At the confluence of the Mahanadi, Pairi and Sondur rivers, devotees performed sacred baths, lit lamps and conducted rituals at the Kuleshwar Nath Mahadev and Rajiv Lochan temples. Priests said the holy dip on Makar Sankranti is believed to cleanse sins and usher in prosperity. Despite low temperatures, steady crowds were seen throughout the morning, reflecting the festival’s deep spiritual significance.
Across the state, district administrations and social organisations organised cultural and religious events. In Raipur, kite-flying programmes were held at five locations, while temples arranged special decorations, deepotsav and traditional offerings of til and khichdi. The historic Dudhdhari Math followed its 472-year-old tradition, with special rituals and bhog offered to the deity.
In Bhilai, the largest kite festival was organised at the helipad ground near Jayanti Stadium, drawing families from nearby areas. Police officials were deployed to manage traffic and advised participants to follow safety norms during the celebrations. Meanwhile, Lohri bonfires were lit a day earlier at several locations, including the Guru Ramdas Ji Gurdwara in Khursipar.
Religious observances were also prominent in Raigarh, where the Kelo Uddhar Samiti and Chhattisgarh Sanskritik Manch organised the annual Kelo River Maha Aarti at Samlai Ghat. Eleven priests led the rituals, followed by bhajans and distribution of prasad in the evening, continuing a tradition observed for the past nine years.
In Raipur, the Malayali community celebrated Deepotsav at the Ayyappa Temple in Tatibandh, illuminating the premises with thousands of lamps in the style of Kerala’s Sabarimala shrine. The Gujarati community organised a kite festival at Sapre School Ground, Budhapara, promoting cultural bonding.
In Balrampur district, the three-day Tatapani Mahotsav began on Tuesday. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai is scheduled to inaugurate the event, offer prayers at the Tapeswar Mahadev Temple and participate in kite flying with children. The festival will also witness a mass marriage ceremony involving 200 couples.
Heavy crowds were also reported at Amarkantak, where devotees gathered at the banks of the Narmada River for early morning rituals. Authorities maintained security arrangements at major sites to ensure peaceful celebrations.
