Maghe Sankranti is the beginning of the holy
month of Magh, usually the mid of January. It
brings an end to the ill-omened month
of Poush (mid-december) when all religious ceremonies
are forbidden. Even if it is considered the
coldest day of the year, it marks the coming
of warmer weather and better days of health
and fortune.
This day is said to be the most significant
day for holy bathing despite the weather. This
ritual usually takes place at the union of sacred
rivers and streams. Sankhamole, on the banks
of the holy Bagmati river, below Patan, is thought
to be amongst the most sacred sites for this
purpose, though there has been a decline in
the fulfillment of this ritual in the recent
years due to water pollution in the river. But
people still go in the wee hours of dawn just
to sprinkle themselves with the water. They
pay homage to various deities specially the
temple of Red Machindranath and Agima Ta.
In addition to holy bathing and worship of
shrines, certain auspicious foods like till
laddoos (seasame seeds ball cakes), chaku(molasys),
ghee (clarified butter), sweet potatoes, khichari
(mixture of rice and lentils) and green leaf
spinach are taken on this day. Families come
together and share these delights. Married daughters
and families are invited to parental homes for
festivities and blessings. Yet another occasion
to renew family ties. Many homes have pujas
(religious ceremonies) conducted by priests
with chanting from holy books, for which they
receive alms.
Like any other holy celebration Maghi Sankranti
also has a legend of its own. It recalls that
once a merchant from the town of Bhadgoan despite
of his thriving business noticed that his supply
of seasame seeds hadn't diminished
.
When looking into the matter he found an idol
of the Lrod Vishnu hidden deep beneath the seeds.
Since, then on this day the Til Madhav idol
is worshipped with the belief that god will
continue to be generous in the supply of food
and wealth on the Bhadgoan community. It's also
the day commemorating the death of Viswapitamaha,
the elderly grandfather of two families of Pandavas
and Kauravas, between whom the famous battle
of Mahabharat took place. He was determined
not to die until the way to the region of gods
opened. While lying on the bed of arrows he
discovered words of wisdom on life and death.
Eventually, through his free will he succumbed
to death. Hence it's believed that those who
die on this day go to heaven, released from
the burden of rebirth.
Maghi Sankranti, is yet another occasion which
renews the faith of Nepalese people in the heavenly
powers.
