Magh is the moth of devotion, festivals and get together. The first day of the month is celebrated as MAGHE SANKRANTI or MAKAR SANKRANTI. The word SANKRANTI means change of sun position between the Zodiac signs. It signifies the start of spring and harvest season and halfway through to winter. This is also the festival of worshipping the sun. This is celebrated by taking a dip in holy rivers preferably the junction of three rivers "TRIVENIES" like Sankhamol, Dolalghat, Ridi, Dev Ghat etc are famous sites and have fairs to mark the day. People prepare special feast for the day which includes Til ko Laddu (Brown and white sesame seed fudge), Yam, Clarified butter, sweet potatoes and Spinach curry. All these delicasies are considered to have a warm effect to the body.
People from Newar community go to their elders for family gatherings and the elder person of the family keep(massage) sesame oil in the rest of the family head and body. In the Tharu community this day marks as the new year, and is the biggest festival and is called MAGHI in local languages. They celebrate it as a mark of end of winter and beginning of summer and is celebrated for a week. This festival is also named as KHOJINI and BHOJINI. This is mainly because they select a Bhalmansa, the person who takes decision an any case of disputes, Guruwa, the person who is responsible to treat people from different diseases and Chiragi, the guard. The tenure of the position is for one year and people discuss their problems and discussions of the whole year in the ceremony.
This month is also the fasting month of Shree Swosthani. This is the story which is told by Lord Kartika to Agastha Muni, the saint. Lord Kartika tells Agastha Muni about the formation of universe.The women usually take the fasting and read the book early morning or evening before meal. There is belief that Goddess Swasthani will fulfil all the good wishes and bless us as a result of the fasting. Every-time before the start of the story a worship is made to the Swosthani book with the offerings of Aabir (red colour), Kesari, flowers, lights and fruits. The end of the recitation of the whole book is performed by making a "OM" sigh in a copper plate and a Shiva Linga on the top and worshiping the Lord Shiva. The tradition also holds that all the family members come together to listen the story and worship the book and goddess at the end and having the offerings of the goddess as Prasad.
Also this month is the celebration of SONAM (TAMANG) Lochar, meaning new year. Tamang community celebrates the new year in the new moon day of the month Magh. This year is the 2848th year of Tamangs celebration. It is celebrated by cleaning the house, colouring the doors and windows, wearing new cloths and visiting the monastries, stupas and chaitras. The houses are cleaned thoroughly and all the bad luck are swept out in order to make space for good fortune and luck. People now-a-days gather in big get-together and celebrate by doing puja, cultural programs, wearing ethnic costumes, playing their ethics instrument Damfu and making music and having a feast. So what are you excited about this month!!!!???
