Maghe Sankranti Festival in Nepal also known as Makar Sankranti, is a Nepalese festival that marks the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of warmer and longer days. It is celebrated on the first day of Magh in the Bikram Sambat calendar, which usually falls in mid-January. It is one of the few Nepalese festivals that follow the solar cycle and have a fixed date
Maghe Sankranti is a solstice festival that honours the sun god, Surya, and signifies the start of a new auspicious phase in Nepalese culture. It is believed that any sacred and holy ritual can be performed from this day onwards. It is also a major harvest festival that celebrates the bounty of nature and the hard work of farmers.
Maghe Sankranti Festival in Nepal Highlights:
- Maghe Sankranti is primarily associated with the worship of Lord Vishnu. Devotees take ritualistic baths in sacred rivers, such as the Triveni in Devghat, to cleanse themselves of sins.
- Many people visit temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, especially the shrine at Devghat, to offer prayers and seek blessings for the well-being of their families.
- One of the major highlights of Maghe Sankranti is the consumption of traditional foods like sesame seeds, molasses, yams, and various types of sweets.
- The preparation and sharing of a special dish called “Til ko Laddu” (sesame seed sweets) are common during this festival. It symbolizes the abundance of crops and prosperity.
- Various cultural events, including traditional dances and folk performances, take place during Maghe Sankranti. These events showcase the rich cultural heritage of Nepal.
- Local music, dance, and dramas related to the agricultural lifestyle are performed, adding vibrancy to the celebrations.
- Bonfires are lit in public spaces where communities come together to celebrate. The bonfires represent the end of the winter season and the arrival of longer days.
- Families and friends gather around these bonfires, sharing warmth, food, and stories, creating a sense of unity and joy.
- Maghe Sankranti is a time for family reunions as people travel to be with their loved ones during the festivities.
- Families often exchange gifts, sweets, and good wishes, fostering a sense of closeness and harmony.
On this day, Hindu devotees take ritual baths in sacred rivers and ponds, such as Sankhamul on the Bagmati, Triveni on the Narayani, Devghat on the Rapti, Ridi on the Kaligandaki, and Dolalghat on the Sunkoshi. They also worship Lord Vishnu, the preserver of life, and read the Bhagavad Gita, the sacred scripture of Hinduism. They offer prayers and donations to temples and priests for the well-being of themselves and their families.
Maghe Sankranti is also a time of family reunions and social gatherings. People exchange greetings and gifts, especially sesame seeds, sweets, ghee, and yam. They also enjoy traditional delicacies, such as khichdi, ghee, chaku, til laddu, tarul, and sweet potatoes. These foods are believed to provide warmth and energy to the body and ward off illnesses in the cold season.
Maghe Sankranti has various stories and legends associated with it. One of them is about a merchant from Bhaktapur who found an idol of Lord Vishnu under a pile of sesame seeds. He named the idol Til Madhav and started worshipping it. The idol is said to bring prosperity and fortune to the city of Bhaktapur. Another legend is about Bhisma Pitamaha, a great warrior and grandfather of the Pandavas and Kauravas in the Mahabharata. He had the boon of choosing his own time of death and he chose to die on Maghe Sankranti. He imparted his wisdom of life and death to his grandsons while lying on a bed of arrows.
Maghe Sankranti is a festival that celebrates the sun, the earth, and the life that they sustain. It is a festival that reflects the rich culture and diversity of Nepal and its people. It is a festival that brings joy, hope, and gratitude to the hearts of Nepalis.
