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Maghe sankranti is a Nepalese festival observed in the month of January on the first day of the month of Magh, bringing an end to the ill-omened month of Poush when all religious ceremonies are forbidden. On this day, the sun leaves its southernmost position and takes off for its northward journey, so Maghe Sankranti is similar to solstice festivals in many other traditions [1]. People take Holy Bathing in this festival and auspicous foods like laddoo, ghee, sweet potatoes etc are distributed. Mother of the house wishes good health to all family members. According to Mahabharata, king Bhisma, who had the power to control his own death, happened to chose to die on the day of Maghe Sakranti. Therefore it is believed that one to die on this day might achieve Moksha, a release from rebirth cycle.
[edit] References
On festival
Plants and People of Nepal By Narayan P. Manandhar, Sanjay Manandhar
[edit] See also
Makar Sankranti
