The Newah Organization of America (NOA) successfully completed its 8th Annual Yenya Punhi (Indra Jatra) festival on Saturday, October 6, 2018 in Maryland (near Washington DC). About 1200 participants from Nepalese community members, various organizations and media representatives enthusiastically gathered from 12-5PM to witness incredible festivity event, Samay Baji display, authentic Newari Cuisine with Indigenous foods, Lakhey (demon) Dance, Pulu Kisi (white elephant aka Airavata) Dance, Das Avatar Exposition, and Dabu Pyakha (road show) and the biggest historical event of the Kumari Rath Yatra lively procession held in the DMV area accompanied by a symbolic local Kumari.

Miss Elvisa Pradhan was designated as this year’s Kumari for symbolic demonstration and annual authentic pyramid-style Samay Baji was displayed during the event. NOA takes great pride in bringing the community together to celebrate, preserve, and promote Newah culture, heritage, tradition, and language across the Globe here in the United States. Families traveled from different states and many visiting family members from Nepal attended the event at the scenic Black Hill Regional Park in Maryland. The attendees were thrilled to enjoy various traditional cultural presentations including Das Avatar dabu pyakha (road show) very first time, depicting Yenya Punhi (Indra Jatra) festival coordinated by NOA Executive Member Mr. Yagya Man Shakya. Ms. Mila Shrestha and Ms. Medina Shakya served as emcees and conducted the program of day.

NOA Acting President Mr. Pushkar Prajapati welcomed H. E. Nepalese Ambassador Dr. Arjun Kumar Karki, Economic Counselor of Embassy of Nepal Mr. Kailash Raj Pokharel & their families, all community members, representative from various local organizations and media representatives. He also expressed special thanks to the NOA’s Executive Committee Members, Founding Members, Past Presidents & their families, all community members for delicious homemade food contributions, financial donations and all volunteers for their tireless effort to make this event grand successful. He extended deep gratitude to the NOA Past Presidents Mr. Tribhuvan Tuladhar & Mr. Rajesh Shrestha, Executive Member Mr. Yagya Man Shakya, Vice President Mr. Sushil Lal Shrestha, Mr. Madan Shrestha and all dedicated volunteers for outstanding coordination for completing the replica of Kumari Rath project. Acting President sincerely appreciated General Secertary Mr. Mahindra Pradhan for Event Coordination, Secretary Mr. Divakar Dhaubhadel for Samay Baji Display, Executive Member Mr. Udaya Shrestha, Vice President Mr. Sushil Lal Shrestha and Executive Member Mrs. Meena Joshi Pradhan for Food Coordination and Treasurer Mr. Rajesh Lal Shrestha for Venue & Raffle Sales. He also extended thanks to NOA Executive Member Mr. Yagya Man Shakya and Secretary Mr. Divakar Dhaubhadel for coordinating cultural program presentation, and entire volunteers for their outstanding support.

Nepalese Ambassador Dr. Karki congratulated NOA for successfully organizing 8th annual Yenya Punhi (Indra Jatra) festival and expressed appreciation for the role in preserving and promoting Newah culture and heritage and tradition in DMV area. NOA Founding members and past presidents were also recognized and honored during the event for their dedications, contributions and continued supports.

Cheering crowd enjoyed this year’s dashing Yenya Punhi Road Show presentations depicting Indra Jatra tradition, Dash Avatar & Narasimbha-Hiranyakashipu drama, Yenya Punhi, Kumari, Lakhe and Pulu Kisi, Concept and Directed by NOA Executive Member Mr. Yagya Man Shakya, performed by Ms. Lochani Tara Shakya, Mr. Mahindra Pradhan, Mr. Divakar Dhaubhadel, Mr. Sushil Lal Shrestha, Mr. Manu Pradhan, Mr. Abhi Dhaubhadel, Mr. Aryan Shrestha, Mr. Alex Shrestha, Mr. Ayush Shrestha, Mr. Aditya Shakya, Ms. Mala Pradhan, Ms. Prisha Shrestha, Ms. Lujala Ranjit, Mr. Nabin Ranjit, Mr. Jayambu Ranjit, Mr. Roshan Lal Shrestha, Mr. Anil Ranjit, Mr. Markandeya Pradhan, Mr. Jim Shrestha & Ms. Mila Shrestha. Continuing the tradition of Yenya Punhi, participants were gratified with local Kumari blessing with lively Kumari Rath Yatra procession ensemble very first time in this area and was greatly appreciated. Community of diverse crowds and particularly young generation & aspiring kids enjoyed incredible cultural shows accompanied with traditional music of Dhimey & Bhusya. Fascinating interaction between Pulu Kisi and Lakhe, recreational games including chasing, teasing & running away from Lakhey and Pulu Kisi was widely popular and very entertaining.

NOA extended deep gratitude to Mr. Bijay Thapa of ENepalese.com and Mr. Umesh Sharma of DCNepal media for covering live cast of event, Mr. Shreejan Tamrakar of Maryland Ka Hami Nepali & Sanosansar Hamrosansar, nepalmandala.com, sancharnepal.com, nepalbhasatimes.com PowerSolv for being official media partners and covering the news, Mr. Dipendra Singh, Mr. Ashok Bhadel, Ms. Sweata Shrestha and Ms. Shreya Rajak for face painting volunteer. Representatives of different local organizations World Newah Organization (WNO), Nepa Pasa Pucha Amerikaye (NPPA), Nepal Education and Cultural Center (NECC), Baltimore Association of Nepalese in America (BANA), Nepalese Association of Senior Citizens (NASC) and all others, Official Photographer Mr. Rajiv Shrestha of Photo Bank Studio, Senior Videographer Mr. Lochan Man Shrestha, Mr. Sampurna Manandhar of Photo Pasal for capturing the moments, Aero Nepal Travel, Air Zone Travel and Classic Diamond & Jewelry for sponsoring event T-shirt, Clay Oven Restaurant, Chutney Restaurant, Curry Place Restaurant, Everest Kitchen, Tandoor Nights of Fairfax, Delhi 6 Restaurant, Royal Nepal Restaurant, Himalayan Soul Food, Indian Mart, Customer Realty, Nepal Realtor, Cuisine Solution, Royal Nepal restaurant, and Tandoori Nights of Fairfax, Red Roof Plus c/o Mr. Bikas Shrestha for sponsoring for a gift vouchers for raffle prize winners.

NOA extended sincere thanks to the following financial supporters for Kumari Rath Project 2018. We are still accepting financial donations from the potential community members up last day of December 2018 for this project.

1. Mr./Mrs. Beda & Bidya Pradhan 2. Mr./Mrs. Tribhuvan & Rashmi Tuladhar 3. Mr./Mrs. Ravi & Meena Pradhan 4. Mr./Mrs. Dr. Maheshwor & Beena Baidya 5. Mr./Mrs. Ratna Kaji & Hira Devi Shakya 6. Mr./Mrs. Dr. Suresh & Sajani Shrestha 7. Mr./Mrs. Rajesh & Rohinee Shrestha 8. Mr./Mrs. Ram Lal & Chitra Shrestha 9. Mr./Mrs. Ram lal & Kabita Pradhan 10. Mrs. Vijaya L. Shrestha 11. Mr./Mrs. Ganesh Lal & Hari Baba Kayestha 12. Mr./Mrs. Suman & Cathy Shrestha 13. Mr./Mrs. Laxman & Sarita Pradhan
NOA believes this year’s 8th Yenya Punhi (Indra Jatra) celebration was very special and we extend sincere appreciation to all attendees for coming together to support, celebrate and hope each of you had a

pleasant experiences and wonderful memories to be proud of. The cultural event successfully concluded good time with exciting raffle games. Please visit NOA’s website at www.newah.org follow us on Facebook or on YouTube to see photos and videos of the event.