Maghe Sankranti
Maghe Sankranti, also recognized as Makar Sankranti or Maghi, is a prominent harvest festival in Nepal, symbolizing the conclusion of the winter solstice and the onset of longer, warmer days. Celebrated on the first day of Magh in the Vikram Sambat or Yele calendar, this festival holds cultural and spiritual significance across the nation.
Maghe Sankranti 2080/2024 date:
Maghe Sankranti in 2024 will be observed on Monday, January 15, 2024( 1st Magh 2080).
Solar Transition: Makara Sankranti
At its core, Maghe Sankranti marks the sun’s shift from one zodiac sign to another, known as Sankranti. As the sun transitions into the Capricorn zodiac sign, or Makara, the occasion is aptly named Makara Sankranti.
Rituals and Traditions: Holy Baths and Massages
During the festivities, devout Hindus partake in ritual baths in holy rivers, including Sankhamul on the Bagmati near Patan, Triveni and Devghat in the Gandaki/Narayani river basin, and Ridi. Festive foods such as laddoo, ghee, and sweet potatoes are distributed, while the Newari community engages in the tradition of massaging their bodies and heads with sesame oil.
Culinary Delights
Special foods like Till ko ladoo, Chakku, Ghee, Spinach, and Yam’s curry are prepared, believed to contribute to health and warmth in cold weather.
Diverse Celebrations Across Nepal
Maghe Sankranti assumes different names and rituals across the country. In northern and western Nepal, the festival is celebrated with heightened enthusiasm as Makar Sankranti. The Tharu people observe this day as the New Year, and it serves as a major government-declared annual festival for the Magar community.
Historical and Religious Significance+
With deep historical and religious significance, Maghe Sankranti honors the Sun God, symbolizing divinity and wisdom. Devotees partake in sacred river baths, believing it purifies them of sins and leads to liberation. Sun and Lord Vishnu worship, various pujas, and readings from Hindu holy epics, such as the Bhagwat Gita, are integral parts of the celebration.
Family Unity and Culinary Feasts
Families come together to enjoy special delicacies and sweets, including til (sesame) laddu, yam, sweet potato, ghee, and other root vegetables. As Maghe Sankranti unfolds, it intertwines tradition, spirituality, and community in a celebration of abundance and solar transition in the heart of Nepal.
