Braving piercing cold waves people dive in holy rivers

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Manikaran1

Hundreds of devotees in this Hill State today braved cold waves as they took holy dips in hot Sulphur springs and various holy rivers in the State today celebrating the occasion of ‘Makar Sankranti’. Huge gatherings congregated various holy places like Tattapani and Manikaran Sikh shrine in Kullu district,  in the Satluj, Ponta Sahib in Yamuna rivers and Parvati rivers for the holy dips.

 

The natural hot springs located along the Satluj in Tattapani disappeared after the construction of the 800 MW Koldam hydroelectric power project executed by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) as reservoir has submerged the hot springs. The power project now made artificial tubs and brings out the hot springs through taps so that devotees can take bath in it.

 

People also offered ritual of Tuladan in which grain equal to the devotees weights were given as devotion to the priests. People consider the holy dip pious and washing downstream their sins. Likewise, the devotees also took holy dip in Vashist temple and Nehru Kund, located on the outskirts of the popular tourist resort Manali. The temple is situated on the left bank of Beas river, also known for its hot springs. Reports of taking holy dip at Ponta Sahib in Yamuna river and Parvati River of Kullu valley are also coming in.

 

Makar Sankranti is a major harvest festival celebrated in various parts of the Country. It also marks the change in the season as warmer and longer days begin with Makar Sakranti relieving people from long cold nights. Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Mr. Virbhadra Singh greeted the people on the occasion. The Chief Minister said in a statement that such festivals provide an opportunity of get-together and sharing happiness.

 

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ML Verma is a Senior journalist, with more than a decade of experience of active reporting for electronic media, news agencies and fast paced online media.

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