Category Archives: Nepali Culture

Dashain Kite festival in Sydney

Posted on October 7, 2016 | 8 comments

The biggest festival for Nepalese, Dashain, started from 1st October and we had a great start to the festival.

dd16c-dashaintypographycards1

This year it is really special for us as I have my parents here and this will be the first time Chhori can have Dashain Tika as we couldn’t celebrate last year.

Dashain (18)

On Saturday, it was Gathasthapana, the day we plant Jamara. That day in Sydney, we also had another event to attend, the Kite festival organised by Guthi Australia.

They have been organising this event for the last few years and I really like it. They try to bring the Dashain vibe from Nepal to Sydney as much as possible by organising lots of cultural and traditional things during the gathering.

The function was held in the Rockdale Bicentenary Park and the entry was free.

The main highlights of the event for me was the Rath (Charito), Kumari, Lakhe and colourful kites in the sky.

dashain-5

The Rath was done better than last year. It was a smaller version of the Rath in Nepal but it was great for kids to understand what the Rath looks like and they were allowed to pull them around the ground as well.

dashain-13

There was a little girl dresses up as Kumari , only living Goddess in the world worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal.

dashain-9 dashain-14

 Lakhe is a demon in Nepalese folklore with a ferocious face with protruding fangs and mane of red or black hair.

dashain-3 dashain-11

They had an energised Lakhe dancing to traditional music.

dashaindashain-1
If you are in Kathmandu during Dashain, the sky will be full of kites of different colours and we got to see some of that on the day as well.

dashain-2

Little girls performing in traditional music was amazing and so was the fashion show and concert.

dashain-10

There were many stalls for Tradtional handicrafts and Food stalls. Of course we enjoyed our evergreen momo.

dashain-7

Chhori had a great time as well running around, playing on the swing in the park and enjoying the food.

dashain-12 dashain-6

She was spoiled by all of our friends and relatives as usual.

dashain-4dashain-8

I am really glad these types of events happen in Sydney. As you all know I love my traditions and culture and I want Chhori to see, learn and know our culture too. These kind of organised events definitely will help me educate Chhori and hopefully develop her interest in Nepali traditions and culture in future.

Wishing you all a very Happy Dashain!!!

Here are the posts I have written regarding Dashian over the years .

Take care everyone,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

8 Comments

Posted in Australia, Celebrations, Nepal, Nepali Culture, Nepali Festivals, Nepali food

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Father’s Day celebration

Posted on September 6, 2016 | Leave a comment

It was Kushe Aushi (Nepali Father’s Day) on Thursday and Australian Father’s day on Sunday so we combined the celebrations for AS and my dad.

Father's Day (3)

This is AS’s second Father’s day so it is still very special like the first one.

Father's Day (2)

Also it is very special father’s day for me as my dad is here and I could actually celebrate the day with him.

Father's Day (4)

As it was a weekday, my mum helped me to prepare Sagun (traditionally a plate of boiled egg, smoked fish, a “bara”, fried chicken and yogurt). It is such a great help when your parents are near you, I am going to miss them so much when they leave.

Father's Day (5)

I baked a cake and muffins too. I picked a card as well along with some biscuits, cookies and fruits.

Father's Day (7)

I am so glad that we got to celebrate the day as a family.

Father's Day (8)

First we celebrated AS father’s day. We did a normal tika and sagun. Chhori was quite curious and happy to do the process.

Father's Day (9)

I don’t think she understands much yet but she loves it when there are lots of people around her and she is definitely daddy’s little girl.

Then I celebrated my father’s day with tika and sagun as well.

Father's Day (10) Father's Day (11) Father's Day (12)

It was followed by cake and gifts.

Father's Day (14)

Hope you guys have a great celebration too.

Father's Day (1)

Take care everyone.

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

Leave a comment

Posted in Nepali Culture

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Teej 2016 with Chhori and mum

Posted on September 5, 2016 | 9 comments

Yesterday was Teej, a day when woman fast for the whole day for marital bliss, well-being of their spouse and children and purification of their own body and soul. Married women fast for their husband’s long life, prosperity and long and strong relationship between them until death in this life and all the lives to come, while the unmarried pray for the perfect husband. Unless someone is ill or physically unfit, fasting is followed by women and girls who have reached puberty.

Please click here if you want to know more about the festival.

teej (4)

Like every year, we celebrated Teej with lots of food and dancing but this year Teej was extra special for me because my mum is here with us.

teej (11)

Chhori has started enjoying and understanding celebrations too. She loves to be around people and wants to dance when the music is on. I am hoping she will be interested in Nepali culture and traditions in future when she has an understanding of their importance.

teej (9)

For the first time, I dressed Chhori in Kurta and Nepali chapal (Nepali velvet sandles) with chura (metal bangles). I know I am biased but I think she looked so cute in the traditional outfit.

teej (10)

And look our matching chapals, loved them.

teej (6)

I also dressed up in the traditional red outfit. The first celebration, we had was at my friend’s house. I baked a cake for the occasion and everyone contributed toward the food. We had a great time eating, dancing, laughing and having fun. Chhori also enjoyed in her own way :).

teej (1) teej (3)

Then on Saturday, we went to a Teej celebration program organised by Nepali committees.

teej (2)

Photobombed by Chhori 🙂

 We dressed up again and enjoyed the celebration with hundreds of other ladies dancing and enjoying the yummy food.

teej (7)

Wishing Happy Teej to all of you out there celebrating . Have a great time and enjoy your day.

Take care everyone,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

9 Comments

Posted in Celebrations, Kathmandu, Nepal, Nepali Culture

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Happy Aama ko Mukh herne (Nepali Mother’s day)

Posted on May 9, 2016 | 6 comments

It was Nepali Mother’s day on Friday 6th May 2016 and Australian Mother’s day yesterday. This year’s mother’s day is extra special for us as we have my mum, and my MIL (she arrived in Sydney yesterday) here.

Nepali mother's day (2)

I was lucky enough to have my mum here last Mother’s day as well but it is AS’s first Mother’s day after a long time so I made sure they had a good one.

Nepali mother's day (5)

On Friday we celebrated in the traditional style with sagun, fruits, sweets and cakes. It was nice to observe AS’s celebration as both of them were very happy.

Nepali mother's day (4) Nepali mother's day (3)

I also had my Mother’s day for my mum with sagun, fruits, sweets and cake.

Nepali mother's day (8)

It is nice to have her here and wish we will be together for Mother’s day every year.

Nepali mother's day (7) Nepali mother's day (6)

I am a mum now too, so it was nice to be on the other end of the ceremony. Last year Chhori was too small but this year, she is big enough to enjoy the fun. She got me a cute card (AS did :)) and also sagun, fruits, sweets and a cake too.

Nepali mother's day (11)

My MIL helped her with the tick and sagun for me. She was clam and followed the instructions well.

Nepali mother's day (10) Nepali mother's day (1)

It feels so good to be the mother of such a cute munchkin and I am so proud of her.

Nepali mother's day (9)

And to all the proud moms out there, Happy Mother’s day. Hope you had a good one.

Take care,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

6 Comments

Posted in Being Mum, Nepal, Nepali Culture, Nepali Festivals, Nepali food

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Chhori’s first Nepali Father’s Day

Posted on September 13, 2015 | 1 comment

Only last week, it was Australian Father’s Day and AS was over the moon to be able to celebrate it with Chhori. Today is Kushe Aushi (Nepali Father’s Day). I made plans to make it special for AS as it is his first and I wanted to celebrate it in traditional Nepali way.

Nepali father's Day (5)

I prepared puja, Sagun (traditionally a plate of boiled egg, smoked fish, a “bara”, fried chicken and yogurt). I also baked a cake with the wording “For the record, you are the world’s best dad; Happy Father’s Day AS” on it.

Nepali father's Day (2) Nepali father's Day (4)

I also baked some cupcakes. I made a special card with Chhori’s handprints and “Happy Father’s Day” written on it. I also got him some fruits, biscuits and t-shirt.

Nepali father's Day (1)

I was so happy to see everything come together and AS was really pleased with my efforts.

Nepali father's Day (3)

So Chhori observed her first Nepali Father’s Day with my help. First we put tika on AS forehead.

Nepali father's Day (7) Nepali father's Day (8)

Then we give him Sagun. After that Chhori and AS cut the cake together.

Nepali father's Day (9)

He was pleased with the card as well and Chhori had a great time too.

I and AS also talked to our dads and send them gifts for Father’s Day. It is always so nice to see them happy. I really appreciate what they have done for us.

So if you are from Nepal and you haven’t called your dad to wish him, do give him a call and make him smile. And to all the proud dads out there, Happy Father’s Day.

Take care everyone.
M from nepaliaustralian
XOXO

1 Comment

Posted in Nepali Culture, Newari Culture, Our daughter

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,