I have a delightful and unique tradition when it comes to celebrating my kids’ birthdays: I celebrate them three times! Yes, you read that right—three times. And honestly, I feel like I have no other choice!
First up is their actual birth date. They get so excited about it that I can’t bear to skip a celebration. Their eyes light up with joy, and it’s such a heartwarming sight. So, we always do something special, even if it’s just a small family gathering.
Next, we throw a big birthday bash on the weekend. This is when friends and family join in on the fun. There are games, laughter, and of course, lots of cake. The house is filled with happy chaos, and it’s wonderful to see my kids revelling in all the attention and fun.
Lastly, we celebrate their Tithi birthday. Since we follow the Nepali calendar, our birthdays don’t always match up with the Gregorian calendar. The Tithi birthday is determined by the positions of the sun, moon, and planets. For this celebration, we embrace our cultural roots and have a traditional Nepali celebration with puja and sagun.
This year, for Chhora’s Tithi birthday, I wore a kurta and we performed a traditional puja. Chhora, who has been eagerly anticipating turning five, was thrilled to be a part of this beautiful tradition. We decorated the house, set up the puja area, and once everything was ready, Chhora sat down, eyes wide with curiosity and excitement.
I started with a puja for Lord Ganesh, followed by a special puja for Chhora. I explained each step to him as we went along. He listened intently, followed all the instructions, and didn’t complain or fidget even once! I was so proud of his patience and interest.
After the puja, Chhora received sagun and gifts, his face lighting up with happiness. He could hardly wait to dig into the cupcakes we had prepared. His joy was infectious, and it made all the effort worthwhile.
I truly hope that by celebrating in this way, we’re instilling a deep appreciation of our culture and traditions in our children. I want them to understand their roots and recognize how amazing and rich the Nepali culture is. Seeing Chhora so engaged and excited gives me hope that we’re on the right track!
M from Nepaliaustralian
XOXO
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