Press Release of NOA 6th Annual Yenya Punhi ( Indra Jatra)

इनेप्लिज २०७३ असोज १० गते १५:५८ मा प्रकाशित

Newah Organization of America (NOA) organized its 6th Annual Yenya Punhi(Indra Jatra) festival on Saturday, September 17, 2016 in Maryland. More than 800  community members friends & family gathered on the celebration. NOA continued the traditional event with authentic Newah food, a pyramid-style Samay Baji display along with indigenous items, the Lakhey (demon) Dance, the Pulukisi (white elephant known as Airawoth Kisi) Dance, and a symbolic local Kumari.

NOA is proud to bring the community together to preserve and promote our culture alive in the United States. We had participants from Boston, New York, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Colorado, Ohio and also from Nepal beside (DMV) DC, Maryland,Virginia. At the scenic Black Hill Regional Park in Maryland crowd gathered from noon to five o’clock evening. Authentic pyramid-style Samay Baji was displayed on this occasion, which was decorated by Mr./Mrs. Divakar Dhaubadel. Miss Bhibhusa Shrestha was designated as this year’s Kumari. Participants  were entertained with various cultural presentation such as Lakhe by Mr. Yagya Man Shakya, a performance of traditional instruments Dhimay, Bhusya, Dhaa, Tinschu by Mr. Pushkar Prajapati, Mr. Divakar Dhaubhadel, Mr. Roshan Lal Shrestha, Mr. Kabindra Maharajn, and as a Pulukisi carrier Mr. Rajesh Shrestha, Mr. Rakesh Tuladhar and Mr. Manoz Singh.  

 

NOA President Mr. Ram Lal Shrestha welcomed Embassy of Nepal representative Mr. Kailash Raj Pokharel  and all the attendees who participated Yenya Puhni 2016 event. He thanked all community members who contributed financially and with home made delicious foods, the dedicated executive committee and their spouse, NOA founding members, advisors. He also expressed special thank to Past President Mr. Rajesh Shrestha and his family for building the life-sized Pulukisi, Past President Mr. Season Shrestha for Dhimey and Bhusaya, Mr. Sushil Lal Shrestha, Mr. Pushkar Prajapati, Mr. Kiran Ken Ranjit for the coordinating Food & Beverage, Mrs. Babita Shrestha for providing home for Pulukisi, Mr. Madan Shrestha & Mr. Sushil Lal Shrestha for transport of Pulukisi, Mrs. Krishna Pradhan, Mr. Yagya Man Shakya, Mr. Basav Rajopadhyay  & Mr. Mahindra Pradhan for presentation of the Traditional Culture Program, Airzone Travel and Classic Diamond & Jewelry for sponsoring event T-shirts, Mr. Rajesh Lal Shrestha and Mr. Divakar Dhaubhadel for coordinating the venue. Mr. Pushkar Prajapati for announcement of day program and Mr. Mahindra Pradhan for conclusion program. Mr. Rajiv Shrestha for capturing the moments as official photographer, Mr. Rajesh Lal Shrestha, Mr. Alex Shrestha and Mr. Mahindra Pradhan for arrangement of raffle ticket entertainment and the Clay Oven Restaurant, Chutney Restaurant, Curry Place Restaurant, Delhi 6 Restaurant, Ghar-E-Kabab Restaurant for a gift voucher of raffle winner.

Representative from Nepalese Embassy Mr. Kailash Raj Pokharel praised NOA for preserving and promoting Newah Nepalese traditions in the United State. Mr. Pokheral also expressesed to work Nepal Embassy and NOA jointly to promote Nepal through our unique culture representation.

 

Very first time in this region presented a Open air theater play (Dabu Pyakhan)  about the Yenya Punhi (Indra Jatra) tradition and its importance in our life. This play was written and directed by respected Newah Priest Mr. Basav Rajopadhyay, chorographed by Mr. Yagya Man Shakya and interpreted in english by Mr. Mahindra Pradhan.

Also Ganesh, Bhairav & Kumari and Astamatrika traditional dance were presentated during the occasion. Both traditional preformence directed and chorographed by Mr. Yagya Man Shakya. And live performers were Mr. Yagya Man Shakya, Mr. Divakar Dhaubadel, Mr. Kohil Shakya, Ms. Lochani Tara Shakya, Ms. Sunita Amatya, Mrs. Mila Shrestha, Mr. Jayambu Ranjit, Mr. Shiva Raj Joshi, Ms. Mala Pradhan & Ms. Bhibhusa Shrestha. Celebration began with Maalshree Dhun by Mr. Joyal Ranjit.

The large crowd enjoyed local Kumari blessing, the Lakhey and Pulukisi performance at the park. Children enjoyed recreational games along with running away from the Lakhey and Pulukisi. The Yenya Punhi celebration was very festive, and NOA extends sincere thank to all who stretched well into the day and ended with a lot of wonderful memories. Please visit NOA’s website at www.newah.org or find us on Facebook or on YouTube to see photos and videos of the great event.

 

 

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