Maghe Sankranti harbinger of warmer days
It is believed that sun moves towards the Southern Hemisphere from this day onwards, and this indicates the beginning of warmer and longer days.
Also known as Makar Sankranti, early-morning holy dips taken on this day are believed to purge away all impurities and help believers maintain good health. With this very belief, devotees throng at the ghats or riverbanks all over the country.
In the same manner, special Mela or religious community fair is held at Sankhamul of Lalitpur, which is on the bank of the holy Bagmati River. Crowds of people gather here from early dawn for their sacred bath. After the bath, the pilgrims pay homage to Rato Machhendranath and Ajima.
Similar fairs take place at Devghat of Chitwan district, Dolalghat of Sindhupalchowk district and the banks of other holy rivers of the country. Devotees even visit the religious destinations as far as Ganga Sagar in India for pilgrimage and holy dip.
Chaku (retreated molasses), ghiu (butter), Khichadi (hodgepodge of rice and black grams), sweet potatoes, yam, spinach, sweetened sesame balls are consumed on this day. Non-Brahmin Nepalis also traditionally enjoy wild boar, mutton, chicken and fish.
"This day is believed to be the coldest day of the year, and these foods give warmth to the body," said Shanta Rijal, a resident of Mata Tirtha. She added, "Besides foods, oil massage, another important ritual, is also believed to drive away the cold."
Married daughters along with their husbands and children are invited to their parental homes for the festivity. Similarly, as per religious credos, sida dan, meaning giving away of rice, sesame seeds, spinach and tubers to Brahmins is believed to add up to the merit-making of worshippers.
The deity of Til Madhav in Bhaktapur is also worshipped on this day. According to a myth popular there, a sesame merchant was selling sesame seeds at a spot in front of the Dattatraya Temple in Bhaktapur. Surprisingly, even after continuous sale, his stock of sesame did not seem to diminish. Later, he found an idol of Lord Bishnu hidden beneath the seeds. The jubilant merchant then built a temple on the very spot in the name of Til (sesame) Madhav. And since then, the god is worshipped for food and wealth on the day of Maghe Sankranti.
As per another legend, Bhishmapitamaha, the grandfather of the Pandavs and Kauravs, was blessed with his wish to die whenever he wanted. As mentioned in the Mahabharat epic, he succumbed to death on this very day, considering it to be the most auspicious day to receive salvation from earthly existence.
Hence, it is believed that the one who dies on this day will go to heaven.
Celebrated as Ghyochaku Sanlu by the Newar nation of the Kathmandu Valley, the same festival of Maghe Sankranti is called Maghi by the Tharus inhabiting in the Terai lowlands of Banke, Bardia, Kailali and Kanchanpur. Tharu ethnic tribes celebrate the festival as their new year.Posted on: 2004-01-16 02:59
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Abin
His general strike is under way His group should follow their banda ...then mine... so you have to wait to announce a shutdown
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