Pomelo is very large citrus fruit of botanical name Citrus maxima. It is very sweet taste after ripening . Have you ever tried a honey pomelo ? This large citrus fruit can be found in the produce section from late fall to early spring. Here's more about this tasty unique citrus fruit.The fruit is used in many festive celebrations throughout Southeast Asia. After a Captain Shaddock of an East India Company ship introduced it to Barbados, the fruit was called "shaddock" in English. The fruit is also known as jabong in Hawaii and jambola in varieties of English spoken in South Asia. The etymology of the word "pomelo" is uncertain. It may be an alteration of "pompelmoes", in Tamil pomelo are called pampa limasu, which means "big citrus". The name was adopted by the Portuguese as pomposos limoes and then by the Dutch as pompelmoes. Typically, the fruit is pale green to yellow when ripe, with sweet white ( or, more rarely , pink or red) fle...
Observant Hindus take ritual baths during this festival, notably at auspicious river locations. These include Sankhamul on the Bagmati near Patan; in the Gandaki/Narayani river basin at Triveni, Devghat near Chitwan Vallley and Ridi on the Kaligandaki; and in the Koshi River basin at Dolalghat on the Sun Koshi. Festive foods like laddoo, Ghee and sweet potatoes are distributed. The mother of each household wishes good health to all family members.
Date and significance
Generally makar sankranti falls on 14 January , and is called Makar Sankranti or other names in the Indian subcontinent. Maghe Sankranti a major harvest festival celebrated in Madhesh and Tharuhat of Nepal. The movement of the sun from one zodiac sign into another is called Sankranti and as the Sun moves into Capricon zodiacal sign known as Makara, this occasion is named as Makara Sankranti in the Pahari context. It is one of the few Nepalese festivals of Madhesi and Tharu people celebrate it on a fixed date. i.e. 14 the January because this solar festival in the honor of deity Surya follows the solar cycle of the Bikrami calendar, unlike other festivals that follow lunar cycle.
Magh Sankranti is the first day of the Magh month of Bikram Samvat. Magh is the tenth month in the year.
Sankranti is a Sanskrit word in Eastern astrology that refers to the transiting of the Sun from one zodiac sign (zodiac sign) to another. In a very simple word, Sankranti is the first day of the Nepali calendar. Then obviously, 12 such solstices occur in a year. Makar Sankranti is the transition of the Sun from Sagittarius (Sagittarius) to Makara Rashi (Makara).
In Hindu astrology, the position of the sun during the year is divided into 12 zodiac signs (zodiac signs). However, it is very difficult to reconcile between the Bikram Sambat months, the zodiac and the lunar calendar months. While the traditional calendar is based on lunar positions, the solstice is a solar event. Hence the dates of all Hindu festivals vary according to the Gregorian calendar and so is Makar Sankranti.
It is believed that the Makar Sankranti begged for new holy seasons, which ended with the onset of winter. In other words, it marks the end of the inauspicious phase of time that begins in mid-December. It is believed that any auspicious and holy ritual can be started from the day of Makar Sankranti. This day marks the beginning of warm and long days. Simply, Makar Sankranti is the end of winter and the beginning of spring and the harvest season.
Makar Sankranti is the festival of Sun God. The Sun God symbols are power, divinity and knowledge. Sun god is worshiped in this festival.
Magh Sankranti is also called Maghi. Maghi is the new year of the Tharu community of Nepal.
Magha Shakranti falls in the month of Magha, in the Gregorian calendar in mid-January. Magha is the first day of the month. According to the Hindu lunar calendar, the Sun moves north towards Makara Rashi (Makara). Magha comes with the opening of new festivals and celebrations. Makar Sankranti also marks halfway through the end of winter in Nepal.
This year, Makar Sankranti is falling in Janouri on 15 January. Maghi is always the first day of Magha in the Nepali calendar.
How do we celebrate Makar Sankranti
Hum Holi Snan is known as Makar Snan in sacred rivers. Bathing is usually done in tribunals (Triveni - the place where three rivers meet). The bank of river Bagmati in Sankhmol, Patan, Dolghat, Barha region, Riddi, Trivenighat (Panauti) and other rivers is famous for Makar Snan.
In some places fairs are held on the banks of rivers. The Kali Gandaki and Trishuli rivers at Dev Ghat (near Narayananath) in Tanahu are famous for such fairs. Kankai river is very famous in Jhapa for Holi dip for Makar bath. People from India also visit Devghat and Kankai river to take Holi bath during Magh Sankranti.
There is a tradition of worshiping Azima Mata and Rato Machendranath after bathing.
How Maghi celebrate Tharu community
Magha Shakranti is the biggest festival of Tharu community. They call it Maghi. All the family members come together and have a big feast for this festival. They have a Maghi festival starting from the last week of the month of Paush till the 3rd of Magha.
Thars mark this festival as the end of winter and the beginning of summer. During the festival, Bhalamnasa (judge giving justice), Guruva (person responsible for treating people) and Chiragi (guard) are selected. Bhalamansa is also known as Mahato, Mahakama and Vadghar. Bhalamansa is named differently at different places. Since a new person is selected to assign responsibility to the village, the tradition is called Khojini and Bojini.
The Taras of Kailali, Kanchanpur, Banke, Bardia and Dang districts celebrate Maghi as New Year. Traditionally, Tharas plan for the entire year during Maghi. The responsibility of each family member is also assigned. Also, while performing responsibilities, if a family member makes a mistake, the matter is discussed during this festival. But such mistakes cannot be discussed before the festival. Even if they are not satisfied with the performance of the person, he will have to fulfill the duties for one year.
To celebrate Maghi, Tharus is busy buying pigs, pigs, ducks and chickens. They make wine at home on the occasion.
The rich Thars buy their pigs and pigs to eat, and cut it in their homes. The poor come jointly to buy one. Tharas performs many traditional cultural shows in Maghi.
What do we eat in Magh Sankranti
Makar Shakranti or Magha Shakranti reminds us of some delicious food. Sesame Laddus (Brown Sesame Seed Pudding), Chakku (Molasses), Ghee (Clarified Butter), Tilouri. Vegetables of spinach and yam are cooked as special food of Magha Shankrani. A special type of Palich called Patten Palango is grown exclusively in Nepal and Yama (in Nepali is Yama Tarual) is considered very important and special food of Magh Shankranti.
Stories behind Magh Sankranti
Magh Shakranti is its legend. A merchant of Bhadgun (now Baktpur) was doing good business. He had good sales of sesame seeds, but the stock never ran out. He looked for clues. By cleaning the stock pile he found a statue of Lord Vishnu under the seed. Then later Til Madhava is being worshiped as an idol. It is believed that worshiping the idol supplies food, prosperity and wealth in Bhaktapur.
It is believed that Bhishma Pitamah. He was the son of the Ganges River and King Santanu in the epic Mahabharata. He had control (Ichha Matru) in his death. (The Mahabharata is the great Hindu epic, and the world's largest epic ever). It is the day when Bhishma was lying in the bed of the arrows killed by Arjuna and he searched for words of wisdom of life and death.
It is believed that people who die on this day go to heaven and are free from the sufferings of life and death and rebirth.
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