Toronto: Canadian Newa Guthi, a Greater Toronto Area-based not-for-profit organization, recently organized a New Year Nepal Sambat 1141 and Talk Program on “Mha Pooja “ virtually.
Guthi’s General Secretary Bimal Shrestha, in his welcome address, said that because of the global pandemic, Guthi was celebrating the Newah unique event virtually.
Guthi’s President Prakash Pradhan opened the event by extending his enunciated his greetings and calling for peace, progress and prosperity.
World Newah Organization President Season Shrestha elucidated about the struggle to obtain national status for the Nepal Era and its founder Sankahdhar Sakhwa… Shrestha further explained about the need of preserving Newah culture and heritage and transferring such knowledge to the new generation. Ph.D. student of Toronto University on Newah Buddhism Ian Turner, who delivered his speech in the Newah language, spoke about the rich Newah festivals with specific foods and its association with nutrition and environment.
He also lauded Guthis’s activities to preserve Newah culture in Canada. Delivering a speech on “Mha Pooja “ (worshipping own body), Guthi’s Vice president Uttam Makaju illustrated that it was a cultural event of purification, strengthening, and understanding oneself.
Explaining the philosophical facets of Mha Pooja in our life, Makaju further said that the Mandala, an artistic geometrical circle used in the event, connotes the knowledgeable soul and physical body. Guthi’s Secretary Dr. Prajwal Pradhan explained the Mha pooja procedure along with an illustration of the items and their bond with our life. Dr. Pradhan also showed some slides about New Year celebrations in Nepal.
Other speakers included Treasurer Naresh Tamrakar, Public Relations Coordinator Suman Rajbanshi, and senior member Laxman Muni Shrestha who highlighted the Nepal Era and the meaning behind the Mha pooja celebration.
Local artists gave a recital of instrumental music, songs and the program also included a trivia quiz on Newah heritage and Canadian culture.