Welcome To NPPA’s 7th Youth Networking & Motivation Event Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaye (NPPA) is organizing its Seventh Youth Networking & Motivation Event On Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM at Herndon Fortnightly Library, Herndon Fortnightly Meeting Room: 768 Center St, Herndon, VA 20170. This is a great opportunity for high school and college students planning their next steps. The purpose of this event is to connect potential mentors within the Nepalese community with our younger generation. We expect it to foster a rich personal and professional development of our youth. You will learn many facts and ideas to be successful in your career during this event. Lunch will be served. Please come and join us! Location: Herndon Fortnightly Library 768 Center St, Herndon, VA 20170
Annual Picnic/Sa Paru
Dear Community Members, Jwajalapa – Namaskar, Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaye (NPPA) cordially invites you and your family to join us in the annual summer picnic to get-together, have fun, enjoy varieties of Nepalese food, drinks, sizzling chicken barbeque, and much more. NPPA is pleased to announce that from this year NPPA will organize/celebrate Sa Paru (सा पारु – Gai Jatra in Nepali, Cow Festival in English) festival every year in the United States in Gunlathwa (गुंलाथ्व) Bhadra (August/September) month. One of NPPA’s objectives is to preserve and promote Newah culture in the United States. Participation in this festival is free. The annual Summer Picnic organized by NPPA coincides with Sa Paru this year. Please mark this event in your calendar, following is the date and venue Information: Date: Saturday, August 20, 2016 Time: 12:00 PM till 6:00 PM Venue: Wheaton Regional Park, SHELTER – A Address: Shorefield Ct, Silver Spring, MD 20902 [Turn left on the round-about of the park] NPPA requests all those community members who lost their loved ones and would like to participate in Sa Paru festival, to please contact the Sa Paru Committee, which consists of the following members: Manohar Shrestha manohar.shrestha@nppa-usa.org 703-599-0469 Shanti Shrestha shanti.shrestha@nppa-usa.org 301-385-2761 Bijaya Shrestha minubj@hotmail.com 443-540-2308 Sa Paru literally means cow festival and it is one of the unique festivals celebrated mostly by Newars (but not limited to) of Kathmandu valley in Nepal. It is observed on the first lunar day (प्रतिपदा) of Gunlathwa (गुंलाथ्व) Bhadra (August/September) month. This festival commenced in the medieval era as tantric (तान्त्रीक) ritual to pay homage to Yamaraj (यमराज), the lord of death in Hinduism. However, in the current era, Sa Paru is observed in memory of and to celebrate the life of the departed family member. Rallying a cow in the Sa Paru procession is considered holy. However, most of the families choose to dress male toddler as lord Krishna or sadhu/santa (saint), or dress young boys in traditional outfit with a headgear which depicts the head of a cow. NPPAwill lend the headgear and jama (जामा) for free of cost. NPPA welcomes everybody, regardless of cast, creed, belief, and nationality to observe and/or participate in Sa Paru festival.NPPA will also welcome any kind of sponsorship and donation to support this event. The park has mary-go-around, train rides, playgrounds, slides, etc. We will also have several games and live music for entertainment. Everyone is welcome to bring their favorite dish (optional) to share with friends and family! Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. For more information please contact: Saroj Prajapati:………….. 240-246-5821 Raju Joshee:…………….. 410-697-5663 Buddha Maharjan:………. 240-838-0245 Manohar Shrestha:……… 703-559-0469 Shanti Shrestha:………… 301-385-2761 Magan Shrestha:………… 301-675-9377 Sarita Dongol:……………. 240-361-8536 Prabin Tamrakar:………… 301-346-1525 Sunita Amatya:………….. 847-687-1679 Anugh Shrestha:………… 703-887-3426 NPPA Summer Picnic admission and Sa Paru participation is free. Let’s strive together to preserve our culture. Subhay, Dhanyabad, 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 the preservation and promotion of Newah cultural heritage, traditions, and customs in the USA.
8th Ihi Ceremony
NPPA successfully celebrated its eighth IHI ceremony on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Washington Kali Temple, Burtonsville, Maryland. IHI is the most inevitable ritual in Newah Society to retreat Newah girls of ages between 5 and 11 years. NPPA organizes IHI program every year to accommodate the growing demand of the community. 15 girls from five different states participated in this year’s IHI ceremony. The ceremony began with commencement Pooja, which was presided by Thakuli (senior member of the community) and NPPA Patron Mr. Dibya Ratna Hada, followed by “Laskus”, – traditional welcoming of 15 girls to Pooja Mandap, which was led by the traditional Dhime (traditional drum) and a group of ladies carrying auspicious symbols. The Dhime team consisted of Mr. Budhendra Joshee, Mr. Buddha Maharjan, and Mrs. Magan Shrestha. The “Laskus” team members comprised of Ms. Promita Prajapati, Ms. Kerisha Singh, Ms. Sarahana Joshee, Ms. Aishwarya Shrestha, Ms. Sahara Shrestha, Ms. Kriti Shrestha, and Ms. Hridayesha Tamrakar. NPPA President Mrs. Saroj Prajapati welcomed the participant kanyas, their parents, and guests, and highlighted the importance of IHI ceremony in Newah community in the US. She stated that NPPA is the pioneer in preservation and promotion of important culture and ritual practices. Priest Basav Rajopadhyay performed various rituals such as Purification Pooja, Mandap Pooja, Sindhuorhan, Kanya Dan, Mandap Parikrama, Kumar Pooja, Kumari Pooja, Barachhuyagu, Thayabhu, Avishek, Ashirbad, and Jal Prasad in an orderly manner. The IHI participant kanyas in 2016 are: Name of Participant Kanyas, State (Parents’ Name) 1. Miss Megha Chitrakar, VA (Parents: Mr. Rabi Chitrakar & Mrs. Shreeja Shrestha) 2. Miss Shisujita Karmacharya, CT (Parents: Mr. Jitendra Karmacharya & Mrs. Anu Shrestha) 3. Miss Aisworya Rani Joshi, VA (Parents: Mr. Manindra Joshi & Mrs. Bhagawati Joshi) 4. Miss Neha J. Shrestha, MD (Parents: Mr. Gaurab Shrestha & Mrs. Nina Shrestha) 5. Miss Aarya Shrestha, MD (Parents: Mr. Prashant Shrestha & Mrs. Shikha Budathoki) 6. Miss Brianna Segura, MD (Parents: Mr. Victor Segura & Mrs. Gargi Joshi) 7. Miss Melvina Ranjitkar, SD (Parents: Mr. Barun Ranjitkar & Mrs. Manisha Shrestha) 8. Miss Diva Shrestha, MD (Parents: Mr. Saroj Shrestha & Mrs. Sujata Shrestha) 9. Miss Abisha Shrestha, MD (Parents: Mr. Ajit Shrestha & Mrs. Bibta Pradhan) 10. Miss Sarah Rowal Shrestha, MD (Parents: Mr. Surendra Shrestha & Mrs. Sarita Shrestha) 11. Miss Parisha A. Shrestha, MD (Parents: Mr. Purushotam B. & Mrs. Anupa Shrestha) 12. Miss Arya Bijukchhe, WA (Parents: Mr. Anup Bijukchhe & Mrs. Rebika Amatya) 13. Miss Anika Bijukchhe, WA (Parents: Mr. Anup Bijukchhe & Mrs. Rebika Amatya) 14. Miss Ritika Thanju, VA (Parents: Mr. Rajesh Thanju & Mrs. Reetu Thanju) 15. Miss Riana Gopaju, MD (Parents: Mr. Upendra Kaji Gopaju & Mrs. Rekha Gopaju) Three pairs of Nayo and Naki – Mr. Bijaya & Mrs. Minu Shrestha, Mr. Manohar & Mrs. Anjaly Shrestha, and Mr. Prabodh & Mrs. Sheila Shrestha helped to facilitate the ritual processes as directed by the Priest. In the ceremony, Master Sanskar Maharjan and Miss Sanskriti Maharjan were symbolized as Kumar and Kumari, respectively. More than 400 attendees/guests and observers were present in the ceremony, who were excited and delighted to view a variety of tantrik rituals performed by the Priest. NPPA EC members and active members Mr. Ram Malakar, Mrs. Bisnu Malakar, Mr. Krishna Prajapati, Mrs. Saroj Prajapati, Mrs. Sukla Shrestha, Mr. Raju Joshee, Mrs. Shilu Joshee, Mr. Buddha Ratna Maharjan, Mrs. Ganga Maharjan, Mr. Allan Maharjan, Mr. Pancha Shrestha, Mrs. Shanti Shrestha, Mr. Nani Babu Shrestha, Mrs. Magan Shrestha, Ms. Sarita Dongol, Mr. Prabin Tamrakar, Mrs. Deepa Tamrakar, Mr. Kailash Singh, Mrs. Rita Singh, Mrs. Shaubhagya Hada, Mrs. Roshani Gorkhali, Ms. Manju Shrestha, Mrs. Niti Mathema, Ms. Elina Maharjan, Mrs. Anu Shrestha Maharjan, Mr. Sajan Maharjan, Ms. Sweta Shrestha helped participants and guests during the IHI ceremony. She also thanked the hard working youth volunteers Mr. Anugh Shrestha, Mr. Pukar Shrestha, Mr. Nayan Shrestha, Mr. Sweekar Shrestha, and Mr. Subhash Khatiwada. Mrs. Saroj Prajapati also expressed her sincere gratitude and appreciation to all the participant kanyas, parents, guests, volunteers, drinks and food contributors, executive committee members, advisory board members, media, and Washington Kali Temple. She also presented Certificates to all IHI participant Kanyas. She credited the success of today’s event to the participants, supporters, and volunteers. NPPA would like to thank and acknowledge generous food contributors by Mr. & Mrs. Ram Malakar, Mr. & Mrs. Krishna Prajapati, Mr. & Mrs. Raju Joshee, Mr. & Mrs. Buddha Maharjan, Mr. & Mrs. Manohar Shrestha, Mr. Allan Maharjan, Mr. & Mrs. Pancha Shrestha, Mr. & Mrs. Nani Babu Shrestha, Mr. & Mrs. Bijaya Shrestha, Mr. & Mrs. Ramji Prajapati, Ms. Sukla Devi Shrstha, Mr. & Mrs. Prabin Tamrakar, Ms. Sarita Dongol, Mr. & Mrs. Kailash Singh, and Mr. & Mrs. Ashok Jayanti Bhadel. Please mark your calendar for the following NPPA’s upcoming events: » August 20, 2016 – Sa Paru (Gai Jatra) and Summer Picnic @ Wheaton Regional Park, MD » September 10, 2016 NPPA Patron/Life Members Appreciation Dinner » October 23, 2016 Dashain (Maha Ashtami) » October 31, 2016 (Nepal Sambat 1137) » November 4-5, 2016 Nepal Sambat 1137 Bhintuna and NPPA’s 25th Anniversary celebration After the conclusion of the IHI ceremony, NPPA members and volunteers served food to all the participants and guests. Overall, NPPA successfully completed its Eighth IHI ceremony. For more information please contact Mrs. Saroj Prajapati (saroj.prajapati@nppa-usa.org). ============================================== IHI is the most inevitable and ritual ceremony in Newah Society to retreat Newah girls at the age between 5 and 11 years. IHI stands for a certain time and age. According to the religious and astrological belief, IHI is an act of giving a virgin in marriage, but it is not a physical wedding. The main images at the wedding – provided separately for each girl – are the bya (in Nepali, bel) which is the fruit of the Bel plant (binomial name – Aegle marmelos), and a golden image (or flat piece of gold with an image engraved on it). The bya fruit represents Lord Shiva and