Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaye (NPPA) successfully organized the 12th IHI Ceremony on Saturday, May 7, 2022 (सनिवार, ११४२ बछलाथ्व षष्ठी – शनिवार, बैशाख २४, २०७९), at the Hare Krishna Temple in Potomac, Maryland. IHI is a unique and very important Newah cultural tradition where pre-adolescent girls are symbolically married to Subarna Kumar, a representation of Lord Vishnu. NPPA organizes IHI ceremony every year to accommodate the growing demand of its community members. However, due to pandemic, IHI was not organized in 2020 and 2021. This year, 27 Kanyas from eight States participated in the IHI ceremony.
The ceremony started with a commencement Pooja, which was presided by Thakali (senior member of the community) Mr. Ram Malakar. It was followed by “Laskus”, – a traditional welcoming of 27 Kanyas to the Pooja Manda, amidst traditional “Dhimey” played by Mr. Budhendra Joshee and Mr. Buddha Maharjan. The “Laskus” team consisted of Mrs. Deepa Rajkarnikar, Mrs. Richal Shrestha, Mrs. Roshani Gorkhali, Mrs. Chandani Shrestha, Mrs. Banita Tamot, Ms. Shilu Maharjan, Ms. Kerisha Singh, Mrs. Amrita Maharjan, Miss Megha Chitrakar, Mrs. Ramita Maharjan, Ms. Kriti Shrestha, Mrs. Niti Mathema, Mrs. Rita Singh, Mrs. Shanti Shrestha, and Mrs. Anjaly Shrestha.
After Laskus, NPPA President Mr. Manohar Shrestha welcomed the participating Kanyas, their parents, and guests, and highlighted the importance of IHI ceremony in Newah culture and community. He stated that NPPA is the pioneer Newah organization in the US that is actively involved in preserving and promoting important Newah cultural and ritual practices.
Newah Priest Basav Rajopadhyay performed various rituals, such as Purification Pooja, Manda Pooja, Sindhurohan, Kanya Dan, Manda Parikrama, Kumar Pooja, Kumari Pooja, Bahra chhuyegu, Thaye bhu, Avishek, Ashirbad, and Jal Prasad in an orderly manner.
The following Kanyas participated in this year’s IHI Ceremony:
Four pairs of Naaya and Naki (नायः व नकिं – male and female leaders) – Mr. Manohar & Mrs. Anjaly Shrestha, Mr. Pancha & Mrs. Shanti Shrestha, Mr. Binesh & Mrs. Ramita Maharjan, and Mr. Shambhu Sainju & Mrs. Niti Mathema facilitated the ritual processes under the direction of the Priest. In the ceremony, Master Jayce Bhadel and Miss Ridisha Rajbhandari were symbolized as Kumar and Kumari, respectively.
The guests present at the ceremony were excited and delighted to witness a variety of tantrik rituals performed by the Priest. NPPA EC members, members, and volunteers Mr. Ram Malakar, Mrs. Bisnu Malakar, Mr. Bhagat Lal Shrestha, Mrs. Meera Shrestha, Mr. Laxman Pradhan, Mrs. Sarita Pradhan, Mr. Krishna Prajapati, Mrs. Saroj Prajapati, Mr. Raju Joshee, Mrs. Shilu Joshee, Mrs. Ganga Maharjan, Mr. Allan Maharjan, Mr. Suman Tuladhar, Mr. Samip Man Shrestha, Mrs. Anju Udas, Dr. Raju Tamot, Mr. Prashanta Singh, Mr. Jayaswor Shrestha, Mrs. Rekha Shrestha, Mr. Prabin Tamrakar, Mr. Anugh Shrestha, Mrs. Sukla Devi Shrestha, Mrs. Magan Shrestha, Mrs. Ranjita Shrestha, Mr. Durga Lal Shrestha, Mrs. Amita Shrestha, and several volunteers helped the participants and guests during the IHI ceremony.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, NPPA President Mr. Manohar Shrestha expressed NPPA’s sincere gratitude and appreciation to all the parents for giving NPPA the opportunity to conduct the IHI ceremony for their daughters. He also thanked the participating Kanyas, guests, volunteers, drinks and food contributors, media, the Hare Krishna Temple, and it’s Priest Mr. Laxman Bhandari for their support and encouragement.
Mr. Shrestha presented Certificates to all the participating IHI Kanyas. He thanked the Priest Mr. Basav Rajopadhyay for skillfully performing the IHI Ceremony and explaining the purposes of the rituals. Mr. Shrestha appreciated the photography & videography services of Mr. Bal Singh. He also thanked and credited the success of the event to all the NPPA Executive Committee members, Advisers, as well as its Patrons and Life Members.
NPPA organizes various community events in the metropolitan Washington DC area throughout the year. Please mark your calendars for the upcoming NPPA events:
Saturday, June 25, 2022………… Fifth Youth Networking & Motivation Event (Location: TBD)
Saturday, August 13, 2022…….. सा पारु Sa Paru and Annual Summer Picnic (FREE ADMISSION) At Wheaton Regional Park, MD
Saturday, November 5, 2022….. Nepal Sambat 1143 & NPPA’s 31st Anniversary Celebration
After the conclusion of the IHI ceremony, NPPA members and volunteers served food to all the participants and guests.
For more information please feel free to contact NPPA President Mr. Manohar Shrestha (manohar.shrestha@nppa-usa.org) or visit www.nppa-usa.org.