NEPAL SAMBAT AND MHA PUJA

Unique and different celebration of newari culture, Nepal sambat and Mha puja. 

Nepal sambat was founded 321 years earlier than the Mallas arrived in History of Nepal. ,New year celebration ,Nepal Sambat ,begun by Sankhadhar Sakhwa by relieving the nepali people off debt during Lichchhavi king Ragavdev in 880 AD. Many calender are being used in the nations which are named form famous person . But this lunar calender, nepal sambat is the one which is named from country name. This calender is being used before Malla period. Now a day newari people are united to conserve this calender by organising different cultural programmes. 

 

On the same day, Kartik Sukla Pratipada, mha puja (self-worship) is done in newar community. Although the puja is evidently inspired by the purans and tantras, it is unique Newari festival quite different both in form and content from the hindu festival of Goverdhan puja commonly observed by the non- newars in Nepal.

Mha puja is started in evening. All the member of newar family sit in a row, each member facing a fully decorated mandala. All the family member are worshiped in turn by eldest woman of the family.The Mandalas is a series of concentric circles, each drawn in turn by water, oil, rice, paddy and yellow and red powders and decorated with flowers and ritual thread (jajamka).The some ingredients used to construct mha puja mandala may differ as per caste group and family tradition, but philosophy behind the ceromony is same which represent self in universe . Mandala are drawn for each family member even if some absence. Extra mandala are drawn at the end of row for two messengers of death. It is also drawn for essential household items like water pitcher, broom, winnowing tray etc.  Extra long burning wick( khelu itah)  is given to each which is placed next to the mandala which represent that the participant should spread brightness and fragnence for other. After that, the auspicious sagun is offered, consisting a whole boiled and fried egg ,fish, meat, wine, fried ginger and garlic and bean cake. Also sacred threads and a basket of fruits including citron, walnuts, jackfruits etc symbolizing lond life and good fortune is given. 

At the end of  celebration, the family take part feast ,which contain eight items representing Astha matrika. The floor is swept clean the next day..