According to Hindu mythology, god exists in every living creature and everything around us. There is a tradition in Nepal that celebrates the god within us. Mha Puja means “worship of the self”, and it celebrates the spirit within oneself. Mha Pujā (Devanagari: म्हपुजा) is an annual ritual performed by the Newar people of Nepal to purify and empower the soul as part of New Year celebrations. What could be a better way than worshiping self to worship the god within us?
Newars worship their body because the body provides a symbol of existence and pray for their health. Also, it is said that Mha Puja is a way of purifying the body and let the evils and ignorance flood out. It is performed on New Year’s Day of Nepal Sambat, the national lunar calendar of Nepal, which occurs during the Swanti festival.
The most essential elements of Mha puja are Mandala, Itaa (hand-woven cotton strands soaked in oil), Sagan, flower, fruits, nuts and sweets. There are basically eight different Sagans for Mha puja that are Manda or Mandala, Itaa, fruits, Jajanka (holy thread), Mari (sweets), Dhau (yogurt), Tika and Khen Sagun.
Mha puja is important for understanding oneself and respecting one’s role in the world. It is said that understanding self makes one unselfish and more responsible. The elements are also recognized as the symbols of the world. The married daughters are not allowed to perform puja in their maternal home.