Maghe Sankranti Celebrated Across Nepal.

Maghe Sankranti is a popular festival celebrated on the first day of the month of Magh in the Nepali calendar. It is also known as the New Year for the Tharu community in Nepal. The festival marks the end of winter and the arrival of warmer days. It is believed that on this day, the sun starts moving towards the Northern Hemisphere, making the days longer and warmer.

Different communities in Nepal celebrate Maghe Sankranti with unique customs. In the northern and western parts of Nepal, it is called Makar Sankranti. The festival is important in Hindu culture and is mentioned in the ancient epic, the Mahabharat. People worship the Sun God, as they believe the sun is closest to Earth and its rays are the strongest during this time.

Maghe Sankranti is especially important for farmers as it marks the start of the harvest season. The festival symbolizes the end of the cold weather and the beginning of warmer days, which is good for farming. It also encourages unity and brings different communities together.

On this day, many people take a holy bath in sacred rivers like Devghat, Gandaki, and Dolalghat. They worship the sun and Lord Vishnu, read the Bhagwat Gita, and perform various prayers. Families gather to enjoy special foods like til ko laddu, Chakku, ghee,Bharaa and other root vegetables. Eating these foods is a tradition believed to provide warmth and help beat the cold weather.