Maghe Sankranti

With the beginning of the month of the Magh of the Nepali calendar; in the mid of the January is the celebration day of the Maghe Sankrati of the Nepali people. This Maghe Sankrati is celebrated in the 1st of the Magh of Nepali calendar. I being the newar of the Kathmandu valley love to celebrate this day as this day brings up with lots of chaku (molasses), ghee, ladoo (seasame seeds ball cakes), shakhar Khanda (sweet potato) and lots of other edible foods. Not only this much, in this day we will be celebrating by visiting all the relatives (especially relatives from the mothers side) and getting the blessing and food from them. In this day, the mother’s brother will be waiting for their nephews, to give them food and blessing. They will not even drink or eat until they give something to the nephews. According to Newari culture, this day is celebrated this way. Since right now I am in the foreign country, I do really miss this day. In these days, I will be enjoying my whole day in my grandmother’s house with other cousins.
In other cast of Nepal they celebrate this day very differently. They would eat the food chaku (molasses), ladoo (seasame seeds ball cakes), shakhar Khanda (sweet potato), khichari (mixture of rice and lentils), ghee, green leaf spinach etc are eaten in this day. These foods are nutritionally high valued and gives lots of energy and heat to the body. Since Magh 1st is considered to be most cold day, these things are eaten up to make people warm.
Mid of December, the Poush month according to the Nepali calendar is considered to be ill-omened month, so in this month all religious celebration are forbidden. It is even believed that newly married couples are even separated in this month, according to belief of ill-omen. By the beginning of the Magh 1st, people will be enjoying the religious celebration and newly couples were united. This day is considered to be great holy day for taking the bath in the union of sacred river and streams though the weather is cold.
Like other holy celebration Maghe Sankrati does have its own legend as well. Once the business from Bhadgoun (one of the city of Nepal) was selling the seasame seeds, despite selling a lot of seasame seeds, his supply of seasame seeds did not diminish. When he looks in the matter, he found the idol of the Lord Vishnu hidden deep beneath the seeds. Since, after this day the god Til Madhav idol is worshipped with believing god will give food and wealth to people. According to the Hindu religion, this day is considered to be day when the doors to the heaven will open. Bhisma Pitamaha (elderly grandfather of pandav and kaurav) wished to die, as the way to the region of gods opened.
Well no matter what legend there are in culture, but one thing is true that this day is good to be celebrated scientifically. Since January and February is considered to be cold days, the food eaten in this days are very nutritious and heat provider, which is good for cold seasons.