Maghe Sankranti today!

January 15, Kathmandu: Maghe Sankranti also known as Makar Sankranti is being celebrated throughout the country on Monday.

It is celebrated by savouring delicacies like ghee, yam, and khichadi, sweets like Chaku, and sweets made of sesame and molasses.

As per the astrological chart, the Makar Sankranti has special significance- from this day onwards the sun starts its ascendancy and enters the northern hemisphere.

On this day, the sun rays move from the tropic of Capricorn towards the tropic of Cancer. It is believed that the days get longer and nights shorter from Makar Sankranti itself.

The Newar community observes the festival by taking ghee, and chaku and remembering the departed souls. This festival is called ‘Ghyo Chaku Sallnhu’. The seniors apply warm mustard oil to the heads of juniors on this day.

The Tharu community and Magar community observe this festival as the Maghi with much fanfare.

Likewise, the people in the Terai districts mark this day as the festival of bath known as Nahan. The government has announced a public holiday on the occasion of Maghe Sankranti/Maghi festival.