The Nepalese community in Edmonton observed Yomari Punhi (Nepal Era 1141) amidst a special cultural event virtually via Webex on Saturday January 2, 2021. The cultural event was hosted by Newa Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA), a non-profit Nepalese voluntary organization to practice, promote and preserve Newa culture and traditions in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. This was the 8th Yomari Punhi cultural event of NCSA in Edmonton. Meanwhile, Yomari Punhi is celebrated on full moon day in December, after the end of rice harvest in Kathmandu valley,Nepal.
The Yomari Punhi cultural event was inaugurated by Dr. Hemanta Joshi,President of the Newa Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA) by lighting the Twadewas,traditional Nepalese artistic oil lamps.In the cultural event,Annapurna,the Goddess of grains,was worshipped thanking her for good harvest and blessings by offering Yomaries.
In the inaugural session,Dr.Hemanta Joshi, President of NCSA,delivered a welcome speech highlighting on the significance of Yomari Punhi and Yomari. According to Dr.Joshi, Newa people believe that celebration of Yomari Punhi brings them good health, wealth, luck and prosperity. People also believe that after Yomari Punhi, days become longer at the rate of the length of pointed tail of the Yomari. According to Dr. Joshi,organizing cultural events like Yomari Punhi annually in the community not only bring people together in one platform for celebration and socialization but also contribute in preserving and promoting Newa culture and traditions. Mr. Naresh Tamrakar,Chief Guest and President of Newa De Daboo,a national organization in Nepal,extended his Yomari Punhi Greetings to the members of the community in Edmonton. He expressed his satisfaction being part of the Yomari Punhi celebration virtually with the Nepalese community in Edmonton. He also praised the exemplary activities of NCSA in promoting and preserving Newa culture and traditions in Canada. Mr. Dwarika Shrestha, a senior member of the community, also spoke about the significance and historical aspect of Yomari Punhi and Yomari. Mr.Tri Prasad Dhoubhadel,Vice President of NCSA, thanked all the guests, community members and well-wishers for attending the cultural event virtually and making the cultural event enjoyable and successful.
In the cultural event,video clips on past Yomari Punhi celebrations (N.S.1134 to 1140) and Jho Bhoye (a traditional ethnic feast in which all the invited guests sit cross-legged in rows on the carpet for eating and the host volunteers serve them with a variety of food items in an orderly way) were webcast to reflect on significance of Yomari and Yomari Punhi.Audiences were entertained with live and pre-recorded instrumental melodies and songs prepared specially for the current event by NCSA artists and Youtube video clips related to Yomari Punhi and Yomari. The cultural event was conducted virtually by Mr. Dhruba Shrestha, EC member of NCSA;and Mr.Mahesh Maharjan,member of NCSA.
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