KATHMANDU, Jan. 15: Maghe Sankranti, one of the main festivals of the Nepalese, was observed throughout the Kingdom today according to age-old tradition.

It is customary to take holy dips at river confluences, perform worship at various shrines and take yam and ‘Chaku’ as special food items on this day.

Hindus also observe this day as Makar Sankranti as it marks the beginning of the sun’s journey northwards.

As the belief goes, eating such items as ghiu and chaku, sesame seed candy, vegetables and yam or giving these away in charity on this day after taking a holy dip helps one become healthier.

Devotees took their holy dips at Devghat, Dolalghat, Baraha Kshetra, Ridi, Triveni and other rivers across the country.

Big religious fairs are held today especially at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Trishuli at Devghat in Tanahu district. The Kankai river in Jhapa is also a famous pilgrimage site on this day. Devotees from various parts of the country thronged Devghat and Kankai today.

Gangasagar in India also attracts devotees in large numbers from Nepal on the occasion of Maghe Sankranti.

In Dhangadi, “Maghi”, the main festival of the Tharu Community, is being celebrated with great fun and enthusiasm beginning today.

The first day of the festival today is marked with the eating of pork in every individual house in the community.

Wearing of new clothes, all-night parting and dancing at the village chief’s house, discussing the public events of the year and division of parental property among sons are some features of the festival.

Also celebrated as the arrival of the upcoming new year, people celebrating the festival take dips at holy rivers and ponds, receive tika from their seniors, make and receive offerings and give cereals and rice to sisters.

Meanwhile, in Ratnanagar, the Makar Sakranti fair held every year at Devghat got under way today amidst chantings from the Vedic scriptures.

The Maghesakranti fair at Devghat is considered to be of greater importance than that at Prayag or Allahabad and at Haridwar Rishikesh in India and legends have it that the gods from heaven come down here for a holy dip.

Until last year, the Devghat fair used to be held only on the 1st and 2nd of Magh but it will be held for three days this year.

Along with the fair, the Lakshya Havan to be held for three days also commenced today.

Twelve Pandits will perform 125,000 Havans over the three days wishing peace against the background of increasing violence and killings in the country.