Gangtok/Jorethang, Jan. 15: The dry and sunny weather last week gave way to an overcast sky and temperatures dropped to 3?C, the lowest this season, as Maghe Sankranti festivities took off yesterday.

South, west and parts of east Sikkim were enveloped in fog and in some of the areas it drizzled in the late evening. Temperatures were also very low in Ravangla.

The weather, however, did not dampen the spirit of mela-goers as they thronged the Saramsa mela near Ranipul to make the most of the three day holiday (two days for Maghe Sankranti and Sunday).

Jorethang in South Sikkim, which hosts the biggest mela every year, managed to get a fair crowd and the organisers were happy with the turnout.

The Maghe mela organising committee there, headed by rural management and development minister K. N. Rai, is offering a variety of sporting and adventure activities this year along with street plays and other events. The mela, which attracts a large number of people from the neighbouring areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, will continue till January 19.

Mangley Simchuthang also in South Sikkim, which was one of the oldest venues for the Maghe mela, did not organise the festival this year. However, the festival is being held with great fervour at Singtam in East Sikkim.