Kathmandu, 15 Jan: Today, Maghe Sankranti is being celebrated across Nepal with great joy and cultural significance. Observed on the first day of the Nepali month of Magh, this festival marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign Capricorn (Makara), symbolizing the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer, warmer days.
Maghe Sankranti holds deep religious importance for Hindus. On this day, devotees take holy baths in rivers such as the Bagmati, Koshi, Gandaki, and Karnali, believing that it cleanses sins and brings good health and prosperity. Special prayers and rituals are performed at temples and sacred riverbanks throughout the country.
The festival is also closely associated with traditional Nepali foods that help keep the body warm during winter. People enjoy sesame seed laddus, chaku (molasses), ghee, yam, sweet potatoes, and tarul, which are believed to provide energy and strengthen immunity. Families gather to share these foods, reinforcing bonds of unity and togetherness.
Maghe Sankranti has special significance for various communities. The Tharu community celebrates it as Maghi, their traditional New Year, marked by cultural programs, feasts, and community gatherings. Overall, Maghe Sankranti reflects Nepal’s rich cultural diversity, spiritual heritage, and respect for nature, reminding people of renewal, harmony, and gratitude.
President Wishes to Nation
President Ramchandra Paudel has expressed his belief that festivals like Maghe Sankranti help enhance the spirit of fraternity, mutual harmony, and tolerance among all Nepalis.
On the occasion of Maghe Sankranti and Maghi festival, 2080, extending best wishes on Thursday for happiness, peace, and prosperity to all Nepali brothers and sisters residing both within and outside the country, he expressed such belief.
President Paudel said, “I believe that festivals like Maghe Sankranti contribute to promoting ethnic harmony, respect for diversity, and national unity in Nepal’s multi-ethnic, multilingual, and multicultural diverse society, and also help enhance the spirit of fraternity, mutual harmony, and tolerance among all Nepalis.”
Different ethnic communities of Nepal celebrate the festival of Maghe Sankranti or Makar Sankranti in their own ways with joy and enthusiasm. Especially, the Tharu community celebrates the Maghi festival as their New Year. Likewise, there is a tradition of enjoying dishes like clarified butter (ghyu), sweet potato (chaku), yam (tarul), sesame sweets (tilko laddu), sel roti, dhikri, and khichadi with family.
President Paudel also mentioned that there is a tradition on this day of taking baths in various holy rivers and river confluences like Barahakshetra, Devghat, and Ridi Kshetra across the country and worshipping in temples. He stated that such festivals, as unique and fundamental cultural assets, are playing an important role in introducing our country to the world.
It is said in the message of best wishes, “I wish that Maghe Sankranti and the Maghi festival inspire us all to preserve our culture and build a civilized, cultured, and egalitarian society.”
