| Maghe Sankranti | |
|---|---|
 Basket dance at Maghe Sankranti | |
| Observed by | Traditionally byNepali Hindus (presently also byBuddhist,Kirat) |
| Type | Religious, cultural |
| Significance | marks the end of thewinter solstice and the beginning of warmer and longer days |
| Celebrations | Gathering, feast |
| Date | Usually 14 January |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to | Makar Sankranti |
Maghe Sankranti (Nepali:माघे सङ्क्रान्ति,Maithili:माघि,Nepal Bhasa:घ्यःचाकु संल्हु) is aNepali festival observed on the first ofMagh in theVikram Sambat (B.S) orYele calendar marking the end of thewinter solstice and the month ofPoush. TheTharu people celebrate this day as their new year.[2] It is also regarded as a major government-declared annual festival of theMagar community.[3] Maghe Sankranti shares similarities withsolstice festivals in various other religious traditions.[4]
ObservantHindus take ritual baths during this festival. These includeJanakpurdham, Sankhamul on theBagmati River nearPatan; In theGandaki/Narayani river basin at Triveni,Devghat nearChitwan Valley andRidi[5] on the Kaligandaki River; and in theKoshi River basin atDolalghat on theSunkoshi River. Festive foods likeladdoo,ghee, andsweet potatoes are distributed. Nieces and nephews usually go to Mama Ghar to receive tika, blessings, and dakshina (monetary gifts).
Generally Maghe Sankranti falls on 14 January, and also calledMakar Sankranti or Maghi in theIndian subcontinent. Maghe Sankranti is a majorharvest festival celebrated in Nepal.Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun from one zodiac sign to another, and when the Sun enters Capricorn (Makara), it is called Makara Sankranti. This occasion is called Makara Sankranti in thePahari context. It is one of the fewNepalese festivals celebrated by theMadhesi,Magar, andTharu people communities on a fixed date, i.e., 14 January because this solar festival, honoring the deity Surya, follows thesolar cycle of the Bikrami calendar, unlike other festivals that followlunar cycle.[6][7]
Maghe Sankranti is regarded as marking the beginning of an auspicious phase inNepalese culture. It is cited as the 'holy phase of transition'. It marks the end of an inauspicious phase which according to the Hindu calendar begins around mid-December. It is believed that any auspicious and sacred ritual can be sanctified in any Nepali family, from this day onwards. Scientifically, this day marks the beginning of warmer and longer days compared to the nights. In other words, Sankranti marks the end of the winter season and the beginning of a new harvest or spring season.
Across the country, Maghe Sankranti is observed with great fanfares. However, it is celebrated under different names and with distinct rituals in various parts of the country. In the states of northern and western Nepal, the festival is celebrated as Makar Sankranti with special zeal and fervour. The importance of this day is highlighted in ancient epics such as theMahabharata. So, apart from socio-geographical importance, Maghe Sankranti holds historical and religious significance. As a festival dedicated to the Sun God, who symbolizes divinity and wisdom, it holds profound significance.
Many Nepalese associate this festival with theWinter Solstice, and believe that the sun ends its southward journey (Sanskrit:Dakshinayana) at the Tropic of Capricorn, and starts moving northward (Sanskrit:Uttarayana) towards theTropic of Cancer, in the month ofPoush on this day in mid-January.
Although there is no direct solar observance of the Winter Solstice in Nepali tradition, the Vaikuntha Ekadashi festival, based on the lunar calendar, falls closest. Additionally, the Sun begins its northward journey the day after thewinter solstice, as daylight increases. Thus, Makar Sankranti marks the celebration of the day after the Winter Solstice.
Scientifically, in the Northern Hemisphere, thewinter solstice occurs between 21 and 22 December. Daylight begins to increase on 22 December and on this day, the Sun will begin its northward journey which marksUttarayaan.[8] The date of winter solstice changes gradually due to theAxial precession of the Earth, coming earlier by approximately 1 day in every 70 years. Thus, if Maghe Sankranti once marked the day after the actual Winter Solstice, this would mean that a mid-January date would align with around 300 CE, the peak of Hellenic mathematics andastronomy, which influenced northern India.
