We, the Kirat Rai people, have been living in almost every country across the world in pursuit of higher education, building businesses, and foreign employment. In addition to these life pursuits that allow us to secure our own future and that of our future generations, it is extremely important to preserve, promote, and safeguard the Kirat language, religion, rituals, and culture inherited from our ancestors. When roots are lost, clans are forgotten; when clans are forgotten, religion declines; when religion declines, culture disappears; when culture disappears, identity is lost; and when identity is lost, our very existence is in danger of being erased.
Kirat Rai who immigrated to the USA at the turn of the 21st century are among the first generation creating a future here. In May 9, 2007, the United Kirat Rai Organization of America (UKROA) was established to prevent the erasure of our existence and to preserve our identity and ensure its preservation for future generations. It’s main objective was uniting Kirat Rai people living across all fifty states of America. Over its 18-year journey, our organization has successfully brought together many Kirat Rai people through various activities focused on preservation, promotion, and advancement of Kirat language, religion, rituals, and traditions. Additionally, UKROA also provided support and coordination in many humanitarian relief efforts in our motherland Nepal, our land of residence, the US, and other countries around the world.
In 2019, UKROA undertook a major project “Sakelathan in America, Our Mission”, a major campaign aimed to acquire and establish a Sakelathan property. After much effort and work, on January 14, 2025, UKROA purchased an 8.08-acre property with two farmhouses located at 14 Paige Hill Rd., Brimfield, Massachusetts. Through proper rituals performed by Nochhung, UKROA formally consecrated the Sakelathan and Cultural Three-Hearth (Teen-Chula) House.
By establishing the Sakelathan and Three-Hearth in the USA, UKROA has honored our ancestors. From 2025 onward, we have been able to worship ancestors and nature during our great festivals—Sakela Ubhauli, Sakela Udhauli, and Nwagi—on our own Sakelathan and Three-Hearth House.
As there is still much work remaining to further organize and develop our Sakelathan and Three-Hearth House, the following short-term and long-term project plans are proposed to complete these tasks. All esteemed members of UKROA are humbly requested to fulfill their duties and responsibilities and provide support to implement these plans as soon as possible so that we may continue to advance our organization.
- A) Short-Term Action Plans
- Repair and maintenance of the Three-Hearth House and storehouse:
o Repair the main door and three windows
o Repair interior walls and ceilings and repaint
o Install exterior siding and a rear staircase
- Enclose the Sakelathan with a circular boundary wall.
- Arrange underground water facilities at the Sakelathan.
- Install an electricity line in the Three-Chula House.
- Expand the open land within the Sakelathan by one-third, shape it like a wabu (chindo), and plant lawn grass on the vacant area.
- Open an access road from the Three-Hearth House to the Sakelathan within our own plot and prepare parking space for at least 75 cars.
- Arrange separate toilets for women and men.
- As available, plant trees and plants directly related to Kirat Rai religion, rituals, and lifestyle.
- B) Long-Term Action Plans
- Construct a permanent main entrance gate at the Sakelathan.
- Install stone inscriptions within the Sakelathan listing the names of donors.
- Construct a pavilion within the Sakelathan premises with a capacity of 200 people.
- Construct a historic Three-Hearth House (Maad).
- Install statues of Kirat ancestors Paruhang and Sumnima, and idols of other Kirat sacred power centers.
- Establish the Sakelathan and Three-Hearth House as the principal Kirat religious pilgrimage site in America.
- C) Kirat culture-Related Plants and Trees
- Ginger and turmeric
- Musure katus (Castanopsis)
- Amriso (Tiger Grass / Broom Grass)
- Titepati and Bhimsen patti (Mugwort)
- Rhododendron and Dhupi pine
- Kaulo and Chilaune
- Rudraksha and banana
- Nigalo and Liching wung
- Sal and Bharla
- Susumpha
May Paruhang and Sumnima bless us all!
