KATHMANDU, Nov 2: Goru Puja or the worship to oxen and Govardan Puja are being observed throughout the country today on the fourth day of the five-day-long Tihar festival celebrated by the Hindus in the country.

The Govardhan Puja rituals are being observed with the replicas of the Govardhan Mountain made out of the cow dung. People prepare a mixture of the cow dung and ochre formed into a paste and apply it on the courtyard of their homes and on the floors today.

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 vexed and therefore caused the heavy downpour.

Similarly, the ox is also worshiped today as it is a very useful animal in different agricultural works in Nepal which is still a predominantly agricultural society.

Similarly, Mha Puja is celebrated on the fourth day of Tihar by the Newar Community.

It also falls on the Newari New Year which is based on the Newar calendar, Nepal Sambat. Mha Puja literally refers to self worship, making offerings to one’s own body.