Bhubaneswar: Makar Sankranti was celebrated with much fanfare across the state with people taking holy dips in ponds, tanks and rivers and visiting temples.

Long queues were seen outside various temples in the city.

In Puri, thousands visited the Jagannath temple to witness the special rituals performed by temple priests on the occasion.

Primarily a harvest festival, Makar Sankranti or Pongal also marks " uttarayan" or the sun's entrance into the northern hemisphere or "makar raashi".

People flew kites at various places, especially in Cuttack, where it is a popular ritual.

The district administration this year, imposed restrictions on the flying of kites at places of public gathering and rooftops in the city, while permitting the practice in open places identified for the purpose. Kite flying contests were held at several places.

A number of people from Cuttack are of the opinion that the craze has declined over the years owing to the risks posed by manja or the sharp thread used to fly kites. "The lack of interest and availability of terraces and open spaces are the other reasons for the decline of this practice," said Monalisa Barik, a senior citizen.

The Bali yatra ground, Bidanasi ground, Sunshine ground, OMP ground, Kathajodi riverbed, Khannagar park, Potapokhari ground, the ground adjacent to Panchamukhi Hanuman temple, CDA Biju Patnaik Chhak ground and Naraj Helipad ground were the sites chosen as kite flying zones.

Tribal groups across the state lit bonfires, danced and organised feasts on the eve of Makar Sankranti in various places of Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts where the tribal people worship Tusu idols, feast, sing and dance through the day.