GAI, GORU, MHA PUJAS THURSDAY

GAI, GORU, MHA PUJA THURSDAY ON 4TH DAY OF TIHAR THURSDAY
Kathmandu, 27 Oct.: Gaipuja or cow worship, Goru Puja or ox worship and Mha Puja or worship of the self is being observed throughout the country today on the fourth day of the five-day-long Tihar festival celebrated by the Hindus, RSS reports.
The cow is worshipped as the representation of Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, by applying oil on its hoofs and horns and putting red and yellow marks on its body. Hindus also honour the cow as the mother and benefactor.
The Govardhan Puja ritual is also observed today. A replica of the Govardhan Mountain is 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.
This ritual is linked to the Hindu god Sri Krishna who, according to the legend, lifted the Govardhan mountain by his hands and protected the people of a place called Gokul from torrential rains caused by Indra, the god of rain. It is believed the god of rain was angered and 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.
Likewise, the people of the Newar community observe the Mha Puja ritual in the evening today. 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.
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NEPAL SAMBAD 1132 BEING CELEBRATED THURSDAY; OTHER DETAILS

Kathmandu, 27 Oct.: Nepal Sambat 1132 is being celebrated across the country amidst a variety of programmes Thursday, RSS
reports.

Nepal Sambat, a unique calendar which is named after the country is based on the lunar calendar and it is believed to have started during 880 AD when Shankhadhar Shakhwa, a local merchant from Kathmandu, paid off the debts of common people on his own, thus emancipating thousands of people from serfdom.


The Nepal Sambat calendar was in use for 888 years and it was banned at the state level in 1960 Bikram Sambat year.

Different efforts were made to reinstate the Nepal Sambat calendar since the establishment of democracy in 2007 BS.

The government declared Shankhadhar Sakhwa who propounded the Nepal Sambat calendar and made notable contribution to society and the nation as national luminary in 2055 BS.

It may be noted here that a meeting of the Council of Ministers on October 25 has constituted a three-member recommendation committee with Padma Ratna Tuladhar as the convenor to carry out a study on the Nepal Sambat calendar and other calendars in use and prepare a report on this with the objective of incorporating the Nepal Sambat calendar in the government calendar.

Hari Narayan Malla and Kumar Yonjan are the members of the recommendation committee.

President, PM wish happy new year

President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav has extended heartfelt best wishes for the happiness, peace and progress of all Nepali brothers and sisters on the occasion of Nepal Sambat 1132.

In a message today on the occasion, President Dr. Yadav has expressed the confidence that the Nepal Sambat 1132 would be successful in enhancing tolerance, social unity, and good will, and mutual understanding among all the Nepalis.

He has also wished that may the Nepal Sambat New Year serve as a guiding factor for taking the country towards peace and prosperity.

Similarly, Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has extended best wishes to all Nepali brothers and sisters on the occasion of the great festival of Deepawali, Chhath and Nepal Sambat New Year 1132.

In a message today, Prime Minister Dr. Bhattarai has said the Nepalis have been observing festivals like Deepawali, Chhath and the Nepal Sambat New Year with great enthusiasm since traditions are a symbol of family reunion and social cordiality. "Such festivals have been keeping the country´s diversity, social goodwill, and communal solidarity integrated."

Dr. Bhattarai has said Nepal Sambat is the unique identity of the Nepalis and thereby has already been recognized as the National calendar. "This Year initiated by Sankhadhar Sakhwa after freeing people from debts and leading socio-economic reforms stresses on the need to put an end to social discrimination, inequality and to maintain social goodwill," the prime minister observed.

The Prime Minister has also expressed the hope that the festivals like Deepawali, Chhath and Nepal Sambat would provide us the inspiration to move ahead with understanding, collaboration and unity by fulfilling our major duties of concluding the peace process and drafting the new Constitution.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala has extended heartfelt best wishes to all Nepali brothers and sisters on the occasion of Nepal Sambat 1132.

In a message today, the NC President has described Nepal as an ancient country of various languages, religion and cultures, and carrying a unique and cordial tradition of respecting one another´s language, religion and culture.

He has also said that our country Nepal would be transformed into a peaceful and prosperous country only if we could maintain these traditions of our and promote family unity, reconciliation and collaboration.
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MOHAN BHANDAR IN THAPATHALI CLOSED DOWN
Kathmandu, 27 Oct.: Mohan Bhandar, a sweetmeat shop in

Thapathali was closed down Wednesday by a market monitoring
team of the Department of Commerce for producing and marketing substandard products.
Owners were questioned during the monitoring.
Markets Wednesday continued monitoring the market in the Valley—an effort that will continue Thursday.
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