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| A scene of Maghey Mela at Ranipool |
Maghe
Sankranti is the commencement of the
holy month of Maugh, which usually falls in the mid of January. It brings an
end to the inauspicious month of Poush (mid-december) when all
religious ceremonies are forbidden. On this day, the sun leaves its southernmost position and takes off for
its northward journey, so Maghe
Sankranti is similar to solstice festivals in many other traditions. While, the day of Sankranti is considered as the coldest
day of the year, it blots the upcoming warmer weather. Though, it is rejoiced
by the Hindu Nepalese in Sikkim, the festival is greatly observed by all the
ethnic communities. This day is said to be the propitious day for holy bathing in
spite of the chilled weather conditions. This ritual usually takes place at the
union of sacred rivers and streams known as Triveni. Sikkimese people
usually visit Triveni of Teesta and Rangit, the two holy rivers of the state
near Melli to take holy bath and to pray for a better year filled with peace
and prosperity. After a holy dip on the river, the devotees put Tika
of Ban
Tarul (Dioscorea Hamiltonii) on their foreheads.
In
addition to holy bathing and worship of shrines, certain auspicious foods like
till laddoos
(seasame seeds ball cakes), chaku(molasys), gheu (clarified butter),
sweet potatoes, khichari (mixture of rice and lentils) and Simal Tarul (Tapioca) are
taken on this day. Edibles like sweet potatoes, ban tarul and tapioca are
regarded as Kandamuls (things that are grown under soil) by the Nepalese of
Sikkim and other Indian States. The day is also regarded as the New Years Day
among the Limboo community of Sikkim.
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| Rotey Ping; The major attraction of Maghey Mela at Ranipool |
Historical Importance of Maghe Sankranti in Sikkim:
The
study of Sawai and Khado (the writings of some
contemporary writers) and the History of the Gorkhas reveals the fact that in 1788-89, the Gorkha General Jahar Singh
crossed the Chiabhanjyang pass, taking the Sikkimese forces by complete surprise and made a lightening
raid on Rhabdentse. “The capital was caught napping and the most
disorganized abandonment of any capital imaginable took place”. The Gorkhas under Purna Alley captured
Southern Sikkim through Elam. Another Gorkha force, more numerous and powerful
than the former ones under Damodar Pandey, subsequently re-inforced the
Gorkhas, they spread themselves all over the country, prying into every crick
and corner of Sikkim, they sent out parties to pry and prowl about all the
valleys of the river Teesta and its tributaries. A fierce battle took place
between the Sikkimese forces and the Gorkhas that ultimately led to the victory
of the latter. Hence, after ensuring their sway over the Western and Southern
parts of Sikkim, the victorious Gorkha soldiers celebrated their triumph at the
confluences of River Teesta and Rangit. They washed their blood stained Khukris
on the river and had taken a rinse in the river, they sang, danced and took all
wild foods like ban tarul, sweet potatoes etc. on the day of Maghe
Sankranti. Therefore, it is said that to commemorate their victories
over Sikkim and other Himalayan States of Kangra, Kumaun, Garwhal and so on the
Indian Gorkhas celebrate the day of Maghe Sankranti every year. But, the
Nepalese version of the celebration is silent about the victories made by the
Gorkha forces in the Indian States. Hence, it is not clear to ascertain that it
is celebrated by the Indian Gorkhas to commemorate their victories over the
Himalayan Sates including Sikkim.
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| People busy in buying materials during feast |
One can
witness people enjoying swings, dance and many other games like dice, ghurni
etc at the feast organized by various organizations throughout Sikkim. These feasts
are locally known as Maghe Mela. Every rural Sikkimese is
an aficionado of such Maghe Mela to visit and to have fun. The important of
such feasts can be seen at Jorethang, Saramsa, Rorathang, Singtam and even at
Triveni at the Bengal side. Apart from the historical controversies, Maghe
Sankranti has now become a festival of unity and brotherhood in the
state of Sikkim. People of diverse ethnicity can be seen enjoying swings and
Tambola in the various feasts throughout the State.
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