Maithili culture is very rich and renowned. Its main manifestation and magnificence can be exhibited in its fairs and festivals which are performed frequently. Mithila is a lovely land of fairs and festivals. Every month is in a festive mood except Poush. This month is considered ill-omened by the Hindus. There is a total lack of religious ceremonies in this month. No religious rituals are performed. Even social ceremonies like marriages are totally forbidden according to the Hindu scriptures. People do not shift from old houses to new houses. Even second marriages (Dwiragaman or Gauna in local language) do not take place in this month. The weather is also not warm. This month does not suit to elderly people as well as children and people with weak health. The sun is supposed to be in the southern hemisphere which is very cold. All religious and pious activities stand still. There are no moments of merrymaking in the life of the Maithili people in this month. Winter wind is very cruel especially in the morning and evening hours. However, day time is warm and soothing and sweet.
A famous poet John Keats has rightly remarked in these lovely lines: “If winter comes can spring be far behind'. That's why people of the Mithila region are optimistic. They wait for the holy month of Magh impatiently. People who do not like bath in the month of Poush are eagerly desirous to take bath from the first day of Magh. This month is famous and considered pious for taking baths. People taking bath for the whole month early in the morning especially the women folk of Mithila are fond of bathing because they are very religious minded. They consider this month of Magh very sacred for bathing.
According to Dharm Sindu Granth a man who does not take bath on this day becomes patient and poor for several births. They become healthy and consider their lives holy only because of bathing regularly for the whole month. They also worship their local deities after taking a bath. They are fond of worshipping their respective favorite gods and goddesses because they fulfill their long-cherished desires. The sun also changes its course from the southern hemisphere to northern hemisphere according to the Vedic scriptures. The days are long, bright and beautiful. They are also longer than the month of Poush. Everything looks bright and brisk and brilliant. People bask in the balmy rays of the bright sun. They get energy from the rays of the sun. So they also worship the sun, the only visible god on this earth. Maithil people generally take bath in the ponds and rivers and offer water to the rising sun in the morning hours to please the sun-god. They do not eat salty foods on Sundays after taking a bath. They put red tika on their foreheads. They are truly lovers and worshippers of the sun-god. They believe in this statement that he who counts to enjoy the glory of the sunrise must live throughout the night. So they forget the trouble of yesterday to enjoy the warmth of tomorrow.
This festival is celebrated on the auspicious occasion of the first day of Magh Bikram Sambat when the shivering winter days become gradually warmer. The observers of this festival take bath early in the morning in a pond or near a river or at home. It matters little but bathing is compulsory whether with hot water or cold water. It depends upon the stamina and energy of the observers. After taking bath they make aripan (artistic drawing on earth) to sanctify the earth. They sit in the east facing the sun. By doing so, they also get warm rays of the early sun. They prepare ‘khichadi’, a mixture of rice and lentils.
They also make delicious dishes using ghee, sugar and milk.This festival is called Tila Sankrat in the Maithili language because ladoo made of til is the main food. They eat these ladoos with curd and beaten rice for several days because they are made out of Til (a black corn grown in the Mithila region) with ghee and sugar. So they are good for use for several days. They also eat sweet potatoes, fruits and some other sweets made at home. The mother especially blesses all family members by putting mustard oil on the heads of the family members.
People do not eat their usual diets on this day. Khichadi is the main food item to be taken. It is so famous throughout the whole of Tarai Belt that it is called ‘Khichadi’ festival in the Bhojpuri language. They want to make this day memorable in so many ways in their daily life. So they promise to do many things on and before and after this family festival. Some people also observe Satya Narayan Pooja on this occasion. They also fix the final day of their son’s and daughter’s marriages. This way it is a social festival because they also send ladoos made of Til and beaten rice even to their distant relatives. This is a part of social gathering at home as well as far distant places of their nears and dears.
According to astrological calculation the sun changes its course from Dhanu Rashi to Makar Rashi so this festival has been named after Makar Rashi. The days get longer and nights shorter from this very day. Thus it is considered religious and pious to take bath especially at the confluences of sacred rivers and streams although Maghe Sankranti may be the coldest day in the whole year. It is one of the most important occasions for sacred baths. Some special famous foods are vital for good health and fortune. These are sesame seeds, and sweet potatoes. This festival is directly related to agriculture. These nutritious foods are good for eyes, stomach and brain according to Ayurvedic literature Bhavaprakash. They also increase intellectual power, memory and age. They also control coughs and colds to a great extent. According to Bhavprakash “Vrishya Chhatchhinhita, raktapita nilpaha, Masyandika Khandsita Karman Gungbattam.” It means these food items are good enough for the growth of semen and also good for the nourishment of the body.
Thus this festival is celebrated only for the betterment of human health. It is also beneficial for the physical and mental health of the people of Mithila. This festival has no religious background. There is no legend behind this festival. It is purely a family festival which lasts for only one day but special food items prepared on this auspicious occasion are taken for several days. This festival also has no religious flavor. This festival’s main message is to eat for good health. Health is life is the focal point of this festival.
Thus this festival has had special importance for the people of Mithila.
There is a legend which says a businessman named Dharmadatta bought oilseed and began to sell it on the occasion of Maker Sankranti but it began to increase in weight instead of decreasing. He was perplexed for some time but when he tried to find out this mystery he found that Lord Narayan was himself in the sack of oilseed. Thus it is clear that the importance of Til (oilseed) is immense in the rites and rituals. No Pooja (worship) can be performed without Til in the whole Mithila region. Paddy rice and Til are necessary ingredients for performing worship of any god and goddess.
This is also a part of rural culture because the Mithila reason is not advanced in many fields. Thus this festival bears the testimony of time
Writer Jim Goodman has rightly written in his book: “Magh Sakranti marks a solar event—the day the sun is farthest from the earth. The lunar month of Magh is considered holy.”
