The Nepalese community in Edmonton, Canada observed annual Sithi Nakha and Bungdyah Jatra festivals amidst a special culture event virtually via Webex on Sunday October 11, 2020. The cultural event was hosted by the Newa Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA), a local organization to practice, promote and preserve Newa culture and traditions in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
The cultural event was inaugurated by Dr. Hemanta Joshi, President of NCSA, by lighting twadewas, traditional artistic oil lamps. After the inauguration, Puja of Ganedyah (Ganesh, the god of beginnings); Sithidyah (Kumar, the god of protector); and Bungdyah (Rato Machindra Nath, the god of rain and good harvest) was performed offering freshly cooked Woo (an ethnic pancake made from black lentils) and Chakusala (a special ethnic candy made from sesame seeds and molasses).
In his welcome speech, Dr. Hemanta Joshi spoke about importance of celebrating Newa cultural festivals (physically or virtually) to keep the culture and traditions alive in Edmonton. Dr. Joshi also briefly spoke about Sithi Nakha and Bungdyah Jatra festivals. According to Dr. Joshi, Sithi Nakha has an environmental significance as on this day, people clean major water sources such as ground wells, stone water fountains and springs in their community. Bungdyah Jatra festival is the longest festival of Nepal. According to Dr. Joshi, the chariot used for pulling Bungdyah during the festival is about 65 feet tall and is the tallest chariot in the world.
Mr. Tri Prasad Dhoubhadel, Vice President of NCSA, spoke about Sithi Nakha and Bungdyah Jatra cultural events in Edmonton. Dr. Keshab Shrestha, founding Vice President and Advisor of NCSA, spoke about history behind the Bungdyah Jatra festival. Mr. Dwarika Shrestha, a senior member of the community, also briefly spoke about the Bungdyah Jatra festival. Mr. Birendra Kayastha, Secretary of NCSA, thanked all the guests, NCSA team and community members for their support and cooperation in hosting the cultural event.
In the cultural event, a video clip depicting highlights on past Sithi Nakha and Bungdyah Jatra cultural events (2014-2019) of NCSA was presented to the participants/viewers. Participants/viewers were also entertained with live song, poem, and Youtube video clips related to Bhajan (a devotional song) and Bungdyah Jatra festival. The cultural event was conducted virtually by Mr. Dhruba Shrestha, Executive Member of NCSA, and Mr. Mahesh Maharjan, member of NCSA.
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