Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Gorakshpeethadhishwar Yogi Adityanath, on Sunday, greeted the people of the state on the occasion of Makar Sankranti/Khichdi festival and wished them happiness.

Yogi Adityanath said that Makar Sankranti is a festival that celebrates harmony with nature while worshipping the father of the world ‘Sun’ and nature.

The CM, in a statement, noted that the festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated with different names and forms throughout the country. It is also celebrated as Khichdi festival in North India.

On the auspicious occasion, lakhs of Kalpavasi stay in Prayagraj for a month, meditating and performing rituals. People have started taking holy bath in Prayagraj and other places of pilgrimage in the state with great enthusiasm on the occasion of Makar Sankranti while lakhs of devotees have come to Gorakhpur to offer holy pot of faith to Lord Shiva incarnate Gorakhnath,” CM Yogi added.

Wishing the people of the state an auspicious life, the chief minister said that the Uttarayan of Suryadev on this festival is considered auspicious date for starting new works. Lakhs of devotees are celebrating the festival in Prayagraj and Gorakhpur and other pilgrimage centres like Garhmukteshwar in Hapur, Kachla Ghat in Badaun, Shuk Teerth in Muzaffarnagar, Kashi etc, the CM remarked, pointing out that people are taking bath in rivers and lakes and also making donations, which have special importance in Sanatan culture.

The chief minister said the administration has made all kinds of arrangements for the safety and convenience of the devotees on Makar Sankranti. The presence of lakhs of devotees in Gorakhpur will offer holy porridge of faith throughout the day. According to the CM, traditional events are also starting on Makar Sankranti and a month-long Khichdi fair has started in the Gorakhnath temple. Here too, special care has been taken for the safety and convenience of the devotees and it is being monitored, he pointed out.

He said Jagatpita Surya is the controller of the entire world. “May his grace remain on the entire state, on every devotee”, he remarked.