12th IHI Ceremony – 2022

Dear IHI Participant Families, Jwajalapa, The upcoming 12th IHI Ceremony countdown has wound down to “less than a month to go”. You must be as excited as we are. For us at NPPA, this event defies the theory/law of diminishing return, our excitement keeps on increasing. NPPA is the pioneer in preserving Newah culture beyond Nepal and appreciates your support in this effort. Each and every Newah community member is an integral part of this culture and plays a vital role in passing it on to the future generations. NPPA has finalized the preparation to celebrate the 12th IHI ceremony as per the following details: Date:  Saturday, May 7, 2022 Time:   7:00 AM Venue:   Hare Krishna Temple Address:   10310 Oaklyn Drive, Potomac, MD 20854   Brief outline of the IHI Ceremony rituals is provided below, along with various other pertinent details: 7:00 AM – Arrive and prepare Kanyas for IHI, family photo session Laskus – Traditional welcoming of all the Kanyas by the Thakali Naki to Pooja Mandap Purification Pooja with mustard seeds by Thakali Naki & their mothers Mandap Pooja by Kanyas 108 times head-to-toe looping of yellow sacred thread of Kanyas by Thakali & Naki Mandap Pooja by all participants Kanyas are taken out of mandap for break and snacks Break of 30 minutes – Provide refreshment (juice & fruits) to Kanyas Purification Pooja of Kanyas by Thakali Toe nail clipping and toe/feet coloring of Kanyas by Nini (fufu) Laskus – Traditional welcoming of all the Kanyas by the Thakali Naki to Pooja Mandap Sindurohan by Thakali Naki Pooja by Kanyas’ Parents Kanya Daan (Pray the patron deity and Subarna Kumar or Bhagvan Bishnu to bless their daughter) Mandap Parikrama & seven steps on Gwa ha (Pan ko pat) Kumar and Kumari Pooja Barah chhuyegu (offer rice & gifts to all the Kanyas) Thaya bhu for Kanyas (24 items of food for Kanyas) Avishek, Ashirbad, and Jal Prasad by Priest Gift to Nini (fufu) Conclusion and distribution of IHI Certificate to Kanyas by NPPA President Prasad / Lunch As of today, 26 kanyas have confirmed participation in this year’s IHI ceremony. Following is the list (please feel free to suggest any correction in Kanyas’ name). Aanya Chitrakar – आन्या चित्रकार (Age: 8) Shangrila Maharjan – शाङ्ग्रीला महर्जन (Age: 9) Soyana Shrestha – सोयाना श्रेष्ठ (Age: 8) Maya Shrestha – माया श्रेष्ठ  (Age: 9) Olivia Shrestha – अलिभिया श्रेष्ठ (Age: 7) Saanvi Shrestha – सान्भी श्रेष्ठ  (Age: 9) Joia Malla – जोइया मल्ल (Age: 6) Jazmine Kayastha – जेज्मिन कायस्थ  (Age: 9) Saesha Maharjan – साइशा महर्जन (Age: 7) Tisha Dangol – तिशा डङ्गोल (Age: 7) Navya Shakya – नाभ्या शाक्य (Age: 6) Vedah Karma Shrestha – वेद कर्मा श्रेष्ठ (Age: 9) Luniva Shrestha – लुनिभा श्रेष्ठ (Age: 7) Sylvianna Shrestha – सिल्भियाना श्रेष्ठ (Age: 7) Marisha Shrestha – मरिशा श्रेष्ठ (Age: 9) Bela Rose Reilly – बेला रोज राईली (Age: 9) Zoya Manandhar – जोया मानन्धर (Age: 7) Era Tuladhar – इरा तुलाधर (Age: 7) Aradhya Bajracharya – आराध्य बज्राचार्य (Age: 8) Sarah Bajracharya – सारा बज्राचार्य (Age: 8) Prasana Prajapati – प्रसना प्रजापति (Age: 5) Shreja Shrestha – शृजा श्रेष्ठ (Age: 7) Ava Shrestha – आभा श्रेष्ठ (Age: 5) Prisha Shrestha – प्रिशा श्रेष्ठ (Age: 7) Angela Maharjan – एन्जेला महर्जन (Age: 7) Aarya Musyaju – आर्य मुस्याजु (Age: 7) Samaira Verma – समाइरा बर्मा (Age: 10) Epsah Malla – एप्सा मल्ल (Age: 8) NPPA has arranged the following materials/logistics: Complete Pooja material – पूजा ज्वलं: Rental of jewelry (Shirbindi and Tikha Ma) – शिर बिन्दी व तिखा मा: Moo Dakchhina for Priest – मू दक्षिना IHI video and photo CD Venue rental NPPA will finalize food order for by Saturday, April 23, 2022. As mentioned above, the IHI contribution covers five family members. From management point of view, we need approximate head count in order to provide ample food. Each IHI participant Kanya MUST have the following essential materials on the ceremony day (one set for each IHI Kanya): Pooja Bhu -पुज्भ: (Pooja material will be provided, however, bring some coins and dollar bills) Sukunda -सुकुन्दा Karuwa -करुवा Sinha Mhoo & Jwala Nhayka -सिन्ह म्हू व ज्वाला न्हाय् कं Argha -अर्घ Gã – गँ: Gift for your daughter(s) -बाह्रा छुईकेगु [clothes] Gift for fellow IHI participant Kanyas -बाह्रा छुईकेगु [e.g. toys or books or dolls or money] Gift for Kumar and Kumari [e.g. toys or books or dolls or money] Gift for Nini (Aunt) -निनीयातउपहार Dress Code: IHI is one of our auspicious ritual ceremonies, thus, NPPA advises the following dress code: IHI Kanya: Ceremonial red Sari (please bring a pair of change of clothes to wear after the ceremony) Father: Coat and Daura Suruwal, if you have or can arrange one. If not, formal attire. Please make sure to bring Nepali Topi Mother: Ceremonial red Sari and Khasto (you may want to bring a pair of change of clothes to wear after the ceremony) Please feel free to contact us if you have any last minute questions/concerns. We look forward to seeing all of you in person at Hare Krishna Temple on Saturday, May 7th and have a wonderful time celebrating our unique culture. We wish you a safe trip to those who are traveling to DC metro area from other states. Subhay, NPPA Executive Committee नेपा: पासा पुच: अमेरिकाय् Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaye (NPPA), established in 1991, is a Newah organization based in the metropolitan Washington, DC.  The Nepa Pasa Pucha Corporation is a registered legal name of NPPA which is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization under the IRC Section 501(c)(3). Its primary mission is to preserve and promote of Newah cultural heritage, traditions, and customs in the United States.