nsadmin, Author at Nepal Sanctuary Treks

World Heritage Sites in Nepal

Posted on October 5, 2018September 22, 2022 by nsadmin

Nepal is a small country with an area 1, 47,181 km² and yet manages to be a home for marvelous and unique sites. The uniqueness of Nepal in culture and traditions has always made Nepal a country with something special and charming. The country was never colonized by any powers of the world and the unity in diversity has reflected the greatness of the country all around the world. The diverse ethnic groups have their own languages, cultures and traditions, art and architectures. This varied culture, tradition has lead to the different architectural monuments all over the world.

World Heritage Day is celebrated every year on 18^th April. This day is also called the International Day for Monuments and Sites. The celebration of the World Heritage Day has a primary motive to raise awareness about the importance of the historical or cultural heritages within our surrounding. Realizing how much important role these sites play in human history, UNESCO adopted a convention that discusses the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, on November 16, 1972. Till date, UNESCO has identified more than 100 of heritage sites and listed these places in the list of World Heritage Site list.

Nepal contributes 10 sites in the list of World Heritage Site. Here are the sites of Nepal included in the list of World Heritage Site:

Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath is one of the four most important religious sites in Asia for the devotees of Shiva. The temple was built in the fifth century and is the largest temple complex in Nepal spread across 246 hectors. The temple stretches on both sides of the Bagmati River. Apart from being a religious site, the Pashupatinath Temple is a perfect combination of art and culture. The temple was listed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

The temple allows only the Hindus to enter the main temple. That does not mean that foreigners are not allowed to enter the whole premises. The other buildings are available for the foreigners to visit. The main temple of the Pashupatinath has a Shiva Lingam in its interior and outside is the large statue of Nandi, the bull which is the transport of Lord Shiva. The temple is a cubical construction with a bunk roof and a golden spire at the top. There are a total of four main doors to the temple, which is all built with the silver sheets.

Explore the Largest Temple Complex in Nepal

There are numerous temples in the periphery of the temple that includes the temple of Bhuwaneshori, the Dakshinamurti, Tamreshwor, Panchdewal, Bishwarupa, and many others. All these temples have their own set of rituals to be performed. There is a forest named Shleshmantak, on the other side of the river which is home to monkeys and deer. For the maintenance of the Pashupati area, Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) was established by Late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah in 1996. This administrative body looks after all the activities related to the Pashupatinath area.

Swayambhunath: the Monkey Temple

Swayambhunath is one of the most ancient religious architectures nestled at the top of the hill in Kathmandu valley. The temple is also known as the monkey temple because of the abundant number of monkeys roaming around the temple.

According to the ancient legend, the valley was filled with a large lake. A lotus grew out of the lake and thus the valley was named Swayambhu, which meant, ‘self-created.’ The stupa has a large dome at the base with two eyes above it, and the thirteen pinnacles on the top. The dome indicates the entire world, the two eyes represent the wisdom and compassion that drives one away from the bonds of the world leading to enlightenment and the pinnacles are the representation of the saints who have to go through thirteen stages of spiritual realization to gain enlightenment.

There are a lot of Chaityas, temples, and images of the deities in the surrounding area. There are prayer wheels all around the stupa. Also, Shiva lingams are present in the area which is now disguised as Buddhist Chaityas. Swayambhunath is a holy place not only for the Buddhists but also for the Hindus because the Hindus regard Gautam Buddha as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. There are lots of devotees visiting the place particularly during Buddha Jayanti: the birthday of Gautam Buddha.

Bouddhanath Stupa

Bouddhanath Stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world. Located in the northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the stupa is the reflection of the Tibetan culture in Kathmandu. UNESCO listed the Bouddhanath stupa as a World Heritage Site in 1979. The stupa was supposed to be built in the 14^th century.

The aerial view of the stupa looks like a big Mandala. At the bottom of the stupa, there is a boundary of the 16-sided wall. There are numerous prayer wheels which are engraved with the mantra- ‘Om Mani Padme Hum.’ There are also three large platforms at the base, which are decreasing in size which represents earth. One can listen to the chanting of the devotees while walking around the stupa. The thirteen rings at the base are the representation of the path to the enlightenment.

Above the base, is the square shaped tower that has the Buddha eyes in all the directions. A question mark instead of the nose is the symbolization of the number 1 inNepali that reflects the unity. There is another eye, the third eye, which is a symbol of the wisdom of Buddha. A 13 steps pyramid stands above the square tower, which indicates the path to enlightenment. The colorful flags are tagged at the top which holds the prayers and the mantras.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square known as Hanuman Dhoka Palace is one of the major attraction of Kathmandu valley. The palace is named after the Hindu god ‘Hanuman’ which is believed to be the protector of the whole palace.

The palace is filled with many temples most of which date back to the 15^th to 18^th century. The Durbar Square has two sub-areas; the inner complex comprises of the temples like Nasal Chowk, Sundari Chowk, Basantapur Durbar and the outer complex contains Kumari Ghar, Kasthamandap, Shiva-Parvati temple, Big bell,and Jagannath. The festivals like Indra Jatra, Dashain, Gaijatra and the Machchhindra-NathJatras are the major attractions of the place.

Patan Durbar Square

The Patan Durbar Square is located at the center of the Lalitpur. The major attraction of the Patan Durbar Square is the Krishna Mandir which was built in 1637 with 21 gold pinnacles in the temple. Also, the Durbar square has an Ancient Royal Palace, where the kings of the Lalitpur resided in the past. Patan is a historical Buddhist city and now is a center of both the Hindus and the Buddhists with 136 bahals or courtyards and 55 major temples.

The Patan Durbar Square is filled with a huge crowd of the devotees during the time of Krishna Ashtami. The Bhimsen temple built in 1627 and the Taleju temple built in 1667 are also the major attractions of the Patan Durbar Square.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

The Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located at the front of the royal palace of old Bhaktapur kingdom and known as Bhadgaon. It is 13 km east of the Kathmandu. The area consists of the four squares namely; Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square,and Pottery Square. However, they are together called Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

The major attractions of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square are the 55 windows palace (55 Jhyale Durbar), Nayatapola temple, a statue of the BhupatindraMalla, BhairabNath temple, Golden Gate, Lion’s gate, Mini Pashupati temple and many more.

Changu Narayan Temple

The Changu Narayan Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples which are still in use in Kathmandu valley. The temple lies on the hilltop called Changu and Dolagiri which is about 7 miles or 12 km east of Kathmandu. There is a statue of Lord Vishnu inside the temple and is most probably the oldest temple in Nepal. The temple has many pieces of the 5^th and 12^th-century art and surrounded by the beautiful green forest. The Historical Pillar, a statue of BhupatindraMalla, a sculpture of Shreedar Vishnu, Vaikuntha Vishnu, Vishworup and Kaileshwor are the attractions of the Temple.

Lumbini: the Birthplace of Gautam Buddha

Lumbini is the biggest Buddhist pilgrimage site where Gautam Buddha was born in 623 BC. Lumbini was listed in the World Heritage Site on 1997. The Lumbini is a place from where the Buddhism all started. The Mayadevi Temple reserves the exact spot of the birth of Lord Buddha. There are many monasteries built by the different Buddhist countries from all around the world. The ever-glowingflames, the Ashoka Pillar, the Puskarni pond, sacred garden are the major attractions of the Lumbini. The Lumbini also preserves the seven steps the baby Gautam Buddha took as soon as he was born.

Chitwan National Park

The first National Park of Nepal; Chitwan National Park was established in 1973 and included in World Heritage Site in1984. The Chitwan National Park has an area of 932 km² and is home to many endangered species. The National Park is particularly famous for its conservation of one-horned rhinoceros. Four different species of deer including the spotted deer, leopard, sloth bears, wild boar, Langur and rhesus monkey, wild cats and many more species are found in the park. Along with the numerous animals,it is home to, the National Park is also a preferred destination for the ornithologists since the National Park harbors more than 450 species of bird species. Some of the species include woodpeckers, hornbills, Bengal florican, Red-headed trogons and many more. The swampy lakes areas and the lakes are home to the marsh crocodiles.

Experience the Wilderness in the Chitwan National Park

Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park situated at the Solukhumbu district is home to the world’s largest peak, Mount Everest. The name is derived from two Nepali words, Sagar means sky and Matha means head. The park was established in 1976 and was later recognized as an Important Bird Area by the BirdLife International. The National Park consists of 118 species of birds which includes Himalayan monal, Tibetan Snow cock,blood pheasant, red-billed chough and yellow-billed chough. The Park has also been home to numerous rare mammal species like musk deer, snow leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Red Panda, etc.

Illam: the Kingdom of Tea Production

Posted on October 5, 2018September 22, 2022 by nsadmin

When it comes about a beautifully blessed country by Nature, Nepal probably hits the list somewhere at the top. The geographically diverse country is a perfect example of what nature means. From the lush forests of the Terai, the beautiful hills of the Hill and the sky touching glorious mountains in the Himalayans, Nepal is a country that gives the feeling of being closer to nature.

Every year Nepal is a hot destination for the tourists all around the world for the wonderful beauty it possesses. Among the various beautiful places in Nepal, Illam is the one which should not be missed.

About Illam

Illam lies in the hilly region of the Province No.1 and also is the headquarters of the Illam district. The word Illam is comprised of two words: ‘I’ and ‘Lam’. According to Limbu language, ‘I’ mean ‘winding’ and ‘lam; means the way. While looking at the topography of the place closely, we can find several winding paths that cross each other on the way. Thus, this implies the name Illam meaning the winding path.

Illam is one of the four urban municipalities in Illam District. The municipality covers an area of 173.32 square kilometers (66.92 sq miles) and divided into 12 wards. The population of the municipality during the time of the census of 2011 was 48,536. The Limbu, Rai, Newar, Magar, Tamang, Chhetries, Brahmin, Sunuwar, Gurung and Yakkha are the inhabitant in the place.

Illam is famous place all over Nepal and other parts of the world particularly for the production of tea. It also has beautiful landscapes that attract most of the local tourists.

What is Illam famous for?

Illam is particularly famous for tea and five ‘As’: Aalu (potato), Aalaichi (cardamom), Aduwaa (ginger), Akabare Khursani (red round chili), and Amriso (a grass used to make brooms). These products are exported to Siliguri and Darjeeling in India. Tea of Illam is exported tothe foreign market too.

How can you reach up to Illam?

Illam is approximately 700 km east of Kathmandu. One can easily catch buses from the New Bus Park, Koteshwar, and Kalanki that will drop you up to Illam.

If you aim to visit Illam by airways then you first need to go to Bhadrapur. Flights are available from the Tribhuvan International Airport to Chandraghadi Airport in Jhapa district. The flight is only 45 minutes from Kathmandu. You can now catch a bus from Bhadrapur to reach your destination, Illam.

Must Visit Places in Illam

The beautiful Illam offers so many enchanting places to visit. When you make your trip to Illam, do not forget to consider these places on your trip:

Shree Antu Danda

Shree Antu Danda is a beautiful hill that rests on the lap of Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain. The hill is located at an altitude of 2,328 meters above sea level and is about 3 hours driving away from Illam Bazaar. An amazing mixture of the trekking on the hilly landscapes and the mesmerizing views of the sunrise and sunset make the Shree Antu Danda worth visiting. The tea gardens are not to be mentioned, they will give you company during the whole period of your visit. Adding on, the mountains, the lush forests, the unique culture of Illam and holy sites provide extra glamour to the tour.

Shree Antu offers with the majestic views of the sunrise and sunset. Siddhi Thunka and Chhintapu are the popular places for the spectacular view of sunrise and sunset. Besides the views of the sun rising and setting from the middle of the mountains, Shree Antu offers the fascinating panorama of the mountains that includes Mt. Everest and Mt. Kanchenjunga. Also, one can observe the beautiful hills of the Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Mink from here.

Mai Pokhari

Mai Pokhari is another spot to amaze you with its beauty in Illam. It is a star-shaped pond with nine corners. Every nine corners pay tribute to different gods. Surrounded by the beautiful green forest around the whole circumference, the pond defines the real beauty of nature. At any corner you stand and stare at the pond, reflecting the forest in the clear water, it looks like it is a piece of heaven landed in the earth. The pond is a pilgrimage site for both the Hindus and the Buddhists. There is a temple of Goddess Bhagwati near the Mai Pokhari.

Experience the Enchanting Beauty of Mai Pokhari

The Mai Pokhari is also enlisted in the Ramsar Site: the wetlands of international importance. The pond is a home for numerous species like Orchid, Porcupine, goldfish, leopard cat, water Lilly, white-rumped vulture, and others. Also, there is a Mai Pokhari Botanical Garden which has a rock garden, orchid house, a greenhouse and many species of plants that are collected from various parts of the country.

Pathibhara Temple

The temple of Pathibhara Devi is a very popular religious site in Illam. But don’t be confused with the Pathibhara in Taplejung district. These both temples are believed to be the sisters and the one on Illam is the younger sister of the Pathibhara Devi temple in Taplejung. This temple is often called as ‘Sano Pathibhara Temple’. The devotees visit the temple with prayers. The devotees make resolutions (Bhakkal) in the temple and offer the goddess with different things.

Sandakpur

Sandakpur (3,636 m) is the highest peak in the district of Illam, Nepal and West Bengal, India. The peak is also called Sandakfu or Sandakphu. The western part of the peak lies in the Sandakpur municipality wards no 2 and 4 in Illam district of Nepal. Sandakpur is a trekking destination among the visitors of Illam. Starting from Illam Bazaar, the trial continues along Mai Pokhari, Maimajhuwa, Mabu, Kala Pokhari Bikhe, and Bhyanjyang you will reach to Sandakpur.

Once stepped in Sandakpur, the first thing you will see is the massive and yet beautiful Kanchenjunga mountain smiling at you. Taking a deep breath and admiring the Kanchenjunga for a little while is enough to throw away all the tiredness of the trek. Also, the view of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu are also worth watching from the top.

Kanyam and Fikkal

Kanyam and Fikkal are the large tea producing states in Illam. These places are famous because of the production of the tea inthe last hundred and forty years. Today these places are famous nationally and internationally for the beautiful tea gardens that prevail there. The places are also preferred destination for the locals to go for the picnic, sightseeing and taking photographs. These places also offer the visitors the opportunity to ride a horse under some payment. The Fikkal is more like a business center and is connected to roads that depart for the eastern border to Darjeeling.

Gajurmukhi (Devisthan)

The Gajurmukhi is another renowned religious place in Eastern Nepal. The temple lies in the west of Illam Bazaar. Located at the attitude of 500 m, the temple lies on the bank of the Deumai River at an altitude of 500m. There is a stone cave which is inscribed with the images of the Hindu deities. The cave is about four hours hike from Illam Bazaar.

Want to Explore more Hidden Places of Illam?

The locals have a great faith in the temple. There is a special Puja observed in the Full moon day of Kartik. It is because they believe that the one who worships in the temple will be blessed with a child if they have none. Also, they also believe in various miracles by the temple like the one who cannot speak will be blessed with the voice and many others.

Mai Beni

The Mai Beni is the temple of Lord Shiva situated around 3 km away from Illam Bazaar. The temple is at the junction of rivers Mai Khola and Jogma Khola. The temple especially receives a large number of devotees during the Maghe Sankranti in January every year.

Tea Production in Illam

When we think of Illam, the first thing that comes to our mind is the tea that Illam produces. The production of tea in Illam as Nepal tea started when the Chinese government offered the then Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana with the tea saplings in 1863. The tea saplings were then planted in Illam and a tea factory was established in 1868. The factory is not in operation at present. In 2010, the total the production of Nepal was 16.23 million kg, a majority of which is produced in Illam. The economy in Illam is boosted by the tea plantation and export.

Any Queries about Illam?

Tansen: Exquisite Place with Natural Splendor and Distinct Local Artist

Posted on September 30, 2018September 22, 2022 by nsadmin

In the lap of Shreenagar Hill and above the Kali Gandaki River on the road between Butwal and Pokhara, Tansen is the hiding treasure of Nepal. Tansen is popular among the tourists for sightseeing and hand-loom products. Tansen, popularly known as Palpa, is the administrative center of Palpa district and lies on the slope of the Shreenagar Danda at an altitude of 1,343 meters.
Along with the sightseeing activities, Karuwa and hand weaved Dhaka is the special product of the place. The Nepali topi (national cap) is made from Dhaka. The Newars and the Magars are the majority of the inhabitants with some mixed Brahmins, Chhetries, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Gurung, and Tamang people.

History of Tansen

Before the unification of Nepal, Tansen was the capital of Tanahaun inhabited by the Magars. Tanahaun was one of the most powerful states that it was close enough to defeat Kathmandu under the leadership of Mukunda Sen. However, it became a part of the Shah Kingdom in the 18^th century and Tansen became a Newari Bazaar and established a trade route between India and Tibet. Being an administrative center, Maoists targeted Tansen several times during the Nepalese Civil War, including a major assault on the historic Durbar (palace) in 2006. Now, Tansen is the headquarters of Palpa district.

Getting up to Tansen

Tansen lies in Palpa district in the Lumbini zone. Tansen is 296 km away from Kathmandu through Butwal and one can easily get a bus from Kathmandu to Tansen. Also, regular flights are available from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa or Pokhara. Tansen is near Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. So, if you are planning a trip to Lumbini, then a visit to Tansen can be fitted in your list. Also, Tansen is not far from Pokhara and thus is a popular destination for tourists visiting Pokhara.

Places to visit in Tansen

Tansen Durbar

Tansen Durbar is located at the center of the town. This palace is also known as the Singh Durbar of Palpa. This was the palace of the provincial governor built in Rana Style. Built in 1972 by Pratap Sumsher Jung Bahadur Rana, the Tansen Durbar is the heart of Palpa that attracts many national and international tourists. The Durbar of The Durbar is a representation of the ancient art and crafts of the ancient Palpa. Tansen Durbar is a four-storied ancient building and has 64 rooms which comprise two meeting halls, and two minarets on two sides. The main entrance or the main gate of the Durbar is called ‘Baggi Dhoka’. The gate is the biggest gate in the whole country.

Excited to Explore the Ancient art and Craft of Palpa?

Tanahu

Tanahu is a beautiful hilly town. It is only about 32 km southeast of Tansen and is linked by a road. The hill offers visitors the views of the mountains and valleys. Tanahu also offers beautiful natural forests and farmlands.

Palpa Ranighat (Rani Mahal)

There is an ancient palace in Ranighat in Palpa which is called Rani Mahal. The palace rests calmly on a large rock and at the bank of Kali Gandaki River. Governor Khadka Shamser built the palace in memory of his wife Tej Kumari. The monument is said to be built as a symbol of the love of the king and is a masterpiece of architecture. The Ranighat is also called the Taj Mahal of Nepal. The second-largest suspension bridge in Nepal also lies here.

Tansen Bazaar

Tansen Bazaar lies at a high altitude and is one of the busiest bazaars in Nepal. One can witness the old Rana buildings, Newari-style houses, carved windows, and pagoda-style temples.

Srinagar Danda

Srinagar Danda is a hill north of Tansen. The hill lies at an altitude of 1600 meters. Srinagar is a very famous destination point for sightseeing. The hill offers a beautiful view of the Langtang and the Annapurna mountains in the east with a dense pine forest on the southern slope and the Rhododendron on the Northern slope.
Srinagar Danda is the best place to relax and have some quality time in peace. The view of the green hills around the hill is very beautiful and calm. On a clear day, the pleasant view of the snow-capped mountains steals the heart of many visitors in the area. These snow-capped mountains include Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna, Himchuli, Machhapuchhare, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and others.
The Srinagar Danda is also popular for the sunrise and sunset views. The view of the sun rising and setting between the mountains is worth watching. The time in Srinagar will be a quality amount of time anyone will spend.

Amar Narayan Temple

The Amar Narayan Temple is a classical wooden temple built in Pagoda style. The first governor of Tansen, Amar Singh Thapa built the temple in 1807 AD. The temple has beautiful carvings in the woods that reflect the history and architecture. The Amar Narayan Temple is regarded as one of the most beautiful temples outside the Kathmandu valley. There is a one-meter-long stone wall that surrounds the temple. The wall is locally called the “Great Wall of Palpa.” Inside the architecture lie the temple of Lord Vishnu, a natural spring, and rest houses. The temple is filled with the devotees during the morning and evening part of the day.

Bhairabsthan Temple

Bhairabsthan temple is popular not only in Palpa but also throughout the country. The temple is 5 km northeast of Tansen. Bhairabsthan temple can also be chosen as a short trekking destination. The temple has the largest ‘Trishul’ (Trident) which is a symbol of Lord Shiva. If you make your trip to the temple specifically on Saturday and Tuesday, then you can find a large number of devotees in the temple. According to the story of the locals, the figure of the Bhairav is similar to the Kal Bhairav of Kathmandu and is preserved beneath the floor of the temple. People from different places come to the temple to worship the god during the festival of Dashain. They offer the god with the flowers, and fruits and some also offer the blood of five different cattle- called ‘Panchabali.’

Ridi

Approximately 20 km northwest of Tansen, there is a historical place; Ridi. There is a pagoda-style Rishikesh Mandir in Ridi that makes the place a pilgrimage site. Ridi is also the junction point of the Ridi River and the Kali Gandaki River. Every year, particularly during Maghe Sankranti (Magh 1^st), people from different parts of the surrounding districts come to the temple. There is also a three days long fair at the time.
There exists a historical story behind the temple. Once while Mukunda Sen was taking a holy bath in Kali Gandaki River, he found the statue of the god Rishikesh in the water. The statue was most probably the size of the infant during that time. But, after Mukunda Sen established the statue in the temple, the statue gradually grew and finally took the shape of an adult. It is quite hard to believe but it is quite interesting to listen to the story from the locals when you are near the temple.

Tundikhel

The Tundikhel is the large open area at the southeast of the town near the bus park. The Tundikhel is a famous gathering place. People gather in the Tundikhel and chat with each other on many topics. There is a statue of King Birendra on the southern-west corner of the Tundikhel. Another thing the Tundikhel is famous for is the large bronze typical water-jug called Karuwa placed for display. The Karuwa weighs 150 kg and is made of honey wax, Palpali bronze, cow’s dung, black stones, black mud, and doal mud. Suresh Man, one of the locals from Tansen made the Karuwa and put it on display for the publicity of the Tansen all around the world.

Satyawati Lake

At an altitude of 1400 meters, there stands an attractive lake, Satyawati Lake. The lake is a pilgrimage site for the locals and believed that the name was taken from the name of the goddess called ‘Satyawati.’ The local people observe a one-night festival in the month of Kartik (Oct/Nov). According to the stories, the goddess is bad at hearing and the locals shout their wishes during the night to her. They believe that the one who circles the pond three times shouting their wishes will get their wishes fulfilled. People take baths and sacrifice animals in the pond. The pond occasionally is also the home to various migratory birds.

Know More About Tansen

Along with religious significance, the pond is also a popular destination for tourists on the trek. The common trial starts from a place by the side of Siddhartha highway. The pond is only 2 hour trek from the main road. The mountains and the floral and faunal diversity are the attractions of the trek.

Sitalpati

Sitalpati is in the center of the town. The Sitalpati was built in 1891/92 by Governor Khadka Shamsher and is octagonal in shape. During that time, Sitalpati used to be a place for public functions, and now it is a popular meeting point for the locals to have casual chats. The building provides a view as well as is a place to rest as it provides shade against the sun.

Specialties of Tansen

Palpali Dhaka

The Palpali Dhaka is a famous product of Tansen, Palpa, and has gained national as well as international fame. The Dhaka of Tansen is supplied all over the nation as well as international markets. There are various products made from Dhaka namely Dhaka topis, shawls, purses, and many more. If you ever make your trip to Tansen, then don’t miss taking one of those Dhaka Topis.

Metal Crafts

Metal crafts are the specialty of Tansen. Taksar is the place where the old bronze and brass works are produced. The bronze ‘Karuwa’ (water jug), ‘hukka’ (water pipe), and ‘auntee’ (Newari jug to store raksi; homemade alcohol) are the productions one can witness in Tansen.

First grown organic coffee in Nepal

Tansen is the city that started the first coffee production in Nepal. The coffee of Tansen has a history of about 36 years and is one of the major productions of Tansen. More than 2000 farmers are involved in the activity and most importantly the farming is all organic; no chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or fungicides.

Know more about the First Organic Coffee Production in Nepal

A beautiful hill station with a pleasant climate

Situated at the top of the hill, the Tansen not only provides beautiful views of the mountains but also experiences sound weather. The hill has a perfect climate- neither the summer is too hot nor too the winter is too cold. The hill is a perfect station for the sunrise and sunset and is also very beautifully decorated with the rhododendron. The view of the Tansen Bazaar is also something not to be missed.

Festivals and Fair

Tansen celebrates a number of festivals, almost a couple of festivals every month on average. The festivals are mainly based on the Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Among the festivals, the three-day Ridi Mela during Maghe Sankranti is the most famous. The festivals celebrated in Tansen include Satyawati Mela in Satyawati lake; a one-night festival, the Parvas Mela on Shiva Ratri, Lalpati Mela in Holi festival, and Rambha Pani Mela.

Local Cuisine

Your stay in Tansen is a good opportunity to taste the local cuisine of the place. The Hansko chyola (roasted or grilled spiced duck meat), Chukauni (boiled potato and curd), and Batuk (a lentil flour patty) are the famous foods in Tansen. You can also taste the Sel roti; a roti made of rice flour mixed with milk, water, sugar, cloves, and other ingredients and shaped circular and cooked gently until the color gets golden.

The Homestay and unique local hospitality

There are community homestays in Tansen where tourists can live with the local family and experience life wholly. The homestays provide the tourists with an amazing experience of the life of people in Tansen. Plus, the heartwarming hospitality of the host family, as well as the locals, is something that makes anyone feel special.

Kirtipur: The City with History and Culture

Posted on September 29, 2018September 22, 2022 by nsadmin

Inside the Kathmandu valley, about 5 kilometers south-west of the Kathmandu city, is the ancient city of Nepal; Kirtipur. Geographically, Kirtipur lies between longitude 27° 38″ 30′ and 27° 41″ 30′ E and latitude 85° 13″ and 85° 19″ N. The altitude ranges from 1284m to 1524m above sea level. The city gained its name from Sanskrit where ‘Kirti’ means Glory and ‘Pur’ means City. Thus, the name of the city means the city of Glory.

Kirtipur is one of the oldest cities of Nepal and is originally dominated by the Newars. For someone who has only got time to visit Kathmandu, Kritipur is what fits in your list. A short trip, away from the crowd, no entrance fee and you got to know about a classic Newari village that very few people know about.

History of Kirtipur

Kirtipur is known as the city of fierceness. The history of Kirtipur dates back to 1099 AD when it was a part of Lalitpur. Kirtipur was rich in culture, trade, industry and agriculture and this attracted the great King Prithvi Narayan Shah. In 1767, King Prithvi Narayan Shah conquered Kirtipur and made it a part of his kingdom. However, the victory over Kirtipur was not an easy task to accomplish. The King only succeeded to conquer the city in the third attempt. The Kirtipur defeated the Gorkhali troops in the first two attempts. Gorkha lost the commander Kalu Pandey in the first attack and in the second attempt, Surpratap was blinded by an arrow. Finally in the third attempt, Kirtipur was defeated.

According to the story of the local people, there was once a Newar woman named Kirti Laxmi in Kirtipur. She fought the invaders as a man named Bhairab Singh. She bravely fought against the Gorkhali in the appearance of a man. Even after the Gorkhali captured the town, Kirti Laxmi fought continuously armed with a bow and arrows. She was an example for the people for her bravery and inspired them to never give up. She is also taken as an avatar of Goddess Ajima (goddess of Newars) and believed that she saved the town. Later, Kirto Laxmi took her own life after she was captured. The name of the city Kirtipur came from the brave woman Kirti Laxmi.

Kirtipur is a city of bravery and is a place of peaceful mass demonstration of people in 2006 for the collapse of the king’s power. The city is also known as anti-monarchy city because of the bitter history with the Shah dynasty.

How to reach Kritipur?

Kirtipur is only 45 minutes drive away from Kathmandu city. Biking is also a good option to reach Kirtipur from Kathmandu since it is not a very long route and is loaded with fun.

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Places to visit in Kirtipur

The historical city of Nepal, Kirtipur carries its own history and has many places to visit around. Here are some of the destinations in Kirtipur:

Bagh Bhairab Temple

The Bagh Bhairab Temple is one of the oldest shrines in Kirtipur. The Bagh Bhairab is also called the Guardian deity and the people call it Ajudeu which means the grandfather of the gods. The statue inside the temple is made of clay and wears a large silver mask. The Bhairab is considered as the fiercest form of Lord Shiva and is propitiated in various ceremonies like rice-feeding, marriage, etc.

The Munsi Newars mostly worship the Bagh Bhairab. The temple in Kirtipur is three-storied and most probably built in the 16^th century. The temple is surrounded by a courtyard with small shrines and stone idols. The temple has three gates. One of the roofs of the temple is coated with gilt copper while other two are made of wood. The wooden pillars support the roofs which are carved with different Hindu gods and goddess.

The Bagh Bhairab deity is a symbol of knowledge, productivity and strength to the local people in Kirtipur.

Chilancho Stupa

Chilancho Stupa is a Buddhist shrine located in on the south of Kirtipur. The stupa was made during the medieval period. The stupa lies on a stepped platform and is surrounded by other four small stupas. All these five stupas are decorated with the Dhyani Buddhas statue. There is also an inscription of Nepal Sambat 635 in the stupa.

Dev Pukku

The Dev Pukku is also a pond. Dev Pukku is an old royal place and is one of the most charming places in Kathmandu. This is the pond which is the major water source of Kirtipur. The area is surrounded all around by local accommodation in recent days but it is still very charming to see the place during the summer when the local Newars are popping out from their Newari style windows.

Taudaha Lake

The Taudaha Lake is a peaceful and a beautiful place to relax. The Taudaha Lake has a religious importance for the local people in Kirtipur. The lake is believed to have formed after Manjushree cut the Chovar gorge with his sword. According to the stories, the lake accommodated the large snakes like Karkotak, the king of Nags (serpent). There are numerous devotees in the periphery of the pond during the day of Nag Panchami and pray the serpent-king. The lake is famous for bird watching. Many bird lovers go to the sites with binoculars and cambers. You can also enjoy beautiful sun rise from Taudaha Lake. There are numerous large fishes in the lake. However, fishing, boating and swimming are not allowed in the pond.

Uma Maheshwar Temple

The Uma Maheshwar Temple is a three-storied pagoda style temple built in 1655 A.D. Lord Shiva and Parvati are the main deity in this temple with the images of other like Saraswati and Mahismardini. The doors, pillars and the beams demonstrate the art work of different gods and goddess. The locals call the temple Kwacho Dege and are one of the most important sites in Kirtipur. The temple lies on the top of the hill thus offers a beautiful view of the Kathmandu valley, several mountains like Langtang, Dorge Lakkpa, Chobhu Bhamure, and Gaurisankar.

The temple was destroyed during the earthquake in 1832 AD. The temple was reconstructed and is preserving the history since the past. However, luckily the temple was not affected by the earthquake in 2015 AD.

Newa Lahana

If you are visiting the Newar city like Kirtipur, then the Newari food is something you must try. Newa Lahana is the place which is famous for the Newari foods. You will sit in the floor and served in a traditional style. The kitchen has a bunch of women dressed beautifully in the Newari attire.

They serve variety of the dishes like Baji set (a set with different items- beaten rice, marinated boiled meat, Sekuwa (barbequed meat), Bhutan (fried intestine), Choila (roasted/marinated meat), Chatamari (Newari pizza prepared out of flour) and many more. Someone who are new to the city or the place or the food also do not need to worry because the menu is written in English, Nepali and Newar and consists of the pictures of the dishes which will help the visitors make their orders.

Champa Devi Hill

The Champa Devi Hill is a magnificent hill at an elevation of 2,285 meters. The Hill is a famous hiking destination in Kirtipur especially during the New Year. At the top of the hill, there are Buddhist and Hindu shrines. It is one of the best, easy, short and enjoyable hiking destination which will take about 4 hours to reach the top. It will be a wonderful experience to walk between the pine forest in a well developed trial with the superb view of the Langtang, Gaurisankar, Jugal, Dorge Lakpa and many other mountains.

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Shri Kirti Bihar

The Shri Kirti Bihar is situated at the bottom of Kirtipur and is the only Thai temple outside Lumbini in Nepal. The monastery is at the entrance of the city. It was built in 1975. The main temple at the bottom is dedicated to the Lord Buddha and to its right, there is a small building which consists of several Buddhist paintings.

Machhegaun

Machhegaun is another village at the west of Kirtipur. Newar used to be indigenous inhabitants of the village but it is now a mixture of different other caste and culture. There is a Buddha Statue built in 2011 which has now become a centre of attraction for many tourists every year. Staircase has been developed to reach the statue. The view from the top offers a beautiful view of the Kathmandu valley.

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Machhegaun is also famous for the Manabas Mela at the Matsyanarayan Temple every three years during April to May. The locals of the village prepare the “tarons” made of different colorful plastics and decorate the temple. The Mela last for about one month.

Sagarmatha National Park: Home to the Highest Peak Mt Everest

Posted on September 24, 2018September 22, 2022 by nsadmin

Among the various protected areas in Nepal, Sagarmatha National Park is one of these protected areas in the eastern Himalayas of Nepal. The National Park was established in 1976 with an area of 1,148 km² (443 sq miles) in Solukhumbu district. Located at the highest elevation with its lowest point just over 2,800 meters, it encompasses dramatic mountains including the Mount Everest (8,848 m), Glaciers and deep valleys.

More about Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha is another name for Mount Everest. It is a Nepali word derived from two other words, Sagar meaning ‘sky’ and matha meaning ‘head.’ The name represents the glory of the Mount Everest which has increased our pride as high as the sky. Along with being home to the highest peak in the world, the National Park also includes other snow-capped mountains of the Great Himalayan Range with most of the mountains above 3,000 meters and some above 6,000 meters.

Sagarmatha National Park is popular not only for the breathtaking beauty but also due to the culture that prevails there. Some 6,000 Sherpas live in the surrounding 20 villages such as Kunde, Khumjung, Namche Bazaar, Thyangboche, Thame, Pangboche and Phortse. During the major tourist flow seasons, the Sherpas settle temporarily around the tourist trials.

Giving continuity to the culture and religion of the Sherpa including the restriction of the hunting of the animals, and resource management has contributed to the successful operation of the National Park. With so much of the natural beauty, mountains and culture mixed up in an area, UNESCO listed Sagarmatha National Park in the list of World Heritage Site in 1979. The number of tourist in the National Park is in an increasing trend in the past. Beginning from almost 3,500 tourists in 1979, the park now welcomes 30,000 visitors every year,and thus tourism has become a major source of living for the local people.

Sagarmatha National Park: Floral and Faunal diversity

Sagarmatha National Park is home to more than 118 species of birds that includes Himalayan monal, red-billed chough, yellow-billed chough, and blood pheasant. It also encompasses a large variety of rare mammals that include musk deer, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear,and Red pandas. Other species include Tibetan snow cock, pheasant, Himalayan thars, Langur monkeys, and matrens and Himalayan wolves. Since the park is located at the higher altitude, the animals have adapted themselves according to the less oxygen environment. Thick coats and short limbs help to keep them warm and prevent body heat. Some animals like Himalayan black bears go for hibernation during the cold winter days.

The park is also a unique collection of various plants. The lower zone is a forest of brich, juniper, blue pines, firs, bamboo,and rhododendron. Moving upwards, the vegetation is slowed replaced by dwarf plants and shrubs and is limited to lichens and mosses in the higher altitudes.

Kathmandu to Sagarmatha National Park: Distance and Route

The distance between Kathmandu and Sagarmatha National Park is about 135 kilometers. The National Park lies in the north-east of the Kathmandu. There are many options to reach the Sagarmatha National Park from Kathmandu. You can consider any of the following options according to your wish:

Flight to Lukla and a hike of 2 days
Get a bus to Jiri and a hike of 10 days
Flight to Tumlingtar and a hike of 10 days
Bus to Salleri and a hike of 5 days
Fly to Phaplu and then trek of 5 days
Direct helicopter flight to Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, Namche Bazaar and other destinations inside the National Park.

Since the National Park lies in the region of Everest Base Camp; the National Park is famous as a place to go for the trek to EBC. Most of the visitors of the Park are found to be looking to trek to EBC or other treks in the region like Gokyo Lakes, Island Peak, and Everest High Passes Treks.

Best time to visit Sagarmatha National Park

A trip to Sagarmatha National Park will be ideal during March- Mid June and Mid-September-Mid December. The time is suitable because during the summer months (June to September) precipitation is very common and during the winter (December to February) the temperature during the day generally falls below 0°C, and heavy snowfall occurs.

Major Attractions of Sagarmatha National Park

Everest Base Camp Trek

The Everest Base Camp trek is the top priority for almost all the visitors in Sagarmatha National Park. The trek to Everest Base Camp is of about two weeks, starts and ends at Lukla which is known as the ‘Gateway to Everest.’ Starting from Lukla, a two-day trek up to Dudh Koshi will lead to Namche Bazaar. Phakding and Monjo are popular as resting points,and there is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. After showing the permits at Jorsale, the trail continues uphill,and Namche Bazaar is where you stand after 3 hours.

A couple of day’s acclimatization in Namche and the trail leads you to the valley of Imja Khola which offers magnificent views of mountains of Lhotse and Everest. A visit to Tengboche monastery is an option for the trekkers from Imja Khola.

Ascending from the Tengboche monastery through the Pangboche and Dingboche, the trek ends. From here about 6-hour walk to Lobuche and next 3 hours hike to Gorak Shep is where you end the trek. Above here one can also trek to Kala Patthar from where trekkers witness the spectacular view of the Mount Everest and several other peaks.

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Gokyo Lakes

Gokyo Lakes are the freshwater lakes in Nepal situated in the Sagarmatha National Park, at an altitude of 4,700 m – 5,000 m. The Gokyo Lakes contains six lakes among which Lake Thonak is the largest. The Gokyo Lake is also a Ramsar Site.

From Namche Bazaar, walking for around 5-6 hours, trekkers reach PhortseThanga (3,500 meters). Continuing up to Dole through the Rhododendron and the herd of mountain goats and musk deer, trekkers reach Luza (4630 m). Following the rocky trail and thorny bushes, trekkers reach Dudh Koshi valley which leads to Machhermo. Gokyo Lake is about 4 hours trek from Machhermo. Climbing through the Chorten ridge enjoying the view of Mt. Kangtega and Cho-Oyu, it reaches to Pangka.

Crossing a bridge follows the first lake named Longpongo (4690 m) where trekkers can observe the Lama footprints in the rock. Taboche is the second lake in the region with an enchanting view of the blue water sheet sparkling in the sun. Next comes, the Dudh Pokhari, the third lake. The Gokyo village stands by this village.

30 minutes up the third lake and trekkers can view the Ngozumpa glacier, the biggest glacier of Nepal. Next comes, the fourth lake Thonak Tsho and the fifth Ngozumpa Tsho, which provide a spectacular view of highest peaks. Cho-you (8153m), Gyachung Kang (7922 m), Everest (8848 m), and Lhotse (8501 m) extend from the west to east, and Mount Makalu stands further way.

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Island Peak

Island Peak also known as Imja Tse is the most popular peak for the trekking in Nepal. The main reason why it has become a favorite trek is that it is suitable for both the new and experienced climbers. Although located at an altitude of 6,189 m, Island Peak offers an amazing climbing experience which is not very challenging technically. Thus, a healthy and physically fit individual can make it up to Island Peak with a little or no experience of climbing.

In fact, the Island Peak is an extension of the ridge coming down off the southern end of the Lhotse Shar. As soon as you conquer the Island Peak, you will be overwhelmed with the same feeling as you are at the top of the world. To learn about the detailed itinerary of Island Peak, visit here.

Everest High Passes

Everest High Passes is an excellent choice for someone who is looking for a challenging trek in Everest Region. One should cross the three high passes namely Kongma La Pass (5535 m), Chola Pass (5420 m) and Renjo La Pass (5340 m) in one trek. The Everest high passes leads you along the less traveled route to Everest Base Camp with challenges like high altitude and rocky terrain. But it also offers trekkers with the magnificent views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Thamserku, and Mt. Ama Dablam. Also trekkers will experience the lovely Sherpa people, their village and their culture.

Experience the thrilling and Classic Trek to Everest Base Camp Followed by Kongma, Chola and Renjo La Pass

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Ama Dablam Base Camp trek

The Ama Dablam Base Camp trek is so designed that it takes you near to the Sherpa village within easy distance from Namche Bazaar. The Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek shares the same trial as of the Everest Base Camp trek until Pangboche. The Ama Dablam Base Camp is a fascinating trek with spectacular views of the Mount Everest and unforgettable scenery of the Ama Dablam base camp.

As soon as you arrive Lukla, you will start your trek to Phakding and then to Namche Bazaar. Taking the first glimpse of the Mt Everest, crossing the suspension bridges and passing through the beautiful pine forest, you will reach Dudh Koshi and then finally up to Phakding. Ascending up from Phakding, trekkers now stand on Namche Bazaar, the gateway to the Everest. Crossing the beautiful rhododendron forest you will now reach to Tengbuche. Along the Sherpa settlement, Debuche is only 15 minutes away from Tengboche. Hiking approximately 2 to 3 hours hike leads to Pangboche which further leads up to Dingboche. From here, one can observe the eye-catching view of the Ama Dablam Mountain.

The Khumbu Glacier

The Khumbu Glacier is a very exciting place to explore during the trip to Sagarmatha National Park. The glacier is almost 17 km long and is the highest glacier lying at the altitude of 4,900 meters in the Khumbu region of north-east Nepal between Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. The glacier is followed to the final part of the trail to Everest Base Camp. The Glacier starts in the West Cwm near Everest. There is a large ice fall called the Khumbu Icefall in the Glacier.

The Khumbu ice fall is terrifying but still a beautiful place when you reach there. The conquering of the ice fall is a real challenge and dangerous adventure. The ice fall is moving continuously with varying speed and sometimes leaving crevasses. Large ice blocks can also be another challenge for the trekkers.

Encounter the Glory of Khumbu Region with Panaromic Views of the Mountains

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Starting your trek early in the morning while it is still dark is a good idea. It is because, once the sun comes up, it is too hot and may dehydrate the climber. The glacier also becomes less stable during the daytime.

DASHAIN: From Ghatasthapana to Kojagrata Puja

Posted on September 21, 2018 by nsadmin

Dashain also known as Vijaya Dashami is the longest and the most auspicious festival of Nepal. This festival is observed by Nepalese of all caste and creed all over the country with great faith. Government offices, education institutes and other offices remain closed during the festival.

The festival of Dashain is a celebration of reunion and fun. People who are away from their country and home return to their own home from different part of the world. Every members of the family especially the children are provided with new clothes to add on the happiness. Various traditional foods, feasts, kites and the bamboo swings are the things that symbolize the arrival of Dashain.

The atmosphere during the Dashain has energy in itself. The markets are busy all around the country and the economy of almost every sector boost. Houses and the surroundings are cleaned; people move from places to place and the whole environment seems so lively. The natural environment adds more beauty in the occasion. It is neither too hot nor too cold, rain stops to pour, the sun shines, trees regenerate green leafs and the flowers bloom. We can feel the festive evidence in the fragrance of the environment.

When is Dashain in 2018?

Dashain falls on the month of September or October. Dashain is a 15 days long festival that falls on the “bright moon” until the full moon in the month of Ashwin. In the first nine days of the festival, people worship goddess Durga and her different manifestations. The tenth day is celebrated grandly by worshipping the idols of gods and goddess in a procession and celebrates the victory over evil. The rest of the five days celebrate the victory with blessings from the goddess. Among the fifteen days of celebration, the first, seventh, eighth, ninth and the fifteenth days are more important.

This year the Dashain starts from 10^th October 2018 which is 24^th Ashwin 2075 according to the Nepali calendar. However, the major day of celebration is the tenth day which falls on the 19^th October 2018 or 2^nd Kartik 2075.

History and Significance of Dashain

According to the Hindu mythology, once a water buffalo demon named Mahishasura was causing trouble in the world of the gods. There was a battle between the demon and goddess Durga. The battle lasted for ten long days. In the last day, the demon was killed by the goddess which is the day of celebration of the Dashain. The former days of the festival indicates the battle days between the Mahishasura and the goddess Durga while the tenth day is celebrated as the day of victory. Vijaya means the victory and the Dashami means the tenth day, which made the name of the festival.

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Likewise, another Hindu legend Ramayana represents Dashain as the day when Ram (vice) got the victory over the Ravan (virtue) with the blessing of goddess Durga.

Does not matter how it is described, it symbolizes the victory of good over evil. The people believe that the celebration of Dashain will lead an individual towards the right path. Also, goddess Durga will protect the members of the families forever. The elder members bless the younger of their family and neighbor with good advices. They also believe that it is good to receive the tika and blessings from as many people as you can.

Dashain Celebration: What happens in different days of Dashain?

Even though Dashain is the festival celebrated for continuous fifteen days, some of the days have a specific and important significance. Let’s know more about Dashain, going through what specifically happens in certain days:

Day 1: Ghatasthapana

The first day if the festival; Ghatasthapana is the day of sowing Jamara. Ghada or Kalash means ‘holy vessel’ and sthapana means ‘to establish.’ Literally, in this day, a Kalash symbolizing the goddess Durga is kept and filled with the holy water that is collected from a sacred pond or river. The devotees prepare a rectangular sandy area with the Kalash at the center. The priest starts the Puja inviting the goddess to rest in the Kalash for coming nine days. The barley seeds are sown around the Kalash in the sandy area which are believed to be pure and blessed.

The room where this is all done is known as Dashain Ghar and is worshipped throughout the festival period. Traditionally only the males of the family used to perform the ritual, however, it is not the same these days. The place where seeds are sown is chosen in such a way that direct sunlight does not reach there. For nine days the Kalash is worshiped and the sown area is watered regularly. At the end of the ninth day, the seed will grow almost up to five or six inches and will be yellowish in color. This grass is considered as sacred and is called Jamara.

Day 7: Phulpati

During the day of Phulpati, the Brahmins from the Gorkha bring out the Royal Kalash, Banana stalks, Jamara and sugarcane tied with the red cloth. The procession is about three days long. The government officials wait for the arrival of the Phulpati in Tundikhel and join the parade to Hanuman Dhoka. The Nepalese army observes the continuous firing of the weapons for about fifteen minutes to celebrate the arrival of the Phulpati. There is a Royal Dashain Ghar inside the Hanuman Dhoka where the Phulpati are kept.

But since 2008, after the Royal family was overthrown from the country, the tradition of the arrival of the Phulpati has changed. The Phulpati now goes to the residence of the President.

Day 8: Maha Aasthami

The people worship the fiercest manifestation of goddess Durga; blood thirsty Kali in the eighth day of Dashain. Goddess Kali and Durga receives massive sacrifices of animals like goats, hens, buffaloes, goats and ducks in Kathmandu and in several parts of Nepal. The blood is sacrificed to the goddess as a symbol of fertility. The meat is then taken to the homes, and eaten as a sacred food; Prasad, which is blessed by the goddess. The people organize feast in their homes.

The Newar Community perform the feast called Kuchi Bhoe in which ritually people should consume two pathi of beaten rice including bhuttan, (fried intestine and other abdominal part), tori ko saag (mustard leaves), bara, (beancake), chowella, (marinated meat) aaloo ko achaar, (potato pickle) bhatmaas, (soybean) aduwa, (spiced ginger) bodi (blacked- eyes peas) in a banana leaf including Aila (liquor) and thoo (Newari alcohol).

Day 9: Maha Nawami

The ninth day of the festival; Maha Nawami is the last day of Navaratri. Until this day, the ceremonies reach to the peak. The state offers the sacrifices of the buffaloes under gunfire salutes in Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace. During the day, Vishwa karma is worshiped (the god of creativity) where people sacrifice duck, goat, duck egg, hens to vehicles, various equipment and tools. The devotees believe that the worshiping of the vehicles on this day will prevent the accidents in the future days.

The night of the ninth day is also called as Kal Ratri or the Black night. The Basantapur area is lively the whole night and there is a tradition of the mass scarifying of 54 buffaloes and 54 goats in the Dashain Ghar.

The ninth day of Dashain is the only day when the gates of the Taleju temple are open to the public. Thousands of devotees go to pray and honor the goddess throughout the day.

Day 10: Bijaya Dashami (Vijaya Dashami)

The tenth day is the day with the most significance. The tika; a mixture of rice, vermilion and yogurt is prepared by the women. Dressed up in new and beautiful dresses, the younger receives the tika from the elders. The elders also give the younger ones blessings to be a good person and for their better future. The red tika is taken as a symbol of blood that ties the family together for forever. Along with the tika, the younger also receive a small sum of money called “Dakshina”. The relatives and the family members away from their home come to receive tika on the following days of the tenth day.

Day 15: Kojagrata Puja

The fifteenth day of Dashain is the last day that falls on the full moon day called Kojagrata Purnima. The actual meaning of the Kojagrata is ‘who is awake’. On this day, people worship the goddess of wealth; goddess Laxmi. They believe that the goddess will descend down to the earth in this day and bless her with prosperity that is awake for the whole night. The people enjoy the night by playing cards and much more.

Traditions during the great festival of Dashain

The people of Nepal celebrate the Dashain with great enthusiasm and fun. There are still more traditions associate with the festival which includes:

Kites: The kites are the very important part of the festival. As the festival arrives closer, we can see the various colored and various sized kites in the sky over most part of Nepal. The kites are also considered as the messenger to the god for more rain. Mostly, the children are found enjoying with the kites. While the children are busy with the kites, the elder members are busy in playing cards.

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Bamboo Swing: Dashain is almost incomplete without Bamboo Swing. The people construct the swings by using the four Bamboo sticks, a thick rope made up of grass and wood. This swing is called “Linge Ping.” There are swings in almost one and other villages during the Dashan. The swing is constructed at least a day earlier than Ghatasthapana and is almost kept until the Tihar. We can find people of different ages in a queue waiting for their turn to play the swing. The people also believe that during the Dashain festival, they must leave the feet from the earth and play the swing at least once.

Rotis: There is a special tradition of making a round shape roti during the Dashain. Especially sweet ring shaped rice bread is prepared on Dashain. The roti is called “Sel Roti” and is prepared from the floor of rice. Almost every house makes this roti during the festival.

What for the Tourists?

Tourists can also enjoy the festival in many ways. Numerous small fairs are conducted throughout the country with Ferris and wheels and other rides and entertainment. Tourist can listen the Dashain music all around the cities which is called “Mal Shree Dhun”. The markets during the Dashain are worth visiting with so much of the crowd and many offers in almost every sector. Most importantly, the Dashain procession that passes through the three cities of the Kathmandu Valley is something that will amaze the tourists.

Nepal Visa Requirements: Making travel to Nepal Easier

Posted on September 21, 2018September 22, 2022 by nsadmin

Traveling within and outside the country nowadays has become a hobby for many people around the world. Whether for study and research or the purpose of recreation and refreshment, traveling is very common today. The most important thing while traveling to foreign countries is Visa.

Nepal is a beautiful country which is a destination for thousands of international tourists every year. The geographical, ethical, cultural and traditional diversities are the major factors that have made Nepal the most favored place where any tourist can spend a pleasant time.

Things are not that difficult for international tourists in Nepal. All countries except India require a visa to enter Nepal for any purpose. There are various types of visas one can apply to come to Nepal. They include visas such as working visa, diplomatic visa, study visa, relationship visa, marriage visa, etc. There are also procedures and the requirements for the tourist visa who want to explore Nepal.

Nepal has made traveling very comfortable by arranging the various options for a visa. The visa can be obtained from the embassy of Nepal in the country where traveler belongs. Otherwise, you can also get a visa as soon as you land on the Tribhuvan International Airport, the only international airport in Nepal. The facility is also available in the land border entry points of the country which are Kakadvitta (Eastern border), Birjung (Central border), Bhairahawa (Western border), Nepalgunj (Midwestern border), and Gaddhachowki in Far western Nepal-India border and Kodari in Northern Nepal-China border. So either you are traveling by airways, or you are entering Nepal through the land borders, you do not need to worry about the visa. You can get one after you arrive. All you need is a valid passport with a blank page, two passport-sized photos (not needed in the airport) and foreign currency to pay for the visa.

Visa Information for Nepal

Here is the information which might be useful for international tourists who are planning to explore Nepal:

Tourist Visa Nepal

Here are the types of visas with their duration and the cost of the tourist visa in Nepal:

Visa Facility Duration Cost

Multiple Entry 15 days US $30 or equivalent convertible currency

Multiple Entry 30 days US $50 or equivalent convertible currency

Multiple Entry 90 days US $125 or equivalent convertible currency

Gratis Visa (Free Visa)

There is also the provision of a free visa. However, here are the criteria to obtain a free visa in Nepal:

Must be a child below the age of 10 years
The visitors from SAARC countries (except for Afghanistan) for their first visit in one visa year. Afghan citizen is eligible for Gratis Visa on Arrival only upon the recommendation of the Department of Immigration. If you are an Afghan citizen, you can request a concerned institution inviting you to Nepal for necessary paperwork with the Department of Immigration to obtain your Gratis Visa ‘On Arrival’. The citizens from the countries Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh can get a free visa of 30 days. However, for the extension of the visa, procedures are similar to that of other countries.
Chinese citizens
Non Residential Nepali (NRN) cardholders

Nepal Visa Requirement for Indian citizens

The visitors from India do not require a visa to travel to Nepal. But in case they are traveling using airways, they need to carry either of the following documents with them during their traveling time:

Passport
Election Commission Card

Nepal Visa Requirement for Chinese citizens

The Chinese who are applying for the tourist visa in Nepal are provided with the gratis visa from Jan 5, 2016. The Chinese can get the visa from any of the following Nepali missions in The People’s Republic of China:

Embassy of Nepal, Beijing
Consulate General of Nepal, Hong Kong
Consulate General of Nepal, Lhasa
Honorary Consulate of Nepal, Shanghai

Nepal visa requirements on arrival

Nepal offers visitors the visa they need to travel after arriving in Nepal to make your travel easier and more convenient. Visa on arrival is a fast and easy process. However, it might be tedious when the tourist flow is high. There might be a long queue during the peak seasons. If you want to avoid the queue, then we suggest you take the visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Stations in your own country before coming to Nepal. The choice is totally up to you.

The tourist visa is the only kind of visa you can get after the arrival. No other forms of visas are available after the arrival. So, if you are visiting Nepal for any other purpose than tourism (trekking, traveling, sightseeing, visiting a friend and tours), you need to change your visa type. You can do this by contacting the office of the Department of Immigration (DOM) Nepal.

It is not a very long and difficult process to obtain a visa after landing on the Tribhuvan International Airport. Here are the step-wise procedures you need to follow to get the visa after your arrival:

Step 1: The Arrival Card

You need to fill the Arrival Card as soon as you arrive at the airport
Next is to fill the online tourist visa form. For a quicker process, you can also fill out the form before coming to Nepal which is available on the website of the Department of Immigration Nepal. You need to bring the print of the submission receipt and bring it with you. The form is valid only for 15 days, and you need to refill the form if the given time expires.

Step 2: Payment for the visa

Make sure about the type of visa you will need (15 days, 30 days or 90 days) and make the payment accordingly. You need to make the payment in the bank and make sure you get the receipt.

You can make the payment for the visa in different currencies. These are like the Australian dollar, Canadian dollar, Euro, Hong Kong dollar, Japanese Yen, Singapore dollar, Pound Sterling and the US dollar. Payment is often preferred in US dollars. However, if you are entering Nepal through any of the land borders as mentioned above, payment of the visa fee by the US dollar is the only option. They do not accept any other currencies and credit cards.[pullquote align=”right”] Make sure to bring one passport size photo with you for this purpose as well as the exact cash amount of the current visa fee in US$ while paying at the visa counter.[/pullquote]

Anything You want to know about Visa procedures in Nepal?

You may also save your time by filling in the form beforehand online here and uploading a digital photo, but you must do this less than 15 days before your arrival date.

In addition, you must write down the information on Nepal’s local address while filling up the application form. If you are trekking with Nepal Sanctuary Treks then please fill the details under the following headings:

House number: 1246

Street Name: Lamtangeen Marg, Chundevi-4,

Municipality/VDC: Municipality, Kathmandu

Ward number: 04

District: Kathmandu

Step 3: Time for the stamp

As you receive the receipt of the payment you have made for the visa, proceed towards the Immigration desk with the receipt, passport and the online visa form you have filled earlier.
Occasionally, they might ask you about your accommodation and the return tickets. Bring them while you are proceeding for the visa. The person at the Immigration desk will then mark a stamp on your passport upon their satisfaction.

Visa Extension in Nepal

There is a provision of the extension of the visa in case your visa turned out to be short. The Department of Immigration (DOI) in Kathmandu and the Immigration Office in Pokhara are the only two offices that extend the visa in Nepal. It is generally not a headache to extend the visa within the few days of the expiration but in case of really long overstay huge fines and arrest resulting up to a seven-year ban on re-entry. So, it is very important to be careful about the visa expiry date and timely extension.

Tourist Visa Extension

Visa Extension (within valid visa period): USD 3 per day

Visa Extension (With Multiple Entry): Additional USD 25

Visa Extension (After Visa Expiration): Late fee USD 5 per day

Nepal visa Extension Requirements

There is not much required to extend the visa. All you need is your passport, the fee for visa extension, photo and the application form that is required to be filled online. While filling the form, it asks you about the street and the building number you will be living in. Since most Nepalese streets do not provide the building numbers; you can make it up. Now look forward to a photo studio that can give you a print of a digital passport photo of you.

You can further carry out the extension process on the same day. The process completes within around 2 hours. However, you can also go for the process even faster which will extend your visa within 15 minutes. But, this will cost you an extra charge of Rs 300. If you feel bored with the whole visa extension process, the travel agencies also do the work for you under some monetary charge.

A tourist cannot stay in Nepal for more than 150 days in his one visa year (January 1 to December 31). Thus, you cannot extend your visa for more than 150 days. So, if you are running close to your maximum days, you need to show your air ticket to confirm your return back to your country.

Queries about Nepal Visa procedures?

Other Visa Information

There are some countries that do not get a visa after arrival in Nepal. Visitors from Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Palestine, Ethiopia, Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, Iraq, and Swaziland should get their visas from the Embassies of Nepal or the Diplomatic Missions in their own countries.

You can get the other detailed information on the visa on the official website of the Department of Immigration, Nepal.

Revised on October 27, 2019

Pokhara: The City of Lakes

Posted on September 20, 2018September 22, 2022 by nsadmin

Pokhara is the second largest city and number one adventure and Leisure City in Nepal. Nepal is a beautiful country blessed with the varied topography, natural resources, mesmerizing mountains and culture, and traditions. Among various places, Nepal provides a sense of pleasure, fun, and adventure at the same time; Pokhara is one of the places that strikes everyone’s mind. Together with the adventure activities, Pokhara provides the visitors with a variety of the foods to taste.

Whether you are returning from weeks long trekking or traveled a long, tiring bus journey, Pokhara is the best place for revitalize your mind and body. With all the natural beauties like lakes, mountains and various adventure activities, Pokhara receives tourists every year from all around the world that it is also called the Capital of tourism in Nepal.

About Pokhara

Pokhara is a metropolitan city in Kaski district Nepal, around 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu. The altitude of Pokhara varies from 827 meters in the south to 1,740 meters in the north. The Annapurna Range which consists of three of the highest mountains in the world; Mt Dhaulagiri, Mt Annapurna -I and Mt Manaslu, lies in the Pokhara Valley and thus being a base for the Annapurna Circuit.

Looking back to the history of Pokhara, it was one of the parts of the kingdom Kaski (one of the 24 kingdoms of Nepal). King of Kaski established Pokhara as a commercial center in mid 18^th century. The Brahmin, Chhetries, Thakuri, and Dalits settled in the most of Pokhara during the ancient time. However, the majority of Pokhara at present is inhabited by Khas (Brahmin, Chhetries, and Thakuri), Gurungs and Magar.

In recent days, Pokhara is a world famous tourist destination. Old Newari houses and many medieval era temples stand reflecting the architecture of the ancient time. On the other hand, the heart-melting natural beauty of the place and the thrilling adventures Pokhara provides is a perfect combination to relax you.

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Where to visit in Pokhara?

The beautiful and charming city has much more offerings than that a visitor is expecting. The beautiful lakes, the caves, and the viewpoints are something one should never miss during the Pokhara trip. Pokhara is also known as the ‘City of Lakes’ for the beautiful lakes it has. The beautiful lakes are enough to calm one’s heart and feel the peace. Also, the caves and the temples are other major attractions of Pokhara. Here are the places one should not miss during their Pokhara trip.

Phewa/ Fewa Lake

The Phewa Lake is the center of attraction in Pokhara. The lake lies at the altitude of 742 meters and occupies 4.43 km² of area. The average depth of the lake is about 8.6 meters. The lake is famous for boating on the bank of the lake which provides the visitors with the tour of the lake. One can hire a boat and visit around the floating on the surface of the beautiful lake.

Barahi Temple

The Barahi temple is another attraction of the Lake. The temple is built in the center of the Phewa Lake. Visitors can hire a boat and enjoy their ride up to the temple. The temple is two-storied and in pagoda style. The Barahi temple is a representation of Ajima, which is the reflection of the female force. A large number of devotees visit the temple, especially on Saturdays. There is also a tradition of scarifying the animals in the temple.

The lake is also famous for the reflection of the Mt. Machhapuchhare and other mountains of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The breathtaking view of the mountains from the lake and their beautiful reflection in the water of the lake make the lake as if it is a piece of heaven landed on earth.

Begnas Lake

Begnas Lake lies in the south-east of Pokhara valley and is the third largest lake of Nepal. The water in the lake is not constant and is used for irrigation. Begnas Lake is a quiet place with the beautiful mountains and a perfect place to be in the evening. One can also hire a canoe boat and paddle themselves on the lake. Begnas Lake is a perfect place to relax in the lap of Annapurna Range, and with the view of the beautiful sunset.

Rupa Lake

Rupa Lake lies at an altitude of 600 meters and covers an area of 1.35 km². Cage culture and pen culture can be seen in Rupa Lake to promote fishing. Also, this lake is rich in floral and faunal diversity. Among the 193 species of wetland-dependent birds found in Nepal, 36 species of them are recorded in the Rupa Lake which alone contributes up to 19% of the total species.

Davi’s falls

The Davis fall is 2 km southeast from the center of the Pokhara city. The fall is also called Patale Chhango (Hells Fall) in Nepali. The water from the falls runs through an underground tunnel of about 150 m long and 30 m below the ground. It is said that in 1961, a woman slipped and got drowned by the water while swimming with her husband and was killed. The name of the fall hence was kept in her remembrance. The water in the Davis falls comes with much force during the monsoon season. However, always keep in mind to be careful about accidents.

Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave

The Gupteshwor Cave is close to the Davis falls. The cave is believed to have discovered in the 16^thcentury and has two chambers. The inside of the cave is dark. Although, some lightning is available, carrying a hand torch will be a good idea. The first chamber of the cave consists of various shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Proceeding inside the cave, visitors can find the water from the Davis fall run through the end of the cave. This is why the second chamber of the cave is almost closed during the monsoon.

Mahendra Cave

Mahendra Cave is an ancient cave below a mountain in the northeast of Pokhara. The cave is formed by young limestone and is of religious importance. Inside of the cave is complete darkness with water dripping from the top. The first 100 meters corridor is properly accessible while it narrows as moving further.

Bindabasini temple

The Bindabasini temple is the Guardian Deity of Pokhara. The temple stands at the top of a hill at an altitude of 3000 feet and is dedicated to goddess Durga. Founded in 1845 BS, the temple receives a large number of devotees during the Dashain festival. The temple is colored in white, and a dome-like structure dominates the courtyard and surrounded by a park-like landscape. The scarifying of the animals is doneon the Saturdays and the Tuesdays. Beautiful mountains ranges and the view of the old Bazaar are also the attractions of the temple.

Sarangkot

Sarangkot is a viewpoint at an altitude of 1600 meters and is famous for the mountain views, sunrise, and sunset. From here, one can view the panorama of the glorious mountains that includes Dhaulagiri (8167 m) in the west, Pyramid of Machhapuchhare (6997 m), and Annapurna II (7937 m) in the east. A short trek to the hilltop in the early morning or the evening will be a perfect time to get lost in nature with the sunrise or the sunset.

Peace Stupa

Located at the southeast of Pokhara at the altitude of almost 1,000 meters, the Peace Stupa is a holy place for the Buddhist. The white colored monument is 115 feet tall and 344 feet in diameter. The stupa is a good choice for a short hike, sunrise view, and sight seeing. The stupa provides a clear view of the Himalayan Range, Phewa Lake, and the Pokhara city.

It can be accessed by hiring a mountain bike and paddle up the rocky path. One can also hire a boat across the lake and walking along the uphill trail through the beautiful forest.

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Activities to do in Pokhara

If you are looking for something real adventure and fun part from the natural scenario and pleasing mountains in Pokhara, then you have got many options. Pokhara is all ready to provide you with the wonderful life experiences of various adventure activities:

Paragliding

Paragliding in Pokhara is an amazing experience. The take-off spot is Sarangkot. The flight swings over the Sarangkot for a while and then heads over Pokhara sharing the sky with the birds. Most people go for a tandem flight (with a pilot). Flying on the sky, below lies the beautiful valley, the green hills and the pleasing Phewa Lake, the experience is amazing. The closer view of the Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail) and the Annapurna Range will make all the fear during the flight escape in a second.

Zip Flying

Zip flying is an activity that has been attracting tourists in Nepal. The Zip Flying starts from 1625 m in Sarangkot and ends at 960 m in Hemmja. It consists of a trolley what is mounted ona steel cable, 1.8 km long. You will descend 2000 vertical feet at an angle of 56% and speed over 90 miles per hour. The flight will amaze you with the Annapurna range, Machhapuchhare, Dhaulagiri range, Lamjung Himal range and beautiful Pokhara valley. Wait no more and make our dream to fly come true.

Hand Gliding

Hand Gliding is an amazing experience to ride a plane by own. Hand Gliding is also done from Sarangkot and you are the pilot of your own plane. You can enjoy the ride freely like a bird and look at the beautiful mountains, lakes and monasteries. Weather is an important element for Hand Gliding.

Sky Diving

Sky diving ads thrill to the beauty of Pokhara. Now fly above the clouds and witness the enchanting city. The skydive in Pokhara are traditional jumps and made from the altitude of 11,000 t0 13,000 meters at Pame Danda Drop zone, west of Phewa Lake.

Para motor

Paramotor is a power unit a pilot wears in his back. It is almost similar to Paragliding but a little risky and requires minimal training.

Bungy Jumping

Bungee Jumping in Pokhara is the highest water touch jump in the world. This thrilling experience is something you would like to do once in a lifetime. The jump is made from the top of the tower which is 80 m high and dive in a pond which is 18-20 meters deep.

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Trekking

Trekking is always the best option for adventure and exploration. Pokhara is a gateway for the trek to Annapurna Base Camp, Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, Mardi Himal trek, Jomsom Muktinath trek, and Upper Mustang trek. Also, you can go for a short one day trek around Pokhara like a trek to Dhampus village, Sarangkot- Naudanda hike, Peace Stupa Hike, a day hike to Australian Camp and others.

Mountain biking

A mountain bike ride will be a wonderful experience in Pokhara. Mountain biking is a chance to explore Pokhara little more riding through trials rarely followed by the tourists. You can bike up to the Peace stupa or roam around the Phewa Lake in the evening along the lakeside.

Seti river rafting

The warm and beautiful Seti River provides the adventure of rafting. The Damauli is the entry point and ends at Gaighat. It is also a destination for bird watchers. The Seti River is a gentle river and thus provides the experience of rafting without major challenges. However the flow may be wild during the monsoon.

Stand up Paddling

Stand up Paddling is another activity to challenge you in Pokhara. Paddling is done either in Phewa or in Begnas Lake. The choice of lake is yours. Although, you might find it difficult initially to balance the paddle, but as soon as you balance the paddle the activity is amazing that drives you lost in the nature of the lake.

Para-Hawking

Such an interesting name, isn’t it? Para-Hawking is a new, extraordinary sport and may be of special concern for someone who is interested in birds of prey. Before the activity, the pilot or the passenger takes a fragment of meat in their hand. During the flight, the bird will approach you and may also quietly land on the hand with meat. It takes the meat and then fly way to find the next flyer with another piece of meat. This real experience is something you cannot afford to miss.

Buddha Jayanti: Towards the path of the Light of Asia

Posted on September 18, 2018May 22, 2023 by nsadmin

Nepal is a multi ethnic, multicultural and multi-religious country, celebrates some festivals every year. Among the various joyous festivals celebrated in the country by various groups and communities, Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima is one of the festivals common among Nepalese community.

The festival falls on Baisakh Purnima, the full moon day of Baisakh, the first Nepali month. The exact date of celebration of Buddha Purnima is however not always the same. It usually falls on May or April or sometimes in June in a leap year. The day of Baisakh Purnima is special among the Buddhism followers because the day is not only the day Gautam Buddha was born, but the day was also blessed as the day Gautam Buddha got Enlightenment and Nirvana. Thus, the celebration in Baisakh Purnima celebrates the three major events; the Birth, Enlightenment,and Nirvana of the Light of Asia, Gautam Buddha.

Gautam Buddha: Birth and Life

Gautam Buddha was a prince of Kapilvastu. The King Suddhodana and Queen Maya Devi named him Siddhartha Gautam who later became Gautam Buddha. According to legends, on the day Maya Devi conceived a child, she saw a dream of a white elephant with six tusks entering her right part of the body. As per the existing tradition of giving birth in a parent’s house, the queen Maya Devi left her house in Kapilvastu to go to her parent’s house to give birth to her child. But, on her way she suffered the labor pain and her child was born in Lumbini under a tree. It is said that as soon as Siddhartha Gautam was born, he declared that this was his last rebirth and took seven steps. On every seven steps he took, a lotus bloomed.

Being born into a royal family, Siddhartha Gautam had a luxurious life. The king kept the prince away from anything that may be a cause of suffering for him. Unaware of the outer world and the suffering and misery in life, Siddhartha Gautam once saw an old man, a diseased person,and a deceased body. He then realized that human life is full of sufferings. The young prince was surprised to know about such conditions that occur in life. He decided to find out what causes these sufferings to humanity and what can be done to eliminate these sufferings. At the young age of 29 years, the Prince left the royal palace and all the luxuries of life and started living his life as a monk. He meditated under a Bodhi tree and finally found that the only cause of the pain and sufferings in human life is nothing other than human desires and greed. Once one can leave these things apart, he/she could achieve peace in life with no more sufferings. The prince Siddhartha Gautam received Enlightenment (Buddhato), and spread his learning among others and thus called Buddha.

More About the Life of Gautam Buddha

Rituals during Buddha Jayanti

The teachings of Buddha spread all around the world,and now, Buddhism is a religion followed by many countries in the world. The devotees dress in white dresses and offer Gautam Buddha with vegetarian food, flowers, fruits,and candles. The devotees set the animals free which are kept in the case symbolizing that Buddhism care for all creatures. The scarifying of the animals is not allowed during this day. Donations to persons and organizations in many forms like cash, meals or any other items are made with the main aim of helping them.

The Bodhi tree is of huge importance in Buddhism. Devotees respect the tree and decorate the branches with garlands and colorful ribbons. They perform prayers, meditations by the monks and the continuous performance of the holy book. On this special day the devotees decide to follow the five fundamental percepts (Panchasila) of Buddhist ethics which comprises the basic teachings of conduct:

Not to harm anyone’s life
Not to steal the things that are not yours
Not to do any sexual misconduct
Not to lie. Speak the truth
Not to eat or drink anything that intoxicates the brain

Celebrating Buddha Jayanti in Nepal

Nepal celebrates Buddha Jayanti with huge devotion. There are different events and ceremonies that the devoteesperform around the stupas and shrines all around Nepal. In Nepal, the Buddha Jayanti is a national holiday since 1952 and ban the scarifying of the animals. Grand celebrations occur in Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, the Swayambhunath stupa, the Boudhanath stupa,and many other stupas.

Ceremony in Lumbini

On the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, many processions and programs take place in Lumbini. The devotees decorate the Maya Devi temple very beautifully with colorful lights. The statue of Gautam Buddha is kept in the chariot,and a procession is carried out. The procession also consists of the musicians playing the music and the women singing and dancing. The devotees utter various prayers and speech. The monks deliver a speech about the Buddhism and its importance in human life.

Since Buddhism is all about serving humanity, there are also some programsto support the local students in the area. Various competitions like essay writing are held,and prizes are given to the best ones. Similarly, scholarships for the underprivileged students are also a part of the festivals so that the students can continue their study with ease.

Another special event called, “The Great Buddha Jayanti Fair” also occurs on the day where devotees from Nepal as well as other parts of the world participate.

Ceremony in Kathmandu

Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, celebrates the birthday of Gautam Buddha in a very delightful way. The Swayambhunath stupa, one of the World Heritage Site, located at the west of Kathmandu, receives a huge mass of the devotees during the day. The devotees from different part of the country come to the stupa early in the morning to worship and make prayers. The stupa is busy all day receiving the lights, butter lamps, rice coins, prayers and flowers from the devotees.

The Bouddhanath stupa, another World Heritage Site also celebrates the festival in a fascinating way. An elephant having an image of Buddha on its head leads the procession starting from the Boudhanath stupa,and that goes up to the next stupa at Chabahil, Kathmandu. The surface of the stupa is painted with the large petals of lotus by using yellow saffron.

The stupas are decorated with the lights which look amazing. The lightning all around these huge stupas make them like they are the peace of heaven landed to earth. Nothing more is satisfactory and peaceful than a view of these stupas glowing peacefully at night.

When is Buddha Jayanti being celebrated in Nepal in 2020?

You can witness this tranquil festival in Nepal, in 2019 on May 18 of Saturday, which will be the 2,563rd birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha. In 2020, the festival falls on 7^th May. Along with the Buddhists, some Hindus also regard Buddha Jayanti as an auspicious day since they regard Buddha as another form of Lord Vishnu. If you are planning to visit Nepal during this festival, do not miss the festival showered with the teachings of Lord Buddha. Make sure you visit the nearby Buddhist shrines to observe the festival which commence from dawn to the late night.

Remembering the Light of Asia in other parts of the world

Although the celebration day varies, different countries celebrate Buddha Jayanti in different ways. In some countries, the day of Buddha Jayanti is also a national holiday. The day is dedicated to the contribution of Gautam Buddha towards humanity.

In Sri Lanka, the followers of Gautam Buddha light up the lotus lanterns around the temple in the memory of Gautam Buddha while in Indonesia, the lanterns are released into the air.

In Delhi(India), the remains of the Gautam Buddha are taken in the museum so that the public can see it. In Taiwan, the Buddha Jayanti is celebrated as a national anniversary,and the devotees offer fragrance water over a statue of Buddha indicating the fresh start in life.

In Myanmar, Buddha Jayanti is a public holiday,and the Full Moon of Kason is the day of celebrating Buddha Jayanti. People water the Bodhi tree, chant the prayers and perform the music and dances.

The people in Japan celebrate Buddha Jayanti in the name of Kanbustu or Hanamatsuri (Flower Festival) on 8^th April. The devotees pour a beverage named ama-cha prepared from a variety of hydrangea on Buddha statues and decorated them. Lion dancing is also a major attraction in Japan during the celebration of Buddha Jayanti.

Any Queries about Buddha Jayanti?

Australia also celebrates Buddha Jayanti in different parts. Different cities observe the festival in many different ways. In Brisbane, Buddha Jayanti features a variety of Asian foods and performances. Melbourne celebrates a weekend-long festival and in Perth, two days are celebrated which are called Buddha’s Day and Multicultural Festivals.

The International Lantern Parade is a successful event that occurs every year at Union Square Park in New York.

In Thailand, Buddha Purnima is marked as national holiday and regarded as “Visakha Bucha”. Buddhists celebrate by visiting temple, make merit, meditate and attend to sermons. In the evenings candle light procession is held in temple where devotees walk three times around the temple signifying the threefold jewel of Buddhism, one the Buddha, two his teachings, three the monkshood.

In Bangladesh, Buddhist monks adorn temple in vibrant decorations and candles. There will be large fairs in and around temples and performances of Buddha’s life is conducted.The followers listen to sermons on Buddha teachings, three jewels and 5 precepts delivered by chief monk inside the monastery. After that people pay the respect by lighting candles and reciting the three jewels and 5 precepts” Panchasil”

In Cambodia, Buddha Jayanti is a public holiday and observed as Visak Bochea. On this day, the monks carry flags, lotus flowers, incense and candles to symbolize “Vesak” and the people give offerings to monks.

Vietnam observe Buddha Purnima throughout the country where Buddhist temples are pagoda are beautifully decorated. On this occasion people enjoyed with float and lantern procession on the streets.

In China, people light incense and give food offerings to monks. In Hong Kong and Macau Buddha Jayati is marked as public holiday. On this occasion lanterns are lit to represent the Buddha’s enlightenment and several followers visit the temple. The significant feature of Buddha’s Purnima is the bathing of Buddha.

In Singapore Buddha Jayanti is a public holiday and observed as Vesak Day. Buddhist temples are adorned with Buddhist flags and colorful flowers. On this day, devotes visit temple and bring offerings.

Buddha Purinma is observed as Wesak Day in Malaysia. Buddhist temples are beautifully adorned and caged animals are released. Devotes visit temples and involve in chanting, offerings and prayers.

Bandipur Nepal: An amazing mixture of Nature and Culture

Posted on September 18, 2018September 22, 2022 by nsadmin

Bandipur, a beautiful town situated at the foothills of Himalayas and on a top of a hill. Bandipur is famous for its natural beauty and the warm hospitality. Bandipur is one of the most beautiful towns of Nepal not only being naturally beautiful but also for preserving its unique history and culture over time. Bandipur can also be called as a natural view tower since it lies on the top of the hill and offers a spectacular view of the Annapurna Range along with the Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Lang tang. Mixed with the spectacular natural beauty, Bandipur also offers an experience of an old aged Newari culture to the visitors.

Bandipur lies at 27.5° N and 84.25° E and the elevation of 1030 meters above sea level, in the Tanahu District. It is 143 km west of Kathmandu, 73 km south of Pokhara, and 70 km north to Chitwan. Bandipur is a municipality since 18^th May 2014 by the combination of the Dharampani and Bandipur VDCs. During the time of census of 2011 AD, the population of Bandipur was 15,591 and there were a total of 3,750 households in Bandipur.

Bandipur was originally inhabited by the Magars until the Newars from Bhaktapur settled during the early nineteenth century. The Newars developed the place as a stop on India-Tibet trade route. Along with developing trade in Bandipur, the Newars also introduced their culture and unique architecture.

Bandipur enjoyed its good days during the Rana times. The power of the place is reflected by the library which still exists in Bandipur constructed under the special permission received from the Ranas. But during 1970s, the trade in Bandipur declined due to the eradication of malaria in Terai resulting to migration and with the construction of Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway. The district headquarters of Tanahu was moved to Damauli leaving Bandipur isolated in the mountains.

After Prithvi Narayan Shah defeated Kathmandu Valley, the Newar merchants chose Bandipur as a trade route between northern hills and southern flatland. The merchants built their houses in such a way that the houses reflect their style, architecture and culture. Thus, the houses consist pagoda styled roofs, lattice windows and ornate doorways.

Ethnicity

Originally, the Magars especially of Gurkha soldiers’ fame inhabited Bandipur. Later, the Newars from Kathmandu Valley entered Bandipur and started trade. Now, Bandipur is home to many ethnic groups like Brahmins, Chhetries, Newars, Damais, Kamis, Sarkis, Magars, Gurungs and Kasais.

Kathmandu to Bandipur: Distance and Route

The distance between Kathmandu and Bandipur is almost 143 kilometers. You can get buses from Kantipath/Jamal whichdepart for Pokhara. Buses leave every day between 6 and 7 in the morning. The buses are comfortable and facilitated with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi. Or, you can also get one of the microbuses that leave from near the new bus park in Gongabu. The buses and microbuses will leave you up to Dumre (Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway), which is a connecting place to reach Bandipur. Bandipur is almost 8 km from Dumre Bazaar. From Bandipur, you need to catch a local bus to reach Bandipur.

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Bandipur Climate: Best time to visit Bandipur

The spring (March to May) is the time of maximum tourist flow in Bandipur. The humidity and the temperature together make the environment warm where average temperature ranges from 21.7°C to 32.5C. The atmosphere in summer (June to August) is also a popular time to visit Bandipur. The cost of staying in the hotels might rise due to the frequent tourist visit. Bandipur experiences snowfall during the November. The flow of the tourists is lowered during the winter. A trip to Bandipur is a wonder experience of the mixture of nature and culture at a place. So, if you are making a plan to visit Bandipur, make it for either spring or summer. The winter also offers a beautiful mountain views however, the atmosphere is cold during winter.

Where to visit in Bandipur

Khadga Devi Temple

Khadga Devi Temple is one of the historic places in Bandipur especially for the Shrestha of Newar community. The Shrestha regard the Khadga Devi Temple as the mother temple. The temple looks like a private house from the exterior and preserves a sword of the 16^th century king of Palpa, Mukunda Sen. It is believed that the sword was gifted to the king by Lord Shiva. The temple demonstrates woman power where Khadga Devi means the goddess of sword.

The temple is located at high altitude and thus provides a fantastic view of mountains and the beautiful Bandipur village. The temple opens only on the day of Fulpati (the seventh day) of Dashain festival.

Siddha Cave

The Siddha Cave is the largest cave of Nepal. The cave is 50 meters high and 437 meters deep. The Siddha Cave is popular among the visitors as a hiking route. Hiking to Siddha Cave from Bimalnagar on Prithvi Highway is a good option for hiking. There are signs from the north end of the village towards the cave which makes the trek route easier to follow.

The interior of the cave consists of stalactites and the bats that make the noise which add thriller to the environment inside the cave. You can also see a Shiva Linga, a structure of Lord Ganesh face and a swimming pool. Be careful because the path may be slippery and do remember to carry a torch light with you.

Padma Library

The Padma Library is at the centre of the Bandipur Bazaar. The library is important because it was built by the special permission from the Ranas, thus reflecting the power of Bandipur during the Rana time. Being small, the library is famous for its architecture and design. The library contains books from the time of Rana administration and thus is also preserving the historical sources of the village.

Bindabasini Temple

The Bindabasini Temple stands on the northern part of the Bandipur Bazaar. The temple is built in pagoda style and consists of the picture of Bindabasini goddess along with the idols of the other goddess. The walls of the temple are carved in a beautiful way. The people keep the picture of the goddess Bindabasini in a chariot and pull the chariot during the celebration of New Year.

Thani Mai Temple

Thani Mai is again another religious place in Bandipur. The temple is located in the top of the hill and offers the visitors with breathtaking view of the mountains and the village downhill. Despite of being a religious village, the Thani Mai Temple is famous for a spot for spectacular sunrise. The visitors prefer a short early morning hike to the temple to view the sunrise. The hike is less than an hour from Bandipur.

Tundikhel

There is a large ground on the north of the Bandipur Bazaar named as Tundikhel. Previously, Tundikhel was a spot for the traders to gather around and bargain for the goods from Tibet and India. The Gurkha soldiers also used the Tundikhel as a parade ground.

These days, this place is used as a viewpoint from where one can witness the beautiful mountain peaks like Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Manaslu (8,162 m), Langtang (7,264 m), Ganesh Himal (7,406 m) and Machhapuchhare (6,997 m). Also, this place is famous as a spot to view sunrise and sunset as well as to organize picnic.

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Silkworm Farm

A visit around the Silkworm farm is a new thing to experience in Bandipur. There is a silk production factory that demonstrates the detailed process of manufacturing of silk from the silkworm. There is a large farm full of the mulberry plants which are grown as the food for the silkworm. Generally, the people rare the worm indoors, mainly during August to December and March to May but you can visit anytime as this place warmly welcomes you the whole year.

Mahalaxmi Temple

The Mahalaxmi Temple is located at the southeast side of the principle Bandipur Bazaar. The temple dates back to the medieval period and was built in pagoda style. The temple reflects the unique artworks of Bhimsen and various animals. The original status of the temple had been stolen and now there is a new statue in the temple.

Chantithan

Towards the west of the Bandipur Bazaar, there lies Chantithan, another site located in Bandipur. Before the planting season arrives, the locals put 12 eggs inside and cover them with straw and block. During the event, if the eggs remain firm that symbolizes that the villagers will have a decent harvest in the upcoming year.

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Taste the Local Food

Apart from these places to visit, you can also try the local food to add more taste to your trip. The Newari set will make your mouth water in just one view. The set offers variety of beans, beaten rice and buff meat. Samya Baji, Choila (roasted buff meat), Kachila (raw marinated buff meat) and Tho (rice beer) will be new taste to you during your visit that you should not miss.

Garden of Dreams: An Oasis of Tranquility

Posted on September 17, 2018September 22, 2022 by nsadmin

Nepal is home to several of the significant monuments which are a real treasure in the world and is even in the list of World Heritage List. The glorious mountain peaks, ancient and historical places, distinctive culture and tradition, rich biodiversity and unique topography drives people from all around the world to Nepal. With the added feature of adventure-hub, Nepal is visited by millions in a year. Trekking, paragliding, mountain climbing, skydiving, and rafting are some popular adventure activities.

Apart from all the major attractions in Nepal, there are several places which might not come in the highlight, but they are places you must visit. Garden of Dreams is one of such places, which may not be the center of the journey to Nepal, but a must visit the place once you arrive here. It is one of the beautiful and peaceful places of the Kathmandu with a history in itself. With its historical design and updated modern amenities; Garden of Dreams has become a tourism landmark in Kathmandu.

About Garden of Dreams

Garden of Dreams which is also called the Garden of Six Season is one of the popular places inside the Kathmandu valley. The Garden is translated in Nepali as Swapna Bagaicha. It is a neo-classical garden in Kaiser Mahal, Kathmandu, which was originally built in 1920. Garden of Dreams is spread in the area of 6,895 square meters (74,220 square feet). The garden was neglected after the death of its patron, Kaiser Sumsher Rana in mid-1960s but it got restored with the help of the Austrian government.

Know more about the Garden of Six Seasons: Garden of Dreams

And, talking about the devastating earthquake of April 2015, the garden suffered very less damage compared to the other monuments of Nepal.

Location of Garden of Dream

Garden of Dreams is located in the very center of Kathmandu. This beautiful garden is located at the entrance of the tourist hub, Thamel. You can visit the Garden of Dreams and enjoy the tranquility of the soothing environment. The Garden is open all day for the week. It opens at 9 AM and closes at 10 PM. It charges a small charge of NPR.200/- for non-Nepali citizens and small children and older citizen, they offer a 50% discount on the charge.

Why is the Garden of Dream Special?

Kathmandu is the center of Nepal where all the facilities and infrastructures have been centralized, which has caused the place with the highest population. You might want to take time to go somewhere away from the crowd and smog of the city. Garden of Dreams will be your ideal choice if you are looking for some moment of peace within the city. Located in the heart of Kathmandu and the entrance of famous tourist, Thamel, Garden of Dreams won’t be very hard to access.

Garden of Dreams is an oasis of tranquility. Although this place is not far from the city, you can get lost in its serene environment. Recognized as one of the favorite destination of locals as well as tourist, this garden is the perfect gateway to hangout yourself or with your friends and family.

Garden of Dreams is very popular among the youths of Kathmandu. With crowded areas and street full of pedestrians in the city, Garden of Dreams has gained its popularity because of its serene environment. It is mostly favored by young couples who are looking for a quiet place to get to each other. The family also visits the garden with children to have some family time where children can run and play, and parents could not fear of child running into any vehicles. This place is also visited by groups of friends especially college girls, to enjoy the peaceful environment and click some pictures of this beautiful place.

With the beautiful pavilions, amphitheater, pergolas, ponds and fountain and perfectly manicured gardens, the Garden of Dreams feels like a small piece of heaven. The flora of the garden is rich and unique which are from different countries. The design of the garden is impressive with a large pond in the center, marble inscription, and historical palace in view.

You can find enough places to sit or lay in the Garden of Dreams. It will be even best if you bring your favorite book so you can read in the quiet and perfect environment. You can also tour the garden area and witness its distinctive design and work. You can visit the garden during the summer and rest in the shade of trees, pavilion, and pergolas. It will be even best in winter when you can take sunbathe, read a book and have a little picnic of your own.

Apart from the garden, there is also Kaiser Café, which is operated by Nepal’s only boutique heritage group, the Dwarika group. Kaiser Café and Bar offers you the perfect cup of coffee and continental menu, which you can enjoy while witnessing the serene atmosphere and beauty of the garden. Garden of Dreams has become very popular in these recent years, and now they welcome private and corporate functions, receptions, cultural programs, and classical concerts too.

History of Garden of Dreams

Garden of Dreams is in Kaiser Mahal, which is across the street of the former Royal Palace of Nepal at the entrance of Thamel tourist area. The garden was made famous as the Garden of Six Season, which was created for Field Marshal Kaiser Sumsher Rana in early 1920s. The Garden features a design inspired by the Edwardian style, which was considered as one of the most sophisticated private gardens of that time. Garden of Dreams was designed by landscape architect Kishore Narshingh, who was also the designer of Singha Durbar and architect to Shumsher’s father. He also supervised the construction of the whole garden.

The Garden was built with pavilions, fountain, decorative garden furniture and European-inspired features like verandas, pergolas, balustrades, urns, and birdhouse. The each of the six pavilion of Garden which gives the architectural framework to the Garden is dedicated to one of the six seasons in Nepal, which are Basanta (spring), Grishma (summer), Barkha (monsoon), Sharad (early autumn), Hemanta (late autumn) and Shishir (winter). Garden of Dream was handed to the Government of Nepal, after the death of Kiser Sumsher. But, the government didn’t take care of the garden until the Austrian government supported to rebuild it. Now, only the half of the original garden remains.

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Reconstruction of Garden of Dreams

The garden neglected for decades and it caused crumbling pavilion, overgrown paths, and the garden ultimately lost the subtropical flora. In 1998, Nepal celebrated visit Nepal Year 1998; it was then when the structural disfigurement caught the sight of national as well as international environmentalists and heritage conservation. For the awareness regarding the preservation of heritage within the metropolis, the plan to preserve the garden continued until 2001, when a million-dollar project was born and funded by Austrian Development Aid (Austrian Government) in collaboration with the Nepal Ministry of Education. The renovation project of the garden was finally completed in 2007 and was open to the public, including both nationals as well as internationals.

The renovation project of the garden, which was executed by Eco Himal, has become a model project for the sustainable development of other historic sites too. About its design and literary allusions, the garden is linked to the collections of books about gardening, architecture, and literature in Kaiser Shumsher’s library. The garden has been updated with additional modern facilities as well.

Although the garden was renovated, the spread area has cringed from its original make. The garden was about 10,000 square meters, but now it is only 6,895 square meters. Also, the three pavilions in the western part of the garden have been encroached by urban expansion, along with some of the structural fragments. However, the central and eastern section of the garden has remained unchanged. Those sections are the focal fountain pool, a myriad of original details and fragments of the original planting scheme.

The garden is very beautiful and needs every bit of care. The entrance fee acts as a self-sustaining program to maintain the standard of the garden. Also, cafe, bar, and other cultural programs, events, and functions also support maintaining the standard of the garden. Garden of Dreams is a non-commercial area, which keeps the area free from any advertisement, banners or posters; this step was taken to keep up the architectural beauty of the garden.

INDRA JATRA: An honor to the King of Heaven

Posted on September 17, 2018September 22, 2022 by nsadmin

Nepal celebrates many festivals every year that carry certain significance behind their celebrations. The multiethnic and multicultural Nepalese citizens celebrate many festivals which differ regionally or according to the ethnicity, religion,and traditions. From Jatras in the capital of the country to the Chhat in the Terai or national festivals like Dashain, the festivals are the intrinsic part of Nepalese culture. The Jatras are especially popular in the Kathmandu Valley, the capital city of Nepal and are celebrated by the Newar community with great joy, enthusiasm, and belief. However, the people from Bhaktapur, Banepa and Patan also celebrate the different types of Jatra.

About Indra Jatra

Indra means the King of Heaven and god of Rain and Jatra means Procession. Thus, the Indra Jatra is the celebration of thank giving to Lord Indra. During the ancient times, the Kantipur valley was known in the name of ‘Yenya Dey’ and the Newars celebrated the Jatra as ‘Yenya.’ The term ‘Indra Jatra’ was givenlater. Still today, some Newars celebrate the Jatra as ‘Yenya’ or ‘Yenya Punhi’ instead of Indra Jatra. They celebrate the festival by lighting up a Diyo called Dalucha and worshipping the very same Diyo by offering Samya Baji.

The Indra Jatra generally falls on September and is celebrated for eight days. Since the Jatra honors Lord Indra, the lord of rain, the devotees especially farmers, thank Indra for the rain. Other devotees worship ‘Bhairab,’ who is believed to be the destroyer of the evil, Lord Ganesh and Kumari (the living goddess). The festival also celebrates the arrival of the autumn season.

The king Gunakamadeva started the tradition of Indra Jatra to honor the establishment of the Kathmandu city during the 10^th century. The Kumari Jatra (procession of the living goddess of Nepal) is also observed on the same day since 1756 AD.

When do we celebrate Indra Jatra?

Indra Jatra is an annual festival that is celebrated for eight days. The festival begins every year from the day of the Bhadra Dwadasi to Ashwin Krishna Chaturdasi. This year the festival starts on 24^thSeptember 2018 Monday,and it falls on 12^th September, Thursday in 2019.

The legend behind Indra Jatra

According to the legend, the mother of Lord Indra, Dakini, needed Parijat (a white flower) to perform a ritual. Lord Indra descended to the earth in search of the flower for his mother. While he was trying to take the flower, the owner of the meadow caught him and kept him in captivity blaming that he stole the flowers. Lord Indra was imprisoned in Kathmandu, and he was not allowed to go back from there.

After a long-missing of Indra, his mother Dakini was worried and came to earth to look for him. She finally found him and requested to let him go. Only after the villagers realized who they were, they agreed to free Lord Indra but put forward a condition. According to their condition, Lord Indra should come to the earth every year during that very time of the year,and he will be displayed as a prisoner for seven days. Also, the farmers made Dakini promise to provide them with enough dew during the winter for better productivity. The villagers also ensured that Dakini would take the deceased members of their family to the heaven with her.

Thus, the festival of Indra Jatra expresses the gratitude towards Lord Indra and Dakini for the coming harvest in a faith that the harvest will be decent and there will be timely rainfall. Similarly, the festival also remembers the deceased members of the family.

What happens in Indra Jatra?

The erection of the Yosin or Linga in Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur) is the starting of the festival. This event is called ‘Yosin Thanegu.’The Linga is a pole made from pine wood which is especially brought all the way from the forest near Nala, a small town which is 29 km east of Kathmandu. People mainly the Newars gather wearing the mask, sharing the local liquors and perform dances that represent gods and demons during the rising of the Lingo (Pole). Images of Lord Indra, Bhairab and other deities are also displayed.

The devotees also visit various shrines holding the light in the remembrance of their passed member of the family. This event is called ‘UpakuWangu.’

The processions, masked devotees and the dances are the major attractions of the festival. The procession includes:

Kumari Procession

During the time of Indra Jatra, the chariot of Goddess Kumari is taken out in procession to thank Indra. The street of Kathmandu is full of the devotees performing dances, singing songs and playing various musical instruments like drums and flute. To display the prisoned condition of Lord Indra, the local people in Maru tole construct a stage made of wood and display the statue of Indra with stretched arms and covered by fiber thread. This is a long old tradition being carried out since the Lichhavi Period. The chariot is taken out in the procession around different routes on different days:

First Day (Kwaneya): Basantapur, Maru, Chikanmugal, Jaisidewal, Legan, Hyumat, Bhimsensthan, Maru, Basantapur

Second Day (Yenya Punhi): Basantapur, Pyaphal, Nyata, Tengal, Nhyokha, Nhaikan Tol, Asan, Kel Tol, Indra Chowk, Makhan, Basantapur.

Third Day (Nanichaya): Basantapur, Pyaphal, Yatkha, Nyata, Kilagal, Bhedasing, Indra Chowk, Makhan, Basantapur.

Mata Biye Procession

Mata Biye means offering butter lamps. The Newars offer small butter lamps in the memory of their deceased loved ones. The event occurs on the first day of the chariot and follows a certain route. The procession starts at around 6 in the evening and follows the following route:

Route: Maru, Pyaphal, Yatkha, Nyata, Tengal, Nhyokha, Nhaikan Tol, Asan, Kel Tol, Indra Chowk, Makhan, Hanuman Dhoka, Maru, Chikanmugal, Jaisidewal, Lagan, Hyumata, Bhimsensthan, Maru.

Dagin Procession

The Dagin procession is the procession carried out in the name of goddess Dagin which represents the Lord Indra’s mother wandering around the city searching for her son. There is a man wearing a mask with a band playing the music. The procession starts from south-western corner of Maru square, passes by the west of Kasthamandap. The procession is carried out at around 8 pm after the procession of the Kumari ends,and the Kumari chariot arrives at Maru.

Route:Maru, Pyaphal, Yatkha, Nyata, Tengal, Nhyokha, Nhaikan Tol, Asan, Kel Tol, Indra Chowk, Makhan, Hanuman Dhoka, Maru, Chikanmugal, Jaisidewal, Lagan, Hyumata, Bhimsensthan, Maru.

Bau Mata Procession

The Manandhar caste group of Newar community organizes the Bau Mata Procession. During the Bau Mata procession, the long reeds are used to make a representation of the holy snake and then carried out on the shoulder along the procession. The oil lamps are placed on the row of the snake made up of the reeds. The procession starts at around 9 pm from the southern side of the Kasthamandap.

The route follows Maru, Pyaphal, Yatkha, Nyata, Tengal, Nhyokha, Nhaikan Tol, Kel Tol, Indra Chowk, Makhan, Hanuman Dhoka, Maru, Chikanmugal, Jaisidewal, Lagan, Hyumata, Bhimsensthan, and Maru.

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Exhibitions:

Along with the processions, the exhibitions are also a very important part of the festival. Masks of Bhairab, the manifestation of Lord Shiva are displayed in different part of Kathmandu valley throughout the celebration of eight days. The Bhairab is the terrifying form of Lord Shiva among which Sweta Bhairab at Kathmandu Durbar Square and Akash Bhairab at Indra Chowk are the largest.

Similarly, images of Indraraj Dyah are displayed at Maru near Durbar Square and Indra Chowk. The ten incarnations of Vishnu or Dasavatar are also shown in the steps of the temple in Kumari house every night.

Similarly, the Samay Baji (sacred food) is displayed in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan. The food contains various elements that represent the lock, health, prosperity and longevity. The Samay Baji consists of flattened rice, puffed rice, fried black soybeans, ginger rhizomes, marinated boiled meat, dried fish fried in oil, boiled-fried eggs, fruits, lentils and several other items and local Newari white wine (aaila). The elements of the Samay Baji are beautifully kept in display during the Indra Jatra. Hundreds of devotees come to observe the Jatra, offer the Samay Baji to Kumari, Lord Ganesh, and Bhairab. At the end of the day, the Samay Baji is distributed among the devotees as an auspicious blessed food (Prasad).

Photo source: http://tasteofnepal.blogspot.com/2012/04/samaya-baje.html

Dances:

Mask dances are the major attractions of the Indra Jatra. The devotees dancing in the streets wearing the masks is something worth watching. The dances are full of energy and supported by the musical bands. Here are some of the masked dances performed by the devotees during the Indra Jatra festival:

Majipa Lakhey Dance

The Lakhey is one of the most interesting dances performed by the Newar community in Kathmandu. The word Majipa came from the word Manjupattan which means ‘the city established by Manjushree’ and Lakhey means a carnivorous demon and thus meaning to ‘the carnivorous demon of Majipa.’ The Lakhey dances in the music and moves ahead in the procession.

Pulu Kisi (elephant) Dance

Pulu Kisi is the elephant in Newari Language. The elephant is believed to be the carrier of the Lord Indra,and thus the dance of the elephant is celebrated with rejoice. The people prepare the white elephant structure, and the young boys carry the structure along the streets of Kathmandu. The elephant roar and does some mischievous things from time to time and swing the tail which is funny to watch.

Sawa Bakhhu Dance

The Sawa Bakhhu Dance is performed by a dance group in Halchowk. The dance continues along the festival route, stops at the junctions and receive an offering from the devotees. The dance is characterized by the Bhairab (in Blue) with a sword and two attendants (in Red).

Devi Pykhan

Devi Pykhan is performed at Kilagal, Hanuman Dhoka, Jaisidewal, Bangemuda, Indra Chowk, and Kilagal. Dancers wear the mask of different gods and goddesses such as Bhairab, Kumari, Chandi, Kawan, Beta and Khya. It is believed that this dance is performed for the peace to people suffering from diarrhea.

Query Related to Indra Jatra?

Mahakali Pykhan

The Mahakali Pykhan is performed at Bhaktapur in Durbar Square and the streets of the Kathmandu. The characteristics feature of the Mahakali dance is the representation of the Khyah, a fat, hairy ape-like creature. The dance performed is full of fun and humor with a lot of falling.

Khumjung: The Capital of Sherpas in Solukhumbu

Posted on September 10, 2018September 22, 2022 by nsadmin

Nepal is a beautiful country,and of course, the villages in Nepal add more beauty to the country. Away from the cities which are busy in development, there are some villages in Nepal which are still quite away from these development activities, crowd and the rush. Khumjung, in the lap of the mountain, is one of these villages in Nepal.

More about Khumjung

Khumjung, located in the Khumbu sub-region of the Sagarmatha National Park, is the largest Sherpa village in Khumbu. Lying at the altitude of 3,790 meters above sea level, the Khumjung village is more like a flat land between the low ride of Namche and holy mountain Kumbi la (5,765 masl). Khumjung is nestled at the foot of the sacred mountain Khumbi la, that’s why it is known as “Valley inside the Clouds”. The Khumjung village is situated in the Khumbu Pasanglhamu rural municipality of Solukhumbu district, Province no.1 of north-eastern Nepal. The village is inhabited by 1912 people residing in 551 houses during the time of 2011 AD census.

Khumjung is a beautiful village. There is uniformity in the structure and the colors of the houses in the village. All houses are painted white with green roofs. Also known as the capital of the Sherpas in Solukhumbu district, the village is mostly inhabited by the Sherpas. Life in the Khumjung village is rural. People spend most of their time working in their fields. They harvest potatoes during the October which is the major trekking season in Khumjung. The prayer flags, the Mani walls and the white chortens in the village give a clear idea about the prevalence of the Buddhism in the village.

Khumjung village offers the visitors to experience the remote village life of Sherpas in the lap of mountain which is situated 85 miles away from the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. Despite of being a rural mountain village of Nepal, the village provides you with the facilities of internet, mobile phones,and the landlines to enhance your communication.

Places to visit in Khumjung

The small Khumjung village offers the visitors with the historic places to explore. Here are the places you should not miss during the visit to Khumjung:

The Khumjung School

The Khumjung School in the village of Khumjung is a historical school established in 1961. The school was built by Edmund Hillary’s ‘the Himalayan Trust’, with an agreement with the Nepal government. The school is also called the Hillary School named after the name of Edmund Hillary, the first conqueror of the highest peak; the Mount Everest. The school only had a single classroom during the time of establishment and now it provides a secondary level education up to class 10 to around 400 students.

The Khumjung School celebrated its Golden Jubilee Event in 2011 on the occasion of the anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s ascent to the top of the Mount Everest.

The Kunde Hospital

Founded in 1966, by Edmund Hillary, the Kunde hospital is in the town of Kunde, Nepal. Until 2002, Edmund Hillary used to recruit the volunteers and the doctors mostly from New Zealand and Canada to serve in the hospital, but now, the hospital is facilitated by the Nepalese medical professionals; Dr. Kami being the first Sherpa doctor to manage the hospital in 2002.

The locals enjoy the hospital facilities all around the year. The hospital is serving about 8,000 of the local people as well as the trekkers that make their way passing through the Khumjung region. The averages of about 25 patients visit the hospital each day.

The pregnant mothers are also facilitated by the hospital. The hospital has a delivery room and ultrasound facilities.

The Khumjung Monastery

The Khumjung Monastery is a center of Sherpa’s culture and religion in Khumjung. Located at the altitude of 12,400 feet, the monastery is near the Everest and is a historical monument.

Unfortunately, the devastating earthquake of 2015 damaged the monastery immensely. The Sherpa community came together and contributed to the reconstruction of the monasteryto prevent the permanent loss of the monastery. Households contributed their labor for two weeks and raised donations to open the monastery once again. Thus, stepping towards the conservation of their own culture, the Sherpas reopened the monastery in August 2017.

The monastery was reopened with a huge enthusiasm in Khumjung. It was the contribution of the local people which lead to the monastery to re-open. The opening day was full of celebrations and colors and attended by high Lamas of the area and many guests.

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The Yeti Scalp

The Yeti Scalp is something you should not miss in Khumjung. The scalp is in the shape of a half circle and is in the cabinet of the Khumjung Gomba. To get a glance of the scalp, you must donate to the monks in the Gomba according to your will in a Nepalese rupee. But, always keep in mind, your donation, does not matter how much, never contributeto physical contact to the scalp like touching by your own. The monk will take the scruffy-haired dome out of the small box and allow you only to see it. The scalp always remains inside the locked box.

According to the village story, the scalp came from the “abominable snowman.” Edmund Hillary and a journalist found it in the home of the Khumjung women, which she kept as a sign of good luck for the entire village. Edmund Hillary asked the women if he could take the scalp for examination but the woman was determined to keep it for herself. After offering donation to the monastery and the local school in Khujung, the woman then agreed to give the scalp for the purpose of examination.

Later on, Hillary found that the scalp belonged to a hide of an animal, probably a goat-antelope which is native to the Himalayas and returned the scalp into the monastery. There also exists one duplicate scalp at New York’s Explorer’s Club in Khumjung. Khumjo Chumbi, the monk at the charge of the monk, stated, “We don’t believe in giraffes and lions in Nepal because there are not any here. Likewise, you do not believe in yetis because you have none in your country.” Whether the scalp truly belongs to a yeti or not is yet to be confirmed, but it is worth visiting.

Getting up to Khumjung

Khumjung is popular among the trekkers heading for Everest Base Camp. Khumjung could be a short break from your pre-planned journey if the Base Camp trek. Khumjung village can be a small side trek as you follow the trail of Everest Base Camp. After a domestic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and starting your trek from Lukla to Phakding, you will reach Namche Bazaar. From Namche Bazaar, Khumjung is where you can proceed for a short trek. Namche Bazaar is a famous tourist destination of Khumbu region and is most common for a place to acclimatize for the trekkers. With enough lodging and stores in the area, Namche Bazaar is successful in meeting the demands of the trekkers. You can choose camping instead of lodging in a hotel as well.

Trekking to Khumjung and Kunde villages is a great idea during your few days stay at Namche Bazaar for altitude acclimatization. The trek will convert your dull and boring time in the lodge into exciting and fun moments. The trek also provides you with the experience to meet the Sherpas in the mountain village, view of the mountains and the warm hospitality, and the culture of the locals. You can also get a chance to taste the local Sherpa’s cuisine.

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Returning to Namche Bazaar from this short trek, you can now continue your trek to Base Camp. The Tengboche, where stands the largest monastery in the Khumbu region and other monasteries, and the Dingboche, a Sherpa village are the places you will explore in your journey. Dingboche, at the altitude of 4,360 meters, is again popular for acclimatization which provides you an additional chance of trekking around the area.

Continuing your trek from Dingboche, you will now reach to Duglha (4,600) and then to Lobuche (4,940 meters). A little more and you then stand at Gorakshep at an altitude of 5,710 meters which is the destination to Everest Base Camp. From Gorakshep, trekkers go to Kala Patthar, which only takes around a few hours for the closer and magnificent view of the great Mount Everest.

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Back to Pheriche and Namche Bazaar, its time you arrive at Lukla and take a flight back to Kathmandu. Return to your next destination or home from Kathmandu with a heart filled experience.

Gorkha: The Historical Landmark of Nepal

Posted on September 10, 2018September 22, 2022 by nsadmin

Looking at the history of Nepal, Gorkha is a historic place where the King Prithvi Narayan Shah was born, who ultimately unified Nepal as one. Apart from the historical importance of this place, Gorkha has developed as a trekking hub in these recent years.

Apart from the glorious range of the beautiful Himalayas, rich biodiversity, varied topography, and distinctive culture and tradition, Nepal is known around the world as the home of brave legendary Gurkhas. And, the title of “brave Gurkhas” came from the Gorkha, as most of the soldiers during the wars were from Gorkha itself. Gorkha is the birthplace of Prithvi Narayan Shah, who conquered and joined the small states to make one large nation, as well as the home of legendary Gurkhas. Let us know more about this sensational place of Nepal.

About Gorkha

It won’t be wrong if we call Gorkha as the foundation of Nepal. It was the Gorkha, from where the vision of today’s Nepal was envisaged by the first king of Nepal, King Prithivi Narayan Shah.

Along with the historical essence, Gorkha is also one of the beautiful places and has several finest architectural examples. From Gorkha, you can witness stunning mountain views, green hills with lush forest and gorgeous rivers running down from the mountain.

Gorkha is a historic place of Nepal. Its palace is located at the top of a hill with the finest use of architecture. The location of the palace was made on the hilltop as a war-strategy as well to protect the royal families from the armies of the enemy. One can see the mesmerizing view all round from the top.

In Gorkha, there is mostly Gurung ethnic group, who has earned praise and respect for their bravery as a Brave Gurkhas in both world wars. Some of them have also earned Victoria Cross, which is the highest award of the British honors system. No doubt they have a very strict and fierce attitude in the battlefield, but they are Nepali after all,and they are very amiable who will warmly welcome with a great deal of hospitality.

You can also go hiking around the Gorkha, through the lush jungle and enjoying the views. Passing the distinctive villages, ancient temples with excellent artwork, and you might also encounter the honey hunters collecting the honey from wild bees. Also, Manaslu Circuit Trek lies in Gorkha district which will give them an opportunity to witness the classic, historical and loved the cultural town.

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History of Unification from Gorkha

Before Nepal was unified as one country, there were several small states in Nepal, in total 54 states. After Prithvi Narayan Shah succeeded the throne, he started to contemplate the ways of expanding the state of Gorkha into more large and strong state, as Gorkha was just a small state when he came into the throne. Determined in his decision, Prithvi Narayan went to Banaras to gather knowledge about neighboring states and India as Banaras was trade center of India where people from different places used to come. He met with different types of people gathering a valuable understanding of the political and social condition of the Indian sub-continent. After his father-in-law, a Rajput Chief of Banaras obtained some firearms and ammunition, Prithvi Narayan Shan made his first invasion on Nuwakot in 1743 CE but failed.

Despite his first attempt, Prithvi Narayan Shah continued his quest and conquered many states; he turned his attention to the eastern and western kingdoms. After the victory over Darjeeling (now in India) and while in a plan to attack Sikkim, his health deteriorated and died at the age of 56. During the last hours of life, he called his sons and brothers and gave them messages about why he was involved in unifying Nepal and what should be the appropriate policies and programs for future, which was compiled as Divya Upadesh (Divine Advice).

Where to visit in Gorkha?

Gorkha Durbar

Built in the 16^th century, this palace of Gorkha is one perfect example of the Newari architecture of Nepal. Gorkha Durbar is a palace, fort,and temple as well. This place holds special significance as the birthplace of the creator of Nepal, Prithvi Narayan Shah.

Gorkha Durbar also has great religious importance,and any leather items like shoes, belt,etc are not allowed. Pilgrims enter the temple from the western gate, emerging an open terrace in front of the exquisite Kalika temple, which was builtduring the 17^th century. The temple features excellent craft of peacocks, demons,and serpents in every inch of woods. The rules of this temple are so strict that only Brahmin priests and the King can enter, while other non-Hindus are only allowed to observe the view from the terrace.

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In the east wing of the palace complex is the former place of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, which is called Dhuni Pati and it is covered in the elaborated wood carvings. It suffered great damage during the earthquake of 2015, so you might find a lot of scaffolding as the place is under construction. You can also find a tomb of Guru Gorakhnath, a reclusive saint who acted as a spiritual guide of Young Prithvi Narayan.

Then while exiting northern gate, you will pass the former Royal Guest House of the palace, which has erotic roof struts and crocodile caving the window frames. You will also see the painting of Hanuman statue and a path which willlead to the place from where you see an awesome view and several sets of carved stone footprints dedicated to Ram, Sita, Gorakhnath and Guru Padmasambhava.

This historic palace suffered several damages in the 2015 earthquake and was able to survive miraculously. The construction and repair of the damaged sites are still ongoing.

Gorkha Museum

Gorkha Museum is inside the Tallo Durbar, a Newari-style palace. Built in 1835, this museum attracts you from its building itself. Gorkha museum has a beautiful courtyard with perfectly craved woodwork indoors and window. Although the collection of Gorkha museum is limited, it is delightful to walk around this area as it is set in the large garden of 3.5 hectares.

Bhimsen Temple

Bhimsen Temple is a located in a small square of Gorkha. This temple is built in a miniature pagoda style and has been dedicated to Bhimsen, the Newari god of Commerce. People visiting this temple generally throw a coin as a gesture of offering.

Goraknath

Goraknath is located at the ten meters down the southern side of the Gorkha Palace. Goraknath was a Hindu yogi who was an influential founder of the Nath Hindu movement and also one of the two notable disciples of Matsyendranath. This place is a popular tourist spot of Gorkha and also visited with a great devotion by Brahmans and Chhetries considering it is the holy pilgrimage site. This place holds an extravagant fair every year on the day of Baisakh Purnima (the full moon day of Baisakh) in Gorakhnath Cave.

Gorakhkali Temple

Gorakhkali Temple is located at the south-west side of the Gorkha Palace. It is at the top of the hill which will take about 1700 steps to reach. Dedicated to the Goddess Gorakhkali, the temple was built during the reign of King Ram Shah.

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Manakamana Temple

Located in the Gorkha, Manakamana Temple is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites of Nepal. The word “Manakamana” comprises two words, “mana” and “kamana,” meaning heart and wish respectively. This temple is in existence since the 17^th century and is believed to be granted by any wish who makes the pilgrimage to the shrine to worship the Goddess. Manakamana Temple is a sacred place of Hindu Goddess Bhagwati who was an incarnation of Goddess Parvati.

The temple is of four stories with tiered pagoda-style roof and lies on a square pedestal. It is set in a square and looks across a massive sacred magnolia tree. Along with its great religious significance, this temple is also very artistic. Another attraction of this temple is the cable car.

Mahadev Temple

Characterized by a great number of Hindu followers, Nepal has thousands of temples dedicated to the various god and goddess. As the name suggests, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is a squat white temple with a very distinctive statue of a bull. The bull is Nandi, the steed of Lord Shiva, who guards the Kailash Parbat (Lord Shiva’s adobe).

Teej: A Joyous Festival of Hindu Nepali Women

Posted on September 7, 2018September 22, 2022 by nsadmin

Nepal is one of such country where festivals are celebrated with joy and in a very vibrant way. Being a multi-ethnic nation, Nepal celebrates each festival uniquely. One festival can be celebrated with different essence by different ethnic groups.

The culture of Nepal cherishes and respect every relation, they not only worship the God, but they also worship brothers for being the protector of a sister, worship mothers, and fathers, worship dogs for their loyalty and friendship, and worship the husbands as the ultimate pride. And, Teej is the festival for the long- and conjugal life of husband as well as a happy and peaceful relation in the family. No wonder, Teej is full of celebration and fun, also with the increasing awareness among Nepali women, it has become a way to raise their voice for equality. In these recent years, Teej has traditional as well as social importance.

What is Teej and its origin?

The name of this festival “Teej” is believed to have come from a small red insect, which only appears in the earth during the period of the monsoon season. So, this festival is named after that particular insect “Teej.”

Talking about the origin of this festival, as per the Hindu legend, Teej is dedicated to the Goddess Parvati for her union with Lord Shiva. Teej is celebrated by Nepali women, as well as girls without eating anything or even drinking water. Married women fast for the long life of her husband and for a happy relationship in the family. Whereas, girls fast to get a decent and kind husband, just like “Lord Shiva.” It is the most popular festival among the Nepali woman.

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Why is Teej celebrated?

Teej in Nepal is dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, marking her union with Lord Shiva. Teej is celebrated for the well-being of husband, children, and the whole family. Nowadays, Nepali women celebrate this festival as a way to be united and having fun while praying for the well-being of the husband and the entire family. It has also become a way to bring women together of different class and celebrate the festival as one. The celebration of Teej implies the ultimate sacrifice a woman makes for her husband.

As per the legend of Hindu, Goddess Parvati was accepted by Lord Shiva as his wife in her 108th birth, which means Goddess Parvati had to take birth for 108 times and keep unsparing fast in all her life live before being granted by the wish of being Shiva’s wife by Lord Shiva himself. That is why, Goddess Parvati is also known as “Teej Mata,” meaning “Goddess of Teej.”

How is Teej celebrated?

In Nepal, Teej is a three-day festival. However, Teej is celebrated in different ways and in different ways in other countries like India. This festival is celebrated in total three days that combine sumptuous feast as well as rigid fasting where women don’t even drink a drop of water. Teej is celebrated all across the world by Nepali Hindu women. Teej is a vibrant festival that has been more popular since the start of this festival, however, in these recent years, this festival has influenced many Nepali women residing all over the world. Women in red attire sing and dance in the street, going to temple in the holy and fasting mood. Usually, women get called or collected by their parents or brothers, where she celebrates Teej with rest of the family members and siblings. Let us look at the three days of Teej in Nepal.

First Day: The Feast Day

The first day of Teej known as Dar Khane Din (feast day). In this day, women come together in one particular place wearing their most elegant dress and jewelry. These women embellish themselves in sorhasingaar- dressing up and using makeup to the full extent. Together they are singing devotional Teej song and start dancing. Along with that celebration, a feast takes place which is very grand with a variety of foods and desserts.

This day is a probably the only day of the freedom of expression to Nepali women who work and dedicated herself to her husband and family only for the entire year. This particular day, they enjoy their time with friends and eats delicious dishes. The feast is hosted by the ladies together, or the men host the feast. Women also get invited by their parents or brothers for the grand feast.

Women also express their pains in the song they sing while dancing. But, with the change in time and advancement of communication and awareness, these days Teej is an occasion to voice their concerns about social issues and discrimination against women. The feast and celebration go till midnight and after that 24 hour fast starts.

Second Day: The Fasting Day

This day is the day of fasting. The fast is very strict and rigid. Some women prefer to have fruit and liquid, while some keep this fast without food and even drops of water. There is no restriction for keeping this fast as both married and unmarried women can take the fast. Married women keep this fast abstaining themselves from food and drinks with the belief that their devotion to the god will be blessed with long life, peace, and prosperity of the husband and whole family. Unmarried keep the fast with a hope of getting a good husband in the future.

This day too, women wear their best attire, especially the red sari and visit the nearby Shiva temple, where they offer their praying with flowers, fruits, sweets, and coins. After that, they join in the singing and dancing with other women. The very important part of the puja is the oil lamp which must burn throughout the night. It is in the belief that the light of an oil lamp all night will bring and peace and prosperity to the whole family.

Third Day: Rishi Panchami

The last day of Teej is Rishi Panchami. This day is dedicated to the SaptaRishis (seven sages). After completing the puja of the previous day, women worship seven sages. They offer their prayer to the deities and take bathe with red mud found on the roots of the sacred datiwan (holy tree) bush, along with its leaves. The bath ritual is very important in this day as it is believed that this final ritual of Teej is an act of purification which discharges women for their sins.

The third day ritual of Teej is done as an act of seeking the forgiveness. Rishi Panchami is practiced by both married and unmarried Hindu women and girls who have experienced their first menstruation cycle. As per the Hindu belief, the menstruation period is impure, which abstains women and girls from practicing any religious acts, entering or cooking, making any contacts with the family members, mainly male and several other rigid rules which must be followed during the menstruation period. The fasting on this day is kept by Hindu women and girls to ask forgiveness from the seven saints for any mistakes by them during the time of their menstruation.

When is Teej celebrated?

Teej usually occurs in the month of Bhadra according to the Nepali calendar (August to September in Solar Calendar) and last for three days.

This year Teej will be celebrated from Bhadra 26 – Bhadra 28 (September 11 – September 13). If you want to witness this joyous festival of Nepali women, then do not forget to visit the nearby temple of Lord Shiva.

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What are other types of Teej?

Teej can be observed in different ways in a different country. Teej means “third” day that falls every month after the new moon and the third day after the full moon night of every month. There are three different types of Teej, Haryali Teej, Kajari Teej, and Hartalika Teej; these are mainly practiced in different parts of India.

Hariyali Teej

Hariyali Teej is celebrated to remember the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the day when Lord Shiva accepted Parvati as his wife. It is believed that Lord Shiva accepted Parvati after many austere and fasting in her 108 birth. That is why Goddess Parvati is also called as Teej Mata.

Kajati Teej

Kajari Teej is celebrated by singing folk songs which are known as kauris. The lyrics of the song focus on separation expressing the pain of women for her beloved parents’ home, where she has been sent to celebrate Teej or waiting in hope to be called by her brothers to celebrate Teej. This Teej is also known as Kakali Teej. Women who observe this Teejkept fast without any food or water and broke the fast by eating sattu (flour consisting mixture of ground pulses and cereals). This Teej also involves praying the moon. This Teej is somewhat similar to the Teej of Nepal, where women are collected by her parents or brothers to have a feast in Dar Khane Din.

Haritalika Teej

The word “Haritalika” is comprised of two words “harit” and “aalika”, “harit” means “abduction” and “aalika” means “female friend.” Haritalika Teej is celebrated as a remembrance to the Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva union. As per stories, Goddess Parvati’s father made a promise to marry her with Lord Vishu against her wish. Parvati told this to her friend, and she took Parvati to a thick forest where Parvati’s father couldn’t find her, and she won’t have to marry Lord Vishnu. Goddess Parvati prayed to Lord Shiva by making a Shiva lingam from her hair. Impressed by her devotion towards him, Lord Shiva married Parvati and since then the day is referred as Haritalika Teej as Goddess Parvati’s friend (aalika) abducted (harit) her so she could achieve her goal of marrying Lord Shiva. The Teej which is practiced in Nepal is Haritalika Teej.

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