Nepal

Mha Puja — which translates into 'worship of oneself' — is being celebrated by the people of the Newar community across the country.

The community marks New Year as per the Nepal Sambat in the morning and Mha Puja in the evening. Mha Puja is observed, following the Nepal Sambat calendar.

The main priest of Taleju temple, Siddhibir Karmacharya, said that this year's Mha Puja should be observed on Tuesday as per the tradition there is some confusion about the celebration in Bhaktapur. 

Mha Puja means self-worship in the Newari language. People of the Newar community mark this on the fourth night of Tihar, Kartik Shukla Pratipada, by worshipping self with the hope that the light of knowledge shall take away the darkness of ignorance. 

On this day, the community people prepare sweet dishes at home, and worship mandalas. While the procedures of the rituals vary from one community to the other within the broader Newar community, the purpose remains the same.

Then, a mandala is made on the pre-cleaned floor. The outline drawing is made initially with oil and then with colourful powders mixed with rice powder. 

The mandala represents the universe and the five elements that symbolise the universe's balance. Then, each family member sits cross-legged next to each other in a hierarchical order and worships the mandala in front of him/her. The senior lady of the house presents each of them with a burning jajanka, a sacred wick, and fruits, symbolising long life and good fortune.

Historian Prof Dr Purushottam Lochan Shrestha said Mha Puja is the symbol of knowledge to know self and spread knowledge in the world. 

According to him, Mha Puja is an ancient festival of the Newar community, which is also a symbol of prosperity. 

However, culture expert Om Dhaubhadel said there is no evidence to confirm exactly when this festival started. However, the Newari community has been observing this festival since the Lichchhivi era. - RSS