MAGHE SANKRANTI A WINTER FESTIVAL OF NEPAL

Highlights of Maghe Sankranti fesival

-The slow end of winter months, heading towards warmer spring seasons.
-An event where all edible underground roots are consumed as healthy foods.
-Gathering of friends, families, and neighbors to enjoy the rejoiceful day of Sankranti.
-A major harvest celebration, the movement of the sun from one zodiac sign to another.
-An auspicious day to worship Lord Surya, with Goddess Ganga and Lord Vishnu.

Overviews of Maghe Sankranti festival

Maghe Sankranti is a special winter festival observed in all parts of Nepal.

The beginning of the 10th month of the year, as per the Nepalese Lunar calendar known as B.S. (Bikram Sambat). Which is 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar, the festival is celebrated with pomp and ceremony in every village and town.

Where all Nepalese consume edible roots from sweet potatoes and yams, including sweets made of molasses and sesame seeds.

As per the Gregorian calendar takes place on the 13th or 14th of January every year, it is a harvest festival. People take bathe and holy dip in rivers, ponds, and lakes to worship the Sun God. The belief is that it purifies oneself and bestows forgiveness for wrongdoing and sins.

Special holy rites are performed for yielding good harvest, devotees pay homage to temples and shrines. Considered the Magh month, is an auspicious day to worship Lord Surya (Sun), Goddess Ganga (Holy River), and God Vishnu.

This is the month bringing an end to the winter solstice (the point where the sun reaches either its highest or lowest point for the year).

The Maghe Sankranti is a celebration gathering and enjoying a feast, some villages hold fairs with games, as well bullfighting is organized. Visitors can observe the event of bullfighting in the Dhading and Nuwakot districts in special areas where the fair is held.

The story behind Magha Sankranti, according to the Hindu calendar, the movement of the sun moves from one zodiac sign to another as known as Sankranti. As the Sun shifts in the Capricorn Zodiac lines marks Makara Sankranti for the hill tribes.

Maghe Sankranti is the biggest festival for the Tharu community, the indigenous tribes of Nepal’s low-land Terai belt. The Tharu perform various rituals and worship Lord Vishnu and celebrates with a big feast. Apart from being a special event for the Tharu, it is celebrated by other tribes likewise Magar, Newar, Chettries, and Chhantyal communities.

As per the astrology and movement of solar systems, the Hindu Lunar calendar month of Magh. Takes place either on the new or on a full moon around the same time of the year. Normally falls on the tenth month of the year. Thus, this month is named after the full moon, usually found closer within the cluster of stars called
“Magha”.