Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaye (NPPA) continues the tradition of organizing/celebrating Sa Paru (सा पारु – Gai Jatra in Nepali, Cow Festival in English) festival in the United States in Gunlaga (गुंलागा) Bhadra (August) month. After Sa Paru procession, NPPA’s annual summer picnic activities will kick-off.
NPPA cordially invites you and your family to attend Sa Paru and join the annual summer picnic. It is a great opportunity to witness our culture, get-together, have fun, enjoy varieties of Nepalese food, drinks, sizzling chicken barbeque, and much more.
Sa Paru participation and Summer Picnic admission is free!
Please mark this event in your calendar, following is the date and venue Information:
Date: Saturday, August 13, 2022
Time: 12:00 PM till 6:00 PM
Venue: Wheaton Regional Park, SHELTER – A
Address: 2000 Shorefield Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902
[Turn left on the round-about of the park]
One of NPPA’s objectives is to preserve and promote Newah culture in the United States. NPPA requests all the Patrons, Life Members, and community members, who have 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 703-599-0469 | Suman Tuladhar 301-547-1362 |
Shanti Shrestha 301-385-2761 |
Bijaya Shrestha 443-540-2308 |
Sa Paru literally means cow festival and it is one of the unique festivals celebrated mostly by Newahs (but not limited to) of Kathmandu valley in Nepal. It is observed on the first lunar day (पारु) of Gunlaga (गुंलागा) 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. NPPA will lend the headgear, jama, and jani (जामा व जनीं) at no cost.
NPPA welcomes everybody, regardless of caste, 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.
We will 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. If you have any questions/concerns please feel free to contact the NPPA EC members listed below:
Manohar Shrestha Shanti Shrestha Allan Maharjan Suman Tuladhar Sharad Shrestha Samip Shrestha Anju Udas Raju Tamot Prashant Singh Ramita Maharjan Niti Mathema Jayaswor Shrestha Prabin Tamrakar Anugh Shrestha | President Vice President Vice President General Secretary Treasurer Secretary Vice Treasurer Executive Member Executive Member Executive Member Executive Member Executive Member Daboo Liaison Information Technology Manager |
Let’s strive together to preserve our culture.