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Maaghe Sankranti
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.
Article by Padmakshi Rana
Photograph collected from Min Bajracharya.
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