SILAPATHAR, Jan 15 � Thousands of devotees from North-East India took a holy dip in the waterfalls of Akashi Ganga at Likabali, 12 km from Silapathar town on the eve of Magh Bihu, on January 14.
There is an ancient belief that taking a dip at Akashi Ganga on Makar Sankranti cleanses one of all sins. Every year, thousands of devotees flock to the spot for a holy bath.
According to legend, the corpse of Sati was cut into pieces by Vishnu with his chakra at the refusal of Shiva to do so.
The head of Sati fell somewhere near Akashi Ganga. The place is therefore held in high esteem as a place of pilgrimage.
The place provides a magnificent bird�s eye view of the river Brahmaputra glimmering far down below.
Makar Sankranti is also known by various other names, like Poush Sankranti in West Bengal, Maghi in Punjab, Bhogali Bihu in Assam and Pongal in southern India. This year around 20,000 pilgrims took a holy dip at Akashi Ganga.
