The water is clean enough at the Triveni Sangam for a bath, especially during the winters and also not very deep, so it is fun to take a dip in the water here. Hence, devotees who want can take a bath right at the confluence point. There are also makeshift wooden banks made at the Sangam. If you take a boat ride to the gently flowing waters of Ganga and Yamuna, you'll be able to make out the difference in colours of water from the two rivers. The brownish Ganga meeting the slightly greenish Yamuna is indeed a sight to behold. Moreover, the Sangam itself is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit. According to Hindu mythology, taking a bath in the holy Triveni Sangam is supposed to flush away all the sins and free you from the cycle of rebirth.
the Panchanga.Īll three rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati are highly revered rivers in Indian mythology, and hence the confluence point of these rivers hold tremendous religious importance. The exact date of the Mela is determined according to the Hindu calendar i.e. It is one of the places where the Kumbh Mela is held once every 12 years. It is the meeting point of three rivers - Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati (which is a mythical river, supposed to have dried up more than 4,000 years ago). This is the place of confluence of river Ganga and Arabian sea and this is the day that river Ganga is believed to have merged with the sea after liberating 60,000 ancestors of King Bhagirath.įor festival snacks and drinks recipes click here.One of the holiest places in Central India, Triveni Sangam is located about 7 kilometres away from Civil Lines in Allahabad (Prayagraj). The Mela attracts people from all over India to take a dip in the river. West Bengal marks Makar Sankranthi by participating in the Gangasagar Mela/fair held on this day on the banks of river Hooghly in Kolkota. The auspicious bath also takes place in Haridwar, Garh Mukteshwar and Rishikesh. Every 12 years once, the Kumbh Mela is held for a month during “Uttarayana”. Millions of people congregate on this day at the venue.
Taking a dip on this day at Prayag in Allahabad where the holy rivers Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswati meet and flow together is considered very auspicious. In Uttar Pradesh, Sankrant is called “Kicheri”. The last day i.e, Kanum Pongal people go out on picnics with family and friends. Til/Sesame seeds, Gazak/Sesame seeds bar, Gur/Jaggery, Moongphali/Peanuts, Phuliya and Popcorn are offered to god and distributed. The feast includes Makki ki Roti and Sarson ka Saag. People worship the god and circumvent the fire and distribute offerings. People socialize with friends and relatives, organize get together and build bonfire. This festival is called as Lohri and it is one of the major festivals of Punjab. Children below 5 years are dressed with jewellery made with Kusuri Kalu/Sesame Seeds coated with sugar and an aarathi is performed. Til-polis/sweet sesame seeds bread are prepared for lunch. In Maharashtra on Sankranti day people exchange multi-colored tilguds/ Sesame seeds coated with sugar and greet one another saying ‘til-gul ghya, god god bola’ meaning ‘ accept these tilguls and speak sweet words’. In Bundelkhand and Madhya Pradesh, the festival is known as “Sukarat” or “Sakarat” and is celebrated with great pomp and merriment accompanied by lot of sweets especially made of Til and Gur. The shrine of Shabarimala with the presiding deity of Ayyappa is thronged by millions of pilgrims on this day to witness the Makara Jyothi/Celestial light glow on the hills. In Kerala, this festival is known as Makara Sankranthi. On this day youngsters build ‘Mejis’ or ‘Bhelaghars’ (bonfires) using bamboo and wood pieces in farmland or open spaces. It is celebrated grandly in Assam for two days and is dedicated to fire god. In Assam the festival is called as Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu Bhogali means feasting. The fourth and final day is Mukanuma where people socialize and go out on picnics. The third day is Kanuma, wherein the bullocks are decorated and worshipped and taken in a procession. The neighbors are invited to participate in this ritual. In the evening the children in the house will be made to sit and a mixture of Puffed Rice, Berries, Sugar Candy, Coins are mixed and poured over their head and an aarathi is performed. On this day other dishes like Puliharam/Puliyogare, Ariselu, Kajjikayalu, Laddoo, Jantikalu etc., are prepared. The next day is Shankranti, and the sweet dish “ Sakkare Pongal”, which is Jaggery rice is prepared and offered to the gods.