The Nepalese community in Edmonton observed Mha Puja (Worship of Body Persona) and the New Year (Nepal Era 1142) amidst a special cultural event streamed virtually via Webex on Sunday November 7, 2021. The cultural event was hosted by the Newa Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA),a local organization established under the Societies Act of Government of Alberta,Canada to practice, promote and preserve Newa culture and traditions for the current and future generations.
The cultural event was inaugurated by Dr.Hemanta Joshi,founding President of NCSA,by lighting the Twadewas,traditional Nepalese artistic oil lamps. In the inaugural session,Dr.Joshi delivered a welcome speech highlighting on the significance of Mha Puja and New Year of Nepal Era calendar.According to Dr.Joshi, Mha Puja is a unique Newa tradition to purify and empower the soul that resides inside the human body by recognizing,respecting,purifying and worshiping it. According to Dr. Joshi, Mha Puja also signifies the beginning of the New Year of Nepal Era calendar which was commenced by King Raghab Dev to honor Shankhadhar Sakhwal,the founder of Nepal Era calendar,in 879 A.D.Dr. Joshi also informed the participants that NCSA will resume its regular cultural activities physically once the COVID-19 restrictions are removed. In the cultural event,Mr.Purushotam Shrestha,President of Newah Society of Calgary, extended his Mha Puja and New Year Greetings to the members of the community.
In the cultural event,a video clip on community Mha Puja ceremony that was organized by NCSA in Edmonton on November 5,2016 was webcast to commemorate the Mha Puja.Similarly,video clips of Newa cultural performances collected from different sources were webcast during the cultural event to celebrate the arrival of New Year 1142 of Nepal Era calendar.The cultural event was conducted virtually by Mrs. Sunita Pradhan, EC member of NCSA.
Comment