Dashain Celebrated in Portland, America by Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO)

Dr Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, Oct 22 (Nepal Oregon News): A Dashain reception was organized by Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) on Sunday, Oct 20, 2019 at Multnomah Arts Center in Portland.

The Dashain program started with playing of Nepal's national anthem on saxophone by Niraj Mali.

Addressing the gathering, vice president of NAO Pradeep Bajracharya threw light on NAO activities and said that NAO has been working together with other  Nepalese community organizations in Portland. (NAO president Bharat Banskota could not make it to the reception as he is in mourning  for his mom's passing away recently).

NAO has been celebrating Bijaya Dasami and Bikram Sambat new year and organizing  summer picnic on a regular basis for last several years, Bajracharya added.

On the occasion, NAO's secretary Pramod Poudel presented annual report while annual financial report was presented by treasurer Manish Karn.

A new executive committee of NAO was also announced on the occasion. Daya Shakya, Bishes Rayamajhi, Trilochan Paudel and Manish Karn are new president, vice president, secretary and treasurer whereas Alisha Mitchell, Dipak Poudel, Gyanu Ratna Maharjan, Keshav Dahal and Padam Jung Thapa are new executive members.

On the occasion, new NAO chief Daya Shakya and all other  newly elected office bearers of the NAO gave a brief introduction about themselves to the audience and expressed the confidence that they would be committed to the betterment of NAO and the Nepalese community in Oregon.

It is to be noted that NAO represents Nepalese population in Oregon and south west part of Washington.

According to NAO sources, the Nepalese community population in this part of the US is estimated to be about 1,000 - 1,200 people.

The Dashain event followed a cultural program in which popular Nepali singer from Sacramento, California Anish Okely and other local singers rendered melodious Nepali songs.

On the occasion, certificates of appreciation were presented to some Nepalese community members for their help and volunteering to NAO. Also, the NAO High School Excellence Award was given away to Bibhor Thapa.

Dashain program which was attended by almost 150 people was conducted by Mahendra Neupane.

Talking to the Nepal Oregon News (NON), the outgoing president of NAO Bharat Banskota said "I wish all the best to the new executive committee for its successful term to bring positive impacts to our NAO community and its friends in Oregon and beyond."

When Nepal Oregon News (NON) asked newly elected NAO president Daya Shakya about his vision, he expressed the confidence that he would try to take NAO to newer heights by carrying out different plans. "We will be working out and looking forward about what we can offer to make Visit Nepal Year 2020 successful",  he went on to add.

(Nepal Oregon News writer Rabin Man Shakya is one of the few  Nepalese journalists in USA)

Talk on "Newah Tradition and Culture" Organized at Nepalese Buddhist Temple in Portland, USA

Dr. Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, Oct 21, (Nepal Oregon News): A charismatic presentation on "Newah Tradition and Culture" by Daya Ratna Shakya was organized on Wednesday, Oct 16, 2019 at Nritya Mandala Mahavihara (NMA) in Portland as part of ongoing tenth anniversary of the NMA.

At the beginning of the program, priest Prajwal Vajracharya of the NMA presented a short introduction of presenter Shakya. Similarly, Vajracharya also performed Sankalpa Vaakya rituals at the program.

Speaking at the program, Daya Shakya underlined the need for preserving, promoting and protecting Newah culture and traditions.

Shakya said:"In ancient context, Newahs used to be melting pot of Nepal valley where people from different parts of the world moved in and then became Newahs."

Shakya expressed the view that Newahs in the USA have kept up praiseworthy and commendable tradition by celebrating a number of Newah days and festivals.

He then gave details about the activities of ancient Newah luminaries Jamana Guvaju, Surat Bajra and Bandhu Datta.

Shakya's presentation discussed the rich cultural heritage of Newah people of Nepal that fell in one of the highly recognized South Asian civilization in ancient Himalayan region, way long before the current Nepali culture was being discovered in modern Nepal.

The primary focus of the first half of Shakya's presentation was a discussion on power of ritual and its vocabulary that the Newah people use in daily life. .

Similarly, the second half of Shakya's presentation specifically focussed on the concept of understanding the works which have been done in past life and its current consequences as well as the way of tracing the future life, a unique technique that has to be discovered in maintaining the fruitful human life.

Daya Shakya - who is also the vice president of World Newah Organization, president of NRN-NCC-USA Oregon Chapter and president of Nepali Association of Oregon - also answered to different questions of the Nepalese and American guests at the program

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Newah journalist in America)

Ninth NRNA Global Meet: Sloganeering, Protests and Chaos

Rabin Man Shakya
Member, NRNA USA Oregon chapter

The ninth global convention of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), which was inaugurated by Nepal's President Bidya Bhandari and which was participated by 2,500 representatives from 81 countries is bogged down in numerous controversies and scandals.

First came the news that said Upendra Mahato has boycotted the NRNA kumbha mela because of over politicization.

Kul Acharya (Britain) has been overtly and covertly supported by Nepali Congress, whereas Kumar Pant (Germany) is supported by the ruling Nepal Communist Party.

NRNA should not be a political platform and NRNs should not be contracted by viruses of political maneuvers and bickering.

The impartial and nonaligned NRNs still do not understand why NRNA movement has been bitterly polarized and overtly politicized ? Is it because of arrogant attitude of Nepal's political parties or because some NRNs are just "followers and tails" of the political parties ? Probably, little bit of both.

Also, there was a news in the media that outgoing president of NRNA Bhavan Bhatta was boarded out of a plane from an international flight because of unruly behavior in the plane owing to intoxication.

Meanwhile, the Nepalese NRNs from Australia were reported to have misbehaved the Nepalese airport officials at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Even the glasses in the immigration section were shattered by those NRNs.

Now the ongoing NRN election looks like a circus scenario where sloganeering, protests, chaos and verbal abuse of rival contestants are rampant.

Also, there is lack of unity and coordination in NRNA in major countries like the US, the UK, Australia, Germany etc. The NRNs keep washing dirty linen in public in these countries. This is bad omen for NRNA.

Ms Chandra Mali's Buri Janko Ceremony ( Bhimratharohan - Nepali style) Celebrated at Hillsboro, America

Dr Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, Oct 14 (Nepal Oregon News): A senior age  "Janko" religious ceremony or Bhimratharohan of Ms Chandra Lal Mali was held  at Raju and Minu Mali's residence at Hillsboro, Oregon on Friday, Oct 11, 2019.

Ms Chandra Lal Mali is the mother of Raju Mali and Ganga Sharma. Raju Mali is the founder president of Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) whereas Ganga Sharma is also the former president of NAO.

Ms Mali's other children are Jamuna, Bernadine, Helen, Nancy and Urmila. Ms Mali also has over a dozen grand children plus some great grand children.

The whole Janko related ritual and puja were  performed for about five hours. Janko rituals of Ms Chandra Lal were performed by Buddhist Guruju Prajwal Ratna Bajracharya of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland.

Janko related rituals like Gurumandala Puja, Homa Puja, Naag Puja, Kalash Puja and Bali Puja were ritualized by Prajwal Guruju. Prajwal Guruju went onto Samadhi to perform the Janko related rituals to bestow blessings to Ms Mali. Similarly, she was given a symbolic holy bathe to qualify her in divine life amid the presence of her family. Likewise, Baran Chhuyegu and Sagan Beegu rituals were also performed. Mangala Strota was also recited during the Sagan Beegu rituals.

Ms Chandra Lal was given a ride on a chariot drawn by flying horses, the magical steeds that would transport her to paradise or Nirvana, the afterlife destinations secured by the Bhimratha ceremony. Prajwal Guruju sealed the blessings to her by performing Homa Puja. During the Janko ceremony, Ms Chandra Mali was released from religious and ritual obligations, for her sins have been remitted and her Karma purified.

During the Janko ceremony, Ms Mali received respect "Tuti Bhagi Yayegu" from all members of her family. Present at the Janko ceremony were the office bearers and members of Nepali Association of Oregon, Nepaa Chhen and NRNA-NCC-USA Oregon Chapter.

One of the very important ritual part of the Janko ceremony is parading of the honored person around the vicinity of the neighborhood in a colorful procession accompanied by a  Newah style music team playing Dhime Baja. The Janko parade was accompanied by Guruju Prajwal, honoree's family members and a lot of Nepalese Portlanders and was feted with music, flowers, sacred water, vermillion powder and a lot of incense sticks.

So Ms Mali was once again treated like a bride and was pulled out on a chariot around the neighborhood. Janko ceremonies of senior Nepalese people were held in Portland in the past also. In one case, the honored Janko personality was driven in a vehicle-like chariot and in another case, the chariot was carried out on shoulders as per Lalitpur parampara.

This time, Ms Mali was on the small-four-wheel chariot just like in Kathmandu and was pulled away by her children and grand children.

Replying to a query of Nepal Oregon News, Buddhist Gubhaju Prajwal Bajracharya said:"When a man or a woman turns 77 years, 7 months, 7 days and 7 hours, there is a special ceremony to perform. The Bhimratha observance calls on the Goddess of long life - Usnisvijaya - to purefy Karma and bestow the blessings of good health and a long life span."

Similarly, asked by Nepal Oregon News about the importance of Janko ceremony, Nepali community leader in Portland Daya Shakya said:"A special ritual the Bhimratharohan (ascending a chariot of wellness 'bhim' and fearless) is organized to honor a person of the age 77 years, 7 months, 7days and 7 hours according to own faith either Hindu or Buddhist. A symbolic ritual of citation entering to higher level of human being and a qualified person to ride a spiritual vehicle of fearless divine personality is recognized."

A gala dinner party was organized on Saturday the next day at the Multnomah Arts Center in Portland  to celebrate Ms Chandra Mali's Bhimratharohan.

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in USA)

Kuchhi Bhoy: What Exactly Does It Mean?

Dr. Rabin Man Shakya

Portland, Oct 20 (Nepal Oregon News): Kuchhi Bhoy - what exactly does it mean? My daughter asked me during Kuchhi Bhoye celebration at our home in Portland, USA during the Mohani Nakha festival recently.

About fifty years ago, in Nepal, when you go to buy rice, baji (beaten rice), gofuki, edible oil, lentils, beans etc, they were measured by Mana, Kuchhi and Paathi  by the store keeper. In Nepal Bhasa, it is Chhamana, Nimana, Swamana, Pyamana, Nyamana, Khumana, Nhayamana and Chyamana etc. Nimana is also Kuchhi in Nepal Bhasa.

Kuchhi or Nimana Baji (beaten rice) will be over five pounds which will be a lot for a person. So usually some cloths or papers are squeezed inside the Mana before serving Kuchhi Baji on the Lapte. Symbolically, Kuchhi Baji is eaten during that feast, so it is called Kuchhi Bhoy. Kuchhi Bhoy is usually the first traditional feast of the Newah people during the Mohani Nakha.

Traditionally, the Kuchhi Bhoy should be eaten on a big leaf of a banana tree. But if banana leaves are not enough, then a small piece of banana leaf is also put onto the Lapte alongside with the Baji. Putting a piece of a banana leaf into the Kuchhi Bhoy baji is sine quo non for the Kuchhi Bhoy feast. 

Kuchhi Bhoy is unique feast of the Newah people. Kuchhi Bhoy demonstrates the richness of the Newah culinary culture. More than twenty different cuisines are prepared for the Kuchhi Bhoy.

Meat items include: Chhoyala, Dayakaula, Kachila, Pukau, Takha, Sanya Khunya etc. Other items include: Fenugreek, Paunkwa, Bhuti, Butter Squash Pumpkin curry,  Simpu, Aalu Achar, Lain Achar, Cauli Flower curry, Lainkwa, Golveda Tofu curry, Tukancha Tarakari, Musya Palu etc. Also, Sisa Busa (fruits), boiled eggs and small fishes are also served during the Kuchhi Bhoy. Ayala (Newah home-made liquor) is also served from  the Anti. 


Kuchhi Bhoy is purely a family feast held on the Day of Astami, the eighth day of the fortnight as per Nepal Sambat calendar.

Newah Bhoy is always held in a spacious room. A long Suku (mat made of straws) is laid out and, on the day of Kuchhi Bhoy, all the members of the family sit cross-legged in a row for the Bhoy. 

In the Kuchhi Bhoy, like in all other important Bhoys of the Newah people,  the tradition requires that the eldest person in the family takes the place of honor at the top and the youngest at the bottom.

Alongside with the family members, the feasts are also offered to Choye Dyo (the upper god) which is ahead of the eldest person and Kwoye Dyo (the lower god) which is after the feast of the youngest in the family.

Mohani Sinha is also prepared on that day and before the start of Kuchhi Bhoy. The eldest in the family dabs the Black Mohani Sinha on the forehead of the family members.

Kuchhi Bhoy is an auspicious  and important day during the Mohani Nakha. It takes place on Kaula Thwo Astami. On this day, Newah people of the Kathmandu valley take a shower in the morning to purify themselves and put on fresh and washed clothes. Among the Newah Bajrayana families, the female members of the family go to worship Bhagwan Buddha and Ganesh at their neighborhood Mahaviharas and temples. Likewise, the same day, the female members go to worship different Peeths also.

Nala Swonegu, Pachi Marah,  Kuchhi Bhoy on Astami,  Syakko Tyakko on Nawami and Chalan on Dasami and Shree Gha Puni are important days for the Newah people in Kathmandu during the Mohani Nakha.

Well, Dashain and Mohani Nakha coincide on the same days, but Dashain and Mohani Nakha have similarities as well as dissimilarities. Dashain or Bijaya Dasami is celebrated by the Hindus of Nepal and India whereas Mohani Nakha is celebrated only by Newah people of Nepal, no matter they are Buddhists or Hindus.

The Newah people living in the United States of America also celebrate Kuchhi Bhoy and other Mohani Nakha related feasts, but it is not the same as in Nepal, because many things and ingredients required for the feast and festival are not available here.

It is to be noted that according to Hindu mythology, Mahishasur daitya was killed by Durga Bhavani on the day of Bijaya dasami, but Newah people believe that a Daitya called Bhasmasur was killed by the Goddesses on the same day.

Also, Newah Theravada Buddhists celebrate it as the Day of Dhamma Vijaya to commemorate the day on which Emperor Ashoka abandoned violence and started to adopt a policy of peaceful co-existence.

(Rabin Man Shakya is a Nepali journalist in USA)