The temple of thousands Buddha is about ten-minute walk from south of durbar square. It is slightly out of the way and you can have to ask directions as it is located in a courtyard surrounded by buildings and not easily visible despite its height originally constructed in 14th century, the terracotta, the Indian style was severely damaged in 1934 earthquake and later rebuild. Each of the bricks in the building contains an image of Buddha. Inside there is a shrine dedicated to Maya Devi, the mother of Buddha. It is said that this temple is similar to one in Boudhagaya where Buddha was enlighten. You can climb the buildings around the courtyard to photograph the temple and obtain a fine view over the rooftops of Patan.
Some Useful Nepali Words
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Usual Words
English | Nepali |
| How much? | Kati |
| Less | Kum |
| Where? | Kata? |
| OK | Theek |
| Thank you | Dhanyabad |
| More | Badhi |
| Little bit | Alikati |
| That’s enough | Pugyo |
| I do not have | Chaina |
| Good, pretty | Ramro |
| Here | Yaha |
| There | Tyaha |
| Give me | Malai dinos |
| Today | Aaja |
| Yesterday | Hijo |
| Tomorrow | Voli |
| Stamp | Ticket or stamp |
| Envelope | Kham |
| Money | Paisa |
On the trail:
Way, trail | Bato |
| Bridge | Pool |
| Descent | Oralo |
| Ascent | Ukalo |
| Left | Baya |
| Right | Daya |
| Cold | Jado |
| Wait a minute | Ek chin parkhanos |
| I like this | Malai yo ramro lagyo |
| I do not like this | Malai yo ramro lagena |
| Where is the market? | Bazaar kata parcha? |
| Where is the road to ______? | ______ jane bato kata parcha? |
| I do not feel good | Malai sancho chaina |
| Is there a village nearby? | Najikai gaun parcha? |
| Where is the porter? | Bhariya kata gayo? |
| Please give me tea | Kripaya malai chiya dinos |
| I want to sleep | Malai sutna mann lagyo |
Languages In Nepal
Monday, September 24, 2007
Over the past few decades, the literacy of Nepali people have reached to quite good level. Though the village areas are yet to have literacy awareness programs and most of them are still below the literacy level, the urban areas have over 90% of the people literate. Since the schools have English as a compulsory subject, most of the Nepalese people do tend to speak the universal language in Nepal.
The national language of Nepal is Nepali language, often called Nepalese language. The grammar of the Nepali language is quite similar to the Sanskrit language. The Nepali language is not so hard to learn but it is too difficult to master as well. I guess this happens to most of the languages in the world. Nepal has lots of ethnic groups and most of the Nepalese ethnic groups speak their own language. The Kathmandu Valley has been ruled by Newars and the basic natives are Newari people who speak Nepal Bhasa language often called Newari language. The other distinct languages are spoken by the Gurungs, Magars, Rais, Limbus, Tamangs, and Sherpas. In the Teria, Hindi and Maithili are widely spoken and understood.
If you are a tourist, and although learning a few words of Nepal is a good idea and widely appreciated, there is one word every visitor should learn – “Namaste.” This universal Nepalese greeting translates literally as “I salute all divine qualities in you: but it is used as “hello, how are you, pleased to meet you, see you again” and generally a nice thing to say.
The national language of Nepal is Nepali language, often called Nepalese language. The grammar of the Nepali language is quite similar to the Sanskrit language. The Nepali language is not so hard to learn but it is too difficult to master as well. I guess this happens to most of the languages in the world. Nepal has lots of ethnic groups and most of the Nepalese ethnic groups speak their own language. The Kathmandu Valley has been ruled by Newars and the basic natives are Newari people who speak Nepal Bhasa language often called Newari language. The other distinct languages are spoken by the Gurungs, Magars, Rais, Limbus, Tamangs, and Sherpas. In the Teria, Hindi and Maithili are widely spoken and understood.
If you are a tourist, and although learning a few words of Nepal is a good idea and widely appreciated, there is one word every visitor should learn – “Namaste.” This universal Nepalese greeting translates literally as “I salute all divine qualities in you: but it is used as “hello, how are you, pleased to meet you, see you again” and generally a nice thing to say.
Blister Prevention For Hikers And Trekkers
Lots of tourists come to Nepal every year around. The main reason behind it is mainly trekking and hiking in the beautiful Himalayas and the breathtaking scenario of the hills we have in Nepal. This has become some kind of a sports these days where it includes a lot of walking. When it comes to walking, there comes a painful foot problem. I am talking about the blisters you have due to excessive walking. Well we have lots of antiseptics but we never seem to have the prevention for it.
Today I just found a site which deals with Blister Prevention. I thought this might help all the trekkers and hikers and all the sports lovers who have blister problem, so I thought I writing this post about Blister Prevention. From Minneapolis, MN, a company called Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, Inc. has manufactured ENGO® Blister Prevention Patches. They have been absolutely phenomenal over the past and have gained a popularity in terms of blisters and its prevention. Their product has effectiveness at preventing blisters and relieving blister pain, ease of use, price, and a variety of other characteristics. That’s why they their ENGO® patches have been awarded the National Health & Wellness Club (NHWC) Seal of Approval. So I suggest if you too are having blister problems be sure to have their blister prevention patches. Visit goengo.com for more information about how to get your patches.
Today I just found a site which deals with Blister Prevention. I thought this might help all the trekkers and hikers and all the sports lovers who have blister problem, so I thought I writing this post about Blister Prevention. From Minneapolis, MN, a company called Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, Inc. has manufactured ENGO® Blister Prevention Patches. They have been absolutely phenomenal over the past and have gained a popularity in terms of blisters and its prevention. Their product has effectiveness at preventing blisters and relieving blister pain, ease of use, price, and a variety of other characteristics. That’s why they their ENGO® patches have been awarded the National Health & Wellness Club (NHWC) Seal of Approval. So I suggest if you too are having blister problems be sure to have their blister prevention patches. Visit goengo.com for more information about how to get your patches.
Indrajatra 2007 Begins
There are lots of festivals happening around the year for the Hindu people in Nepal. It seems like everyday there is a festival in the name of some gods. I don’t know may be that I am from Newar group I feel as we have most of the feasts going on than any other tribes. But today, 24th of September, 2007, has a special importance if you are in Kathmandu. From a week before you will start Newari people going on for their music band practice. Lots of masked features, namely Lakhes, are out to brighten up the festival which is going to start today. It is called Indrajatra, where Indra means Lord of Heaven and jatra means festival, who is worshipped as God of Rain.
The fields have been planted with crops, the monsoon is in the ending process, and the season for harvesting is coming up. This is the beginning of the best season of the year, which lasts for two months. So this is the time when people worship the god of rain, Indra.
Today is considered as the first day of Indrajatra. The big wooden log which was brought from Sallaghari, Bhaktapur, is installed in front of the Kaal Bhairab at Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square today. This symbolize that the festival, Indrajatra, is in the air. This wooden log is called Yashi in Newari language. The beginning and the end of the Indrajatra is symbolized by this wooden log. The installment symbolizes the beginning and after the festival it is put down and dragged into the Bagmati river, which symbolizes the end of the festival. The place at Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square today is crowded with people who watch the installment of the log on that place. The log stands upright till the festival is in the air.
The fields have been planted with crops, the monsoon is in the ending process, and the season for harvesting is coming up. This is the beginning of the best season of the year, which lasts for two months. So this is the time when people worship the god of rain, Indra.
Today is considered as the first day of Indrajatra. The big wooden log which was brought from Sallaghari, Bhaktapur, is installed in front of the Kaal Bhairab at Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square today. This symbolize that the festival, Indrajatra, is in the air. This wooden log is called Yashi in Newari language. The beginning and the end of the Indrajatra is symbolized by this wooden log. The installment symbolizes the beginning and after the festival it is put down and dragged into the Bagmati river, which symbolizes the end of the festival. The place at Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square today is crowded with people who watch the installment of the log on that place. The log stands upright till the festival is in the air.
Gaura
I haven’t heard of this festival as of yet but it is in existence. It’s called Gaura. It is celebrated right after Biswokarma Puja. I read in one of the old magazines about it. I tried to find it out but was unable to find much detail. I only got out some parts of the magazines which I am trying to review today. Nepal really has various customs and tradition as it is a place where lots of groups and castes of people live in. So there are so many numerous amounts of festivals that it seems quite difficult to get all account of.
Speaking of Gaura festival, as written in the magazine, it is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated in the far western region of Nepal. It is observed by married women, and the ceremonies extend from the fifth to the eighth day of the bright lunar fortnight also called Astami in Nepali. During the festival, the women worship various deities and make ritual offerings to those deities. Devotees pay homage to Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati and seek their blessings.
Speaking of Gaura festival, as written in the magazine, it is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated in the far western region of Nepal. It is observed by married women, and the ceremonies extend from the fifth to the eighth day of the bright lunar fortnight also called Astami in Nepali. During the festival, the women worship various deities and make ritual offerings to those deities. Devotees pay homage to Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati and seek their blessings.
Biswokarma Puja
In Hinduism, Biswokarma God is considered to be the god which possess all the craftsmanship and provides us the blessing of being a good and perfect craftsmanship. As you might have known that in Hinduism, there are 330,000,000 gods and everyone has a different values and respect and blessings to offer. So there is a day for each deity when they are worshipped and given special attention. The seventh day of the bright lunar fortnight is considered as the day for Biswokarma God. According to Gregorian calendar, it is celebrated on 18th of September this year (2007).
Mostly people living in terai seems to celebrate this occasion more often than the people in hilly or Himalayan region. The people will just gather around to the statue of the Lord Biswokarma which they have made over the past and they would just sing and dance throughout the day. At end of the festival the statue is put down on the river which indicates the end of the festival. Mostly the Indians and terai people seem to make the statue of gods and then at the end of the festival they put down the statue in the river in most of the festivals.
Mostly people living in terai seems to celebrate this occasion more often than the people in hilly or Himalayan region. The people will just gather around to the statue of the Lord Biswokarma which they have made over the past and they would just sing and dance throughout the day. At end of the festival the statue is put down on the river which indicates the end of the festival. Mostly the Indians and terai people seem to make the statue of gods and then at the end of the festival they put down the statue in the river in most of the festivals.
Chatha (Ganesh Chaturthi)
Another festival celebrated right before Rishipanchami is Ganesh Charturthi (chaturthi means the fourth day of the bright lunar fortnight). This year it was celebrated on 15th of September, 2007. The Hindu people worship Lord Ganesh this day. The newar of Kathmandu valley called it Chatha (meaning same as chaturthi in nepali – fourth day of the bright lunar fortnight). It is celebrated hugely in our neighbor country India as well. Devotees pay homage to Lord Ganesh at various temples of Ganesh.
In Kathmandu, there is one special tradition that is carried out this day. The seed of the pear eaten couple of months ago is preserved for this day. The seed is called bakshyapati in Nepali. It is worshipped as Lord Ganesh, as it has appearance of Ganesh (Ganesh has head of an elephant). So after the worshipping. The seed is crushed and inside another edible seed is taken out and it is eaten after it is fried as the form of prashad (offerings eaten by the devotees in the name of god in form of blessings) from Lord Ganesh.
Optional Extension Tour Of Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon)
Friday, September 21, 2007
I thought of excluding these tours but lots of my friends told me to include these parts of Bhaktapur as well as these places to have importance and I am sure anyone who are in Bhaktapur would never want to miss these places. So here is the review with the time span that is needed for visiting those places.
Extension Tour A:
Starting point: Durbar Square (30 minutes)
Take a small lane off Durbar Square to your right passing by typical to-day activities, continue until this lane bisects the main road. As you swing towards the left, you will pass the potters’ area where much of the activity – molding, baking, etc., - takes place in the street. Finally, passing by Talaku Math you will reach Taumadhi Square.
Extension Tour B:
Starting point: Dattatriya Square (45 minutes)
Continue through Dattatriya Square taking Bagiswori Lane. Pass Brahmayani Dyoche, Wakupati Narayan Temple, then the Navdurga Temple – traditional home of the Durga dancers, to Kwathaundau Pokhari, Kwathaundau Math, and as you approach the other entrance to Dattatriya Square, the Salan Ganesh Temple.
Extension Tour C:
Starting point Dattatriya Square (20 minutes)
Near the entrance to Dattatriya Square, as you enter, there is a lane off to your left. Following it, you will pass the Yachhe Ganesh Temple, Salan Ganesh Pokhari with Yache Ganesh Dyoche then Naag Pokhari, which will bring you to the main street near the Sukuldhoka Math.
A Perfect Tour of Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon)
I just found a page in my old magazine where they have maintained a plan of tour around Bhaktapur, formerly known as Bhadgaon, in a single page. I was thinking of writing a whole post about Bhaktapur, but was unsure if one post was enough for the whole tour. So this magazine will definitely help me to share the knowledge and guide my readers to Bhaktapur in just a single post to read.
Total time: 1.5 hours.
Starting point: Durbar Square
The “Golden Gate,” one of the Valley’s most extraordinary architectural masterpieces, built in 1754.
National Art Gallery houses Nepal’s finest collection of paintings also attached to it, exhibition of wood and stone carvings.
Palace of the 55 Windows, the former royal home of the Malla Kings has uniquely carved and decorated windows.
Temples:
Pashupati
Batsala
Radha
Krishna
Buddhist Vihar
Second stop: Taumadhi Square
Nyataola Temple built by King Bhuptindra in 1708 and dedicated to the tantric deity, Shiddhi Laxmi.
Bhairab Temple, three stories set on a rectangular base.
Narayan Temple with its beautiful carvings.
Aisamari Satal, this reconstructed building will house a modern restaurant catering to tourists.
Third stop: Sukaldhoka Square
This is one of the main local shopping areas where you can observe the daily life of the people.
Sukul dhoka Math in terms of wood carving and courtyard decoration is one of the most important Maths in Bhadgaon.
Fourth stop: Golmadhi Square
Golmadhi Hiti, a traditional stone tap.
Golmadhi Square has many examples of Newari architecture. Here too, you’ll find the hand-weaving center of Bhadgaon.
Fifth and Last stop: Dattatriya Square
Temples:
Dattatriya, a three-storied Rama-Shiva-Vishnu trinity temple built originally during the reign of Yaksha Malla in 1427.
Bhimsen Temple
Laxmi Narayan Temple
Pujahari Math with its beautifully carved peacock windows, now the office of the Baktapur Development Project.
Chikampa Math
Jangham Patti.
Taja Math, planned handicraft center.
Chikampha Math, 2nd floor exhibition hall.
Pujahari Math, 2nd floor will house a woodcarving museum.
Rishi Panchami 2007
Two days after Teej (16th of September) is considered the last day of the fasting. The day is called Rishi Panchami where Rishi means holy person and Panchami meaning fifth which means fifth day of the new moon or month. The day after Teej, women only eat salt once a day in a meal. Then the next day is Rishi Panchami, where women once again go for fasting. Mainly the married women come to Lord Rishikeshwor Mahadev near Teku to worship another form of Lord Shiva. The place is just 10-15 walk from my house. A long queue is formed from the early morning. This day is very important for the ladies who went on fasting on Teej as today is the last and final day of their fasting and after this day they will be having a regular diet.
Personally, I don’t like women doing fasting, especially who have problems with their health. These days, lots of women do faint on the queue or even at their homes due to this extensive fasting. Television and radios and other Medias have now been making aware to the women and asking them not to participate in those sorts of fasting activities where their health would get hampered. If there is no health how can they pray for their husband’s life? I still wonder why would people do these sorts of crazy things and end up in the hospital bed every year. I mostly blame the husbands who give permission to their wives to do such kind of act. I hope in future women and men will take consideration to this matter and not take part in any such harmful rituals and keep their body and health as their priority.
Personally, I don’t like women doing fasting, especially who have problems with their health. These days, lots of women do faint on the queue or even at their homes due to this extensive fasting. Television and radios and other Medias have now been making aware to the women and asking them not to participate in those sorts of fasting activities where their health would get hampered. If there is no health how can they pray for their husband’s life? I still wonder why would people do these sorts of crazy things and end up in the hospital bed every year. I mostly blame the husbands who give permission to their wives to do such kind of act. I hope in future women and men will take consideration to this matter and not take part in any such harmful rituals and keep their body and health as their priority.
Teej 2007
Teej is one of the most important festival for women in Nepal. It carries a lot of importance and devotion of woman who celebrate this festival. The main attraction of this festival are dancing, folk songs, and mostly the red color of women’s wedding saris. This festival is often considered as Hindu festival of womanhood.
There is a history behind this festival. This day recalls the heavenly occasion when Parvati, daughter of the Himalaya, won the hand of Lord Shiva after severe meditation and fasting. So the woman believe that if they fast on this day and pray for the desired husband, they will get it with the grace of Lord Shiva and the women who are married believe if they do the fasting it will make their husband live longer.
The day before the teej, mothers send gifts of food and saris to their daughters’ houses. Groups of women gather together to celebrate and feast. The day is called Darr Khane Din (the eating day). So this day the women eat lots of delicious foods and prepare for the fasting next day. At midnight, the women begin a fast in emulation of Parvati. Lots of women don’t even drink water and fast for their husband and future husbands. Lots of women go to Pashupatinath temple to pray to Lord Shiva. The married ones pray and ask for a happy and productive marriage and a long life of their husbands, and those yet to tie the nuptial knot ask for a good husband as goddess Parvati did. The fasting ends by having water and food from the husbands the next day of the married women and non-married have it by their own. This year Teej was celebrated and 14th of September.
There is a history behind this festival. This day recalls the heavenly occasion when Parvati, daughter of the Himalaya, won the hand of Lord Shiva after severe meditation and fasting. So the woman believe that if they fast on this day and pray for the desired husband, they will get it with the grace of Lord Shiva and the women who are married believe if they do the fasting it will make their husband live longer.
The day before the teej, mothers send gifts of food and saris to their daughters’ houses. Groups of women gather together to celebrate and feast. The day is called Darr Khane Din (the eating day). So this day the women eat lots of delicious foods and prepare for the fasting next day. At midnight, the women begin a fast in emulation of Parvati. Lots of women don’t even drink water and fast for their husband and future husbands. Lots of women go to Pashupatinath temple to pray to Lord Shiva. The married ones pray and ask for a happy and productive marriage and a long life of their husbands, and those yet to tie the nuptial knot ask for a good husband as goddess Parvati did. The fasting ends by having water and food from the husbands the next day of the married women and non-married have it by their own. This year Teej was celebrated and 14th of September.
End of Gunla 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The day after Gokarna Aunsi (father’s day) is marked as the end of the Gunla for the year. This year it was on 12th of September. I was so busy with my own world and work that this year, I couldn’t be in Swayambhu for the first time in my life. Throughout my years, I have loved going to Swayambhu, and Gunla is the main festival where lots of people go to Swayambhu throughout the month. It is such a shame that I couldn’t manage a single day to visit Swayambhu this year. I had made plans for more than three to four times but due to my tight schedule; I just couldn’t go there this year. I had never thought that I would miss going there this year.
On the last day, a huge crowd will be gathered in Swayambhu throughout the day. Lots of people visit and pay their respect to goddess Harati Ma on this day and the days throughout the months. Throughout the month, lots of people will go there with their own musical bands with full devotion to the deity. Since this is the last day, most of the people will visit the place and you see the Swayambhu hill covered with people from a long distance today. You will see devotees coming and going from the hills throughout the way of Swayambhu. The crowd is just overwhelming and something different to experience. Too bad, I miss it this year. Well I cannot do anything then regret it and hope and pray that I wont miss it next year.
On the last day, a huge crowd will be gathered in Swayambhu throughout the day. Lots of people visit and pay their respect to goddess Harati Ma on this day and the days throughout the months. Throughout the month, lots of people will go there with their own musical bands with full devotion to the deity. Since this is the last day, most of the people will visit the place and you see the Swayambhu hill covered with people from a long distance today. You will see devotees coming and going from the hills throughout the way of Swayambhu. The crowd is just overwhelming and something different to experience. Too bad, I miss it this year. Well I cannot do anything then regret it and hope and pray that I wont miss it next year.
Gokarna Aunsi 2007 – Father’s Day In Nepal
Gokarna Aunsi is the father’s day celebrated in Nepal. Gokarna is a place nearby the Valley and Aunsi means dark moon. This year it was celebrated on 11th of September. We have a special way of celebrating this day. Sons and daughters offer ritual food, sweetmeats, and other gifts to their fathers. The streets are a happy scene of married daughters with loads of goodies making their way to their parent’s houses. Another scenario is the shops selling lots of sweet products. The shopkeeper extends their shops and display varieties of sweet products that sons and daughters offer to their father today.
The father’s day is performed by offering the gifts, and then sons and daughters adore their fathers by bowing to touch their feet with their foreheads. The ceremony is also known as “looking uopon father’s face” in our own language. Those whose fathers are no more mark the day by visiting Gokarna and other sacred spots and worshipping to the deities. There they perform anniversary rituals (sharadhya) in honor of their departed fathers and offer alms of rice, pulses, and coints to the priests and beggars as well.
The father’s day is performed by offering the gifts, and then sons and daughters adore their fathers by bowing to touch their feet with their foreheads. The ceremony is also known as “looking uopon father’s face” in our own language. Those whose fathers are no more mark the day by visiting Gokarna and other sacred spots and worshipping to the deities. There they perform anniversary rituals (sharadhya) in honor of their departed fathers and offer alms of rice, pulses, and coints to the priests and beggars as well.
Krishnastami 2007
In Hinduism, there are lots of them. Hard to believe but truth is that it is considered that there are 33 koti devata (330.000,000 Gods). According to the religion, every god has their own importance and have contributed something to the human being in someway. Most of the gods have their special day when they are specially worshipped. Lord Krishna, the dark god who taught warrior Ajuna the value of Karma in the Bhagwad Gita, was born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August (28th August this year). So that day is Lord Krishna’s day hence also called Janmastami (where Janma means birth and Astami means 8th day of the month).
The Krishna’s birthday is celebrated with lots of love and devotion by the devotees. Flocks of devotes gather around the Krishna Mandir at Patan Durbar Square on the preceding day. Krishna Mandir of Patan is a monument and was build on 17th century. So the men and women from gather around and sit in the vigil waiting for the midnight hour. Euphoric prayers and incantations fill the air, and small oil lamps are lit as a mark of felicitation and devotion to the deity. The Krishna Mandir will be full of devotees throughout the day where we can find lots of flocks coming and going on paying their respects and homage to the deity. Throughout the Kathmandu Valley, images of Lord Krishna are shown. Some of the images are carried around the city in the procession accompanied by joyous crowds of followers and musical bands.
The Krishna’s birthday is celebrated with lots of love and devotion by the devotees. Flocks of devotes gather around the Krishna Mandir at Patan Durbar Square on the preceding day. Krishna Mandir of Patan is a monument and was build on 17th century. So the men and women from gather around and sit in the vigil waiting for the midnight hour. Euphoric prayers and incantations fill the air, and small oil lamps are lit as a mark of felicitation and devotion to the deity. The Krishna Mandir will be full of devotees throughout the day where we can find lots of flocks coming and going on paying their respects and homage to the deity. Throughout the Kathmandu Valley, images of Lord Krishna are shown. Some of the images are carried around the city in the procession accompanied by joyous crowds of followers and musical bands.
Dhapasi
I have never been to Dhapasi before. I know it lies outside the Ring Road. So I think it is considered outside the valley, but I am quite unsure about it. One of my dearest friends, Jenisha, had once sent me an email explaining about Dhapasi. It was a gift for me from her to post in this blog of mine. According to her, this article was written to me by one of her friends. I will surely visit the place once and I will write my own review and write my own experience as well. But for the time being, here is what she had written about Dhapasi:
Even with a lot of new buildings being built everywhere, Dhapasi still remains popular for its private planned settlement areas. It owes that to a simple fact that Dhapasi is simply a prettier place to live in than other places like Baneshwor. Except the areas around the ring road, the inner parts are quiet, clean and green ideal for private settlements. These planning areas like, Dhapasi Heights, Shivapuri Planning etc also boost examples of beautiful architecture. The roads are so clean and quiet that it almost feels like Europe at times. Also there is a brand new housing area, Subha Homes, which is quite far from the noise of the city area and has beautiful houses.
With such exclusive places like Hotel Sahansha, Nature Club, Dhapasi is quite a happening place for the fitness buffs. One of the most useful benefits of living in Dhapasi is that it is quite near to one of the well-equipped hospitals, the Teaching Hospital of TU. Even the New Bus Park is quite nearby. Though the place is not much of a commercial centre, with places like Easy Mart, and British Gorkha Shopping Centre nearby people don’t need to go long way to do their shopping. There are so many places in Dhapasi where you can actually sit alone and watch the sun set, and seriously how many places are there where you can actually do that!
Even with a lot of new buildings being built everywhere, Dhapasi still remains popular for its private planned settlement areas. It owes that to a simple fact that Dhapasi is simply a prettier place to live in than other places like Baneshwor. Except the areas around the ring road, the inner parts are quiet, clean and green ideal for private settlements. These planning areas like, Dhapasi Heights, Shivapuri Planning etc also boost examples of beautiful architecture. The roads are so clean and quiet that it almost feels like Europe at times. Also there is a brand new housing area, Subha Homes, which is quite far from the noise of the city area and has beautiful houses.
With such exclusive places like Hotel Sahansha, Nature Club, Dhapasi is quite a happening place for the fitness buffs. One of the most useful benefits of living in Dhapasi is that it is quite near to one of the well-equipped hospitals, the Teaching Hospital of TU. Even the New Bus Park is quite nearby. Though the place is not much of a commercial centre, with places like Easy Mart, and British Gorkha Shopping Centre nearby people don’t need to go long way to do their shopping. There are so many places in Dhapasi where you can actually sit alone and watch the sun set, and seriously how many places are there where you can actually do that!
Gwaramari – My Breakfast
I don’t usually have heavy breakfast. Well not these days. While in my childhood, I used to have one pound of bread and a cup of tea and run to the school, and that would be my breakfast. For lunch, I would have Wai Wai (Nepal-made noodles) or may be biscuits, or Russian Bread (that’s what my dad calls it. It is made with egg, sugar, and pieces of bread, deeply fried in ghee). Well now all my schedules have changed. Nowadays, I have our Newari food item called Gwaramari. Gwaramari consists of two words, Gwara and mari where gwara means round shaped and mari means bread in Newari. It is made up of flour mixed with some baking powder (soda) and salt and then deeply fried in oil. The taste is just so awesome. It is best when you eat it when it is hot.
Early in the morning, my dad goes out for shopping and getting milk and other breakfast stuffs. For me, he usually brings gwaramari, as he knows I like it as my breakfast. Usually I am online at that time, and some of my friends are just dying to have some gwaramari but they can’t have it as it is not available in their area. Mostly Newari people bake it inside the Kathmandu Valley. Mostly Samir and Manik seems to be crazy for gwaramari as well but since it is not available at their area, they always keep on missing the taste. Lucky me, that I can have it daily, and it is available in lots of places around my house. Someday, I might invite them for gwaramari. The best gwaramari I ever tasted is from Bijeshwori. If anyone should come to Nepal, be sure to go for morning walk to Swayambhu, and nearby in the place called Bijeshwori, you will see one small restaurant where you will clearly see some people cooking gwaramari outside the restaurant. Be sure to have those gwaramari and experience the taste of it that you will never forget.
Early in the morning, my dad goes out for shopping and getting milk and other breakfast stuffs. For me, he usually brings gwaramari, as he knows I like it as my breakfast. Usually I am online at that time, and some of my friends are just dying to have some gwaramari but they can’t have it as it is not available in their area. Mostly Newari people bake it inside the Kathmandu Valley. Mostly Samir and Manik seems to be crazy for gwaramari as well but since it is not available at their area, they always keep on missing the taste. Lucky me, that I can have it daily, and it is available in lots of places around my house. Someday, I might invite them for gwaramari. The best gwaramari I ever tasted is from Bijeshwori. If anyone should come to Nepal, be sure to go for morning walk to Swayambhu, and nearby in the place called Bijeshwori, you will see one small restaurant where you will clearly see some people cooking gwaramari outside the restaurant. Be sure to have those gwaramari and experience the taste of it that you will never forget.
Nagarkot
Nagarkot is considered as a mini-trek promising a rewarding sunrise view of Mt. Everest and the Eastern Himalayan Range. The journey would basically include local transport to Bhaktapur and from there it is a three to four hours walk up to a place which is called Nagarkot. Accommodations and restaurant are easily available there, as it has been a popular place and lots of tourists as well as different groups of local people also visit the place quite often. On early mornings, before sunrise, you should wake up and make about 150 feet climb to the hillcrest from where you will experience a breathtaking and spectacular view as the morning sun rises, and one by one the mountain peak aglow with the spread that beautiful view you’d never forget.Well that is what most people experience. I myself haven’t visited the place but I will be there some time for the New Year’s sunrise. Though the place will be crowded with lots of other visitors, I am sure with the heart and passion of viewing the beautiful sunrise, a dawn of New Year, it shall definitely be a worthwhile moment of my life. Till then, my journey to Nagarkot is still pending in my list.
Mata-ya 2007 (Festival Of Lights)
Monday, September 10, 2007
I haven't been following the regular blog posting for the days of the festivals these days as I have been mostly indoors these days. I have one of my best friends, Smreeti Nakarmi, who went to that festivals and I had asked her to write her own personal views of her journey to this procession. So here are the details that she send me of her procession of one of the most popular festival in Patan area called Mata-ya. It was on 31 August 2007 this year. Below are the details written by her own.
Mata-ya is derived from combination of two different words “Mata” which means light and “Yatra” means journey. According to the Nepali calendar, Mata-ya is celebrated on the month of Bhadra two days after Janai Purnima. Mata-ya is renown by Srinveri or Nekoo Jatra. Many people from different areas come to Patan to watch this festival whereas many worshipers come here to worship to different chaitya (Buddhist shrine) and chowk (Buddhist courtyard) as well.
I also went to Mata-ya this year. I really got the chance to visit Patan areas and four big chatyas of the Patan city. At about 4 a.m. me n my friends came out and went to a place called Nagbahal from where the queue begins with a big crowd to start the procession. I met lots of friends over there who were going for this long journey. I was so much excited that day. I walked 16 hours on that day. Mata-ya procession is carried out for the peace for our ancestors. Mata-ya is celebrated once a year so it is our popular festival of Patan city. There is a very interesting story about the origin of this festival. It goes like, once Shakyamuni Gautama was in deep penance to attain nirvana. The Maras, jealous of unique penance, appeared disgusting themselves in different forms to Buddha. Some of them were in fierce-looking demon and some in Apsara (angel) forms and so on. They made him every possible attempt to reduce him but all in vain. Eventually Shakyamuni Gautama overcame the Maras and Buddha became the enlighten one. Then every soon Maras come to confess their sins to Lord Buddha and worship him with great honor. In other to make this great day, as many believe this festival come in to existence. Everyone (devotees) offer kapur, butter, lamps, money, rice, grains, incense, foods, as they wish. Me and my friends offer kapur for every chaitya. Small children come their with a nanglo (a big round-shaped instrument, mostly used to filter stones from the raw rice) and we give them what we have to offer. Visiting four main chaitya and reaching to same destiny where we started will end Mata-ya of the year.
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