April 12, 2022
The First Parade for Nepali Community in northern California took place in San Francisco on Saturday, organized by Non Resident Nepali Association(NRNA). Parade began on Embarcadero Plaza, where a crowd gathered wearing traditional attires of their respective ethnic groups and some parade participants carried and played music instruments native to Nepal. There were banners with messages and flags of both Nepal and the United States of America can be seen holding and waving by the crowd. The parade marched straight on Market Street from Embarcadero Plaza to UN Plaza. It ended with a ceremony and speeches by key members of organizers and honorary guests.
A chariot rides through the Nepal parade carrying two “Kumari” and other paradegoers on Saturday. (Rashik Adhikari / Golden Gate Xpress)
A Nepalese flag waves in front of traffic stopped at Market and First street on Saturday. (Rashik Adhikari / Golden Gate Xpress)
Preena Pradhan dresses up as a “kumari” (in the middle with a painted forehead) on Saturday. “Kumari” is a living goddess from Nepal, mostly celebrated and worshiped by the Newari ethnic group. (Rashik Adhikari / Golden Gate Xpress)
Paradegoers play “dholak” (in the middle) and two “damaha” (on either side of “dholak’) while others dance on Saturday. “Damaha” and “Dholak” are traditional drums from Nepal. (Rashik Adhikari / Golden Gate Xpress)
Paradegoers dance to traditional music while marching on Market Street Saturday. (Rashik Adhikari / Golden Gate Xpress)
The Nepal Parade reaches UN Plaza where it ended with a ceremony and celebration of its success on Saturday. (Rashik Adhikari / Golden Gate Xpress)
A mother helps her son hold a Nepalese flag while posing for a photo at UN Plaza on Saturday. (Rashik Adhikari / Golden Gate Xpress)
