“If you wish to explore, make sure you set your foot at the right time.”
What is Maghi?
At the first of the Nepali month of Magh, which lies in the mid-January usually, the Maghi sets its foot. This festival is also known as Makar Sankranti or Maghe Sankranti. Even though most of the Nepalese celebrate this festival as a part of their culture with their own significance, it is majorly the festivals of Tharu community. It is believed that this is the welcoming of the new season i.e. summer with the symbolism of power and wisdom
Editor’s note: If the post inspired you to travel, share the joy of happy reading!
Legends behind the Maghi culture
• For Bhaktapur:
A merchant was selling sesame in large amounts. The surprise was that the stock never ran out even if he was selling in bulks. To his research, the reason behind it was that Lord Bishnu’s idol was lying still beneath the seeds. To this day, the idol is worshipped as the Til Mahadev Idol. This idol lies in Bhaktapur. Legends have it that it brings food, wealth and prosperity if worshipped.
• For Hindus:
In the longest epic of Hindus, the Mahabharata, Bhismapitamaha is a strong character who had control over his own death (Ichya Mrityu). For a man who had control in his death, lying in the bed of arrows, he found the eternal truth of life and death in this auspicious day. This is why people who leave the earth in Maghi go to heaven and become free from all the sufferings of life, death and rebirth.
• For Tharu community:
The Tharu community celebrates this day as the New Year when the roles of each family member are the point of discussion. This day, they gather to have a delicious feast and discuss their flaws as well as responsibilities. Interestingly, Magar community also does the same.
Authentic food
For foodie people, brace yourselves, you have just found the jackpot!
This festival is special not only for its legendary importance but also for the food. People prepare special food for this day. Festive foods are the mouth-watering parts that make the festival most awaited among Nepalese. Explore the culture of devouring ghee (Butter), sweet potatoes, molasses, black and white sesame seed fudges (til ko laddu), and many more. People massage their body and hair with sesame oil to keep the body warm during the cold weather. The food also consists of special spinach (Patne Palungo) and yams that keeps us healthy.
In Tharu community, various pigs, ducks, boars and hens are prepared as a delicious feast.
Places for the festival-
1. Chitwan:
Why go to Chitwan? This is a place famous for its natural beauty. In the name itself, it incorporates the meaning “heart of the jungle”. The jungle safari, preserved flora and fauna with addition to the endangered species can overwhelm you. The Tharu culture will sweep you off your feet with their cultural dance along with fire at night. Especially, Maghi is their New Year, which means that you will get to explore the unique culture that occurs only once a year.
Attractions:
• Get ready for the adventure of live bull or ox fighting that occurs once in a year.
• Be engulfed in the mesmerizing Tharu Cultural Show.
• Celebrate the New Year in Tharu style.
• Dance forgetting your worries with the feeling of belongingness.
• Have a holy bath in Devghat.
2. Mustang/ Muktinath:
The increasing trips of people to Mustang give everybody a vibe that they must visit too. The question, “Are we are missing out on something?” drives people. Well, Mustang is the place that inspires you to think that there is still a lot left for you to see and feel. The unique foods, the mesmerizing culture of people, enchanting stone houses, breezy weather makes people want to extend their trip. Most importantly, Muktinath is the holy place where people clear out their sins by bathing through the Muktidhara i.e. 108 sprouts of water.
Attractions:
• In Maghi, it is believed that dipping in Kali Gandaki River clears out the sins.
• Be mystified in the unique culture of the Mustang.
• Gain a matchless experience you crave.
• Devour the exceptional Maghi special foods.
3. Bhaktapur:
The last place to enjoy your stay in Maghi is Bhaktapur. With the distinctive legendary story, Bhaktapur has special significance for the festival. You must catch sight of the Til Mahadev Idol for the long life of your wealth, prosperity and foods. In Maghi, you will get to observe the rare foods, the spectacular culture that draws your attention. A bewildering experience of belongingness to a new place is something you should encounter.
Attractions:
• Pray for the prosperity, wealth and food to Til Mahadev Idol.
• Realize the importance of the national festival of Nepal.
• Get to observe the spectacular culture
• Draw your attention towards mouth-watering food items of Maghi.
Travel to set your mind free.
Related packages:
- Kathmandu Chitwan tour
- Chitwan Safari
- Upper Mustang Tour
- Muktinath tour
- Kathmandu World Heritage Sites tour
- Kathmandu and Bhaktapur Sightseeing
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