The programs and activites the Association conducts or has the intentions of conducting are listed below. Click here to view the some of the Activities and Operational Information based on Part II of Form 1023 (Rev. 9-98):
| |
 |
Dashain - Traditionally is the most important festival in Nepal (which lasts for 15 days). Here we gather for one afternoon and evening to celebrate Dashain. Families and friends gather to partake or participate in traditional games, dance, music, and eat traditional food. The purpose of this celebration is to renew relations amongst the community as well as between the community and other friends of Nepal, and maintain cultural heritage. Additional information about this auspicious festival is found here. |
| |
|
Untitled Document
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
Nepali New Year - In Nepal as in all countries, New Year is celebrated in different ways. The Nepalese Year falls in mid-April. This solar calendar was started by King Bikramditya. This New Year 2064 of the Bikram Sambat corresponds to the year 2007-2008. New Year's Day, which this year falls on April 14, 2007, is an official holiday in Nepal. On this day, Nepalis visit the Pashupatinath temple to take a bath in the holy |
Bagmati River. Pilgrims also visit other religious spots and spend the day picknicking. It is a day to seek blessings from the family priest and one's elders as well. In Nepal the Vikram-Sambat calendar is observed. Nepalese people hope that the New Year will bring joy and happiness to their lives.
On New Years Day, they wear new clothes and get good food to eat and participate in illuminated bustling meals (fairs) to celebrate the New Year. People visit different shrines to start a new life from that day and vow not to repeat their bad karma. People go for picnics and outdoor sports too. Sometimes they gather in one place to celebrate the New Year. |
|
| |
|
New Year
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Special Events and Fundraisers |
| |
Fundraisers
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
Deusi Bhailo during Tihar Festival- The Nepali festival Tihar is also known by many names such as Dipawali or Bhai Tika or Laxmi Puja or as a festival of lights. It is a five-days festival, which comes soon after the Dashain Festival, and Tihar is all about worshiping of different animals such as crow, dog, cow, andworshiping of the Hindu Goddess of Fortune or Wealth (Goddess Laxmi), and cooking great |
meals at home, brothers and sisters shopping for gifts, flying kites, decorating homes and streets, playing cards with friends, resting and relaxing, and finally ending the festival with an exchange of a special temporary mark on forehead (tika in Nepali). The last day of the festival is known as Tika day or popularly known as Bhai Tika day (Bhai in Nepali means Brother). To sum up Tihar festival, Tihar is the festival when sisters wish a long life to their brothers ( Bhai )! |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
Picnic Day Parade - NAFCA was pleased to participate for the first time in the Davis 92nd Annual Picnic Day Parade on April 22, 2006. The University of California, Davis invited NAFCA to participate on the 93rd Annual Picnic Day Parade which was held on April 14, 2007. Coming from the land of the Himalayas, the Nepalese community in and around Davis, Woodland and Sacramento, CA areas are diverse mix of several |
ethno-Nepalese groups and the culture is well complimented by the traditional dresses worn by all the participants in the parade. NAFCA marched with their traditional Nepali costumes, standing tall and proud carrying both Nepali flags and U.S. flags and the NAFCA banner with an amazing display of colorful mountains in the background and the many arts of Nepal. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Mrs. Peggy Dev |
Newsletter - Before NAFCA website was officially launched on March 6, 2006, NAFCA distributed a semi-annual newsletter to inform the association members of upcoming events and activities. The newsletter was designed and prepared by Mrs. Peggy Dev. The NAFCA newsletter also included articles on Nepali literature, culture, and history, as well as photographs of the events. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Other Festivals or cultural events that may be held: (Saraswoti Puja, Tihar, Traditional Dancing and Music, Nepali Classes, Literature) - The purpose of these events would be to maintain cultural heritage, promote knowledge and understanding of Nepali literature, social culture and people, and strengthen community relations between Nepalis and friends of Nepal.
|
|
|
