The first major Ganga Snan of the year on Makar Sakranti will be held today. The police and local administration have made elaborate arrangements to ensure that the event is held without any problems.

On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, devotees from all over the country come to Haridwar and take a bath in the Ganga to attain spiritual merit.

It is believed that donating sesame and khichdi after bathing in the Ganga on the day leads to the attainment of considerable religious merit.

Despite the cold weather and the chilled water of the Ganga during January, devotees arrive in their thousands to take a ceremonial dip in the holy river on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. In view of the first major bath of this year, the police administration has also made strict security arrangements in the entire fair area which has been divided into seven zones and 15 sectors.

 Haridwar senior superintendent of police Senthil Avoodai Krishnaraj S briefed all police personnel about their tasks on Monday.

Briefing the police personnel ahead of the Makar Sankranti Snan, the SSP said that the entire Mela area had been divided into seven zones and 15 sectors.  Police officers have been deployed in all the sectors and the inspector in-charge of the rea concerned has been given the responsibility of the sector in the area. Stating that the occasion is expected to draw a large crowd on Tuesday, the SSP said that due to construction work going on in Haridwar and other factors, the movement of heavy vehicles on the highway would be stopped and that a route diversion plan has also been made.Meanwhile, astrologer Prateek Mishra told this correspondent that the sun enters Capricorn on the day of Makar Sankranti. It is believed that by bathing in the Ganga and donating on this occasion, one can secure freedom from sins, tackle planetary afflictions and even attain salvation. Makar Sakranti will be celebrated on two days this year- January 14 and 15, he added.