KATHMANDU, Jan 13: As Maghe Sankranti is just a day away, the number of people buying and selling yams at the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market has increased recently.

On the day of Maghe Sankranti, it is customary to eat ghee, molasses, sesame seeds and yam, among other food items. As these dishes provide warmth in winter, there is a tradition to eat these dishes to beat the cold weather.

Although the consumption of yam is generally higher throughout the winter, the volume of trade and consumption of this product is much higher especially during the Maghe Sankranti festivals. Yams imported from different parts of the country, mainly from Sarlahi, are currently being sold at Rs 300 per dharni (2.5 kilograms) in Kalimati.

According to traders, about 1,000 tonnes of yams have entered the Kalimati vegetable market this year targeting the Maghe Sankranti festival alone.

Here are some pictures taken by Republica Photojournalist Dipesh Shrestha on Thursday: 

 
• Maghe_Sankranti_Festival
 
• yam
 
• Kalimati_market