Maghe Sankranti festival in Nepal is one of the significant celebrations celebrated in the long stretch of Magh (As per the Bikram Sambat schedule or around mid-January). The celebration is otherwise called Makar Sankranti also. It is performed in Nepal at the start of the favourable month of Magh. The celebration is viewed as the start of hotter days, different from the chilly month of Poush (December). It is accepted that from this day the sun begins to advance toward the Northern side of the equator. It is a solstice celebration celebrated in Nepal.
Hindu followers clean up during this celebration in Nepal’s promising and religious rivers. A portion of the significant heavenly river areas of Nepal is Shankamul on the Bagmati Stream, Gandaki/Narayani river in the Triveni, Devghat in Chitwan, Ridi on Kaligandaki, and in the Koshi river bowl at Dolalghat on the Sunkoshi. Individuals love Ruler Vishnu, arrange Pujas, and read the Hindu blessed legendary Bhagavad Gita.
Families get collectively on the primary of Magh and eat feasts collectively. They certainly do proportion til (sesame seed) laddoo, ghee, and yams at some stage in this glad occasion. The priest wishes extraordinary well-being and a superior future for all relatives. The brahmins and Chhetri people group of Nepal reward the long stretch of Magh by welcoming their wedded little women and direct relations to their home and dealing them tremendous feasts and all of the exceptional.
Ghyo chaku salu celebrated by the Newari community
Salu implies the main day of the month in Nepal Bhasa while it is Sankranti in Sanskrit. The principal day of the month Magh or Maghe Sankranti is known among the Newar community of Nepal as Ghyo Chaku Salu because this day is praised by the Newars for eating Ghyo ( refined butter), Chaku (molasses), Lakhamari, and Hamo (sesame) Gwara.
Every 12 months on Magh 1st, the Newar community and the Nepalese human beings in Nepal and around the field should have a good time at Ghyo Chaku Salu or Maghe Sankranti to raise awareness approximately our cultural values to the approaching generations. Even though distinct groups and indigenous agencies look at Maghe Sankranti in their methods, the Ghyo Chaku Salu celebrated through the Newari people is also extraordinary due to its rich tradition, way of life, and cuisines.
The Newari people living not only in Nepal but also in different countries around the world celebrate Ghyo Chaku Salu in their way. Likewise, even though we are far from the motherland – Nepal Mandal. The Newars living in Portland, Oregon, USA, keep this culture alive through the Ghyo Chaku Salu festival in their way.
Nepalese people celebrate Maghe Sankranti as the beginning of the auspicious month of Magh, as the previous month of Poush is generally considered inauspicious. Also, from this Day, the days are longer than the nights. Culture and traditions are inspired by this festival long before Ghyo Chaku Salu. Often, the markets in Kathmandu are crowded with the sale of Molasses, Hamo Gwaras, and Lakhamari well in front of Salu. According to Newari tradition, the Ghyo Chaku Salu festival is considered the Mhyay Macha Nakha or maiden festival. On this day, a Newar mother uses sesame seeds to rub her children’s heads with oil. Married daughters also come to their parent’s house in Nakhatya on this day, and their mothers put oil on their heads. This is why it is an unquestionable tradition to say “Ghyo Chaku Salu, Mhyay Mast Tinhu” (During Ghyo Chaku Salu, girls jump for joy).
There is also a Newar tradition that married daughters cannot eat Ghyo and Chaku in their husband’s houses until she gives birth. Since Ghyo Chaku Salu is Mhyay Macha Nakha, girls’ husbands should not go to in-laws’ houses on this day. Only married girls and married cousins are welcome on this day.
Tharu community celebrates Maghe Sankranti as New year
The extraordinary ethnic local group of Nepal, the Tharu people group, celebrates this festival with enormous significance. They call the 1st of Magh “Maghi”. The 1st of Magh is additionally viewed as the start of the Tharu New Year. Maghi is likewise the Gather celebration of Tharus and individuals of Terai. They observe Maghi as a happy time after the weighty hands-on work.
They plan a variety of meals, drinks, and meats and celebrate it by gathering their relatives and local group. The Maghi is the weeklong celebration of Tharus. During the celebration, they play out their social moves, are well dressed in the customary Tharu wear, and eat and drink with their almost ones.
Makar sankranti on Magar community
The people from the Magar community also celebrate Makar Sankranti with high importance. On this auspicious day, they invite their married daughters and their relatives to their homes for the festivities and even worship. The heavenly period of progress in Makar Sankranti or Maghe Sankranti is one of the significant celebrations of the Magar people group and holds eternal meaning in itself. On this day the government also declares the holiday according to the region. Foods with heat-generating properties such as yam, sel roti, sweet potato, and sesame laddoos among other delicacies are eaten on this day. The tradition of eating Batuk roti (produced using dark lentils and flavours) is exceptionally well known in the Magar people group.
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