Maghey Sankrantri: Festival In Nepal
One of the popular festivals among Nepalese culture is ‘Maghey Sankranti’ which is celebrate on 1st of Magh. It is also believe to be the coldest day of the year. The people celebrate for the end of the winter and welcome the spring season. According to astrology, it is believed to the transmigration of the sun from one zodiac sign to another.
How do we celebrate Maghey Sankranti?
On this day the Hindus, usually take a holy bath in religious places like Devghat, Dolalghat, BarahaKshetra, etc. The Sachi Tirtha at Trivenighat and other rivers are also famous for the same purpose. Many devotees from India come here for a holy dip. People of Terai region are more likely to celebrate it. People are serve with sweet potatoes, ghee, and Chakhu(Molasses like) during the festival.
How Magi is celebrate by different community
Although it is celebrate by Hindus, it is celebrated differently by different ethnic groups in Nepal. And, it is consider as the big festival in the Newar community. It is also famously known as ‘Ghya chaku sahlu’ which translates to ‘Ghee’ for ghya, ‘molasses’ for chaku and ‘sankranti’ or sahlu. After taking a bath they worship Ajima Mata (goddesses) and Rato Machindranath.
The Tharu community also celebrate this festival as ‘Maghee’. According to their traditions, they make plans for the upcoming year on this day.Every member in family give the task on this day.They are busy making liquors and a variety of cuisine for their family. It is also the New Year Celebration in their community.
The Kirat also Celebrate this day as their New year ‘YeleDhung’. This symbolizes that King Yalambar invaded Kathmandu. And the beginning of his region. In Nuwakot, on this date there is a unique celebration of bullfighting. It is believe that people who die on this day will go to heaven and be reborn.
Origin Of Maghey Sankranti
Once, there was a rich merchant in Bhaktapur who had a good sale of sesame and his stock would never run out. On curious he searched for the clue and while cleaning the pile of stock he found the idol of Lord Vishnu. Later on, it is worshipe as the Til Madhav Idol. It is believe that worshiping the idol bring the supply to food, harmony and wealth to Bhaktapur. The day where Vishwapitama, the elderly grandfather of Pandavas and Kauravas between whom the famous battle fight occurred “Mahabharat”.While lying on the bed of arrow he discover the word of wisdom about life and death and also believed that people that die on this date go directly to heaven without any suffering of Rebirth.
