Dr. Rabin Man Shakya
Ms. Padma Laxmi is the mother of Pramod Karanjit, who is the general secretary of Nepa Chhen, a non-profit organization of Nepali community in Oregon and who is also the co-owner of the Indian restaurant "Namaste" in downtown Portland.
It is to be noted that this is the first ever Newah style Bhimratharohan of a Newah personality ritualized at a Newah Buddhist temple and by a Vajracharya Guruju in the USA.
(Meanwhile, some observers have falsely and wrongly claimed that Uma Sthapit's Buri Janko is the first ever in the USA. Make no mistake: Padma Laxmi Karanjit's Bhimratharohan was held long before Uma Sthapit's. Just for the record, an American couple's Bura Buri Janko was held even before the janko of Padma Laxmi. Pundit Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, Portland who ritualized and solemnized all those Janko ceremonies can confirm about it.) (Details added on 01-14-21)
Similarly, on the same day, the bratabandha ceremony of Pramod's son Dennis Karanjit was also held at the Vihara in Portland.
Janko rituals of Maa Padma Laxmi and bratabandha rituals of Dennis were performed by Guruju Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara which is the only Newah style Buddhist temple in the USA.
Janko related rituals such as Homa Puja, Nag Puja, Kalash Puja and Bali Puja were ritualized by Prajwal Guruju including the Bratabandha Puja. Likewise, Baran Chhuyegu and Sagan Bigu rituals were also performed on the occasion.
The Bajrayana Buddhist Tuta hymns like Dashparamita, Stuta Mapi, Maha Manjushree Naam Sangiti and Bandeshree were also performed by Daya Ratna Shakya, Pradeep Bajracharya and Rabin Man Shakya on the occasion.
The religious ceremony of the Janko and Bratabandh at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara is a testimony to the fact that the Nepalese Portlanders are keen to preserve the traditional and ritual values of the Newah culture.
One of the very important ritual part of Janko ceremony is the parading of the honored person around the vicinity in a large procession. So, Maa Padma Laxmi was once again treated like a bride and was carried on a colorful chariot-like vehicle around the streets of Portland close to Nritya Mandala Mahavihara. The Janko parade with Newah style Dhime baja music was accompanied by Guruju Prajwal, honoree's family members and a a lot of Nepalese Portlanders as well as guests coming from Canada.
According to Prajwal Guruju, "When a man or woman turns 77 years, 7 months, 7 days, and 7 hours, there is a special ceremony to perform. The Janko observance calls on the Goddess of long life - Usnisavijaya - to purify Karma and bestow the blessing of good health and long life span."
Ms. Padma Laxmi Karanjit, who was born on October 31, 1938, came to the United States several years ago because one of her sons, Pramod, and one of her daughters, Bijaya, had been living in the US for almost 15 years.
When Maa Padma Laxmi was asked to shed light on her Janko celebration, she said "This is a gift of my rebirth and ascending the chariot - the Bhimaratharohan - riding the great vehicle of success in life by following the traditional ritual."
A gala dinner reception of Janko as well as Bratabandha was organized the next day, August 25, 2018, at the hall of German American Society in Portland.
Daya Shakya, vice president of World Newah Organization threw light on the importance of Janko ceremony at the program which was conducted by Sagar Sharma from Calgary, Canada.
A number of Newah dances were also presented on the occasion which was attended by hundreds of guests including the office bearers and representatives of Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO), Nepa Chen and Non-resident Nepali Association of USA, Oregon Chapter and Nepal Oregon News. A slide show depicting the life of Maa Padma Laxmi was also presented on the occasion.
Similarly, on the same day, the bratabandha ceremony of Pramod's son Dennis Karanjit was also held at the Vihara in Portland.
Janko rituals of Maa Padma Laxmi and bratabandha rituals of Dennis were performed by Guruju Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara which is the only Newah style Buddhist temple in the USA.
Janko related rituals such as Homa Puja, Nag Puja, Kalash Puja and Bali Puja were ritualized by Prajwal Guruju including the Bratabandha Puja. Likewise, Baran Chhuyegu and Sagan Bigu rituals were also performed on the occasion.
The Bajrayana Buddhist Tuta hymns like Dashparamita, Stuta Mapi, Maha Manjushree Naam Sangiti and Bandeshree were also performed by Daya Ratna Shakya, Pradeep Bajracharya and Rabin Man Shakya on the occasion.
The religious ceremony of the Janko and Bratabandh at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara is a testimony to the fact that the Nepalese Portlanders are keen to preserve the traditional and ritual values of the Newah culture.
According to Prajwal Guruju, "When a man or woman turns 77 years, 7 months, 7 days, and 7 hours, there is a special ceremony to perform. The Janko observance calls on the Goddess of long life - Usnisavijaya - to purify Karma and bestow the blessing of good health and long life span."
Ms. Padma Laxmi Karanjit, who was born on October 31, 1938, came to the United States several years ago because one of her sons, Pramod, and one of her daughters, Bijaya, had been living in the US for almost 15 years.
When Maa Padma Laxmi was asked to shed light on her Janko celebration, she said "This is a gift of my rebirth and ascending the chariot - the Bhimaratharohan - riding the great vehicle of success in life by following the traditional ritual."
A gala dinner reception of Janko as well as Bratabandha was organized the next day, August 25, 2018, at the hall of German American Society in Portland.
Daya Shakya, vice president of World Newah Organization threw light on the importance of Janko ceremony at the program which was conducted by Sagar Sharma from Calgary, Canada.
A number of Newah dances were also presented on the occasion which was attended by hundreds of guests including the office bearers and representatives of Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO), Nepa Chen and Non-resident Nepali Association of USA, Oregon Chapter and Nepal Oregon News. A slide show depicting the life of Maa Padma Laxmi was also presented on the occasion.
(Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in America)
Great event
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