Jersey City Designates September as Nepal Heritage Month, Honoring Nepali Community’s Contributions
Jersey City Council members recognize Nepal Heritage Month, honoring the history, culture and contributions of the Nepali community. Photo courtesy of Dr. Bishnu Maya Pariyar.
JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The Jersey City Municipal Council has designated September as Nepal Heritage Month, recognizing the history, culture and contributions of the city’s growing Nepali community.
The council approved the designation as Resolution 26-584 during its regular meeting on Sept. 23. The measure was listed as agenda item 10.5.
The resolution describes Jersey City as one of the most ethnically, culturally, linguistically and internationally diverse cities in the United States, noting that immigrant and diaspora communities contribute to the city’s social and economic life through cultural preservation, entrepreneurship, civic engagement and public service.
The resolution recognizes Nepali Americans and Nepali-speaking residents as an important part of Jersey City’s multicultural community. It highlights their contributions in areas including business, professional services, education, health care, social services, arts and culture, community leadership, volunteerism and advocacy.
It also recognizes the community’s efforts to preserve and share Nepal’s languages, music, dance, cuisine, traditional attire, festivals, spiritual traditions and cultural values.
September, the resolution notes, carries particular historical and cultural significance for Nepal and the global Nepali diaspora. It references Nepal’s Constitution Day, or Samvidhan Diwas, observed on Sept. 20 to commemorate the promulgation of the country’s constitution in 2015.
The resolution also notes that Jersey City formally recognized the Nepali festivals of Dashain and Tihar through an official city proclamation on Oct. 1, 2025. It additionally recognized Dr. Bishnu Maya Pariyar, a member of the Jersey City Women’s Advisory Board, for her community leadership and efforts to strengthen ties between the city and its Nepali residents.
“Establishing Nepal Heritage Month will provide an annual opportunity to recognize the history, culture, traditions, achievements, resilience and contributions of Nepali people,” the resolution states.
The designation encourages schools, community organizations, cultural institutions, businesses, public agencies and residents to participate in educational, artistic, cultural and civic programs celebrating Nepal and Nepali American heritage.
The resolution was attested by City Clerk Sean J. Gallagher and signed by Council President Denise Ridley, Councilman-at-Large Rolando R. Lavarro, and Councilman Tom Zuppa of Ward C.