Kathmandu, Nov 2: Gai Puja or cow worship, Goru Puja or ox worship and Govardan Puja are being observed throughout the country today on the fourth day of the five-day-long Tihar festival celebrated by the majority Hindus in the country.The Gai Puja and Govardhan Puja rituals are observed today with the replicas of the Gai and Govardhan Mountain made out of the cow dung.

People prepare a mixture of the cow dung and ochre formed into a paste and apply on the courtyard of their homes and on the floors.

The cow is revered as mata or mother by Hindus and is sacred for them. Modern science has also proved that indigenous breeds of cows absorb the energy from the sun and the moon in their hump which is transmitted through milk to humans.

The cows are fed with sweets and delicacies as part of the Gai Puja rituals. There is the tradition of tying the sacred thread that is tied around one's wrist on the occasion of the Janai Poornima festival on the tail of the cow while performing Gai Puja. It is believed that doing so the cow would help the person's soul cross the Baitarani River, a mythical river, to heaven, after the person's death.

The rituals are linked to the Hindu God Sri Krishna who, according to the legend, lifted the Govardhan Mountain by his hand and protected the people of a place called Gokul from torrential rains caused by Indra, the God of rain. It is believed that the rain God was angered and thereby caused the heavy downpour. Similarly, the ox is also worshipped today as it is a very useful animal in different agricultural works in Nepal which is a predominantly agricultural country.

Nepal Sambat New Year 1145 and Mha Puja today

The Nepal Sambat New Year 1145 is being celebrated across the country today amidst various programmes.

The Nepal Sambat or calendar year was begun by Shankhadhar Sakhwa by relieving the people of Nepal off debt during the rule of Lichchhavi King Raghavdev in 880 AD.Recognizing the contribution of Shankhadhar Sakhwa to the country and people, the government announced Sakhwa a national luminary on November 18, 1999.Also today, the people of the Newar community observe the Mha Puja ritual in the evening. Mha Puja is the worship of the self.

Mha Puja is based on the religious belief that the soul or self is the most important in the world and that if the soul is satisfied, the gods are also satisfied and one's life becomes meaningful and prosperous.

Likewise, the government had on October 23, 2008 nationally recognized the Nepal Sambat propounded by national luminary Shankhadhar Sakhwa.

Meanwhile, the President and the Vice-President, the Prime Minister as well as various party heads and leaders have issued statements extending best wishes to all those celebrating the Nepal Sambat today.

This day is celebrated especially as the new year of Nepal Sambat and as a special festival by the majority Newar population residing in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Bahrabise and Dolakha.