Mha Puja

म्ह पूजा

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MusicKathmandu Valley
Dates10 November 2026Confirmed listing
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsMha Puja inverts the usual direction of
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: NPR
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Mha Puja in Kathmandu Valley

Mha Puja is a Newar ritual of self-worship observed on the fourth day of Tihar, coinciding with Nepal Sambat New Year. Family members sit before individually decorated mandalas and are ritually worshipped in turn by the household's eldest woman, honoring the body as the seat of the self.

Amid the five days of Tihar, when most of Nepal's attention turns to crows, dogs, cows, and finally the bond between siblings, the Newar communities of the Kathmandu Valley observe a fourth-day ritual turned inward.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Mha Puja inverts the usual direction of Hindu worship by making the worshipped subject not a deity but each individual person present, family members of every age and gender seated in a row before their own mandala and honored in turn, a practice rooted in the Newar belief that divinity resides within the self as much as in any external god

02

The mystery stays covered

Its coincidence with Nepal Sambat, a lunar calendar established in the ninth century by a Kathmandu Valley merchant remembered for clearing the public's debts, ties the ritual to a distinctly Newar sense of civic and calendrical identity separate from the wider Hindu festival calendar, making it one of the clearest markers of specifically Newar cultural continuity within the broader Tihar season

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

In the Newar language

Water and renewal

Living ritual

mha means body or self

The sacred route

Living ritual

and puja means worship

The local code

Living ritual

and the ritual is grounded in the belief that the life force

Tradition 5

Living ritual

within each individual is itself worthy of reverence and renewal

Tradition 6

Living ritual

Family members sit in a row facing individually prepared mandalas

Tradition 7

Living ritual

colorful ritual diagrams drawn on the floor

Tradition 8

Living ritual

and are worshipped in turn

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

10 November 2026

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Kathmandu Valley you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Traditional Newar dress is common among participants for the ritual itself, though this is a home-based ceremony without a public dress code; visitors invited to observe should dress...

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

Base yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Mha Puja runs late.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

NPR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map27.72 N, 85.32 EOpen in Google Maps

Kathmandu Valley, Bagmati Province, Nepal

Nearest airportKTM — Tribhuvan
TransportStay close enough to the part of Kathmandu Valley you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaBase yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Mha Puja runs late.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Kathmandu Valley via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Kathmandu Valley, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for November.Compare faresFestival gearTraditional Newar dress is common among participants for the ritual itself, though this is a home-based ceremony without a public dress code; visitors invited to observe should dress modestly and respectfully.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Nepal and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Mha Puja?

Mha Puja is listed for 10 November 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Mha Puja take place?

The festival is listed in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Kathmandu Valley, Bagmati Province, Nepal

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLntb.gov.np
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates10 November 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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