Kathmandu, January 15. Maghe Sankranti or Makar Sankranti is being celebrated throughout the country on Saturday.

It is observed by taking holy swims in rivers and ponds, praying at various temples, and feasting on delicacies like as ghee, yam, khichadi, and sweets such as Chaku and sesame and molasses sweets.

As per the astrological chart, the Makar Sankranti has special significance- from this day onwards the sun starts its ascendancy and enters into the northern hemisphere.

On this day, the sun moves from tropic of Sagittarius to tropic of Capricorn. It is believed that the days get longer and nights shorter from today itself. 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, said theologian and Chairperson of Nepal Calendar Determination Committee, Prof Dr Ram Chandra Gautam.

The Newar community observes the festival by taking ghee, chaku and remembering the departed souls. This festival is called as ‘Ghyo Chaku Sallnhu’. The 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 as well. Food items that are taken on this day are the sources of balance diet which increases the immunity power of the human body. On this day, a festival is organized at the Tilmadhav Narayan Temple at Taumadhi Tole, 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. Likewise, the people in the Tarai districts mark this day as the festival of bath known as Nahan. (RSS)