KATHMANDU, Oct 25: Mha Puja — the worship of oneself — is celebrated today by the Newar community across the country. The Newari community marks the Nepal Sambat, New Year, in the morning and Mha Puja in the evening. Mha Puja falls on the Newari New Year based on the Newari calendar, Nepal Sambat.
Main priest of Taleju temple, Siddhibir Karmacharya said that Mha Puja should be observed today itself as per the tradition though there are some confusions about the celebration in Bhaktapur.
Literally, Mha Puja means self-worship. People of the Newari community mark this occasion on the fourth night of Tihar, Kartik Shukla Pratipada, by worshiping self with a hope that light of knowledge shall spread after the destruction of ignorance.
Gai Puja, Goru Puja and Mha Puja being observed today
On this day, Newars prepare sweet dishes at homes and mandalas (sacred diagrams as symbols of their souls) are drawn on the floor and worshiped. Family members sit in front of the mandalas and the lady of the house presents each of them with a burning wick, sacred thread Jajanka and fruits symbolizing 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 Newari community, which is also a symbol of prosperity.
However, culture expert Om Dhaubhadel said that there is no evidence to confirm when exactly this festival started but added that the Newari community has been observing this festival since the Lichchhivi era.
(RSS)
