Devotees gather at Collectorate Ghat to take a holy dip and (below) a priest blows a conch shell while performing the puja in Patna on Friday. Pictures by Nagendra Kumar Singh and PTI

Patna, Jan. 14: In a departure from the previous years, the state capital saw thin crowds lining up at the ghats on the occasion of Makar Sankranti today.

Be it the chill or confusion regarding the date, not many people turned up for a holy dip in the Ganga. Some ghats did see a long queue of people who braved the morning chill and the icy water.

Makar Sankranti marks the day the Sun god enters the makar rashi. People go to take a dip on this auspicious day as it is considered to wash away any sin. The festival also marks the end of winter.

The people who went to the Collectorate Ghat considered themselves lucky.

“Last year, there was a huge rush. There was such a huge crowd that you had to struggle to get a foothold. However, this year it is surprisingly empty. The people probably chose to stay indoors because of excessive cold. But I always come to the ghats on Makar Sankranti for a dip,” said S.K. Sadhu, a resident of Boring Road.

Raju Kumar, who sells prayer material near the ghat, said: “There might have been some confusion about the day. While some are saying Makar Sankranti is today, others are saying it is tomorrow. This must be the reason the people chose to stay indoors today. The chill cannot be a spoilsport. It is always chilly in Patna at this time of the year, but still the people turn up. Today, our business has been badly hit.”

The Patna City was, however, abuzz with Makar Sankranti celebrations. Khajekala Ghat was filled with people.

“This is an important day. My father is not well and I believe if I take a dip he will get well soon. The cold does not bother me. Even if it was zero degree, I would have come here,” said Raghunath, an autorickshaw driver, who was on his way to the Ghat.

Sundri Devi, a homemaker, said: “Makar Sankranti is an auspicious festival for us. Tilkuts and other delicacies are fine. But the most important thing is taking the dip in the Ganga. I come to the Ghat every year. A prayer can do wonders.”