Gai jatra

The festival of Gaijatra the procession of cow (is holy to Hindus) generally celebrated in the Nepalese month of Bhadra (August-September). Cow represents Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and guites the souls of the departed to the gates of the netheworld. This is one of the most popular festival of Nepal. However, the ironic sessions synomous with the Gaijatra festival came into tradition in the medieval period of Nepal during the reign of malla kings.

Lumbini

As the birth place of the lord Buddha the apostle of peace and the light of Asia was born in 623Bc the sacred area of Lumbini is one of the holiest place of one of the worlds great religions and its remains contain important evidence about the nature of Buddhist pilgrims as well as visitors from many different parts of the world and also is regarded as a symbol of peace and under standing in the world community. Lumbini, in the south western tarai of Nepal, evokes a kind of holy sentiment to the million of Buddhist all over the world. Lumbini, like the Buddha, stand peace fully and calm away from the crowds of the cities, on the southern plains of the country, surrounded by forest. Lumbini is one of four Buddhist pilgrimage sites based on major events in the life of Gautama Buddha. Interestingly all of the events occurred under trees. The other three sites are Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), Sarnath ( first discourse), and Kushinagar (death).Lord Buddha believed to have been born in Lumbini as prince Siddhartha, when his mother Queen Mayadevi gave birth to the Buddha on her way to her parents home in Devdaha in the month of may in the year 642 BC. felling the onest of labor pains, she grabbed hold of the branches of a shade trees and gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama, the future Buddha. People here also believe that, she chose the place because of its peaceful setting. Although there are no cities or heavy population nearly, there are plans to develop the area, with gardens, trees, canal, accommodation facilities and even a library. The Buddha is said to have announced" This is my final rebirth" as he entered the world. Buddhist tradition also has it that he walked immediately after his birth and took seven steps, under each of which a lotus flower bloomed.

Lumbini is the place where the Buddha, Know as the Tathagat was born. It is the place which souled be visited and seen by a person of devotion and which should cause awareness and apprehension of the nature of impermanence. The site and its surrounding area is endowed with a rice natural setting of domestic able fauna and favourable agriculture environ. It is pointed out by scholars that the temple of Mayadevi was constructed over the foundations of more than one earlier temple or stupa and that this temple was probably built on an Asoka stupa itself. To the south of Maya Devi temple there is the famous sacred bathing pool know as puskarni, it is believed that Maya Devi took a bath in this pool before the delivery. By the side of the Asoka pillar a river which flows south east. If authenticated, the find will put Lumbini even more prominently on the map for million of religions pilgrims.

Ghodejatra

This is the  horse exciting festival and is one of the prominent celebrated in Kathmandu only. Horse races and other sports take place at Tudikhel on this day. According to legend the people of Kathmandu defeated on evil demon by burying it on the site that is now the Tudikhel showgrounds. It is said that unless the ground is trampled on by horses each years, the demon will rise again wreaking a terrible vengeance on the people. The Nepalese Army also celebrate this day as Army day. The horse is taken as symbol of power through most cultures. Power, Grace, Beauty, strength etc. are few symbolic attribution of the horse.

Newari culture

Newars, who used to be almost the entire population of Kathmandu valley before the invasion of the shah dynasty in 1968, are inheritors of the rich history and culture. prior to the Gorkha conquest of the valley, the three neighboring cities of Kathmandu,Patan and Bhaktapur were the capitals of autonomous Newars kingdom and the three cities are mainly natives and traders of Newars society. Despite the small percentage numerically, they contribute significantly in the history, art, architecture and business activities in the country. They have negligible representations in the army and police services. Quite a number also have agriculture as their main occupation.

Newars speak their own language(Nepal Bhasa), which is an independent language with its own script and a rich literature. It belongs to Tibeto Burman family of languages, it seems likely that the earliest stratum of the Newars population may have come from Tibet and then over a long period evolved into its present form through the inter mingling of immigrant people, including into Aryans from the south.
The written history of the Newars is 25000 years old during which they developed their impeccable culture and arts into a great civilization Newars maintained their unique kingdom even during the various reigns of the Gopala, Kirat, Licchavi and Malla dynasties. The shahs finally amalgamated the Newar nation state in their unification drives.

The ancient Newars were predominantly Buddhist but with the political domination of Hindu rulers, the Newar religion has grown complex with new practices and beliefs. Many Newars today practice Vajrayana tradition of Buddhist but they also have strong faith in Hinduism and performs Hindu rituals of feast and fasting as well. There is no line of distinction between Hinduism and Buddhism.

They celebrate numerous feasts and festivals throughout the year. Newars have well defined occupational caste system among them selves. Though some Newars have mongoloid features, they rather represent a community of different elements mixed together. Besides their rich cultural heritage, festivals, the Newars are impeccable artist and architects.

Gorkha the beautiful tourism places in Nepal

Gorkha, situated at 140kilometere west of Kathmandu at an altitude of 1,135 meter, is the ancestral home town of the Nepal's ruling  royal family. Gorkha is only 25 kilometer road off the main highway connecting Pokhara and Kathmandu brings you to an ancient Gorkha the untouched and captivating town of Nepal. A brief visit on the way to or from Pokhara would provide more insights into Nepal than one is likely to get at lakeside in Pokhara.

soldiers

In the middle of eighteenth century there were hundreds of small kingdoms and principalities in what is today's Nepal. The great Prithivi Narayan Shah took the mammoth task of unifying Nepal in the eighteen century. The Gorkha soldiers under his dynamic leadership eventually succeeded in conquering the Kathmandu valley. His Gorkha palace resides on top of hill atan altitude of 3281 feet(about 1000meter). The king would watch-over his people as far as his eyes could see from the tallest palace in the very centre of Nepal. Gorkha offers panoramic view of snow-fed mountain. The capital of greater Nepal was sifted  to Kathmandu since then. but this beautiful township has always remained as the center of attraction for many Nepalese as well as foreign visitors.

Holi (The colourful festival)

Happy holi

The ancient Hindu festival of Holi falls on late February or on march.Allegedly named after the mythical demonises Holika ,it is a day when the feast of colour is celebrated. The festival is of a week.However it's only the last day that is observed by all with colour. Holi is probably the least religious of Hindu holidays. During Holi all people attend a public bonfire, spray friends and family with coloured powders and water, and generally go a bit wild in the streets.

 Holika and Pralhad

The legend commemorated by the festival of Holi involves an evil king named Hiranyakashipu  conspired way to kill his son pralhad because pralhad was an ardent devotee of lord Vishnu. But their attempts always failed for lord Vishnu  protects those who love him. Getting angry with his son, Hiranyakashipu challenged pralhad to sit on a pyre with his wicked aunt Holika who was believed to be immune to fire(in an alternate version, Holika put herself and pralhad on the fire on orders from her brother). Pralhad accepted the challenge and prayed to Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone watched in amazement's as holika was burnt to death(but Brahma's blessing could only be used for good purposes and so Holika was consumed by the fire). While pralhad survived without  a scar to show for it. Thus, Holi is said to be celebrated to rejoice Holika's externiration and the traditional bonfires are believed to commemorate her death. According to some account, Holika begged pralhad for forgiveness before her demise and he decreed that she would be remembered every year at Holi.
The days prior to the last don't have a lot happening except., the installation of the ceremonial pole called 'chir', on the first day. It's a bamboo pole, fringed with strips of cloth representing good luck charms. It is said to symbolize the tree on which lord Krishna hung the milkmaids. As the pole is put up in the street at Basantapur, the festival and worship commences for the week. At the end of which its taken to a bonfire.

The central ritual of Holi is the throwing and applying of colored water and powders on friends and family, which gives the holiday its common name 'FESTIVAL OF COLURS'. This ritual is said to be based on the above story of Krishna and Radha as well as on Krishna playful splashing of the maids with water, but coming of spring with all its beautiful colours and vibrant life.

Happy holi................holi he........................

Mount Everest

The Mount Everest is know all around the world for its great height. Mount Everest is one of the tallest mountain in the world. It is part of the Himalayan Mountains. They were formed in the last few million years. After the super continent of Laurasia broke up millions of years ago, India moved slowly north towards Asia and then crashed into it. The seabed between the two plates(the earth's crust is divided into large areas of land called plates) was crumbled and pushed up on the northemrim of India to from mountain.

The trust is that from many years many people wondered and tired to figure it out the exactly measurements. These days, we know for sure the exact height of 29,035ft. or 8850m because we have better tools to measure, like the global positioning sate lite technology. But the official altitude of the Mount Everest that was approved by the Nepali government is 29,029ft. But the interesting fact is that it is believed that the height of Mt. Everest will grow in the future for the more.
Mount Everest got its name after the person(Sir George Everest) that first tried to located the exact position of the peak until then, it was named Mount Everest

Everest Facts:-
Name in Nepal: Sagarmatha (means goddess of the sky)
In Tibet: Chomolungma (means mother goddess of the universe)
 Named after: sir George Everest in 1865, the British surveyor-general of India once know as peak 15
First Ascent: May 29-1953 by sir Edmund Hillary,NZ and Tenzing Norgay, NP, via the south col route
First solo Ascent: Aug 20-1980, Reinhold Messner,IT, via the Ridge to north face
First Oxygenless Ascent: May 8,1978, Reinhold Messner ,IT, and peter hableler,AUT, via the south east ridge
Youngest person: Temba T sheri (NP) 15, on may 22, 2001
oldest person: Sherman Bull May 25, 2001-64yrs

most Ascent: Appa Sherpa became the first person to climb Everest 20 times-Ten, Ang Rita sherpa, Babu chhiri sherpa all ascents were oxygen less
Country with most death on mountain: most dangerous area on mountain Khumbu Ice fall -19deaths

Lalitpur

Country:- Nepal
Region:- Central (Madhyamanchal)
Zone:- Bagmati
Area:- Total 385km^2(1486 sq mi)
Population;- 337785(2001)

Lalitpur District, a part of Bagmati zone, is one of the seventy-five districts of Nepal, a landlocked country of south Asia. lalitpur sub-metropolitan city, popularly know as patan is currently one of the most vibrant cities of the kingdom of Nepal. It is located in about 5 kilometers south-eat of Kathmandu valley. Lalitpur is wonderful city of this world & main tourism place in Nepal. It is naturally beautiful and has a clean environment . It is also know as patan. patan has a long Buddhist  history and have stupas at four corners. like Kathmandu Durbar square, patan Durbar square is also packed with temples. Most of these temples are built during the malla kings period.
lalitpur is also know as a city of wood and stone carving , beautiful city of architectural craftsmanship.
Place to visit:-
Achheshwar mahankar:
The Mahavihar has been recently reconstructed around the 17th century temple of lord Buddha built by Achheswar. A beautiful panoramic of Kathmandu valley can be had from the mahavihar. Which lies just behind the Ashokan stupa of pulchowk.

Phulchoki:
Phulchoki hiking is one of the most prominent peak 2829m/9050ft high, which surround the valley of Kathmandu. This mountain , as it's name suggests( Phul means flower in Nepali) is a natural garden of wild roses, yellow jasmine, iris and another native flowers. The panoramic view from the top is spectacular to the north snow clad Himalayan range and Kathmandu valley and to the south the lower range of mountains extended to the plain of tarai. Phulchowki is also best recommended for a day hike.
Durbar square:

Patan Durbar square

As in the kathmandu, patan also has an old royal palace built during the Malla Kings period. most of the temples here are built in Newari architecture. Listed as a world heritage site, the former royal palace situated in the heart of the city is like its counterpart in Kathmandu. patan Durbar square is an enchanting melange of ancient palaces, pagoda temples, shrines and captivating courtyards. Another remarkable structure of the square is a temple of lord Krishna built entirely in stone  in 17th century.

The central Zoo:

The central zoo, only zoo of Nepal, was established by late Rana prime minister juddha shumser in 1952 as a private zoo. with the political change, the ownership of the private zoo came under the government of Nepal and in 1956 it was finally opened to the public. it was only in the year 1995 that the central zoo was handed over to the National trust for Nature conservation, and they immediately set about renovation the zoo. There was approximately 900 individual animals housed at the jawalakhel central Zoo. Visitors will be able to view various bird species, mammals, fish and reptiles. At present, there are fourteen animals at the zoo that are on the endangered list. Over and above the viewing the animals, visitors will be able enjoy elephants rides, make use of the picnic facilities or use the paddle boats. Children can play safely in the playground, while the adults might prefer a trip to the souvenir shopper restaurant.

Bhaktapur

I used to be eager to visit Bhaktapur as someone told me about it in my best friend. I wished i could visit Bhaktapur It came true when i was 23 years old when my parents took me there on a family tour. i found Bhaktapur to be more beautiful than i had imagined. I odored it a lot.

   Bhaktapur

Official language:-Nepal Bhasa

Area of municipality:- 6.88 sq.km

calling codes:- Nepal country code:977, City code:01

Currency:- Nepali Rupee(NRS)

Temperature range:- minimum 2digree Celsius /maximum 32 degree Celsius

Bhaktapur is the most beautiful city in Nepal. It is located about 20km. east of Kathmandu valley, Bhaktapur is know as the  'city of culture' the 'living Heritage' the 'city of Devotees' and Nepal's cultural capital, because of the city's medieval architecture , its rich tradition of ancient  music, handicrafts and ritual dance, as well as its present renaissance of vibrant Newar culture. The conch shaped historic city is spreading over just an area of 6.88 square kilometer at 1,401 metere altitude. The city was founded in 12th century by king Anand Dev Malla. Bhaktapur was the capital city of the greater malla kingdom in the Kathmandu valley till the 15th century AD. The many of Bhaktapur's greatest monuments were built by the malla rulers. Bhaktapur has more temples per square foot than Patan or Kathmandu and it for enough out of town to keep the crowds away. Given such unequaled opulence in  ancient art and culture , Bhaktapur is more likes an open museum, and the ambiance  here is such that it instantly transports visitors back by centuries the moment they step into its territory. Bhaktapur has been designated by UNESCO as a world Heritage site.

Pokhara (The most important tourism place in Nepal)

Area:-Total 30km^2(11.6 sq.mi)/water 4.4km^2(1.7 sq.mi)
Population:-181192 (2000 est)
Elevation:- 941 meters (above 2700ft.)
Temperature :- Minimum 6 dirge and maximum 31 dirge

Map of Pokhara

Pokhara is a land of natural beauty. It is situated at the lap of the panoramic Annapurna Himal, pokhara is 198 kilometres west from Kathmandu city and can be reached by plane in 35 minutes or in 5 hours by bus. Pokhara the most popular tourist spot in the country, a place to view snow-capped mountains and to start off your major trekking expeditions to the Himalayas. Pokhara is often called the enchanting Himalayan Vally with a heart of major actions and adventures. Pokhara is a race combination of the long arrays of snow clad peaks, crystal clear lakes, turbulent rivers with deep gorges and picturesque villages in habited by simple and friendly ethnic people.There are plenty of place of tourist interest in and around pokhara city, some of which are phewa lake, Begnas lake, Rupa lake, Devi's fall, Mahendra cave, Bindabasini temple, Annapurna regional museum, Buddhist monestry, Tibetan village, Sarangkot and more. So pack up your bag, load your camera and get ready for pokhara experience.
The climate in pokhara is moderate. It rains a lot . So, it is called the Cherapunji of Nepal. The hill sides arround Pokhara are settled by different ethnic griup like Gurung, Thakali, Magar, etc. They have their own language, culture and life style. Tourism is the main income of the in pokhara. Most of the people are involved in the tourism industry and the Nepalese, British and Indian armies. There is a hill top called Sarangkot from where we can see a clear view of the city and the sunrise and sunset.


Place to visit:-

Phewa lake: Phewa lake, the second largest lake in the kingdom, roughly measuring 1.5 km, is the center of all attractions in pokhara, offers on excellent view of the mountain and their reflection on the lake. The lake is neither deep (roughly 47 meters at most) nor particularly clean, but the water is warm and swimming is pleasant if you don't think about the pollution.
Many tours and trekking operators and hotels are located on the lakeside. One can easily find a place to sit back, relax and enjoy great meal while enjoying scenery here. You will also enjoy booting on the lake.
The eastern shoreline of the lake, popularly know as lakeside or Baidam, consists of seemingly endless strip of lodge, restaurants, book-shop and souvenir shops have traditional designs and layouts which match with the surrounding view.

Seti Gandaki

Seti Gandaki: Flowing right through the city, the boisterous river runs completely underground at many place, Amazingly, at certain points the river appears hardly two meters wide. There is a local myth  that the entire land of pokhara floats on the Seti rivers in Nepal are know for their strength and the purity as entire source is from the Himalayan range.

Devi's fall : Witness a unique water-fall that lies 2km south-west of pokhara airport on the highway to Tansen. The water fall directly goes into a deep and narrow canal with no ends. An interesting modern legend says that this deadly waterfall took the life of a tourist named David, who fell down into the canal and was never found, and hence the name David waterfall, named in his memory by the people of pokhara.

National song

   The national song
(sayou thunga fulka hami , eutai mala Nepali

sarwabhoum bhai phailiyeka mechi mahakali)2
Prakiti ka koti koti sampadako aachal
bir haru ko ragatale swotantra ra atala
Gyan bhumi santi bhumi tarai pahad Himal
akhanda yo pyaro hamro matri bhumi Nepal
Bhahul jati, bhasa, darma, sanskriti chha bisal
agragami rasta hamro jaya jaya Nepal

In English translation
We are the flower of hundreds,the one garland-Nepal
sovereign, spread out from Mechi to Mahakakali

Amazing nature's million of heritages

By the blood of the braves, independent and immovably

Land of knowledge, land of peace, Tarai, Himals, Mountains
undivided this beloved, our mother-land Nepal

Diverse race, language, religion, culture are so large
Our progressive country, long live, long live Nepal.

Nepal Tourism year2011

• Nepal is country with a fascinating culture and full of weird folk and amazing buildings, temples arts culture and monuments. It is know as the birthplace of lord Buddha and the country of Mt.Everest. Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world  in terms of biodiversity due to its altitude variation and geographical position. The country lies 60 meters above sea level. The main diverse feature about Nepal is its wildlife, greatest mountain range, forested hills and frozen valleys. Its spectacular geography is one of the richest cultural landscape, which offers an astonishing diversity of sightseeing attraction and adventure opportunities, which are found no where on earth.

 The natural scenery, high mountains in comparable cultural heritage and numerous specialties have made Nepal a well know destination in the world tourism map with a distinct image of its own. However, the development of tourism is limited in number and within the certain areas of the country only. The new government has shown greater concerns about the real value of tourism and its role in contributing to economic growth, poverty alleviation, equity and overall tourism development in the country.

Pashupatinatha

  Therefore, the government is placing high priority on the tourism sector in its new economic development policy. As there is a favorable political situation in the country the government is all geared towards economic revelation in next 10 years for the up-liftment of the masses. In this connection, government of Nepal in consultation with Nepalese  Tourism industry, concerned organizations and experts decided to launch a national tourism campaign "NEPAL TOURISM YEAR 2011". This announcement reflects the government's anticipation to bring into at least on million international tourists in Nepal by the year 2011 and spread the benefits of tourism to the people at large. The national campaign also indicates the tourism industry's exigency to organize a tourism promotion campaign having wider impact.
With the glittering budge of adventure destination and the adage "Atithi Deva Bhava" (Guest are Gods) that reflects "Atithi satkar, Nepali ko Sanskar" (Hospitality is Nepalese culture) deeply rooted in our culture, the tourism products of Nepal never cease to mesmerize the visitors.  The cultural geographical, ethnic and bio-diversities of the country allure international visitors to Nepal time and again which truly substantiates the spirit of Nepal tourism brand; 'Naturally Nepal, once is not enough'.

Mt.Everest

 The concept of Nepal tourism year 2011 envisions harnessing these opportunities and strength and bringing together the commitment of the government, expertise and experiences of the organizations like Nepal tourism Bord, aptitude and dynamism of the private sector and communities for further tourism development in the country. Active invelopment in the major political parties member of the consititution assembly and Right group is always taken into consideration in order to make the compaign inclusive and paricipatory in modus operandi and effective in result. The cpmpaign will also focuson mobilizing the networks of the Non-Resident Nepalis(NRN) communities, Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad, I/NGOs, airlines and national and internatinal media. Similarly, friends and well-wishers of Nepal  tourism academician and celebrities will also be approached in order to highlight the campaign internally as well as internationally. This is also called visit Nepal year 2011.
Objectives of compaign :
Establish Nepal as a choice of premier holiday, destinatipn with a definite brand image.
Improve and extend tourism related infrastructures in existing and new destinations.
Enhance the capacity of service providers.
Boost community capacity in the new areas to cater the need of the visitors.
Promote domestic tourism for sustainable growth of the industry.
Campaign targets:
Achieve one million international visitors.
Encouraging more investment on tourism infrastructures.

Deepawali

Tihar is one of the greatest festivals of Nepal. The Nepali festival Tihar is also known by many names such as Dipawalli or Bhai tika or as a festivals of light. It is celebrated as the symbol of prosperity and love between brothers and sisters. It generally falls in the month of October after 20 days from the Dashain festivals ;the greatest festivals of Nepal, and Tihar is all about worshiping of different animals (cow, Dog, Crow) and worshiping of the Hindu goddess of fortune or wealth goddess Laxmi. During the festivals all the houses in the city and villages are decorated with lit oil Lamps. Thus during the night the entire village or city looks like a sparkling diamond. It's celebrated for five days starting from the thirteenth days of the waning moon in October. We also refer to Tihar as 'Yama panchak' which literally means 'the five days of the underworld lord'. We also worship 'Yamaraj' in different forms in these five days.

There is a story, which tells why this revelry is celebrated so widely: once there was a king who was living his last days of life. His astrologer has told him that a serpent would come and take his life away the king didn't want to die so he has asked the astrologer if there was any way to escape death. The king was advised to sleep with lit oil Lamps all around his  bed and decorate the palace with oil lamps on Laxmi puja day. So goddess Laxmi would talk to the serpent not to take his life. It did happen, the serpent was convinced by goddess Laxmi. The serpent took the king Yamaraj and told him that it was not yet the king's time to come to the underworld. So Yamaraj opened his ledger and in it the kings remaining age was written Zero, but the serpent cleverly put seven before zero. Thus the king lived for seventy more years. So onwards Tihar is widely celebrated worshiping the underworld and goddess Laxmi.

The first day is called kag tihar (The crow-festival). The crow is supposed to be the messenger of Yamaraj (The god of the death). People worshiped and feed the crow on this day.

The secound day is Kukur tihar (The dog-festival). People call dogs and worship them by offering them garlands and feeding them delicious food. 

The third day is called Gai tihar (The cow-festival). The cow is supposed to be the incarnation of Laxmi (The goddess of wealth) People worship cows by giving them gar lance, good foods, e.t.c. In the evening; every house is full of light. Children and young people play with fire-crack. They perform Bhailo by visiting every door; Singing song and collecting money, fruits and sweets. In every house, people make sweets and delicious foods. The streets and all the corners of the houses are decorated with colourful lights and lamps to welcome the goddess laxmi.In this third day of the tihar festival, the entire nation becomes an illumination of lights. Picture and icons of laxmi devi(goddess) are placed and worshiped in a puja room(or place in a living room or a dedicated room for worshiping gods)Puja is performed using flowers, incense , oil lamps, colour-powders, bell and money(both notes and coins). The fourth day is the Ox-festival. Oxen are worshiped and fed good foods.
The fifth day is the most important day; Bhai tika . On this day, sisters give a tika (a colourful mark on the forehead to their brothers and wish them a long life. The royal astrologer gives the appropriate time to put the tika through the national radio, T.v, a day before and the entire nation abides by it.
Deueuray song;-
Bhana nera bhai ho Deusuray
(Say it my brother, say it deusuray)


Sormilai kana Deusuray
(say it louder and say it in tune Deusuray)


Rato mato chiplo bhato Deusuray
(Red mud trail, slippery trail deusuray)


laddai paddai deusuray
(Slipping and sliding deusuray)




Aayeko hami deusuray
( Finally we made it to your home deusuray)
E.T.C.
The most exotic and dazzling festival comes to an end after these five magnificent days of worship and honor to the goddess Laxmi and the underworld kingdom.

Kathmandu city

                                                                 

Kathmandu is the capital and largest metropolitan city of Nepal, lies in the central part of the country. The city is situated in a fertile lowland (the valley of Nepal) in the southern Himalaya ranges, near the confluence of the Bagmati and Vishnumati rivers. It is the mountain kingdoms largest city and its economic, administrative and cultural centre. The city stands at an elevation of approximately 1,400 meters in the bowl-shaped valley in central Nepal surrounded by four major mountains, namely; Shivapuri, Phulchowki, Nagarjun and chandragiri. It is inhabited by 671846 (2001) people. A road runs north to khasa, in Tibet, and another road to links Kathmandu with Raxaul, a rail junction in India. points of interest in kathmandu include the ornate royal palace and a Buddhist Temple(1549) in the old palace, rear by is the white-domed Bodnath shrine, revered by Buddhist. The city is the site of Tribhuvan university (1959) and the National Museum of Nepal. Kathmandu is the hub of Nepal's traditional culture and arts. This is the place for rest, relaxation and easy-day sight seeing of historic and artistic temples and monuments . Being the capital of Nepal , it offers much services including international airlines, hotels and other facilities. One also enjoys Kathmandu for night life, shopping and of course for the mountains view.
Kathmandu was founded in 723 and was ruled for centuries by the Newar people. It was captured in 1768 by the Gorkhas and became their capital from 1846 to 1950 . The powerful Rana family ruled Nepal from here as hereditary prime ministers. The city was badly damaged in 1934 by an earthquake. The city is know for its many graceful Hindu and Buddhist temples. Katmandu's main industry is tourism.

Kathmandu city consisted of a big lake called "Nagadaha". The lake was surrounded by hill on all side and there was nothing but water in it. In ancient times, a sages called Manjushri came from china to worship the glowing flame of lord Swayambhu from the top of Nagarkot he saw the flames constantly emanating from Swayambhu. Then he cut down the hill between them with his sword to drain out the water of Nagadaha . Then often some years his disciples leaving here.

Lord Buddha

 Lord Buddha is the founder of the Buddhist religion (Buddhist). His religion is based on nonviolence, good conduct and benevolence. Buddha was born, more than twenty-nine hundred years ago, at Lumbini in Kapilvastu. He was named 'Siddhartha Gautam' means 'descendant of Gautama whose aims are achieved /who is efficacious in achieving aims', he later become the Buddha (literally enlighted one or Awakened one). He was a prince and could enjoy every kind of pleasure. But he was lonely and contemplative by nature. According to most Buddhist traditions, Siddhartha Gautam, the future Buddha lived many lives before coming to our present world era. In his may Einsteins during the along, long period of time and in the hundred thousand worlds, the future Buddha had fulfilled the ten paramitas, and in order to save this world to be born in our era and to become a fully enlightened Buddha.

Buddha was married and got a son. But he left his palace and become an ascetic. He wanted to free men from misery.  He went to Gaya and practised hard penance for six years in a forest. Then he began to meditate under a peepal tree sitting cross legged. At last,he attained Supreme knowledge and become Buddha. He went to Sarnath and preached his first sermon. Then he travelled to various place in India and preached his religion.

Dashain our festival

    We have many festivals in our country. Dashain is our greatest festival, it is a Hindu festival. It begins in the month of aswin and least for ten day. The first nine days are called Navaratri (Nine night). On these days people worship Durga, the Goddess of power. They worship her image at home or in temples. The first day is call ghatasthapana, which literally means pot establishing . On this day the kalash, symbolising goddess Durga often with her image embossed on the side in placed in the prayer room. The kalash is filled with holy water and covered with cowdung on which seeds are sown. A small rectangular sand block is made and the kalash is put in the centre. The surrounding bed of sand is also seeded with grains. The room where the kalash is established is call 'Dashain ghar'. The kalash and the sand are sprinkled with holy water everyday and it is shielded from direct sunlight. By the tenth day, the seed will have grown to five or six inches long yellow grass. The sacred yellow grass is called 'jamara'.

As days passes by regular rituals are observed till the seventh day. The seventh day is call 'Fulpati'. In this day we are worship Durga and another goddess. The eight day called 'Maha Asthami' and ninth day called 'Maha Nawami', the fervour of worship ad sacrifice Durga, and Kali increases . On this day many orthodox Hindus will be fasting. Temple of mother goddess are filled with people from down till dusk. Animal mostly black buffaloes are slaughtered to honour Durga the goddess of victory and might and to seek her blessing . Lastly the tenth day is called 'Vijaya dashami' or Tika. It commemorates the victory of Durga over Mahisasur, the demon. This signifies the triumph of Good over Evill. On this day people go to their superiors and seek blessing . We visit our elders in their home and get 'Tika' from them while our younger ones come to our home to receive blessing from us. During Dashain people spend their time in feasting and merrymaking . They put on fine clothes and eat rich foods. Many people like to eat meat. They kill birds and animals . The rich people have a happy time because they can spend a lot of money. The poor people are not so happy, they can not buy enough clothes and food from their children.

After Dashain everyone settles back to normal . After receiving the blessing of goddess Durga,people are ready to work and acquire virtue,power and wealth . Dashain thus is not only the longest festivals but also the most anticipated one among all the festivals of Nepal.

Nepal our country

Nepal

 Nepal is a  beautiful country of this world. It is a landlocked country the size of Arkansas, lying between India and the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, Nepal contains mount Everest (29,035ft;8848m.)the tallest Mountain n this world. Nepal is a land of Natural  beauty so it is a one most important tourism place in this world. Nepal is situated in the central part of Asia, on the Southern slope of the great Himalayas. It covers an area of 147,181sq.kms. it is spread over in a about 880km.from Mechi in the east to Mahakali in the west. But the width differs from 144km. in the east to 240km. in the west.

Nepal has a strip of level land that is partly forested, partly cultivated. North of that is the slope of the main section of the range, including Everest and many other peaks  higher than 8,000m.The country, full of great forests, was the chosen place for sages like  Kanwa, Biswamitra, Agastya, Valmiki and other. King Dushyanta of India married shakuntala, the adopted daughter of Kanwa Rishi of Nepal. Their son  Bharat ruled over here. Then Nepal was called Mahabharata, and the surrounding territories under the Suzerainty of king Bharat was called Bharat.

ETYMOLOGY OF NEPAL

The world 'Nepal' has significantly been used as the name of our country .There are various opinions about it:

1.  Long, long ago, the king of the Gopala dynasty ruled over it .They were called 'Nepa', so, after the name of the dynasty who ruled over it, the country was named as 'Nepal'.

2.  A sage called 'Ne' lived in penance on the confluence of the Bagmati and Bishnumati rivers. He was the sole advisor of the King . So the word 'Nepal' was derived from the name of the sage 'Ne'.

3.  'Nepal' might also be derived from 'Newar', one of the ancient tribes living in Kathmandu valley.

4.  Inb the Gandaki Mahatma, it is mentioned that a king called 'Nepa' ruled over it. He conquered many kingdom and established Shanker as his deity. He founded a country and called it 'Nepal', after his own name.

5.  In the Tibetan language 'Ne' means 'home' and 'pal' means 'wool'. Sheep were reared in Kathmandu valley and much wool was produced .So, it was called the home of wool i.e.; Nepal.

6.  In the Newari language  'Ne' means 'centre' and 'pa' means 'country'. So 'Ne pa' means a country situated in between the two great countries, China and India. So, it was called a central country, i.e., Nepal.

7.  In the Limbu dialect 'Ne' means plain area. Kathmandu valley is a plain, so it was called 'Nepal'.

8.  In the dialect of the Lepchas , 'Ne' means 'holy' and 'pal' means 'cave' . As it is a holy place-the centre of pilgrimage of Hindus and Buddhists, it was called holy cave or Nepal.

9.  In the language of the Tibeto-Burman people, 'Ne' means 'cattle' and 'pa' means 'people' . Kathmandu valley had a good grassland for cattle and the main occupation of the people was to rear animals. So, it was called the land of the people who reared animals, i.e., Nepal.