Throwing caution to the wind, thousands take holy dip on Makar Sankranti

Throwing caution to the wind, thousands of people across the country, which is facing a masive surge in Covid-19 cases, took holy dips in rivers to mark Makar Sankranti, a Hindu festival dedicated to the deity Surya.

In the most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, thousands of devotees thronged at banks of the Ganges river in the holy city of Prayagraj. Credit: PTI Photo

Devotees gather on the banks of Ganga river to take a 'holy dip' on the occasion of 'Makar Sankranti' during the ongoing 'Magh Mela' festival at Sangam in Prayagraj. Credit: PTI Photo

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged pilgrims visiting Gangasagar Mela to strictly follow Covid-19 guidelines and asked the Mela (Religious gathering) committee not to allow too many people to Sagar Island for the annual fair. In this photo, Pilgrims are seen arriving at the Sagar Island. Credit: Reuters Photo

A man wearing a protective mask sprays disinfectant on pilgrims as they arrive to take the holy dip at the Sagar Island, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the eastern state of West Bengal. Credit: Reuters Photo

Authorities in Odisha also banned religious gatherings at river banks and ghats on Makar Sankranti, while the Uttarakhand government also disallowed devotees from taking a dip in the Ganga at Haridwar and Rishikesh in view of the coronavirus surge. Credit: Reuters Photo

Devotees arrive take the holy dip at the confluence of the river Ganges and the Bay of Bengal, ahead of

Pilgrims offers prayers to the Sun deity at Gangasagar on the occasion of 'Makar Sankranti', in West Bengal. Credit: PTI Photo

Two elderly women are seen taking the holy dip at Gangasagar in Bengal. Credit: PTI Photo

A pilgrim while taking holy dip at Gangasagar on the occasion of 'Makar Sankranti', in West Bengal. Credit: PTI Photo