Kathmandu, October 22: The Newar community across the country is celebrating Mha Puja (Self-Worship) today, marking the first day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Kartik Shukla Pratipada.

This festival is also observed as the New Year. This year marks the 1146th New Year beginning from today. The Nepal Sambat calendar, an indigenous lunar calendar, was introduced by national hero Shankhadhar Sakhwa in 879 AD after he liberated the people of Kathmandu from debt. Recognized as a symbol of national identity and cultural pride, Nepal Sambat was declared the national calendar of Nepal in 2011.

Every year on this day, members of the Newar community perform rituals to honor and purify the self, observing Mha Puja as part of their cultural and religious tradition.

According to religious scholar Prof. Dr. Ram Chandra Gautam, the practice of Mha Puja is rooted in classical scriptures. He explains that since the soul (Atma) is considered the most powerful and vital element within a person, the worship of one’s own soul symbolizes respect for the divine within.

It is believed that by satisfying and keeping the soul content, deities become pleased and bestow blessings, making one’s life meaningful and prosperous.

Based on this spiritual belief, the tradition of Mha Puja has been passed down for generations. The festival is widely celebrated in Newar-majority areas, including Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Panauti, Bahrabise, Chautara, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, and Ilam districts.

People's News Monitoring Service.