6 Sep 2025
First Melbourne Indra Jatra – Yenya Punhi 2025 – Celebrates Newa Culture and Heritage – Community Updates
A landmark Indra Jatra celebration with live Dhime Baja, dhime dance, basuri, rath yatra, Swet Bhairav, Samay Baji and Pulu Kisi dance, attended by ministers, councillors and community guests.
6 September 2025 | Australian Nepalese Multicultural Centre (ANMC), Diggers Rest, Victoria
Newa Guthi Victoria proudly presented the first Melbourne Indra Jatra – Yenya Punhi, marking a historic milestone for the Newa community in Victoria and bringing one of the Kathmandu Valley’s most significant festivals to Melbourne.
The landmark celebration brought together approximately 6,000 people from the Newa, Nepali and wider Australian communities for a vibrant day of culture, tradition, music, dance and community participation.
The celebration showcased the richness and diversity of Newa heritage through a wide range of traditional performances and cultural activities, including live Dhime Baja, Dhime dance, Basuri, Rath Yatra, Swet Bhairav, Samay Baji and Pulu Kisi dance.
A major highlight was the Rath Yatra, accompanied by traditional music and cultural performances, creating an atmosphere that reflected the spirit and vibrancy of Indra Jatra in the Kathmandu Valley. The sharing of Samay Baji also provided an opportunity for community members and visitors to experience an important part of Newa food culture and hospitality.
The historic celebration was honoured by the presence of ministers, councillors, community leaders and special guests, reflecting the growing recognition of Newa heritage and its contribution to Victoria’s multicultural community.
The event brought people of all ages and backgrounds together, creating an opportunity for the wider Australian community to experience and appreciate the living traditions of the Kathmandu Valley.
The overwhelming participation and support made the first Melbourne Indra Jatra a grand success. The event demonstrated the strength of community collaboration and the dedication of the many volunteers, performers, organisers, sponsors, supporters and community partners who worked together to make this historic celebration possible.
For Newa Guthi Victoria, the first Melbourne Indra Jatra represents one of the most significant milestones in its journey. It established a platform for sharing Newa heritage with future generations and the wider community while strengthening cultural identity and community connections.
This archive entry records the historic first Melbourne Indra Jatra – Yenya Punhi, celebrating the collective effort that brought this important Newa festival to Melbourne and contributed to the continued preservation and promotion of Newa culture in Victoria.
Event Details
- Date: 6 September 2025
- Location: Australian Nepalese Multicultural Centre (ANMC), Diggers Rest, Victoria
- Attendance: Approximately 6,000 people
- Organised by: Newa Guthi Victoria
- Event: First Melbourne Indra Jatra – Yenya Punhi
- Highlights: Dhime Baja, Dhime dance, Basuri, Rath Yatra, Swet Bhairav, Samay Baji and Pulu Kisi dance
- Special Guests: Ministers, councillors, community leaders and special guests
- Outcome: A landmark celebration of Newa culture, heritage and community
Platinum Sponsor
- NAB – National Australia Bank
Gold Sponsors
- Better Choice – Mortgage & Finance
- Eshan IT – Simplify IT
- Expert Education & Visa Services
- Everest Gardens Landscapes
- Everest Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Pty Ltd
- Grace International Education & Migration
- MaxiMax Education & Migration Services
- Sierra Homes
- Your Dream Home Conveyancing
Silver Sponsors
- APB Partners
- Capkon Home Loans Melbourne
- Colorate Signs
- Derrimut Butcher
- Elite Curtains & Blinds
- Maven Consulting Group
- Melbourne Institute of Technology
- Preferred Eduvisa Consultancy
- RS Painting & Maintenance
- Sapphire Estate Agents
- St Aust Cares
- Sunrise Saves Energy
- Supreme Mortgage & Finance
In Association With
- ANMC – Australian Nepalese Multicultural Centre
- The Bristi Ganesh Temple
- Missa Pucha Melbourne
- Mahaguthi
- Baja Khala Melbourne
- Newa Pucha Melbourne
Supported By
- Embassy of Nepal, Canberra
- Consulate General of Nepal, Victoria
- NRNA – Non-Resident Nepali Association
- Nepalese Association of Victoria
- Didi Bahini Samaj Victoria
Media Partners
- Nepali Radio Hour
- DMS Production
- De_Lens Aura Studio
- Sanish Photography
- Himal Times
- SBS South Asian
- Connect Nepali
- Samudhayeka Kura
Valued Contributors
- Vic Bling
- Alliance Estate Agents