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 program operations and volunteer management
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 thanks to Mr. Bijay Thapa of ENepalese.com and Mr. Umesh Sharma of DC-Nepal, Mr. Shreejan Tamrakar of Maryland Ka Hami Nepali & Sanosansar Hamrosansar, nepalmandala.com, sancharnepal.com, nepalbhasatimes.com for being official media partner and covering the news., Mr. Dipendra Singh, Mr. Ashok Bhadel, Sweata Shrestha and Shreya Rajak for face painting volunteer. Representatives of different local organizations. Mr. Rajiv Shrestha and Sampurpurna Manadhar for capturing the moments of beautiful pictures. PowerSolv, Aero Nepal Travel, Air Zone Travel and Classic Diamond & Jewelry, Himalayan Soul Food, Indian Mart, Customer Realty, Nepal realtor, Cuisine Solution, Royal Nepal restaurant, and Tandoori nights of Fairfax for sponsoring and Raffle prize contributors Clay Oven Restaurant, Chutney Restaurant, Curry Place Restaurant, Red Roof Plus c/o Mr. Bikas Shrestha and Everest Kitchen for a gift vouchers for raffle 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.
Newah Organization of America November 14th, 2018
Posted In: News
