The Mha Puja (self worship) is celebrated on the fourth day of Tihar festival by Newar community today.
It also falls on the Newari New Year which is based on the Newar calendar, Nepal Sambat. Mha Puja literally refers to self worship, making offering to one’s body.
Theologian Prof Dr Ramchandra Gautam said atma (soul) is the powerful aspect of human being, so it deserves reverence. It is a religious belief that one becomes happy once his/her atma (soul/self) is happy, he added.
New Year 1146 is being observed with fanfare across the country. The Newari calendar is marked in memory of Sankhadhar Sakhwa, who freed the poor and peasants from financial burden- loan.
Similarly, Gai and Goru Tihar also fall on this day. People are worshipping cows and oxen by feeding them nutritious foods and putting garlands on their necks. The cow is regarded as a mother that provides us with milk.
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