Cows Made to Walk on Fire as Part of Makar Sankranti Celebrations in Bengaluru

Men decorated the cows with garlands and bells and walked them over hay set ablaze. This age-old ritual is believed to bring good fortune and keep cows and other livestock and crops from getting harmed.

Bengaluru: The Makar Sankranti festival marks the advent of spring and is celebrated by kite-flying and other regional festivities in the month of January. As part of Sankranti celebrations, people in Bengaluru led decked-up cows over burning hay.

It is a ritual seeking good fortune and protection from harm. It is believed to bring good fortune and keep cows and other livestock and crops from .getting harmed. Men decorated the cows with garlands and bells and walked them over hay set ablaze.

Take a look at the video here.

#WATCH Karnataka: Cattle made to walk through fire during Kicchu Hayisuvudu ritual in Mandya, during #MakarSankranti celebrations. (14/1/19) pic.twitter.com/EOJXFjkCg5

— ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2019

The other major event which kickstarted as part of Makar Sankranti celebrations is the Kumbh Mela, which is celebrated four times over a course of 12 years and commenced on Tuesday in Prayagraj.

Devotees braved the cold weather to take a dip in the icy water as they reached the Kumbh Nagari which witnessed a huge rush of people from far-away lands as early as 4 in the morning.

Sadhus of 13 akharas (seven Shaiva, three Vaishnava, two Udasina, and one Sikh) who have traditionally participated in the Kumbh Mela, the largest congregation in the world, were the first to take the holy bath known as ‘Shahi Snan’.

They marched majestically, dancing and humming devotional songs, all the way to the confluence.