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.
