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Devotees across the country observed Maghe Sankranti, one of the most popular Nepali festivals, by thronging to various Hindu temples and taking holy dip into rivers and ponds on Friday.indus worship Lord Shiva on the day and celebrate the festival by offering delicacies such as sweet potato, sesame seed candy, Chaku, yam and ghee. It is believed that one becomes healthier by consuming such items on this day after taking a holy bath in the river.
Also, the largely Hindu Newar, Tharu and Magar ethnic communities celebrated Maghe Sankranti, also called Makar Sankranti, with great enthusiasm by organizing various programmes across the country, as the festival bears a great significance to them.
The government had declared public holiday on Maghe Sankranti last year by recognizing it as a national festival of the Magar community.
Meanwhile, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav visited the Panauti Mela, which occurs once every 12 years on the occasion of Maghe Sankranti, today morning.
Reports said the President took a holy bath in Panauti River on the occasion.
He is scheduled to return to Kathmandu later today.
Religious fairs were also organized in Chitwan's Devghat including Baraha Kshetra where people took holy bath on the confluence of Trishuli, Kali Gandaki and Koshi River. People also thronged to Dolalghat in Kavre to take holy dip in the river.
Coincidentally, the first partial solar eclipse of the year 2010 has also fallen on Maghe Sankranti day..
