People Pray At Ganges River In Varanasi On The Occasion Of Makar Sankranti, A Hindu Holy Day

People worship on the bank of the River Ganges on the eve of Makar Sankranti in the temple town of Varanasi, Jan. 13, 2013. A large number of Hindu pilgrims converged for the Gangasagar Fair on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, a holy day of the Hindu calendar during which taking a dip in the ocean at the confluence of the River Ganges and the Bay of Bengal is considered to be of great religious significance. <Xinhua/Stringer>

Hindu pilgrims take a dip in the ocean water of Sagar Island, some 150 km south of Calcutta, capital of eastern Indian state West Bengal, Jan. 13, 2013.

An Indian girl dressed as goddess sits on the beach of Sagar Island, some 150 km south of Calcutta, capital of eastern Indian state West Bengal, India, Jan. 13, 2013. <Xinhua/Tumpa Mondal>