Nepal Sambat 1147: Newar community celebrates new year with Mha: Puja

Newar communities in Bhaktapur and various other parts of the country performed Mha: Puja on Monday to mark the first day of Nepal Sambat 1147.

It is a Newar tradition to perform Mha: Puja every year on the day of Govardhan Puja during Tihar. In the Nepal Bhasa language, "Mha:" means body. On this day, the body is worshipped as the abode of God, which is why the ritual is also called self-worship.

According to Ramkrishna Prajapati of Bhaktapur, Mha: Puja is an original cultural tradition of the Newar community. He said the puja teaches people to understand the value of their own body and to honor themselves.

Laxmi Karmacharya said the festival strengthens family unity, harmony and closeness, since all family members gather together to celebrate it.