Maghe Sankranti festival today

KATHMANDU, JAN 15 -

Maghe Sankranti, one of the most popular Nepali festivals, is being observed throughout the country on Wednesday. A large number of devotees have been thronging Hindu shrines, especially at confluence of two or three rivers, to mark the festival.

The day is also termed as Makar Sankranti as the sun enters Makar astrological sign from Dhanu sign from today.

Besides taking holy dip into rivers, people worship Shiva with offerings of delicacies made of yam, ghee and 'chaku' as special food items on this occasion.

The day is observed with great zeal by organising various programmes in the country.

Devotees take holy dips at Devghat, Dolalghat, Baraha Kshetra, Ridi, Triveni and other rivers across the country. Big religious fairs are being held today especially at the meeting point of the Kali Gandaki and Trishuli rivers at Devghat.

The Kankai River in Jhapa is also a famous pilgrimage site. Devotees from various parts of the country and even from India throng Devghat and the Kankai.

Newar community of Kathmandu valley also call it 'Ghyo-Chaku Sanun' as the day is celebrated by eating ghee and chaku.

The belief goes that eating such items as ghee and Chaku, sesame seed candy, vegetables and yam, and giving them away in charity on this day after taking a holy dip helps one become healthier. 

Source: The Kathmandu Post