Makar Sankranti, also known as Maghe Sankranti, is a Nepalese festival that marks the end of the winter solstice in the month of Paush. In the Vikram Sambat or Yele calendar, it falls on the first of Magh. The 15th of January in the year 2022 is Maghe Sankranti. In comparison to the winter month of Poush, the celebration is seen as the start of warmer days. It is believed that the sun will begin to shift toward the northern hemisphere on this day. It is a solstice festival celebrated in Nepal.
During this event, Hindu devotees bathe in Nepal’s auspicious and religious rivers. Shankamul on the Bagmati River, Gandaki/Narayani River in the Triveni, Devghat in Chitwan, Ridi on the Kaligandaki, and Dolalghat on the Sunkoshi in the Koshi River basin are some of Nepal’s significant holy river places. People pray to Lord Vishnu, perform Pujas, and read the Bhagwad Gita, the Hindu holy book.
Makar Sankranti is believed to mark the start of a new holy season, which ended with the arrival of winter. It signifies the end of an inauspicious period of time that commenced around the middle of December. It is said that beginning on Makar sankranti day, any auspicious and sacred rite can be performed. This day ushers in a new era of longer and warmer days. Simply put, Makar Sankranti marks the end of winter and the start of spring, as well as the harvest season.
In the first of Magh, families get together and share food. During this joyous occasion, they share Til (Sesame) Laddoo, Ghee, Chaku (Jaggery), Yam, and Sweet Potatoes. The priest wishes everyone in the family good health and a brighter future. The Nepalese Brahmins and Chhetris commemorate Magh by inviting their married daughters and close relatives to their homes and providing them with special feasts and best wishes.
Maghe Sankranti Festival’s Stories
Maghe Shankranti has mythology linked with it. A Bhadgaun (now Baktapur) merchant was doing a booming business. He sold a lot of sesame, yet he never ran out of supply. He looked for the sign. He discovered the Lord Vishnu Idol beneath the seeds while cleaning the stockpile. After that, the Idol is worshipped as Til Madhav Idol. The idol is said to provide food, prosperity, and fortune to Bhaktapur if it is worshipped.
According to Hindu tradition, some religious books mention the significance of Maghe Sankranti. According to the Mahabharata, Bhisma Pitamaha, who possesses enormous power and has been granted the ability to control his death, chose this day to die. The Hindu epic Mahabharat is the world’s largest epic ever written. This is the day Bhisma discovered the words of wisdom of life and death while resting in the bed of arrows all shot by Arjun. Those who die on this day are said to achieve Moksha or escape from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
Maghe Sankranti is significant because it encourages family and community bonding. In Nepal, the joyful celebration is held on this day in high regard. Huge religious merits among many ethnic cultures commemorate Maghe Sankranti in their unique fashion. From one neighborhood to the next, the delicacies differ. The cultural aspect is also included.