Maghe Sankranti, Maghi, Ghyo Chaku Sallnhu being observed across country

KATHMANDU: Maghe Sankranti, Maghi and Ghyo Chaku Sallnhu are being celebrated throughout the country today by taking holy dips in rivers and ponds, worshipping at various temples, and savouring delicacies like ghee, yam, khichadi and sweets. Maghe Sankranti has special significance as the sun starts its ascendancy and enters into the northern hemisphere from this day, as per the astrological chart. The sun moves from tropic of Sagittarius to tropic of Capricorn. It is believed that the days get longer and nights shorter from this day. Devotees get who observe the festival as per the rituals get special blessings and will have robust body, according to religious texts — Bhavisya Puran and Dharma Sindhu. The Newar community observes the festival by taking ghee, chaku and remembering the departed souls. This festival is called ‘Ghyo Chaku Sallnhu’. The seniors apply mild-hot edible oil to heads of juniors. A large number of devotees throng Devghat, Barahchhetra, Ridi, Panauti, Dolalghat and Kankai in Nepal and Prayag and Gangasagar in India to take a holy bath and perform Shraddha. The festival has significance in view of Ayurveda and medical science as well. Food items that are taken on this day are the sources of balanced diet which increase the immunity power of the human body. On this day, a festival is organised at the Tilmadhav Narayan Temple at Taumadhi Tole, Bhaktapur and puja of Deepakankar Buddha is performed. Tharu community observes this festival as the Maghi or Tila Sankrait with much fanfare and gaiety for five consecutive days. People in the Tarai districts mark this day as the festival of bath called Nahan. READ ALSO:

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