Maghe Sankranti in Nepal marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring, with chaku, a traditional molasses sweet, at the heart of celebrations, symbolizing health, warmth, and cultural heritage across the country.
Nepal Verified News
Wed Jan 14 2026
In Nepal’s hills and mountains, Maghe Sankranti marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring, with chaku (a traditional molasses-based sweet) taking center stage. Made by boiling sugarcane juice for hours and adding ghee, chaku is believed to keep the body warm and boost health. According to tradition, eating chaku on Maghe Sankranti wards off illnesses and brings good luck for the new year.
Alongside chaku, people enjoy sesame laddus, ghee, tarul, sugarcane, and khichdi. Women rise early to prepare chaku at home, while markets see bustling trade. In some regions, spinning the charkha and eating chaku remains a beloved custom, believed to warm the body and delight the mind.
In the Terai, the Tharu community celebrates Maghi as the New Year with feasts featuring new grains, fish, meat, and especially chaku and sesame delicacies. Maghe Sankranti reflects Nepal’s cultural diversity and unity, with chaku symbolizing not just a sweet treat, but tradition, health, and seasonal change.
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