Bengaluru, 15 Jan

Makara Sankranti was celebrated with deep religious fervour across the State on Thursday, with temples drawing heavy crowds. The households followed age-old rituals marking the Sun’s transition into Makara Rashi.

In the City, thousands of devotees thronged the historic Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple in Basavanagudi from early morning hours. The cave temple holds special significance on Makara Sankranti as the setting Sun’s rays pass through the horns of the stone Nandi and illuminate the Shiva Linga inside the shrine.

Temple authorities said the rare phenomenon, witnessed in the afternoon, symbolises cosmic alignment and Lord Shiva’s blessings. Police and temple officials made elaborate arrangements to regulate crowds as devotees queued patiently for darshan of the presiding deity. Similar scenes were reported across the State, with worshippers offering prayers at temples and observing traditional customs at home.

The festival, known locally as Suggi, marks the harvest season in the State. Families prepared festive dishes and exchanged ‘Ellu-Bella’, a mixture of sesame seeds, jaggery, groundnuts and coconut, wishing safety and prosperity. In rural regions, farmers celebrated with special pujas, cattle worship and community gatherings, expressing gratitude for a good crop.

Cultural programmes and traditional games added colour to celebrations in several districts. Markets across the State reported brisk sales of flowers, jujube fruits and sugarcane, essential for Sankranti rituals, reflecting the festive spirit and widespread participation in the celebrations.

Devotees described the festival as a time of renewal, harmony, seasonal abundance, spiritual reflection, and shared cultural heritage across the State.