Maghe Sankranti today, public holiday

KATHMANDU: The auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, also known as Maghe Sankranti, falls on Magh 1 (Jan 15) i.e. today as the Sun transitions from Sagittarius to Capricorn Zodiac. This significant event marks the beginning of Uttarayana, during which the days gradually become shorter, signifying the northern movement of the Sun.

Makar Sankranti holds immense spiritual significance, and various virtuous activities such as bathing, chanting, penance, meditation, and charity are considered highly auspicious on this day.

Devotees from different regions gather at sacred places like Devghat, Trishuli, Kali Gandaki, Bagmati, Indrawati, Triveni, and Ridi to take the holy Magh bath. These locations witness large crowds of pilgrims, and special fairs are organized to celebrate the occasion.

In the Terai districts, the day is observed as the festival of bath, known as Nahan.

Even those residing in the Terai, where suitable bathing opportunities may be scarce throughout the year, believe in the mandatory ritual of bathing on this auspicious day. The festival brings people together in celebration, fostering a sense of spiritual rejuvenation and communal joy.

According to religious beliefs, visiting a shrine in the morning, taking a bath, and offering sesame seeds is believed to yield virtues equivalent to donating gold.

As per Dharmasindhu, abstaining from consuming ghee, chaku, sesame dishes, and khichadi, as well as refraining from offerings, bathing in reservoirs, and meditation on Magh 1st, is said to result in potential health issues throughout one’s life.

It is considered best to do good deeds after Uttarayana. It is believed that a person who bathes, donates, fasts and meditates today will get merit and fulfill his wishes.

On the day of Maghe Sankranti, it is customary to eat ghee, chaku, sesame dishes, yam, spinach, khichdi etc. As these dishes provide warmth in winter, hot dishes are eaten during festivals that fall during the cold season. Doctors of Ayurveda say that Tridosh will be destroyed by these foods.

There is also a tradition of cooking yams on the last day of Poush and eating them in Magh. It is also used as a proverb that says ‘Pushma Pake, Maghma Jake’. Nowadays, it is believed that by massaging the body with sesame oil, the contaminants will come out. Ayurveda classically believes that the pulse, nervous system and bones of the body can be kept strong and healthy by massaging sesame oil.

Death after Surya Uttarayana is considered best. Bhishma, who was on his deathbed in the Mahabharata war, had given up his body after Surya Uttarayana, as he had received the boon of willing death. These days, a fair is also held at Tilmadhav Narayansthan in Bhaktapur.

Magha Mahatmya also has great importance in the month of Magh. According to the Magh Mahatmya of Skanda Purana, the dialogue between Kumar and Agastya of Kedarkhand, i.e. listening to and reciting the sequence of listening and reciting, starts from Paush Shukla Purnima. This sequence continues till Magh Shukla Purnima.

It is said that on the Magh 1st, tubers such as yams, sakharkhanda (sweet potato), pidalu (corms), and yams are consumed, so this day is to be celebrated.

On the occasion of Maghe Sankranti, the government has given a public holiday today.