Maaghe Sankranti (माघे सङ्क्रान्ति)

Maaghe Sankranti (माघे सङ्क्रान्ति), also called Makar Sankranti (मकर सङ्क्रान्ति),

 is one of the most significant and propitious religious festival in Nepal. It is celebrated in the first day of Maagha which falls on January 14.  Nepalese celebrate the festival to spot the end of winter into upcoming spring where the temperature is getting warmer and days are getting lengthier.  According to Wikipedia, "On this day, the sun is believed to leave its southernmost position and begin its northward journey. Maaghe Sankranti is similar to solstice festivals in other religious traditions.

Tarul

chaku

Believer wake up early hour of the morning before sunrise, and take a ritual bath in many holy rivers, while singing devotional songs and offer water to Surya (sun god).  According to spiritual belief, the bath is to purify the self, soul and to fulfill all the wishes.  After the dip in the water, they visit different temples and offer flowers, sacred foods and light incense. In addition to holy bath and visit to the temples, people go and visit the most respected elderly relatives, friends and family and receive and give blessings. They feast on certain food items during the festival, they are Chaaku , Tarul, Shakhar khand etc.