Kolkata/ Hyderabad/ Lucknow/ New Delhi, Jan 15: A large number of people in different parts of the country took a dip in the Holy Ganges on the occasion of the annual harvest festival of Makar Sakranti.

In West Bengal, devotees thronged the Ganga Sagar, the confluence of Bhagirathi and Bay of Bengal, to take a holy dip.

Devotees who have arrived here from abroad too offered prayers to Kapilmuni. The three-day post harvest festival is also being celebrated in Andhra Pradesh with fervour and gaiety.

Being the second day of the festival, it has an astronomical significance, the beginning of Uttarayana. People pay their respect to their ancestors on the occasion.

For farmers, Makar Sakranti is the main festival as they bring stock of new grains to their houses and offer them to the God Almighty in the form of Pongali (sweetened rice).

In Uttar Pradesh, Sankrant is called 'Khichiri'. Devotees offered 'Khichri', a preparation of rice and dal, to various temples.

Traditionally, the people from within the country and adjoining Nepal come here to offer 'Khichri' to Baba Gorakhnath.

'Til' has a special significance on this day. 'Tilkut', 'Tilba' and other forms of 'Til' are also taken with 'Chura' and also with 'Khichiri'.

Tight security arrangements have been made to avoid any kind of untoward incident.

Special security arrangements have been made at Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur where a month-long 'Khichri Mela' has begun today. (ANI)