KATHMANDU, Jan 15: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has wished peace, prosperity, good health and happiness to all Nepali sisters and brothers at home and abroad on the occasion of the Makar Sankranti and the Maghi festival.

Giving a best wishes message on the Maghi festival today, President Bhandari has said each festival of Nepal has its own importance and they have played a significant role in establishing the Nepal’s distinct identity in the world.

The President expressed her belief that such festivals helped people maintain mutual harmony and fraternity and further strengthen national unity in the country rich in geographical, cultural, religious, ethnic and linguistic diversities.

She wished that Makar Sankranti and Maghi Festival remaining as one of the major festivals within the Nepali culture inspire all the Nepalis to keep mutual unity, goodwill, friendship and tolerance intact by spreading the message of peace.

Similarly, on the same occasion, Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun has extended best wishes to all Nepali sisters and brothers.

In the greetings he extended today, the Vice-President said, “Nepal’s typical festivals have helped further promote national unity by consolidating mutual ties and unity among various castes and communities.”

Likewise, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has wished peace, happiness and prosperity to all Nepalis on the occasion of the festival.

In a message of the Maghi festival best wishes today, the Prime Minister expressed his hope that the festival would foster harmony, tolerance and unity among the Nepalis. On the occasion of the Maghi, the festival of the Tharu community, the PM has stated that the Nepal’s constitution has guaranteed the Tharu Commission for their welfare.

“Nepal is a beautiful country characterized by ethnic, linguistic, cultural and religious diversities. The Nepal’s constitution has ensured enough provisions for the development and promotion of all’s cultures and religions by adopting the principle of inclusive democracy,” he said in the best wishes. RSS

KATHMANDU, Jan 15: Maghe or Makar Sankranti is being observed throughout the country today.

On the day, Hindu people take holy dips into rivers and ponds, worship at various temples and relish delicacies like ghee, yam, khichadi and sweets like chaku and sweets made of sesame and molasses.

As per the astrological chart, the Makar Sankranti has a special significance as the sun enters the northern hemisphere from this day onwards. On this day, the sun moves from the tropic of Capricorn to tropic of Cancer. It is believed that the days get longer from today.

According to ‘Bhabisya Puran’ and ‘Dharma Sindhu’, religious texts, devotees will get special blessings and will have robust body if they observe the festival as per the rituals.

Likewise, the Newar Community observes the festival by having ghee, chaku and remembering the departed souls.

This festival is called as ‘Ghyo Chaku Sallnhu’. Seniors apply mild-hot edible oil to heads of juniors on this day.

A large number of devotees throng Devghat, Barahchhetra, Ridi, Panauti, Dolalghat and Kankai in Nepal and Prayag and Gangasagar in India to take a holy bath and perform Shraddha.

The festival has significance in view of Ayurveda and medical science also. Food items that are taken on this day are the sources of balanced diet which increase the immunity power.

On this day, a festival is organized at the Tilmadhav Narayan Temple at Taumadhi Tol, Bhaktapur and Puja of Deepakankar Buddha is performed. The Tharu Community observes this festival as the Maghi with much fanfare and gaiety for five consecutive days.

On this day, a special delicacy prepared by mixing black gram and rice with hot spices and ghee known as Khichadi is served. RSS

Photos: Mukunda Kalikote