Brampton: Canadian Newa Guthi recently organized its second Community Ihi Ceremony, a mandatory and lifetime ritual among the Newah girls in pre-adolescent period, at Pashupatinath Nepali Mandir Brampton.
Welcoming the Ihi girl participants, parents and guests, Guthi’s General Secretary explained about the various activities carried out by Guthi to support community needs including the Second Community Ihi Ceremony.
Initiating the ritual, chief priest Prof. Dr. Naresh Man Bajracharya shed light on the importance that it is rather a ceremony to empower girls on tackling the problems encountered in their practical life through religious, social and practical knowledge.
“Mere knowledge is meaningless in the absence of wisdom to have a successful life,” Prof. Bajracharya added. Elucidating the procedure of the rituals, Prof. Bajracharya said that each segment of the ritual consisted of special meaning ranging from food to fashion, problem resolution and education to intellectuality.
Guthi’s Vice President Uttam Makaju said that Guthi has been conducting various activities covering a wide spectrum – ranging from community to culture preservation, education to empowerment and research to reshaping.
Makaju further added that conducting this unique Newah ritual “Ihi” in Canada is an example of service to the community and will help strengthen Canadian diversity mosaic. Guthi’s Vice President Uttam Makaju and General Secretary Bimal Shrestha honored chief priest Prof. Dr. Naresh Man Bajracharya by offering “Dosalla (special shawl) and certificate of honor.
Ihi girl Ms. Maltida Maharjan expressed her happiness at being able to experience the special Newah culture in Canada. Female priest Ms. Sabina Shakya conveyed her pleasure to be apart of the event to help preserve Newah culture. Guthi’s women’s committee coordinator Ms. Ranjana Sainju highlighted the activities to be carried out by the committee. At the end of the program, Guthis’ Secretary Suman Rajbanshi delivered a vote of thanks.
Ten girls from Halifax, Ottawa, Kitchener, Mississauga, Brampton , Toronto and adjacent cities participate in he ceremony. At the end of the program guests were entertained with hymns.