Makar Sankranti, also known as Maghi or Manghe Sankranti, is an important festival in Nepal. It is celebrated by both Hindu and Buddhist communities. According to the lunar calendar, the festival marks the end of the month of Poush and the start of the month of Magh. The government has declared a public holiday on this occasion. It is a harvest festival, celebrated by farmers who thank the gods for a bountiful harvest and pray for a good crop in the coming year.
It is believed to be an auspicious time for spiritual practices and ceremonies, such as taking a holy dip in rivers and performing rituals to honor the sun god. In Nepal, Maghi is celebrated with traditional foods and cultural programs such as singing and dancing. People in Nepal take a holy dip in the rivers, especially the Ganges, Bagmati, and Gandaki, and offer prayers to the sun god for health and prosperity. The festival is also an opportunity for people to come together, visit friends and family, and exchange greetings and gifts. Maghi Mela is celebrated at various places in Nepal, one of the most famous is at Tansen, Palpa district where thousands of people from all over the country gather to participate in the fair.
Some of the traditional foods that are typically eaten during this festival include:
- Til laddoo: These are sweet balls made from sesame seeds, jaggery, and peanuts.
- Yomari: A traditional Nepali dish made from rice flour dough filled with a mixture of chaku (molasses) and sesame seeds.
- Pitha: A type of sweet or savory cake made from rice flour.
- Ghee: A type of clarified butter that is commonly used in many traditional dishes.
- Chaku: A sweet syrup made from the sap of a type of tree called the Kathmandu date palm.
- Khichadi: A dish made from rice and lentils that is usually served with ghee and pickles.
- Chaula: A sweet dish made from beaten rice and yogurt.
- Kheer: A sweet dessert made from rice, milk, and sugar.
- Fruits and vegetable salad
Overall, Makar Sankranti has significant importance in Nepal, it is a festival of joy and happiness, and a time for people to come together and celebrate the end of the winter season and the arrival of spring.
