KATHMANDU, JANUARY 15
Maghe or Makar Sankranti in common Hindu dialect was celebrated across various regions and among ethnic communities in the country today.
Also popularly called Maghi, the festival is especially observed by the people of Tharu community in th southern plains and Kirats in the eastern hilly areas. The Tharus and Kirats also mark the festival as the beginning of their new year. The Newar community in Kathmandu valley and across the country also celebrates the festival. Likewise, the Magar community, especially around hilly areas of Karnali Province, also celebrates the festival.
The festival that falls on the first day of the Nepali month of Magh is celebrated in different ways across the country. The Maghi festival carries a unique identity to maintain cultural and friendly relations among people of all parts and regions in the country.
Hindu people enjoy delicacies like chaku, ghee, yam, nuts and meat which are believed to provide instant energy and heat during the mid-winter season. Religious people take holy bath in major river junctures across the country and take oil massage in the sun.
Similarly, people of Tharu community savour their special cuisine called ghonghi (water snails) during this festival. They consume alcohol, fish, pork, and dhikri (special rice flour cuisine). Tharu people gather in public places and celebrate the festival with cultural dances and make plans for the upcoming year.
Similarly, the day marks 5,083 years of Kirat community. It is believed that the reign of Yalambar began the Kirat calendar. The Kiratis of Terhathum, Ilam, Panchthar, Dhankuta, Sankhuwasabha, and Taplejung celebrate their new year today with cultural dances and delicious food items available during the season. They visit the homes of elderly people to take blessing and organise various dancing, singing and merrymaking activities on the occasion. Today, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari visited the Barahakshetra temple on the occasion of Maghe Sankranti festival. Barahakshetra is a famous religious site in Sunsari district where Makar Sankranti festival is observed.
Many devotees throng Barahakshetra that lies along the confluence of Koshi and Koka rivers to take a holy dip on the occasion of Maghe Sankranti. Religious belief has it that one will be absolved of sins by taking a holy bath at the Koka-Kaushiki, the confluence of two rivers in the area, on the occasion of the festival. Every year, a grand fair takes place in Barahakshetra to mark the occasion.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 16, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
