Makara Sankranti celebrated with fervour across Karnataka

BENGALURU: Makara Sankranti, the first festival of the year, was celebrated with much enthusiasm across the state on Thursday. Bengaluru and other cities were buzzing with preparations and people are going all out to make it a memorable one.

The historic Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple in Bengaluru witnessed a spectacular Makara Sankranti celebration.  The temple was closed from 1 pm on Wednesday for purification rituals, and reopened later in the evening. The Sun’s rays touched the Shiva Linga at 5:02 pm, marking the transition of the sun from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana.

This rare phenomenon is a sight to behold, and devotees flocked to the temple to witness it. Special arrangements, including LED screens, were made for devotees to view the Sun’s rays touching the Linga.

The KR Market in the city was flooded with people buying flowers, sugarcane, fruits and vegetables from Wednesday itself. However, the soaring prices are burning a hole in everyone’s pocket .

Flowers were selling at exorbitant rates:

Kanakambara: Rs 700-800 per kg

Kakada: Rs 500-600 per kg

Rose: Rs 80 per kg

Sevantige: Rs 70 per kg

Other essentials were also pricey:

Sugarcane stalks one pair: Rs 150-250

Apples: Rs 160 per kg

Pomegranate: Rs 140 per kg

Avarekayi: Rs 80-100 per kg

Despite the high prices, people are buying in bulk to celebrate the festival. Ready-made Ellu-Bella (sesame seeds and jaggery mixture) was also in high demand.