Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], January 14: Union Home Minister Amit Shah celebrated Makar Sankranti on Tuesday with the residents of Shantiniketan Society in the Memnagar area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The society was adorned with vibrant decorations, including colorful kites and rangoli. Shah, along with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, received a warm welcome from local women, children, and community members, while traditional ‘dhol nagara’ music and cultural dances added to the festive atmosphere.
Shah enjoyed flying kites from the rooftop, further embracing the joyous spirit of the festival. Both Shah and CM Patel wished the people a prosperous and joyous Makar Sankranti.
“Makar Sankranti is a festival that reflects our unwavering faith in Indian culture and tradition. My heartiest greetings to all on this auspicious day, filled with energy, enthusiasm, and progress,” Shah wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his Makar Sankranti wishes, expressing hope that the festival brings new energy and enthusiasm into people’s lives. “Many best wishes to all countrymen on Makar Sankranti. May this holy festival, dedicated to the Uttarayan Sun, bring new energy and enthusiasm into your life,” PM Modi said on X.
Makar Sankranti is being celebrated across India with great enthusiasm. The festival marks the Sun’s transition from Sagittarius to Capricorn, signaling the start of Uttarayan. On this day, taking a holy dip in rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna is believed to cleanse sins and offer spiritual merit.
The day is also dedicated to acts of charity and devotion, with traditional foods like sesame-jaggery laddus and khichdi gracing the occasion. Kite flying, symbolizing energy and joy, is a cherished part of the celebrations. Makar Sankranti is celebrated under different names in various parts of the country, including Pongal, Bihu, and Maghi.
In Prayagraj, the first ‘Amrit Snan’ of Maha Kumbh 2025 took place on Makar Sankranti, with Sadhus from the Mahanirvani Panchayati Akhada taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam. By Tuesday morning, around 20 million devotees had participated in the ritual, according to Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary of Urban Development, Amrit Abhijat.