of winter crops and is celebrated by the people of Punjab origin.The time of Lohri is considered as an ideal season to harvest sugarcane. Thus, the crop has become an iconic item of the festival for farmers.
A day after Lohri, also known as Maghi, is observed as the financial new year by the farmers in Punjab. Kite flying on Lohri is popular. On the night of Lohri, people lit bonfires to worship the god of fire and perform rituals.
Kite festivals to be organised
On this occasion various organizations have planned to organise kite-flying competitions. Alaukik Seva Samiti president Vijay Shankar Dixit said preparations are in full swing to organise kite festival.
India’s tri-colour will fly at a height of 500 meters, he said. Minister PC Sharma will open the kite festival. MLAs Arif Masood and Sanjay Shukla will be present on the occasion.
The cuty denizens have geared up to celebrate the day with special delicacies and sweets such as til-paati, gajak, kheer, ghevar, pakodi, puwa, and til-laddoo. Shops are selling sankranti items and there was rush in the markets on the eve of Sankranti.
Other integral parts of the festival are fairs or melas, bonfires, dancing, feasts, and flying of kites.During this event people say a prayer that is dedicated to Surya and then bathe. Makar Sankranti is an auspicious festival, hence people donate items to the poor and underprivileged. Some of the items donated are food, blankets, clothes, etc.