Maghe Sankranti

Maghe Sankranti
Basket dance at Maghe Sankranti
Observed by	Traditionally by Nepali Hindus (presently also by Buddhist, Kirat)
Type	Religious, cultural
Significance	End of winter solstice
Celebrations	Gathering, feast
Date	Usually 14 January
Frequency	Annual
Related to	Makar Sankranti

Maghe Sankranti (Nepali: माघे सङ्क्रान्ति, Maithili: माघि, Nepal Bhasa: घ्यःचाकु संल्हु) is a Nepali festival observed on the first of Magh in the Vikram Sambat (B.S) or Yele calendar bringing an end to the winter solstice containing month of Poush. Tharu people celebrate this particular day as new year.^[2] It is also regarded as the major government declared annual festival of the Magar community.^[3] Maghe Sankranti is similar to solstice festivals in other religious traditions.^[4]

Observant Hindus take ritual baths during this festival. These include Janakpurdham, Sankhamul on the Bagmati near Patan; In the Gandaki/Narayani river basin at Triveni, Devghat near Chitwan Valley and Ridi^[5] on the Kaligandaki; and in the Koshi River basin at Dolalghat on the Sun Koshi. Festive foods like laddoo, ghee and sweet potatoes are distributed. Niece and Nephew usually go to Mama Ghar and take Tika and blessing/dakshina.