22nd October 2025, Kathmandu
Among the countless vibrant festivals celebrated in Nepal, few hold the philosophical depth and personal significance of Mha Puja (म्हः पूजा).
Mha Puja Nepal Sambat 1146
Literally translating to “Worship of the Self” in Nepal Bhasa (the language of the Newar community), Mha Puja is a unique spiritual ritual.
Observed annually on Kartik Shukla Pratipada, the day after Laxmi Puja and the fourth day of the Tihar (Swanti) festival, Mha Puja is more than just a celebration; it is the official start of the indigenous Nepal Sambat New Year (Nepal Sambat 1146 begins today).
If you are looking for the true essence of Newar culture and the profound practice of self-respect, Mha Puja offers a powerful window into Nepal’s spiritual heritage.
What is Mha Puja? The Philosophy of the Self
Mha Puja is a ceremonial act that recognizes the human body and soul as the most sacred entities. This philosophy is rooted in the belief that divinity is not external, but resides within every individual.
Mha (म्हः): Refers to the body, mind, and the inner life force or self
Puja (पूजा): Means worship or reverence
By worshipping the self, the Newar community aims to purify the mind, cleanse the body, and empower the soul for the year ahead.
It is a commitment to inner awareness, health, and spiritual resilience, ensuring one is physically and mentally prepared to welcome the New Year with positivity.
Mha Puja: Marking the Nepal Sambat New Year
The festival is inseparable from the Nepal Sambat, the national lunar calendar of Nepal.
This unique calendar was established in 880 AD by the national hero Sankhadhar Sakhwa, who is credited with clearing the debts of the common people of Kathmandu.
The moment of freedom and a clean slate for the citizens was celebrated as a new era, which continues today with the commencement of Nepal Sambat 1146.
For the Newar community, Mha Puja symbolically represents this clean slate: a moment of spiritual and personal debt clearance before embarking on the New Year.
The beginning of the New Year is typically marked by a grand cultural rally, the Bhintuna Rally, where participants often dressed in traditional attire are New Year blessings.
Essential Rituals: How Mha Puja is Celebrated at Home
Mha Puja is primarily a private, family-oriented celebration performed at home in the evening. The main ritual revolves around the creation and worship of a mandala.
Mandala Creation (Mandap): A row of personal mandalas is intricately drawn on the floor using colored powders, rice grains, pulses (like black soybeans and lentils), and flowers. A separate mandala is drawn for each family member, symbolizing the individual’s connection to the universe.
The Offering: The eldest female member of the family (Nakin) takes the lead. They place auspicious offerings, including oil lamps, incense, fruits (such as the sacred citron, Tashi), and flowers, on each mandala.
Tika and Blessings: The Nakin applies a special tika (colored mark) to the forehead of each participant and presents them with a long, lighted cotton wick (Khelu Itah), which symbolizes a long life and the desire to spread light and fragrance in the world.
Sagan Biyegu: This ritual involves the presentation of a set of auspicious foods, known as Sagun, which often includes boiled egg, smoked fish, lentil cakes (Bara), and rice wine (Aila). This act is a symbolic way of bestowing good fortune, protection, and prosperity.
The Feast: The ceremony culminates in a grand family feast (Mha Bhoj), where the food is often arranged to mirror the structure of the mandala itself, symbolizing the cycle of consumption and the impermanence of the physical world.
Why Mha Puja is Important for Travelers and Culture Enthusiasts
Mha Puja is a key festival for experiencing the unique cultural heartbeat of the Kathmandu Valley, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur.
Cultural Insight: It offers an unparalleled glimpse into the rich spiritual and tantric traditions of the Newar people, showcasing a unique emphasis on self-respect that is rare in global religious practices.
Festive Atmosphere: While private, the commencement of Nepal Sambat and the Tihar festival ensures the entire valley is illuminated with decorative lights, and the day is often celebrated with cultural processions.
For more: Mha Puja Nepal Sambat 1146