Gunyu Cholo Puja

Transition from Childhood to Adolescence

Gunyu Cholo Puja

Introduction to Gunyu Cholo Puja

Gunyo Cholo Puja is a traditional Nepali Hindu ritual performed for a young girl, usually before puberty. In this ceremony, the girl is dressed in Gunyo Cholo (a traditional sari and blouse) for the first time. The puja marks her transition from childhood to adolescence and seeks divine blessings for her health, character, dignity, and future life.

Importance and Significance of Gunyu Cholo Puja

  • To mark a transition in life – Symbolises the girl’s journey from childhood toward maturity and responsibility.


  • To seek blessings for health and well-being – Prayers are offered for physical, mental, and emotional strength.


  • To instil cultural and moral values – Introduces the girl to traditional values, dignity, and respect.


  • To honour femininity and womanhood – Celebrates the girl’s growth and future role in family and society.


  • To invoke divine protection – Seeks protection from negative influences during a sensitive stage of life.


  • To strengthen family bonds – Brings family members together to guide and bless the child.


  • To preserve Nepali cultural heritage – Upholds an important cultural tradition passed through generations.

    • List of Puja Materials

    Below is a comprehensive list of commonly used materials for Gunyu Cholo Puja. Items may vary slightly based on regional traditions and priestly guidance.

    • A. Things from Nepali Puja Material Shop or Nepali Grocery Store :

      अबिर (Red Pigment Powder), केशरी (Yellow Pigment Powder), सिन्दूर (Vermilion), श्रीखण्ड (White Pigment Powder), पञ्चपल्लव (Dried Mango Leaves), सर्वौषधि (Sarwaushadhi), पञ्चरत्न (Pancharatna), सप्तमृत्तिका (Saptamrittika), पोटलिका सामाग्री (Dried Neem, Gorochan Leaf), रक्षा बन्धन (Coloured Sacred Thread), सरसिउं (Yellow Mustard), कुश (Dried Holy Grass), जौ (Dried Barley), कालो तिल (Black Sesame Seed), लावा (Roasted Paddy), धूप (Incense), ५ वा ७ सुते कातेको बत्ती (Cotton Wick), अगरबत्ती (Incense Stick), कपुर (Camphor – 1 Packet), तुलसीपत्र (Dried Holy Basil Leaves), जनै (Holy Thread – 5 Pieces), सुपारी (Dried Betel Nut – 5 Pieces), जजन्का (Coloured Thread), ल्वाङ, सुकमेल (Cloves, Cardamom), अत्तर (Attar – Scent), रातो, सेतो कपडा (Red and White Cloth), पहेंलो कपडा, पीताम्बर (Yellow Cloth), लक्ष्मीको श्रिङार सामाग्री (Decoratives). *Please look for the Puja Packet in a nearby Nepali Puja Shop. The Puja Set should contain the above items.

    • B. Things from the Shopping Centre (eg: Woolworths, Nepali/Indian Grocery) :

      दुध् (Milk), दही (Yoghurt), घिउ (Ghee), चिनी वा सख्खर (Sugar or Jaggery), मह (Honey), तोरिको वा तिलको तेल (Mustard / Sesame Oil), चामल (3 Kg Rice Grains), फलफुल (Fruits), मिट्ठाइ (Sweets), सलाई (Match Box), रेखिको लागि चामलको पिठो (Coarse Rice Flour), टपरी वा प्लेट (Paper Plates), दुना वा ब्बल (Paper Bowls), चम्चा (Wooden Spoons), जिपलक (Sandwich Bag), पानीवाला नरिवल (Watery Coconut), सुक्खा नरिवल (Dry Coconut), आल्मोनियम ट्रे (Medium Aluminium Tray).

    • C. Things from the Garden :

      फुल (Flowers), दुबो (Holy Grass), आंपको पत्ता – ५ ओटा (Min. 5 Mango Leaves), पिपलको पत्ता – ५ ओटा (Min. 5 Peepal Leaves), पानको पत्ता – ५ ओटा (Min. 5 Betel Leaves), तुलसी पत्ता (Tulasi Leaves). *If you are not able to source Peepal, Mango, Tulasi or Betel Leaves – not to worry, please source flowers.

    • D. Things at Home (Could also be bought from the Nepali Grocery Store) :

      दियो – १ (Diyo – 1 Pc), आरती गर्ने दियो – १ (Diyo for Aarati – 1 Pc), कलश – ५ (Kalash – 5 Pcs), पन्चपात्र – १ (Panchapatra – 1 Pc), आचमनी – १ (Aachamani – 1 Pc), पुजा थाली – १ (Puja Thali – 1 Pc), अगरबत्ती राख्ने भांडो – १ (Agarbatti Stand – 1 Pc), कर्मपात्र – १ (Copper Bowl – 1 Pc), अर्घपात्र – १ (Surya Arghapatra – 1 Pc), संख – १ (Conch – 1 Pc), घण्टी – १ (Ghanti – 1 Pc), गणेश भगवानको मूर्ती – १ (Ganesh Statue – 1), खुजुरा पैसा ($1, $5 etc coins and notes), अपुङो (Apungo), नैबेध (Naibedh), सत्यनारायणको मूर्ती (Satyanarayan Idol), आसन वा चकटी – ३ (Mats for Sitting – 3). *If the above puja utensils are not available in your house, you could use the plates, bowls etc purchased from the shopping centre.

    • E. Specific Items for Gunyo Cholo (To be offered to the Kanya) :

      गुन्यो (Gunyo), चोलो (Cholo), गहना (Decoratives and Ornaments), अन्य वस्त्र हरु (Clothes), गोडाधुनको लागि खड्कुलो (Silver Khadkulo), अंखोरा (Silver Kalash).

    Download Puja Materials

    Click the button below to download the complete list of Gunyu Cholo Puja materials. Download