Tattapani fair draws thousands for Makar Sankranti Holy bath
Shimla/Tatapaani, Jan 14,
Thousands of devotees from different parts of Himachal Pradesh and neighbouring states converged at Tattapani on Tuesday to observe Makar Sankranti, taking ritual dips in the region’s famed sulphur hot springs amid biting winter conditions.
The ceremonial bathing began in the early hours, around 4 am, and continued uninterrupted through the day as pilgrims thronged the pilgrimage town. Nestled on the banks of the Sutlej river, about 56 kilometres from Shimla, Tattapani is known for its naturally warm springs, whose temperature remains soothing even when the surrounding mercury drops to nearly 4–6 degrees Celsius.
Devotees believe the sulphur-rich water possesses curative properties, particularly for skin-related ailments, making the Sankranti bath both a spiritual and therapeutic ritual. Alongside the holy dip, large numbers of pilgrims performed Tuladan, an age-old offering ritual undertaken for planetary balance and well-being.
Maintaining a long-standing tradition, community kitchens prepared nearly three quintals of khichdi, which was distributed as prasad among devotees. The town had earlier entered record books in 2020 when around 4.5 quintals of khichdi were cooked in a giant vessel brought from Yamunanagar in Haryana.
The State Revenue Minister also visited the shrine complex during the fair and extended festive greetings to people on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.
Highlighting Tattapani’s historical importance, local priest Pandit Tekchand Sharma recalled that the bathing sarovar was inaugurated by India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, during his visit on September 22, 1952. He noted that the original sarovar was submerged after the construction of the Kol Dam in 2013, following which hot water access was restored through drilling by the authorities along the Sutlej riverbank.
Tattapani’s religious significance dates back to the Treta Yuga, with legends associating the site with sages Jamadagni and Parashurama. The tradition of collective feasting after religious rituals is believed to have originated from sage Jamadagni’s yagna and continues to this day. Shimla resident Mohit Sood said his family has been preparing khichdi at Tattapani on Sankranti for nearly a century, a custom started by his forefather Bihari Lal about 96 years ago.
To manage the large influx of pilgrims, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation operated additional bus services from Shimla and nearby regions, while extra police personnel were deployed to regulate traffic, especially along the Sunni stretch. Designated parking facilities were arranged at Gharyana to ease congestion.
As part of the fair’s rituals, SDM Karsog Gaurav Mahajan performed Kanya Pujan, worshipping 21 young girls amid Vedic chants. He described the Tattapani fair as a symbol of social harmony, cultural unity and the enduring spiritual ethos of Sanatan traditions.
Makar Sankranti was celebrated with equal devotion across Mandi district, popularly known as Chhoti Kashi, where devotees marked the onset of Uttarayan through ritual baths, charitable acts and the preparation of traditional urad dal khichdi, locally called Magha Saje.
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