Kathmandu, Jan 15 : Speaker Devraj Ghimire has extended best wishes to all Nepali sisters at home and abroad on the occasion of the Maghe Sankranti or Maghi festival.   

In a message of best wishes today, the Speaker expressed his hope that the festival would inspire all of us to promote mutual goodwill and unity. “May this festival inspire all to protect and promote social solidarity, tolerance and goodwill.”    

 The Maghe Sankranti festival celebrations are widespread as it is observed by various castes and communities in different names and established customs and distinct ways. Nepal is a beautiful nation with multi-linguistic, multi-religious and multicultural characteristics. Typical festivals with distinct cultural significance have their roles in promoting mutual unity and goodwill, the Speaker said in the message.    

Maghe Sankranti remains one of the major festivals in Nepal and its celebration astrologically marks the transition of the Sun from the zodiac sign Sagittarius (Dhanu Rashi) to Capricorn (Makar Rashi) and that is why it is also called the ‘Makar Sankranti’.    

The festival that falls on the first day of the Nepali month Magh is observed by taking holy dips in rivers and tributaries, especially in Triveni (the confluence of three rivers), performing rituals and offering prayers in temples and eating special delicacies such as laddu (sweets) made from sesame seeds and molasses, ghee, yam and khichadi, the dish made of rice and lentils.  (RSS)