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| Magha Sangranti |
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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 |
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Maghi
Sankranti, is yet another occasion which
renews the faith of Nepalese people in
the heavenly powers. |
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