Kathmandu:The Mha Puja ritual is observed on the fourth day of Tihar by people of the Newar Community.
Mha Puja literally refers to self worship, making offering to one’s body, highlighting on respecting the self. It also falls on the Newari New Year which is based on the Newar calendar, Nepal Sambat.
The Nepal Sambat New Year 1143 is being celebrated across the country by organizing various programmes.
The National Luminary, Shankhadhar Sakhwa is credited with initiating the Nepal Sambat in 880 AD by freeing the poor from their debt during the reign of the Lichhavi dynasty king Raghav Dev. Historian Dr Triratna Manandhar said that the Nepal Sambat calendar was recognised as the state calendar until the reign of King Prithvi Narayan Shah.
According to Manandhar, the Shaka Sambat calendar was in use before the Lichchhavi rule. “The Nepal Sambat is a unique calendar of Nepal as it has been named after the country’s name,” he said.
President extends greetings on the occasion of Nepal Sambat 1143
President Bidya Devi Bhandari has extended her best wishes for the happiness, peace and prosperity to all Nepalis living in the country and abroad on the occasion of Nepal Sambat 1143.
In a message of greetings today, she has noted that the Nepal Sambat is the original national Sambat which is determined by calculating the lunar month.
This day is celebrated as the new year of Nepal Sambat in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Barhabise and Dolakha where there is a majority of Newar community.
President Bhandari has also remembered the public welfare and charitable work of the national luminary Shankhadhar Sakhwa and expressed her belief that the day would inspire everyone to move forward for the advancement and progress of the society.
