Ma Puja is a Newari festival celebrating the physical self, and on October 18, 2009, the festival day fell on the Newari New Year (year 1130), Nhu Daya Bhintuna. I went with members of the Tahiti Kwabhal Tole club on their New Year rally procession through Dubar Square, complete with Newari mister and missus putali.

The Tahiti Kwabhal Tole procession is known by its putali, or 'puppet,' each about 8 feet tall (about 2.5 meters) and hollow. The younger club members took turns inside the puppets, lasting about 30 minutes before needing to take a break from the heat, drenched in sweat.

In past years, the calendar of festival days was set by the monarchy. And so in 2009, with Nepal kingless, divining the calendar dates for festivals fell to the individual. Some celebrated Ma Puja one day before the Newari New Year while others celebrated the two festivals together.