Nepal Celebrates Saur Sankranti with Traditional Rituals and Cultural Events

Nepal is celebrating Saur Sankranti, a significant festival in the Nepali calendar, with traditional rituals and cultural events across the country.

The festival marks the beginning of the solar month of Shrawan and is celebrated by Hindus as a significant day when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Cancer.

As part of the celebrations, people are taking holy dips in rivers and ponds, offering prayers and performing various cultural and religious activities.

Traditional Practices

One of the traditional practices associated with Saur Sankranti is the ‘Luto Phalne’ ritual, where people throw a type of grass called ‘Luto’ into the air to ward off evil spirits and diseases.

According to legend, this ritual is performed to symbolically kill a demon called Kandarak, who is believed to cause diseases and misfortunes.

People also perform a symbolic puja of Kandarak by using various medicinal plants and herbs, and then throw the Luto grass into the air while ringing bells and blowing conch shells.

Shiva Worship

The month of Shrawan is considered sacred for the worship of Lord Shiva, and devotees throng Shiva temples across the country to offer prayers and perform puja.

Women, in particular, celebrate the festival by wearing green clothes and ornaments, applying henna on their hands, and worshiping Lord Shiva.

The festival is also considered auspicious for married women, who pray for the well-being and prosperity of their families.

This year, the month of Shrawan has four Mondays, which are considered particularly auspicious for Shiva worship.

Devotees are expected to throng Shiva temples in large numbers on these days to offer special prayers and perform rituals.