Gobhardhan puja performed on the fourth day of Tihar; Newar community performs Mha: Puja

Gobardhan and oxen were worshiped on the fourth day of Yama Panchak. The Govardhan Puja ritual is observed with the replicas of the Govardhan Mountain made out of the cow dung. People prepare a mixture using cow dung forming a paste and apply it on the courtyard of their homes and on the floors. In Hindu religion, cows are worshiped as goddess Laxmi while oxen are worshipped as a very useful animal in different agricultural works in Nepal, which is a predominantly agricultural country. Likewise, the people of the Newar community observed Mha: Puja ritual in the evening. Mha Puja refers to the worship of the self or one’s body. It 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. Meanwhile, the auspicious hour for this year's Bhaitika- the main celebration of the five-day Tihar festival- that falls on November 13 is 11:55 am as stated by the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee, but according to the Committee Chair Prof Dr Ramchandra Gautam, tika ceremony can be observed throughout the day after that time.