Maghe Sankranti
माघे सङ्क्रान्ति
Public holidayHinduBuddhistNewarKiratTharuMadhesi / Mithila
Dates
| 2083 BS | 15 Jan 2027 (1 Magh 2083 BS) · in 95 days | Official holiday list source |
| 2084 BS | Usually 14 January — date to be announced | Date to be announced |
When: Usually 14 January (Wikipedia)
Maghe Sankranti (Nepali: माघे सङ्क्रान्ति, Maithili: माघि, Nepal Bhasa: घ्यःचाकु संल्हु) is a Nepali festival observed on the first day of Magh in the Vikram Sambat (B.S) or Yele calendar, marking the end of the winter solstice and the month of Poush. The Tharu people celebrate this day as the beginning of their new year. It is also regarded as a major government-declared annual festival of the Magar community. Maghe Sankranti shares similarities with solstice festivals in various other religious traditions.
Observant Hindus take ritual baths during this festival. These include Janakpurdham, Sankhamul on the Bagmati River near Patan, in the Gandaki/Narayani river basin at Triveni, Devghat near Chitwan Valley and Ridi on the Kaligandaki River, and in the Koshi River basin at Dolalghat on the Sunkoshi River. Festive foods like Chaku, Ghee, and Sweet potatoes are distributed. Nieces and nephews usually go to Mama Ghar to receive tika, blessings, and dakshina (monetary gifts).
नेपालीमा
माघे सङ्क्रान्ति, मकर सङ्क्रान्ति तथा माघी नामले चिनिने नेपालको एक प्रमुख चाड हो। यो माघ महिनाको पहिलो दिन पर्दछ। ज्योतिष शास्त्र अनुसार सौर्यमासको हिसाबले माघे सङ्क्रान्तिदेखि सूर्य धनु राशिबाट मकर राशिमा प्रवेश गर्ने हुनाले यसलाई 'मकर सङ्क्रान्ति' पनि भनिएको हो। सामान्यतया सूर्यले सबै राशिलाई प्रभावित गरेता पनि सूर्यको कर्कट राशि (साउने सङ्क्रान्ति) र मकर राशि (माघे सङ्क्रान्ति) प्रवेशलाई धार्मिक दृष्टिले मह्त्वपूर्ण मानिन्छ। यो दिनदेखि सूर्य दक्षिणी गोलार्धबाट उत्तरी गोलार्ध तर्फ प्रवेश गर्ने भएकोले दिन लामो र रात छोटो हुँदै जाने विश्वास गरिन्छ तापनि आजभोलि पुष ७ गतेबाटै दिन लम्बिन र रात छोट्टिन शुरु हुन्छ। माघे सङ्क्रान्ति पर्व नेपाल भर विभिन्न नदी तथा त्रिवेणीमा स्नान गरि मन्दिरमा पूजाआजाका साथै घिउ, चाकु, तिलको लड्डु र तरुल खाएर मनाइन्छ। यस पर्वमा देवघाट, बराहक्षेत्र, रिडी, पनौती, दोलालघाट, कन्काई तथा भारतको प्रयाग र गङ्गा सागर लगायतका नदी र घाटहरूमा स्नान, दान, श्राद्ध आदि गर्नेको ठूलो भिड लाग्छ। भविष्य पुराण, विष्णुवचन तथा धर्मसिन्धु नामक ग्रन्थमा यस दिन स्नान गरि घिउ, चाकु, तिलको लड्डु, सागपात, तरुल, वस्त्र, पानीको भाँडो र मकलसहितको सिदा दान गरेमा विशेष फल प्राप्त हुने र उक्त पदार्थ आफूले पनि खाएमा शरीर पोषिलो हुनुका साथै निरोगी हुने उल्लेख छ। मीठो खाने, राम्रो लगाउने र भलो सुन्ने-भन्ने यस पर्वमा गुरु, पुरोहित र ब्राह्मण आ-आफ्ना यजमानकहाँ गई महिना सुनाउँछन्। महिना सुनिसकेपछि गृहस्थीहरू गुरु, पुरोहितलाई टीका लगाई घिउ, चाकु, तरुल, लड्डुसहितको सिदा दान गर्छन्। शिशिर ऋतुमा पर्ने यो सङ्क्रान्तिमा शरीर शुद्ध गरी घिउ, चाकु र तिल तथा खिचडी खानाले शरीरमा गर्मीको मात्रा बढेर…
Observed by: Traditionally by Nepali Hindus (presently also by Buddhist, Kirat)
Date and significance
Generally Maghe Sankranti falls on 14 January, and also called Makar Sankranti or Maghi in the Indian subcontinent. Maghe Sankranti is a major harvest festival celebrated in Nepal. Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun from one zodiac sign to another, and when the Sun enters Capricorn (Makara), it is called Makara Sankranti. This occasion is called Makara Sankranti in the Pahari context. It is one of the few Nepalese festivals celebrated by the Madhesi, Magar, and Tharu people communities on a fixed date, i.e., 14 January because this solar festival, honoring the deity Surya, follows the solar cycle of the Bikrami calendar, unlike other festivals that follow lunar cycle. Maghe Sankranti is regarded as marking the beginning of an auspicious phase in Nepalese culture. It is cited as the 'holy phase of transition'. It marks the end of an inauspicious phase which according to the Hindu calendar begins around mid-December. It is believed that any auspicious and sacred ritual can be sanctified in any Nepali family, from this day onwards. Scientifically, this day marks the beginning of warmer and longer days compared to the nights. In other words, Sankranti marks the end of the winter season and the beginning of a new harvest or spring season. Across the country, Maghe Sankranti is observed with great fanfares. However, it is celebrated under different names and with distinct rituals in various parts of the country. In the states of northern and western Nepal, the festival is celebrated as Makar Sankranti with special zeal and fervour.
