Photos

Nepali women preparing diyas (light candles with ghee)
in order to perform pujas (religious ceremonies)for a "Mage Sankranti" night at Durbar square/Kathmandu..

(Maghe Sankranti: is the beginning of the holy month of Magh, usually the mid of January in Nepal. it brings an end to the ill-omened month of Poush (mid-december) when all religious ceremonies are forbidden. even if it is considered the coldest day of the year, it marks the coming of warmer weather and better days of health and fortune. this day is said to be the most significant day for holy bathing despite the weather. the ritual usually takes place at the union of sacred rivers and streams. people go in the wee hours of dawn just to sprinkle themselves with the water. they pay homage to various deities specially the temple of Red Machindranath and Agima Ta in Durbar square. in addition to holy bathing and worship of shrines, certain auspicious foods like till laddoos (seasame seeds ball cakes), chaku(molasys), ghee (clarified butter), sweet potatoes, khichari (mixture of rice and lentils) and green leaf spinach are taken on this day. families come together and share the food, married daughters and families are invited to parental homes for festivities and blessings.)

it is just another occasion to renew family ties! :o)