Dear Community Members, Jwajalapa – Namaskar,
Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaye (NPPA) observed this year’s Sa Paru (सा पारु) and annual summer picnic (ख्य: भ्वय्) on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at the Wheaton Regional Park, Silver Spring, Maryland. Sa Paru is a unique festival celebrated mostly by the Newahs (but not limited to) in Nepal. This festival is observed on the first lunar day (पारु) of Gunlaga (गुंलागा) Bhadra (August/September) month. This festival started in the medieval era and was observed as a tantric (तान्त्रीक) ritual to pay homage to Yamaraj (यमराज), the lord of death in Hinduism. However, it is now observed in memory of departed family member(s) and to celebrate their lives.
NPPA President Mr. Manohar Shrestha welcomed all the participants of Sa Paru (सा पारु) and attendees of the summer picnic. He also introduced the NPPA Advisors and Executive Committee members.
Ten families participated in this year’s सा पारु festival. Sankalpa (संकल्प), a purification process was performed by Mrs. Anjaly Shrestha, along with Mrs. Shanti Shrestha, Mrs. Ramita Maharjan, and Mrs. Niti Mathema. The Founder President Mr. Ram Malakar offered garlands to portraits of the deceased. This ritual formally started the सा पारु procession. President Mr. Shrestha chanted Durgati Parishodhani Dhaarani (दुर्गति परिशोधनी धारणी) during this process. The procession went around the Wheaton Regional Park and was led by a cultural Dhimay and Ghintan Kisi Twak (घिन्ताङ्ग किसि त्वाक्) group dance. Two teams of Newah Dhimay (धिमे:) players played the traditional drums. Following is the list of participants:
1a. Late Mr. Ratna Lal Maharjan (Grandfather of NPPA Vice president and Patron Mr. Allan Maharjan and father of NPPA Patron Mr. Krishna Lal Maharjan)
1b. Late Mrs. Asta Maya Maharjan (Grandmother of NPPA Vice president and Patron Mr. Allan Maharjan and mother of NPPA Patrons Mrs. Nani Chhori Maharjan and Mr. Samir Maharjan)
Participant: Aarav Maharjan
2. Late Mr. Madan Raj Tamrakar (Father of NPPA Patron Mr. Sugandha Tamrakar, Life Member Mr. Suman Tamrakar, Life Member Mr. Bibhinna Tamrakar, and Mr. Saroj Tamrakar).
Participants: Belinda Tamrakar, Grant Tamrakar, Kanchan Tamrakar, Sujata Tamrakar, Suzanne Tamrakar, Sanam Tamrakar, Davis Shrestha, Deepika Shrestha, and Arya Rani Basi
3. Late Mrs. Laxmi Devi Shrestha (Mother of NPPA Life Member Mr. Ganesh Shrestha)
Participant: Samridhi Shrestha
4. Centenarian Late Mrs. Tej Kumari Shrestha (Mother of NPPA founding member and Patron Mr. Biswamber Shresta and Life Member Mr. Deepak Shrestha)
5. Late Mr. Tuyu Kaji Lachhi Prajapati (Father of Mr. Puskar Prajapati)
Participant: Wonjala Prajapati
6. Late Mr. Surendra Lal Shrestha (Father of Life Member Mr. Sushil Shrestha)
Participant: Aryan Shrestha
7. Late Mrs. Surya Maya Khadgi (Mother of Mrs. Devi Laxmi Khadgi)
8. Late Mrs. Moti Maya Dangol (Mother of NPPA Life Member Mrs. Ratna Dangol)
Participant: Aryan Chakradhar
9. Late Mr. Nhuchhe Man Maharjan & Mrs. Ram Devi Maharjan (Parents of Mr. Dipendra Maharjan)
Participants: Binit Maharjan and Samip Shrestha
NPPA started observing सा पारु in the Washington DC Metro area in 2016, and was the first-ever such observation outside of Nepal. The paper head-gears were acquired in Kathmandu, Nepal by Mr. Ambika Lal & Mrs. Anita Shrestha and were brought to the USA by Mr. Durga Lal and Mrs. Amita Shrestha. Jama (जामा) and Jani (जनी: – similar to cummerbund) were provided by Mr. Nani Babu & Mrs. Magan Shrestha, additional जनी: were provided by Mr. Krishna & Mrs. Saroj Prajapati. The Jama (जामा) were sewn by Mrs. Shanti Shrestha. The umbrellas were provided and attractively decorated by Mr. Ram & Mrs. Bishnu Malakar, along with the flower garlands.
After the conclusion of सा पारु procession, a lunch consisting of typical Newah dishes, along with barbeque was served. Over 300 people attended this year’s Sa Paru and summer picnic. NPPA would like to thank the following business/individuals for their generous contributions:
Chutney Indian Restaurant – Sponsored and marinated BBQ chicken
Classic Diamonds – Sponsored the picnic site rental
Mr. Sundar Rajbhandari – Chhoyala
Mr. Dhruba & Mrs. Roshani Gorkhali – Hot dogs, buns, and condiments
Mr. Swayambhu & Mrs. Bijaya Maharjan and family – monetary contribution
Mr. Allan & Mr. Samir Maharjan and family – monetary croontribution
Mr. Biswamber Shresta and family – monetary and food contribution
Mr. Sugandha Tamrakar and family – monetary and food contribution
Mr. Ganesh Shrestha and family – monetary contribution
Mr. Puskar Prajapati and family – monetary contribution
Mr. Sushil Shrestha and family – monetary contribution
Ms. Dev Laxmi Khadgi and family – monetary contribution
Ms. Ratna Dangol and family – monetary contribution
Mr. Dipendra Maharjan and family – monetary contribution
NPPA Advisors, Executive Members, and Managers – various food and drink items
NPPA would like to thank all the volunteers and participants for making this year’s सा पारु festival and picnic successful. We would also like to thank Mr. Budhendra Joshee, Mr. Prabin Piya, Mr. Manoj Shrestha, Mr. Ram Pradhan, and Mr. Laxman Pradhan for playing the traditional Ghitang Kisi Twak musical instruments. Additionally, this year there was another group of dhimay players consisting of Mr. Puskar Prajapati, Mr. Jayambu Ranti, Mr. Sugandha Shrestha, Mr. Niranjan Shrestha, and Mr. Ashish Chakradhar. Similarly our big thanks goes to all the Ghintan Kisi Twak (घिन्ताङ्ग किसि त्वाक्( dance crew led by Mrs. Shanti Shrestha, Mrs. Ramita Maharjan, Mrs. Saroj Prajapati, Mrs. Anjaly Shrestha, Mrs. Sarita Pradhan, Mrs. Niti Mathema, Mrs Priya Shrestha, Mrs. Anjali Prajapati, and Ms. Nhasala Shrestha. NPPA included Ghintang Kisi Twak music and dance since 2017.
NPPA greatly appreciates Mr. Jayaswor Shrestha, Mrs. Rita Singh, and Mrs. Roshani Gorkhali for managing the food service, along with Mrs. Pushpa Shah, Mrs. Ramita Maharjan, Mrs. Rekha Shrestha, Mrs. Reshmi Ranjit, Mrs. Deepa Rajkarnikar, Mrs. Banita Tamot, Mrs. Laxmi Ranjit, Mrs. Leena Menon Shrestha, and Mrs. Ranjita Shrestha. A big shout out to Mr. Singh Bahadur Maharjan of Maya Cuisine of Bethesda for catering tasty food.
After the meal, several fun filled games were played. These games were divided into three age categories – below 10, between 10 and 16, and above 16. The winners and runner-ups were awarded gift cards. Thanks to all the participants for being such a great sport and enjoying the games. NPPA would like to thank the sponsors of the gift cards Mr. Krishna & Mrs. Saroj Prajapati, Mr. Allan Maharjan, Mr. Raju & Mrs. Shilu Joshee, and Mr. Manohar & Mrs. Anjaly Shrestha.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to our media friend eNepalese.com for covering and live broadcasting this event. NPPA Patron Mr. Binesh Maharjan helped to capture the event in photos. To view more photos, please visit Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaye – NPPA facebook page.
NPPA is also grateful to the setup and cleanup volunteers Mr. Ram Malakar, Mr. Allan Maharjan, Dr. Raju Tamot, Mr. Samip Shrestha, Mr. Prabin Tamrakar, Ms. Kriti Tamrakar, Mr. Binesh Maharjan, Mr. Pancha Shrestha, and Mr. Prashanta Singh.
NPPA will strive to maintain this tradition and we look forward to your active support and suggestions. Let us continue to preserve our culture and identity in the USA!
Please mark your calendar for NPPA’s upcoming events:
Event: Walk for Peace with Mr. Baikuntha Manandhar (Legendary Nepalese athlete)
Date & Time: Saturday, October 1, 2022 (9:00 AM till 12:00 PM)
Venue: Wheaton Regional Park, Shelter-D
Event: Nepal Sambat 1143 & NPPA’s 31th Anniversary Celebration
Date & Time: Saturday, November 5, 2022 (2:00 PM till 10:00 PM)
Venue: Will be announced soon
We look forward to seeing you there!
Subhay,
Executive Committee
Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaye (NPPA)
नेपा: पासा पुच: अमेरिकाय्
Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaye (NPPA), established in 1991, is a Newah organization based in the metropolitan Washington, DC area. 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 Newah cultural heritage, traditions, and customs in the United States.