Photos by: Shiva Puri from Devghat, Chitwan

Religious fairs have commenced at various places of the country, especially at river banks and confluences of holy sites, from the early morning on Monday on the occasion of the Makar Sankranti festival.

In Jhapa, a large number of devotees have congregated on the bank of the Kankai River for taking a holy dip known as the Makar Snan in the river. Taking a bath in the river early in the morning on the day of the Maghe Sankranti, or the first day of the Nepali month Magh as per the lunar calendar is considered sacred as per the Hindu belief.

People from Morang, Sunsari, Ilam, Siraha, Saptari districts besides Jhapa as well as devotees from various places of India come here for the Makar Snan.

Like every year in Maghe Sankranti, this year also a big religious fair has been organised on the bank of the Kankai river at Maidhar.

Thousands of people will come to the fair for taking the holy dip as well as purchasing various goods and articles in the open bazaar put up there and enjoying the religious and cultural performances that will be organised as part of the fair.

Security has been beefed up and CC cameras installed at 33 locations in view of the fair, according to the district authorities.

Similarly, in Gulmi, a fair has started at the pilgrimage site, Ridi, from today on the occasion of Maghe Sankranti. Ridi lies in Ruru area which is a tri-junction of the Gulmi, Palpa and Syangja districts. The fair lasts for three days and the bank of the Kaligandaki river at the place has been cleaned and facilities put in place for the pilgrims to take a holy dip in the river, the Ruru Area Development Committee has stated.

In Devghat in Chitwan district, a big religious fair has started on the occasion with thousands of people thronging Devghatdham for taking a holy dip and observing the Maghe Sankranti rituals.