The holy city of Varanasi witnessed an extraordinary display of devotion on Makar Sankranti, with ghats teeming with fervent pilgrims. This harvest festival, marking the sun’s entry into Capricorn, brought together people from all walks of life in a tapestry of rituals and rejoicing.
Sunrise saw the first waves of bathers at Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats, two of the most revered cremation sites that underscore life’s transience. Chanting ‘Har Har Mahadev,’ devotees took purifying dips amid splashing waters and resounding conch shells. Women in vibrant sarees and men in dhotis performed tarpan offerings for ancestors, a poignant ritual strengthening familial bonds.
Midday brought peak crowds to Assi Ghat, where cultural programs featured folk songs and dances celebrating rural prosperity. Laddus made from sesame and gud were distributed generously, embodying the festival’s theme of sweetness and warmth against winter’s chill. Kite festivals added excitement, with the sky dotted by hundreds of patangs fluttering like prayer flags.
Beyond the ghats, Varanasi’s narrow lanes buzzed with activity. Temples overflowed with prasad seekers, and homes hosted feasts of khichdi and undhiyu. Community kitchens served the needy, reflecting the festival’s spirit of sharing and gratitude.
Organizers praised the seamless coordination between administration and volunteers. CCTV surveillance and lifeguards ensured safety amid the deluge of faith. As the day concluded with spectacular evening aartis, Varanasi reaffirmed its status as India’s spiritual heartbeat, where Makar Sankranti unites the divine and the devotee in eternal harmony.
