Hundreds gather at Ramkund for a holy dip on Makar Sankranti

NASHIK: Hundreds of pilgrims from across Nashik and other parts of the state gathered at Ramkund on Sunday to take a holy dip in the Godavari on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. The festival is celebrated across the country under various names including Uttarayan, Lohri, Maghi, Kicheri, Bihu, Pongal, and Makaravillakku among others.

“Makar Sankranti is the first festival in the English calendar year.The best way to begin the year is with a holy dip in the Godavari,” said Sanjay Rautar, a businessman from Nanded who was at Ramkund with his family on Sunday morning.
Like him, many people had come from across Maharashtra, including Kolhapur and Pune, to Nashik. Most took the holy dip at sunrise (7.16 am) at Ramkund. “The water was freezing, but nothing can beat this spiritual experience,” said Rajesh Walvi, a Dhule resident who too came with his family members.
Temples also saw a large number of devotees. “It was a Sunday as well as the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti. We have had a good number of visitors at the Sai Baba temple in Shirdi,” said an official of the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi.
In Nashik, pilgrims thronged the Trimakeshwar temple. “The temple was closed between January 5 and 12. This was the first Sunday since the temple reopened. The festive occasion only brought in a larger number of people to the temple,” said a temple official.
As Sankranti is associated with the Sun’s northwards movement (Uttarayan), many also celebrate it by performing the Suryanamakar. A programme was organised at the Bhonsala Military School in which a large number of people participated and performed Suryanamaskar 108 times. “This is an exercise that ensures one remains fit and healthy. People should perform it religiously,” said Preeti Trivedi, the coordinator of the event.