Saturday, January 15 2005 11:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Three persons were killed and 86, mostly children, injured in kite flying incidents as bonhomie and religious fervor marked Makar Sankranti in all parts of the country sans Tamil Nadu where the shadow of killer tidal waves hung over Pongal festivities.

Tens of thousands took dip in sacred rivers, lakes and ponds and offered prayers in temples as kites of various hues fluttered in the breeze transforming the blue sky into a riot of colours.

Three people were killed in Gujarat's Surat district and 80, mostly children, injured in Pink City Jaipur while flying kites, which form an important part of Makar Sankranti.

Braving an early morning nip in the air, lakhs took holy dip in rivers and lakes in North India and offered prayers in temples.

People from South visited Lord Ayappa temples on the occasion.

Goodwill marked Makar Sankranti, which marks the sun's Northward journey, in Maharashtra with devotees taking an early morning dip and paying obeisance at temples.

"Khichdi", a dish made of rice and lentils, was the menu of the day in many households and restaurants in the state.

In West Bengal, nearly three lakh pilgrims took the holy dip at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and river Ganga in South 24 Parganas district.

In Tamil Nadu, Pongal festivities, heralding the harvest season, were at low-key, especially in coastal districts battered by the walls of waters on December 26, with the people going into mourning instead of celebrations.