Makar Sankranti, however, is unique because it is not associated with any local deities. Instead, it is linked to the Sun God. Celebrated on the first day of the month of Magh (mid-January–mid-February) according to the Bikram Era, it falls on the coldest day of the year. The people of Mithila celebrate it in anticipation of bright, beautiful and sunny days.[break]
In her book, “The Festivals of Nepal,” cultural expert Mary M Anderson writes: “Magh Sankranti then is one of the few holy days which does not follow the old religious lunar calendar. It marks the changing of the winter sun’s course towards the northern hemisphere, which eventually brings the long-awaited warmer weather, a decided blessing in Nepal where most homes, whether mansion or hut, are inadequately heated. Although Magh Sankranti may be the coldest day in the year, it is none the less one of the most important for holy bathing, especially at the confluences of sacred rivers and streams.”
Called “Tila Sankranti” in the local language in Maithili-speaking areas, and “Khichadi” in the Bhojpuri-speaking area, this festival represents Makar or Capricorn, the tenth sign in the Zodiac. Thus, according to the Hindu scriptures, the first day of Magh is observed as Makar Sankranti.
The festival is also celebrated by Tharus who mark it as the beginning of their new fiscal year. They call it “Maghi.” Compared to the one-day celebration of Maithils, Tharus celebrate it for three consecutive days. They also sacrifice male goats, chickens, pigeons and buffalos and enjoy special dishes as well as sing and dance, as it is their greatest festival.
In “Hindu: Joy of Life,” Utpal K Banarjee says, “Makar Sankranti is an important festival in mid-January. It is preceded on the previous night of Lohri (bonfire) into which is thrown harvest produce like sugarcane stalks, parched rice and sesame seeds. On the Sankranti day in the North, kichdi (mishmash of rice, lentils and vegetables) is prepared and given in charity. Sankranti, signifying light, gives the message of intellectual illumination. It is the viveka (discriminatory wisdom) to choose between right and wrong that is believed to lead man on the path of happiness.”
The day starts with devotees immersing themselves in water. People dive into cold rivers, ponds, and pools for ceremonial bath. Bathing is compulsory on this occasion for the purification of body and mind. Some go to the confluence of rivers for a pious bath. They either go to the Kankai River which is popularly known as Maibeni Mela, or Narayanghat where the Narayani, Seti and Gandaki rivers meet.
After taking a bath, devouts pray to the sun for better health; and after coming back home, they also seek blessing from elders. Then the people of Mithila eat khichadi, a mixture of rice and lentils, with pure ghee. Non-vegetarians take several kinds of meat dishes, according to their choice, and they eat to their heart’s content. Vegetarians take sweet potatoes and tila, a kind of black sesame seed, with molasses. They make ladoos out of til and molasses, a very healthy item that produces energy and heat. They also eat dahi (curd) and chiuda (beaten rice) and sugar. People prefer to enjoy this type of food on this occasion.
This festival also gives enough opportunity for socialization, as married daughters, in-laws and other close relatives are invited to the feasts. It is a cultural and social festival of Hindus who are in majority in Mithila. This is a great occasion of grand gathering in the community for exchanging greetings and best wishes.
The main motto of the festival is peace, fraternity and unity in the society. This festival helps in creating an amicable atmosphere of social harmonization, as they wait for warmer days.
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