The Nepalese community in Edmonton, Canada observed Gun Punhi and Yenya Punhi festivals amidst a special cultural event at Victoria Park, Edmonton on Saturday September 10, 2022. The cultural event was organized by the Newa Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA), a local organization to practice, promote and preserve Newa culture and traditions in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Meanwhile, Gun Punhi festival is also known as Kwati Punhi as in this festival people drink Kwati, a special ethnic soup prepared from nine varieties of beans. Yenya Punhi festival is also known as Indra Jatra as this festival is mainly dedicated to Indra, the god of rain and the king of heaven.
The cultural event was started with Puja (worship) of deities such as Bhairab (the god of strength) and Indra by offering flowers, fruits, sweets, and Samay Bajee [a variety of ethnic food comprised of Bajee (rosted beaten rice), Syabajee (roasted puffed rice), Khen (boiled and fried egg), Wo (ethnic pancake cooked from black lentils), Nya (small fried fish), Choyela (roasted spicy meat), Simpu (boiled spicy kidney beans), Bhuti (boiled spicy black eyed beans), Mushya Wala (roasted spicy soya beans), Lava Palu (fried and sliced garlic and ginger), Wauncha (boiled and spiced green vegetable), and Aalu Wala (boiled and spiced potatoes)]. An Aarati was also offered to the deities by burning the incense. The Puja was facilitated by Mrs. Bejuna Joshi, senior member of the community.
In the beginning of the cultural event, Dr. Hemanta Joshi, President of NCSA, welcomed all the guests and participants and briefly highlighted on the importance of Gun Punhi and Yenya Punhi cultural festivals. According to Dr. Joshi, both the Gun Punhi and Yenya Punhi festivals have cultural significance in the Newa community. During the cultural event, Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the NCSA was also held. At the AGM, Mr. Birendra Kayastha, Secretary of the NCSA, presented the yearly report of the organization and Mr. Birendra Piya, Treasurer of the NCSA, presented the yearly financial report of the organization. The financial report of NCSA was unanimously approved by the members in the AGM.
In the cultural event, all the guests and participants were served with a bowl of hot Kwati and Chhuchun Mari (a kind of bread made from flour) as Kaula (breakfast) to commemorate Gun Punhi. Similarly, Samay Bajee was served to the guests and participants as Jyanna (lunch) to commemorate Yenya Punhi festival. Guests and participants were entertained with beautiful melodies from a Sarangi (a bowed, short-necked string instrument) performed by Dr. Suresh Pradhan, member of the community. A cultural quiz related to Gun Punhi and Yenya Punhi was also organized in the event to raise the cultural awareness among the guests and participants. The quiz was facilitated by Mr. Tri Prasad Dhoubhadel, Vice President of the NCSA. At the end of the cultural event, all the guests and participants were entertained with a traditional Pulukishi (a white elephant that carries Indra) dance performed by Mr. Sarad Chitrakar, member of the community.
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