MUMBAI: The Covid-driven night curfew and mass infections ensured that fewer Lohri bonfires blazed across Mumbai on Thursday, although this would be a warm antidote to the 13-16 degree winter chill.
The first round of winter harvest festivals began with Lohri and will peak as various communities celebrate Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Bihu over Friday and Saturday.
As the sun enters Capricorn at Uttarayan on January 14, fasting devotees take a dip in holy rivers, make offerings to the sun god, light bonfires, give food to underprivileged persons, children, animals and birds, fly kites and partake of sweet foods cooked with sesame seeds and jaggery like 'til gul'.
According to Drikpanchang.com, Mumbai's Makar Sankranti moment occurs at 2.43pm Friday. The maha punya kaal continues till 4.34pm while the punya kaal spans 2.43pm to 6.21pm.
Kite flying is the signature celebration across western India, particularly Gujarat and Maharashtra. Ahmed Kazi, who owns Lucky Bharat Kite Shop near Bandra station, says business has dropped to 60 per cent of pre-Covid levels. "More than the fear of the pandemic, it is the loss of jobs and economic slump that is keeping youth from their pastime. Prices have risen 20 per cent because transportation, sticks and paper are all costlier. We sell kites ranging from Rs 3-50 apiece and the favourites are those that cost Rs 8-10." His wife Naseem says cartoon characters like Chhota Bheem rule the roost.
1/5:In photos: Mumbai on Makar Sankranti eve
<p>The festival of Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14 under the Covid-19 shadow for yet another year — KK Choudhary (TOI)</p>BCCL
2/5:In photos: Mumbai on Makar Sankranti eve
<p>The festival is marked by flying kites of different colours — KK Choudhary (TOI)</p>BCCL
3/5:In photos: Mumbai on Makar Sankranti eve
<p>Shopkeepers across the city displayed their best collection to woo customers — KK Choudhary (TOI)</p>BCCL
4/5:In photos: Mumbai on Makar Sankranti eve
<p>A special 'PM Modi kite' was also put on sale in Nerul, Navi Mumbai — KK Choudhary (TOI)</p>BCCL
5/5:In photos: Mumbai on Makar Sankranti eve
<p>People buying kites and other decorative items on the eve of Makar Sankranti in Thane — PTI</p>PTIOne of the oldest manufacturers Ahsan Shaban Khan of the 65-year-old Bombay Umbrella and Kites in Bhendi Bazaar, says, "We stocked merely 50 per cent of our regular volume given the uncertainty caused by Covid. People are not sure of the timing restrictions, and some are calling to ask if the shop is open."
Tamilians celebrate four days of the Pongal festival. "Due to the Covid scare, for the second year in a row there will not be a mass Pongal celebration at Dharavi," said local resident Ravi Nadar.
Matunga resident KA Viswanathan said that the Ayyappa Bhakta Samaj, which has been celebrating the Ayyappa festival on a big scale from January 12 since five decades, will conduct a simple affair. "We will do so without any function or beating of the Kerala drums called pancha vadhyam," said Gopalakrishna Nair, president of the Samiti.
Ayyappa devotees will gather at Sabarimala in Kerala for a glimpse of the Makara Jyoti, the celestial light, on January 14 evening.
