Maghe Sankranti - festivals - Nepal
Maghe Sankranti
(or Maghe Sakrati) is observed at the beginning of the holy
month of Magh, around January 15. It brings an end to the ill-omened
month of Poush (mid-december) when all religious ceremonies are forbidden. Even
if it is considered the coldest day of the year, it marks the coming of warmer
weather and better days of health and fortune.
This day is said to be the most significant day
for holy bathing despite the weather. It is customary to take holy dips at river
confluence, perform worship at various shrines and take yam and 'chaku' as
special food items on this occasion. Chaku is a sweet prepared from boiled and
hardened molasses.
Hindus in Nepal, India and Sikkim also observe
this day as 'Makar Sankranti' as it marks the sun's journey northwards. From
today, the day becomes longer than the night.
Newars' of Kathmandu valley also call it 'Ghyo-Chaku Sanun' as the day is
celebrated by eating ghee and chaku.
The belief goes that eating such items as ghee and Chaku, sesame seed candy,
vegetables and yam, and giving them away in charity on this day after taking a
holy dip helps one become healthier.
Devotees take holy dips at Devghat, Dolalghat,
Baraha Kshetra, Ridi, Triveni and other rivers across the country. Big
religious fairs are held today especially at the confluence of the Kali
Gandaki and Trishuli rivers at Devghat (near Narayangath) in
Tanahu. The Kankai River in Jhapa is also a famous pilgrimage site. Devotees
from various parts of the country and even from India throng Devghat and the
Kankai.
Sankhamole, on the banks of the holy Bagmati
river, below Patan, is thought to be amongst the most sacred sites for this
purpose, though there has been a decline in the fulfillment of this ritual in
the recent years due to water pollution in the river. But people still go in the
wee hours of dawn just to sprinkle themselves with the water.
People pay homage to
various deities specially the temple of Rato Machhendranath and Agima Ta.
In addition to holy bathing and worship of
shrines, certain auspicious foods like till laddoos (seasame seeds ball cakes),
chaku(molasys), ghee (clarified butter), sweet potatoes, khichari (mixture of
rice and lentils) and green leaf spinach are taken on this day. Families come
together and share these delights. Married daughters and families are invited to
parental homes for festivities and blessings. Yet another occasion to renew
family ties. Many homes have religious ceremonies (pujas) conducted by priests
with chanting from holy books, for which they receive alms.
Like other holy celebrations Maghi Sankranti
also has a legend of its own. It recalls that once a merchant from the town of
Bhadgoan despite of his thriving business noticed that his supply of seasame
seeds hadn't diminished. When looking into the matter he found an idol of the
Lrod Vishnu hidden deep beneath the seeds. Since, then on this day the Til
Madhav idol is worshipped with the belief that god will continue to be generous
in the supply of food and wealth on the Bhadgoan community. It's also the day
commemorating the death of Viswapitamaha, the elderly grandfather of two
families of Pandavas and Kauravas, between whom the famous battle of Mahabharat
took place. He was determined not to die until the way to the region of gods
opened. While lying on the bed of arrows he discovered words of wisdom on life
and death. Eventually, through his free will he succumbed to death. Hence it's
believed that those who die on this day go to heaven, released from the burden
of rebirth. Maghi Sankranti, is yet
another occasion which renews the faith of Nepalese people in the heavenly
powers.
Sources:
The Rising Nepal,
Youtube,
Nepal Homepage,
Darjeelingnews
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