Discover the Joy of Aging with FACE

Sumukhi Pradhan, a loving mother, eldest sister, and grandmother, celebrated her "Buraburi Jya Janko" (Bhima-ratha-Rohan), an old age ritual ceremony, on February 25, 2024 (2080 Falgun 13 B.S. (Bikram Era), held in her hometown of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal (a country of Mount Everest and birthplace of Lord Buddha). This auspicious event marked her turning 77 years, seven months, seven days, seven hours, seven minutes, and seven seconds, following an ancient Hindu ritual and spiritual tradition. Her family priest performed worship ceremonies for the Hindu gods and goddesses, sacred fire ceremonies, the nine planetary deities, and Mother Earth, Moon and Sun.

This celebration took place a decade after her beloved mother Surjya Kumari Amatya's third Bura-Buri Jya Janko (Deva-ratha-Rohan) in 2014, when she turned 88 years, eight months, eight days, eight hours, and eight minutes, at her paternal home in Gabahal, Lalitpur.

Her three sons, daughters-in-law, grandson, granddaughter, sisters, brothers, nieces, and other family members and friends gathered to celebrate the typical ritual and spiritual ceremony. She blessed everyone as a divine mother and living goddess, offering coins and ritual saris to her sisters, daughters, and nieces. She organized a grand feast, inviting all family members, neighbours, friends, and well-wishers to share in the joy and happiness of this special occasion. A short video and photographs captured the miraculous events.

Before her Bhima-ratha-Rohan ritual ceremony in Nepal, her sister Laxmi and niece Lucy graciously hosted her visit to Canada from May 2 to September 10, 2023. During her visit, she explored Niagara Falls, met nieces and their children, and toured Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, the CN Tower, and Manitoulin Island. She also attended a Laurentian University convocation for her daughter's friends. She greatly enjoyed her time in Sudbury with her sister and niece. The photographs showcase the highlights of her visit to Canada. She is proud and honoured to be a respectful senior in her Newar community. She feels this ceremony is a gift of life from her ancestors, divine creator, and cosmic spirit.