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Nepalis Celebrating Maghe Sankranti
By KTM Metro Reporter in Kathmandu
January 15, 2010: today Nepalis are celebrating the Maghe Sankranti: the end of winter season in Nepal. Hundreds of thousands of Nepalis have taken holy dip at the confluences of two rives believing that a stream of all Hindu deities joins there to make the confluence of three rivers thus making it the holiest place for Hindus to take a dip on this day of a year. A largest possible number of Nepalis and pilgrims from the neighboring country have gathered at Devighat: the confluence of the Kaligandaki River and the Trishuli River today to take a holy dip there. The sun eclipse has added the importance of this day.
A month-long twelve yearly religious festival has started off today at the confluence of Rosmati River and Punyamati River in Panauti. Nepalis believe that once every twelve year, Goddess Parvati turns into Sarasvoti River and joins there making it the confluence of three rivers for a month making it the holiest place for all Hindus.
Almost every Nepalis celebrates Maghe Sankranti in one-way or another. Ethnic groups such as Tharus of terai and Kiratis of hill areas celebrate it as a new year. Similarly, Madheshis, hill people and people of other ethnic groups celebrate following their tradition. Maghe Sankranti is a family festival. So, married sisters and daughters visit maternal homes on this day and celebrate this festival jointly with other siblings and parents.
