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Patna, Jan 14 (IANS) Millions of people in Bihar took a dip in the holy Ganga river Friday to mark the annual harvest festival of Makar Sankranti.
The people celebrated it with traditional fervour.
Braving the biting morning chill, they thronged the Ganga banks and other water bodies and offered prayers.
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People across Bihar joined the festivities gorging on traditional food items, including chura, yogurt, tilkut and khichri.
In Bihar, Makar Sankranti also marks the beginning of the end of harsh winter.
"Makar Sankranti marks the commencement of longer days, signalling the beginning of winter's departure," Hindu priest Shankar Prasad Mishra said.
comments...
The fact of the matter is that these days the commencement of longer days starts on December 22 not on the Makar Sankranti day, Jan 14. The longer days ( Uttarayana ) and Makar Sankranti occurred on the same day only in 57 BC , the starting year of the Vikram Samvat when the equinox shifted from Aries to Pisces. Only on that day, Makar Rashi began at 270 degrees from Aries ( Mesha ).
Any how, we do enjoy Makar Sankranti much after December 22. This is more important.
Actually there is nothing like Makar Sankranti on Jan 14; the Sun does not enter Makar Rashi on this day.
Anand M. Sharan
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