The Tharu community has observed Maghe Sankranti festival as 'Maghi' with much fanfare and gaiety at Tundikhel in Kathmandu today.
Earlier, the Tharu Rastriya Maghi Mahotsav 2080 Main Organizing Committee organized rallies in Kathmandu before conversing into Tundikhel. This community marks Maghe Sankranti as the beginning of New Year. As per the tradition, they close all the transactions at the end of Nepali month Paush and begin with the new one from Magh 1.
Not only Tharu, Maghe Sankranti or Makar Sankranti is being celebrated throughout the country by Nepali people today. Devotees, take holy dips in rivers and ponds and huddle around fire made from sesame savoring delicacies like ghee, yam, khichadi and sweets like Chaku and sweets made of sesame and molasses. If done so, there is a belief that they will get rid of their sins.
As per astrological chart, the Makar Sankranti has special significance- this day onwards the sun starts its ascendancy and enters into the northern hemisphere. On this day, the sunlight moves from the tropic of Capricorn towards the tropic of Cancer. It is believed that the days get longer and nights shorter from today itself.
