Maaghe Sankranti
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Maaghe Sankranti is a Nepalese festival observed on the first of Maagh in the Bikram Sambat Nepali calendar (about January 14) bringing an end to the ill-omened month of Poush when all religious ceremonies are forbidden. On this day, the sun is believed to leave its southernmost position and begin its northward journey. Maaghe Sankranti is similar to solstice festivals in other religious traditions. On this day pilgrims swarm in at river confluence for a holy dip in the water, despite freezing temperature. Some resort to only sprinkling water above their head because of the cold. In addition to the customary sacred plunge by the brave at heart, this year it is a solar eclipse on this day, which supports the holy practice of taking dip in the river after the eclipse. Devotees, many of them are elderly, take holy dips at the convergence points at Devghat, Baraha Kshetra, Triveni, Dolalghat, Sankhamool and other sites all across Nepal. Big religious fair are held on this day at Devghat (near Narayanghat) and Kankai (in Jhapa district) where many people gather for the spiritual feel by worshipping the shrines. Many travel around for fun from different parts of Nepal and India.
In addition to holy bathing and worship of shrines, this festival carries along with it different items to eat so that it will lead to a healthier life ahead. Specially, Ghyu (clarified butter) is used to cook many items as it is religiously accepted notion that the use of ghyu wipes all the impurity. Teel Laddus (sesame seeds ball mixed with jaggery and rounded), Ghya-Chaaku (assemblage of ghee and chaaku – a popular condiment of Newar community), Shakkharkhand (sweet potato), Tarool (Yam), Khichadi (mixture of rice and lentils with clarified butter as the thickener) are the special menu items for this day. It is a normal customary in Nepal to invite married daughters and close relatives during festivities, and Maaghe Sankranti is not an exception. Families come together and share these delights. There is yet another tradition of massaging the body with mustard oil and then basking in the sun with the idea of keeping the body warm and relaxed in this cold day.
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- Maghe Sankranti observed (thehimalayantimes.com)
