Kathmandu, Jan 15: President Ram Chandra Paudel has stated that festivals such as Maghe Sankranti play a vital role in strengthening feelings of brotherhood, mutual harmony, and tolerance among all Nepalis.
In a message issued on the occasion of Maghe Sankranti and the Maghi Festival, 2082 BS, President Paudel extended his best wishes for happiness, peace, and prosperity to Nepali brothers and sisters at home and abroad. He noted that such festivals contribute significantly to fostering ethnic harmony, respect for diversity, and national unity in Nepal’s multi-ethnic, multilingual, and multicultural society.
“I believe that festivals like Maghe Sankranti not only promote social harmony and national unity but also nurture feelings of brotherhood, mutual understanding, and tolerance among all Nepalis,” the President said in his message.
Maghe Sankranti, also known as Makar Sankranti, is celebrated with enthusiasm by various communities across the country in their own distinctive ways. The Tharu community, in particular, observes the festival as Maghi, marking their New Year. Families traditionally celebrate the occasion by consuming special delicacies such as ghee, chaku, tarul, laddus, sel roti, dhikri, and khichdi.
President Paudel also highlighted the tradition of taking holy baths in sacred rivers and confluences such as Barahakshetra, Devghat, and Ridi Kshetra, as well as offering prayers at temples on this auspicious day. He emphasized that such festivals, as part of Nepal’s rich intangible cultural heritage, play an important role in presenting the country’s cultural identity to the world.
Expressing further hope, the President stated, “I wish that Maghe Sankranti and the Maghi festival inspire all of us to preserve our culture and contribute to building a civilized, cultured, and egalitarian society.”
Similarly, Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, while extending his best wishes on the occasion, stressed the importance of conservation and sustainable use of biological resources. He noted that the day of the Maghi festival is also observed as National Agricultural Biodiversity Day in Nepal.
Vice President Yadav emphasized that all citizens and relevant stakeholders must remain conscious of biodiversity conservation, adding that with responsibilities assigned to all three levels of government and Nepal being a signatory to various international treaties, the importance of sustainable use and protection of biological resources has increased further.
Maghe Sankranti enhances social unity: Speaker Ghimire
Likewise, Speaker Devaraj Ghimire has said that the festival of Maghe Sankranti plays an important role in promoting mutual harmony, social goodwill, and national unity, while also strengthening democratic values and the spirit of coexistence.
Extending his best wishes on the occasion of Maghe Sankranti and the Maghi festival, Speaker Ghimire wished happiness, peace, good health, and prosperity to all Nepali brothers and sisters living both within the country and abroad.
In his message, Speaker Ghimire stated, “On the auspicious occasion of Maghe Sankranti and the Maghi festival, I extend my heartfelt greetings with the hope that these celebrations inspire all Nepalis toward positive thinking, social responsibility, and a path of prosperity.”
He expressed confidence that such cultural festivals contribute to reinforcing social cohesion and fostering a shared sense of responsibility and unity among citizens. #nepal #maghi
