Maghe Sankranti ( Ghiu Chaku Shalu) Leave a comment

Maghe Sankranti is a widely celebrated festival on the first day of the month of Magh, according to the Vikram Sambat (BS) calendar. It is also known as the new year celebrated by the Tharu community of Nepal. Maghe Sankranti is said to mark the end of the winter season in the month of Poush. It is believed that this festival brings warmth and longer days compared to nights, and the sun starts to move towards the Northern Hemisphere. Maghe Sankranti is known as the beginning of an auspicious (holy) phase of transition in Nepalese culture. 

Maghe Sankranti is celebrated with distinct names and rituals according to the races and communities of Nepal. Maghe Sankranti is celebrated with zeal and fervor in the northern and western parts of Nepal as Makar Sankranti, a special day. This day is significant in ancient epics such as the Mahabharat. According to its socio-geographical importance, Maghe Sankranti holds historical and religious significance. The sun is worshiped as the main god during this festival. People see the sun god as a symbol of dignity and wisdom that has been around forever. During Maghe Sankranti, the sun god is said to be worshiped because it ends its southward journey at the Tropic of Capricorn and begins its northward journey, towards the Tropic of Cancer, and the days begin to get warmer and longer than the nights. The festival has also been traditionally associated with the worship of the Sun God, Surya. According to Hindu beliefs, the sun is at its closest to the earth during the month of Magh, and its rays are believed to be the most powerful. This makes Maghe Sankranti an ideal time to seek the blessings of the Sun God. Maghe Sankranti is also considered an important festival for farmers, as it marks the beginning of the harvest season. As the festival is celebrated around January, which is the end of the winter season, it symbolizes the end of the cold season and the beginning of the warmer weather, which is ideal for farming. Maghe Sankranti is a festival that promotes unity and brotherhood among different communities and people. The festival is celebrated by people from all backgrounds, and it is an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate.

The significance of Maghe Sankranti is basically a bonding development among family members and the community. On this day, the hindu followers take holy baths in the religious rivers like Devghat (Chitwan), Gandaki, Dolalghat (Sunkoshi). People worship the sun and lord Vishnu and organize various pujas and read the holy epics of hindu, Bhagwat Gita. Families get together on this day and eat special delicacies and sweets, including til (sesame) laddu, yam, sweet potato, ghee, and other tuberous root vegetables. On the day of Maghe Sankranti, it is said that eating the tuberous root vegetables, ghee, and sugar molasses (Chaku) provides warmth and is an old tradition to beat the cold weather.t