Makar Sankranti day, Tirthamukh Snan and Mela in Gomati river in South Tripura attracts more than 100,000 people. Tirthamukh Snan and Mela in 2012 is on January 15. A holy dip in the River Gomati, on this occasion, is believed to wash away earthly sins. People also perform Shradh, Tarpan and Pinda Daan rituals dedicated to the dead forefathers on the day.
Tribal and non-tribal Hindus start taking bath from midnight of Makar Sankranti. Prayers are offered to Surya, the Hindu Sun God. The ritual on the day is also dedicated to Bhishma Pitamaha, as the people here believe that he left his physical body on earth on the day.
The temperature during the period touches between 0 to 5 degrees but this does not deter thousands of devotees who perform the holy bath. Hindus from neighboring states of Assam, Bengal and Meghalaya also take part in the ritual. Hindus from Bangladesh also participate in the ritual.
Tirthamukh, is nearly 140 kilometers southeast of Agartala, the capital of Tripura State and the river Gomati originates from here. Raima River and Sarma River merge with Gomati River at Tirthamukh.
