Mha Puja is a uniquely Newar ceremony whose name means "worship of the self" (mha = self, puja = worship), performed on the fourth day of Tihar as a ritual of self-renewal, invoking long life, health and protection for each member of the household. Family members sit on individual decorated mandala mats in ritual order of seniority while offerings of food, flowers, oil lamps and sacred threads are made to each person, affirming their inner divine essence. The observance coincides with the Newar New Year, Nepal Samvat — which in 2083 BS marks the beginning of NS 1147 — giving this day a doubled significance as both a spiritual and calendrical new beginning for the Newar community.
Mha Puja is a deeply philosophical and unique ritual performed primarily by the Newar community of the Kathmandu Valley. Translating to 'worship of the self', it is celebrated on the fourth day of Tihar. The ceremony is based on the belief that the divine resides within every individual, and by worshipping one's own soul, one achieves spiritual purification and physical well-being.
The Mandala Ceremony
The central element of Mha Puja is the creation of personalized mandalas for each family member. These mandalas, crafted on the floor using limestone powder, colored sand, and grains, represent the universe and the individual's place within it. Family members sit cross-legged in front of their respective mandalas, usually in order of seniority, to participate in the elaborate rituals.
Offerings and Blessings
During the ceremony, the senior-most female of the household leads the rituals, offering a 'Sagun'—an auspicious combination of items like boiled egg, smoked fish, meat, lentil cake, and rice wine—to each member. Various other offerings, including fruits, nuts, and flowers, are made to the mandala. The ritual concludes with the lighting of the 'Itaa', a long hand-woven cotton thread soaked in oil, symbolizing the illumination of the soul and the dispelling of darkness.
Planning for Mha Puja
This 2083 date is part of the Tihar schedule. Check the calendar’s holiday scope separately from the observance itself. Family and community practices can vary; the festival date alone does not specify an exact ceremony time.