Buddhanilkantha, Kathmandu

Buddhanilkantha which literally means “old blue neck” offers unique pleasure for everyone. The statue is beautifully proportioned with serene and realistic expression of Lord Narayan.  Narayan is one of the many incarnations of Vishnu and is the creator of all life. As you climb the steps of the temple and reach the main temple complex, you are mesmerized by the beauty, quietness and holiness of the place. Besides Lord Narayan, you can also pay homage to Lord Laxmi, Saraswati and Shiva within the complex. Narayan lying in the water tank gives an impression of floating. Look closely and you will see coins and paper notes thrown by devotees. Four hands of Narayan hold the four symbols of Vishnu a chakra disc represents the mind, a conch shell represents the elements of the earth, a club represents the knowledge and a lotus represents the universe. Forehead of the statute is always covered with either cloth or flowers and is forbidden for anyone to see.  It is believed that Vishnu sleeps through the four monsoon months and wakes up at the end of the monsoon. During this time, a great festival takes place at Buddhanilkantha which runs for four days. Worshippers from all around the country gather at this time to celebrate the awakening of Vishnu from his long slumber. History has it that a farmer and his wife found the statue of deity while cultivating.

Wood carving in Nepal

The art of wood carving has been the pride of Nepal for many centuries. Woodwork has been part of traditional architecture of Nepal and wood carvings have graced monasteries, temples, palaces and residential homes since the twelfth century, although the earliest surviving dated temple decorated with wood carving, the Indresvara Mahadeva temple in Panauti near Banepa, bears the date 1396. Another one of such wooden monument, a traditional architectural site named Kasthamandapa a wooden mansion near Hanuman Dhoka, Kathmandu, still stands. There is no evidence regarding its built period but is believed before 1143 as a shelter for travelers in the trade route. The legend also says that, this Kasthamandapa was built out of a single timber. In fact, the history of woodcarving in Nepal is older than that. There is no physical evidence or any physical monuments but in many documentaries there is mention of Licchavi period (300-879 AD) and woodwork in that period. A Chinese traveler Wang Hsuan Tsang (643 AD), who has described Licchavi kingdom in his travel log, has clearly mentioned the beautiful woodcrafts, wood sculptures, and decorations used by the Licchavis. While earlier woodcarvings have been described in travelogues, samples have not survived the elements.

"The people of Nepal are skilled in arts. Their houses are made of wood and carved."

-- Wang Hsuan Tsang: Memoirs. AD 643.

Hot air ballooning...

Hot air ballooning is new to Nepal. In fact, it was started in the year 2000 on the increasing demand of the foreign tourists. On one hour hot air balloon flight, this spectacular view becomes unforgettable. Rise gently over the red-tile roofed houses, temples and stupas and drift weightlessly over green terraced fields in the crip morning air. Within minutes of the ascent, the majestic Himalayan panorama will greet you, from the rugged Langtang Himal all the way to Mt. Everest. 

Let moments freeze as you beyond the pristine valley and drift along on board the world's oldest but safest method of air travel. One hour on the balloon will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. 

Flying 3000 m. above the Kathmandu valley safely perched on a wicker basket, opens up vast of enchanting sights accessible only to the initiated. Breathe easily in the fresh, crisp air of the quintessential Kathmandu dawn as you absorb the 360 view of awe-inspiring landscape - lush green hills, terraced fields enriched by nature's colors, terra-cotta structures huddled together like watchful sentinels, a gilded temple spire, lonely stupa. Each one bathed by the first golden rays of the rising sun. 

Pooja - Short Movie

• Pooja Singh Thakuri Rai, 17, of Saune - Sunsari is dead. Pooja's father, Gaj Bahadur Singh Thakuri, blames Pooja's mother-in-law, Harkamaya Rai, for killing Pooja. Pooja's husband, Rumihang, blames Pooja's father Gaj Bahadur for contributing to Pooja's death. Harkamaya blames the hospitals for killing Pooja. Ranju Yadav, one of Pooja's best friends, thinks Pooja invited disaster because she was, at heart, an unhappy and lonely young woman. Who is really responsible for Pooja's death? How does Pooja died? The film Pooja is an attempt on exploring the answer, why does hundreds of mother dying every year? This is story about one of life's biggest and riskiest endeavors: giving birth to a baby - being told from three different points of views. All improvised acting with no scripted dialogues! A BBC World Service Trust Nepal's presentation, Pooja is produced with financial assistance of European Union.
  - Written by Deepak Rauniyar

Why do we shout in anger???

A Hindu saint who was visiting river Ganges to take bath found a group of family members on the banks, shouting in anger at each other. He turned to his disciples smiled 'n asked.

'Why do people shout in anger shout at each other?'

Disciples thought for a while, one of them said, 'Because we lose our calm, we shout.'

'But, why should you shout when the other person is just next to you? You can as well tell him what you have to say in a soft manner.' asked the saint

Disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the other disciples.
Finally the saint explained, .

'When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other to cover that great distance.

What happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly, Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is either nonexistent or very small...'

The saint continued, 'When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper 'n they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other 'n that's all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.'

He looked at his disciples and said.

'So when you argue do not let your hearts get distant, Do not say words that distance each other more, Or else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return.'

Mehendi and Green Bangles in month of Shrawan

The trend to wear green clothes, beads, bangles and mehandi is a pretty recent phenomenon, it started less than ten years ago but it has become a fashion now.

Regarded auspicious by the Hindu women, the month of Shrawan brings colours and cheers among the Nepali Hindu women. During this month, especially on Mondays, women fast and put on green and red coloured dresses and other accessories; they also visit the temples or idols of Lord Shiva. Fasting is observed on Mondays by unmarried women to get an ideal husband like god Shiva. And married women do it for the long life of their husband.

This is the month when girls and women are excited about painting their hands red with mehandi or henna. Likewise, the women also opt to load their hands with green and red colour glass bangles and don green dresses. With colourful clothes and accessories, they look attractive in this month.

Sravan Somvar

The Month of Sravan and the Shravan Somvar Legend

Shravan is the fifth month of Hindu calendar begining from Chaitra. This month is believed exceedingly opportune for hoping to Noble Shiva. It is trusted that worshiping Noble Shiva across Sawan is believed extra influential than worshiping across normal days. Countless Hindus discern fasts and present Pujas across the month, exceptionally on Monday. The fasts completed on Monday are recognized as Shravan Somwar Vrat. It is trusted that by discerning Sravan Somvar Vrat all desires gets fulfilled. It is trusted that if unmarried women retain fast on Mondays of the month they should become a good husband. Separately from Monday’s women
retain fasts on Tuesdays and Fridays of the month too. On Tuesdays presently wedded brides retain the Mangala Gauri Vrata to become clear of bad omens and wedded women retain Varalaksmi Vrata on Friday (Shravan Shukravar Vrata). Every single date in the month of Shravan has a distinct meaning and supplementary deities are worshiped too. Mondays are dedicated to Shiva, Tuesdays to Gauri, Wednesdays to Vithala, Thursdays to Mercury and Jupiter, Fridays to Lakshmi and Tulsi, Saturdays to Shani and Sundays to Sun. Countless do Pujas of Noble Vishnu on Saturday. Those who have complications in their origin chart due to the planet Saturn discern fast on this date of Sampat Shanivar .Praying to Goddess Lakshmi is additionally believed opportune in this month. A little supplementary opportune occasions in the month of Shravan are Hariyali Amavasi, Hariyali Teej, Nag Panchami, Tulsi Das Jayanti,Putradaikadashi, Shravani Purnima, Rishi Panchami, Krishna Janmashtami and Raksha Bandan