n People took holy dips in ponds and rivers and visited temples across the State as they celebrated the harvest festival of Makar Sankranti on Wednesday with traditional fervour and enthusiasm.
The belief is that a ritual bath on Makar Sankranti would wash away their sins.
Many people converged on the pilgrim town of Puri and visited the temple of Lord Jagannath to witness the special rituals on the occasion. They also thronged Konark and worshipped the Sun God as the sun started its annual shift towards the earth’s northern hemisphere.
In Ganjam district, which has a sizable Telugu population, people decorated the fronts of their houses with colourful rangoli and celebrated the festival, which they call ‘Pongal’.
People prepared a special dish called ‘Makar Chaula’ made with newly-harvested rice, sugar, banana, coconut and black pepper and offered it to gods and exchanged among them.
Tribal groups lit bonfires, danced and organised feasts on the occasion in Mayurbhanj, Baleswar, Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts.
As part of the festival, kite-flying competitions were organised in places like Cuttack and other towns with fun and enthusiasm.