Devotees have been pouring to the Devghatdham in Chitwan on Saturday to observe Maghe Sankranti.

People from different parts of the country including India have been taking holy dips in the river since today morning. People believe that they will get special blessings if they take a holy bath at the confluence of the Kaligandaki and Trishuli rivers.

The Maghe or Makar Sankranti, the first day of the month of Magh in the Lunar calendar, has significance in view of Ayurveda and medical science also. Food items that are taken on this day are the sources of balance diet which increase the immunity power of the human body. The festival is being observed throughout the country today by taking holy dips in rivers and ponds, worshiping at various temples and savouring various delicacies like ghee, yam, khichadi and sweets like chaku and sweets made of sesame and molasses.

As per the astrological chart, the Makar Sankranti has a special significance as the sun enters into the northern hemisphere from this day onwards. On this day, the sun moves from the tropic of Sagittarius to tropic of Capricorn. It is believed that the days get longer from today itself.