India: Two women participating in the "Makara Sankranti" celebrations at the old Hindu Shri Swaminarayan...

The old Swaminarayan Temple, originally built in 1824, was an extremely colourful Hindu temple. It becomes especially interesting on major Hindu holidays when ancient rituals are performed.

The Hindu festival of Makara Sankranti marks the end of winter and usually occurs in mid-January.

'Families were lighting sacrificial fires, which were then fed with sandalwood and ghee (clarified butter). Afterwards, married couples walked solemnly around the fires, with the husbands going first, followed by their wives, who were tied with their saris to their spouses (a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage rite). This was to ensure further married bliss. I’m certain it worked.'