KATHMANDU: Maghe Sankranti, also known as Makar Sankranti, is being observed across the country today.
The festival is marked by ritual baths in rivers and ponds, worship at various temples, and the consumption of traditional foods such as ghee, yam, khichadi (dish made by cooking rice and lentils together), and sweets including chaku (jiggery) and items made from sesame and molasses.
Astrologically, Makar Sankranti is significant as it marks the day when the sun begins its northward journey, entering the northern hemisphere. On this day, the sun transitions from Sagittarius to Capricorn, symbolizing longer days and shorter nights.
According to religious texts such as the ‘Bhabisya Puran’ and ‘Dharma Sindhu’, devotees who observe the festival in accordance with prescribed rituals are believed to receive special blessings and enjoy good health.
The Newar community celebrates the occasion as ‘Ghyo Chaku Sallnhu’, during which ghee and ‘chaku’ are consumed in remembrance of departed souls. As part of the tradition, elders apply mildly warm edible oil to the heads of younger family members.
Large numbers of devotees gather at sacred sites including Devghat, Barahchhetra, Ridi, Panauti, Dolalghat, and Kankai in Nepal, as well as Prayag and Gangasagar in India, to take holy baths and perform Shraddha rites.
The festival also holds importance in Ayurveda and medical science, as the foods traditionally consumed on this day are considered a balanced diet that helps boost the body’s immunity.
In Bhaktapur’s Taumadhi Tole, a special celebration is being held at the Tilmadhav Narayan Temple, where a puja of Deepankar Buddha is performed.
Among the Tharu community, the festival is known as Maghi and is celebrated with great enthusiasm over five consecutive days. In the Tarai districts, the day is also marked by the ritual bathing festival known as Nahan.
Comment