What is the meaning of Maghe Sankranti?
The Maghe sankranti meaning comes from two words: “Maghe” and ‘Sankranti.’ The ‘Maghe’ represents the month of Magh in the Vikram Sambar Calender, while the ‘Sankranti’ is a sanskrit word meaning the transition of the sun from one zodiac sign to another.
Why is Maghe Sankranti celebrated?
The Maghe Sankranti festival is celebrated for several reasons. The one popular reason is that it marks the end of the paddy cultivation season and the time of the harvest of the paddy. The other reason is that it marks the beginning of longer and warmer days. Some communities celebrate it as the beginning of the new year.
Who celebrate Maghi festival in Nepal?
The Maghi festival in Nepal is celebrated primarily by the Tharu and Magar communities. The Tharu people celebrate the Magh festival as their new year’s day that marks the end of the winter and the beginning of spring. While the Magar peoples celebrate it as a major annual festival for their community.
The Nepali Hindus also celebrate the festival as a religious festival with ritual baths in the Bagmati river, the Gandaki/Narayani river basin, the Koshi River basin, or in other locations.
When is the Maghe Sankranti festival celebrated in Nepal?
Maghe sankranti 2025 is celebrated on 14 January. The maghe sankranti in Nepali date is magh 1, 2081 B.S. The date from the Gregorian calendar may be different, as the festival date is based on the lunar calendar.
Maghe sankranti festival history
The Maghe sankranti history is deeply rooted in Hindu traditions. The festival is associated with various legends and rituals. In ancient times, when the farmers completed their harvest, then they used to celebrate their hard work with their family and community gatherings. Since then, the festival is celebrated.
The people used to worship the sun as a deity representing wisdom and divinity. People believed that worshipping the sun would help them achieve wisdom and prosperity.
The festival is mentioned in the ancient epic, Mahabharata. According to the book, Bhisma Pitamaha, who was the grandfather of Pandavas and Kauravas, chose to end his life. Since then, the day is celebrated as remembering of the legend Bheesma Pitamah.
Importance of Maghe Sankranti in Nepal
This festival is one of the important festivals celebrated in Nepal. It holds deep cultural, religious, and agricultural importance across the various communities in Nepal.
Primarily, the maghe sankranti festival is recognized as the harvest festival. It marks the end of the paddy cultivation and the beginning of the new agricultural cycle. On this day, farmers worship the deities, offer their first crop and seek blessings for future prosperity.
According to the religious aspects, Hindus consider the day to be auspicious for spiritual practices and rituals. On this day, Bheesma, a character from the Mahabharata, chooses to die, granting him Moksha. So, people believe that those who die on this day will get liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
Religious Observances and Rituals of the festival
The Maghe Sankanti festival is celebrated in Nepal with various rituals and religious activities. The key rituals and religious observances are described below.
Holi bathing is a central ritual during the maghe sankranti. The devotees take a ritual bathe in the sacred rivers of Nepal like Devghat (Chitwan), Gandaki/Narayani River, Koshi River, Triveni, and so on. It is believed that by bathing in the sacred river, the water cleanses the soul and wash away all the sins.
Another important ritual is worship and offerings. People engage in the prayers and rituals to honor the Lord Vishnu and the sun god. Families gather to perform the worship ceremonies called puja. They read the holy book called the Bhagawan Gita.
Farmers offer their first harvest to the god and wish for future prosperity. The devotees offer the various food items to the deities after visiting the temple.
On the occasion of the maghe sankranrti festival in Nepal, various types of food items are prepared. The maghe sankranti food items include til ko laddu (sesame seed sweets), chaku (molasses candy), ghee, sweet potatoes, and yams. These food items are prepared and offered to the god.
Then, the food items are distributed to the other family members and friends. Eating these foods is believed to provide warmth during the cold season.
The festival is celebrated with community. The families living in the community gather to perform the various rituals, like holy bathing in the rivers and worshipping in the various temples. This tradition fosters a sense of unity and belonging among participants.
Popular activities during the festival
Besides the rituals and religious observations, the Maghe Sankranti festival is also known for the various activities, including kite flying, bull fighting and charity. These activities add extra joy to the festival celebrations.
Kite flying is a beloved tradition during the Maghe sankranti festival. People engage in the friendly kite-fighting contests. The colorful kites that fill the sky symbolize joy, camaraderie, and the hope for longer days, good fortune, and prosperity.
It is possible because in the month of January, there is less rainfall and the skies are clear, creating the perfect atmosphere for the kite flying. It is a therapeutic as well as a joyful experience for the participants and spectators alike. This activity is believed to foster the community spirit.
Bullfighting is a traditional event that is organized in the Nuwakot, Nepal. It takes place during the Maghe Sankranti festival. The festival is also called Gaura Parva there. It is an activity where the bulls from the different owners compete in a fight.
The bulls are selected based on their physical fitness. The bulls are then decorated and groomed. After that, two bulls are taken to the ground for one fight at a time. The fight ends when a bull is tired and gives up.
The owners of the best bulls are awarded with cash prizes and certificates. The other people watch the fight and enjoy it.
Charity is also a part of the festival celebrations. People donate food, clothes, grains, pulses, rice, sweets, potatoes, and fruits to the needy. Donating the food items to the poor or Brahmins is considered to be a virtuous act.
Maghe Sankranti Festival in Modern Times
During this time, the maghe sankranti in Nepali society has seen significant changes. It is now celebrated with a blend of traditional rituals and modern festivities. The foods and rituals associated with the festival are engaging the younger generations.
The festival has become a platform for community gatherings from the various cultural backgrounds. People gather for the community feasts and cultural performances.
The celebrations in the urban areas like Kathmandu have become more organized and commercialized. The various public events, cultural programs, and fairs are organized along with the traditional practices such as communal feasts and ritual baths at rivers.
The role of social media is also seen nowadays. People share their experiences through various platforms like Facebook, instargram and other social media platforms. The awareness of the festival is now shared through online platforms.
Tips for tourists attending the Maghe Sankranti Celebrations
- Understand the culture and custom to enhance your appreciation of the festivities.
- Participate in the local rituals, such as taking a dip in holy rivers like Devghat or Triveni.
- Try the local festive dishes, including sesame seed laddus (Til Laddoo), molasses (Chaku), sweet potatoes, and yam.
- Dress modestly to respect the local customs.
- Engage with the locals for deeper insights into the festival’s significance and traditions.
- Explore the key locations, including Devghat, Nuwakot, and Pashupatinath Temple, where major festival celebrations take place.
- Participate in ten various cultural programs or fairs that feature traditional music, dances, and other cultural displays.
- As January can be cold, pack warm clothes.
- Combine the maghe sankrani celebrations with the treks, including the langtang gosaikunda lake trek. Or you can plan your trek like the everest base camp trek, the annapurna base camp trek, the manaslu circuit trek and so on, before or after the festival celebrations during your visit to Nepal.
Conclusion
Maghe Sankranti, celebrated in Nepal on January 14, 2025, marks the end of winter. It holds deep historical significance, especially for the Tharu and Magar communities. The festival is celebrated with traditional foods like sesame laddus and sweets. It is a time for sun worship, rituals, and joyous gatherings.
