Prayagraj: Makar Sankranti, the first festival of the year, was celebrated with great religious fervour and enthusiasm across Prayagraj on Thursday under the auspicious combination of Jyeshtha Nakshatra and Vriddhi Yog.
Since early morning, markets, streets and residential localities wore a festive look as people took part in rituals and traditional celebrations.City markets too witnessed heavy crowds, with residents buying lai-chura, tilkut and revri (cuisines made with sesame seeds). Colourful kite shops drew children and youth in large numbers.People flew kites throughout the day, turning the skyline into a mosaic of vibrant colours.
Elderly residents too were seen joining the youngsters, recalling old memories while guiding them in handling the string and manoeuvring the kites.
Bhandaras too were organised by local groups and social organisations at several crossings and on important roads leading to the Sangam area and the ghats made at Naini. Devotees and passers-by served khichdi, sweets and prasad. In rural belts, the process of preparing jaggery, which began after Kartik Ekadashi, gained pace on the festival day. Villagers gathered in open spaces to celebrate collectively, while children remained busy with kite-flying competitions. The tradition of sending gifts to daughters and daughters-in-law continued, and relatives visited each other since morning. Garment shops too reported brisk business as many families purchased new clothes for the occasion, which is considered auspicious.
Across the city, terraces and playgrounds turned into festive hubs. After the morning bath and breakfast, youngsters were seen with spools of thread and colourful kites. Friendly contests between neighbourhood teams added excitement to the day. “My sons and old friends made sure we had everything to celebrate the festival—kites, thread and winder—and we enjoyed kite flying on both Wednesday and Thursday,” said Prof SI Rizvi of Allahabad University.
