Indra Jatra | Kumari - Virgin Goddess festival

Exactly a month after the Gai Jatra, is yet another important and colorful festival during which the main attraction is Kumari or the Living Goddess, an institution unique to only Nepal in the world. This festival takes place towards the end of September or early October when the monsoon have folded up. It is a week long festival. It may be described as a thanks giving week as people during this period worship Lord Indra, the God of rain, for having vanquished "VRITA"who had wrought havoc over the Valley by causing drought upon the land, and blessed the Kingdom with life giving water.
As per the legend, Lord Vishnu was pleased with Lord Indra's efforts and presented him with the "INDRA DWAJ"_A LONG POLE COVERED WITH SCENTED PINE BOUGHES. Though this festival is being observed in Nepal for centuries, it was only in 1756 A.D., during the reign of King Jay a Prakash Malla, that the concept of "Virgin Goddess" as well as the "Rath Yatra" (cart festival) was introduced.
It is said that a girl of "Bare" caste was said to have got possessed by the "Goddess Kumari". During this trance in which she was, she said that she was "the protector of Nepal Valley" This little girl was then hailed as LIVING GODDESS KUMARI"and people started worshiping ner. Ever since she has been worshiped. A beautiful house vith golden windows was specially built for her and that became her abode.

Gai Jatra - The Cow's Precession [FESTIVAL]

This festival of Gai Jatra is a sombre one. It expresses the wish of the surviving members of a deceased that

his heavenward journey should be smooth. To achieve this they take the help of a cow which is worshiped as a holy animal by the devout Hindus.
As per the age old tradition, any family who has lost his near or a dear in the preceding year has to participate in a procession through the Kathmandu Streets leading a cow.
Practical a religion as Hinduism is there is always an alternative to anything which may be difficult to procure. In this case, if a cow is not available then a young boy dressed up as cow is substituted. The belief is that by doing this the cow will assist the deceased relatives' heavenward journey.

Teej - Women's Festival of Hindus

In every Hindu festival or a religious ceremony a women is an equal participant as a man. There is one festival 

which is purely and exclusively for women. This is the "TEEJ" festival when women have the whole stage to themselves and menfolk, and children are shooed away. It is the wish of every woman in the world to have the best possible life partner. In the Hindu society, this wish takes on religious overtones and women not only pray to have best life partner but also fast and pray for the longevity and prosperity of their husband once they are married.

There is a legend surrounding this festival. In the mythological past Parbati, the daughter of Himalaya Parbat, hence the name Parbati, fell for Lord Shiva who, among gods, is also referred to as divine ascetic.

Happy !!! New Year | New Year 2068 B.S starts from today

New Era for the Bikram Sambat starts from today. This era is one of the national Era of Nepal and most of the people and institutions follow its calender. All the national days and most festivals relay on Bikram Sambat.All In this calender, there are 12 month and the counting of the days is based on the movement of Sun. Another national Era of Nepal is Nepal Sambat.

Rara Lake | Nymph of Heaven |

Deep blue lake, coniferous forest around, highland above and snow capped himalayan range in the top, a blend of unbelievable beauty and boundary people often compare it with Nymph of Heaven.

Bryan Adams' Concert in Nepal

Bryan Guy Adams is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, bassist, producer, and photographer.

Adams with his best art has won dozens of awards and nominations, including 20 Juno Awards among 56 nominations. He has also had 15 Grammy Award nominations including a win for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television in 1992. He has also won MTV, ASCAP, and American Music awards. In addition, he has won two Ivor Novello Awards for song composition and has been nominated for several Golden Globe Awards and three times for Academy Awards for his songwriting for films. Bryan Adams has sold nearly 70 million albums and 30 million singles worldwide. He is also a well known photographer.

Now, the music lovers of Nepal are very happy to get Adams in Nepal at a concert at Dasarath Stadium on 19th February in Nepal. This concert is organized by JPR events and supported by ODC Network.

Many fans Adams from  neighboouring countries and all other country are attracted toward Nepal to take part in the concert. It is expected that about 35 thousand people will take part in the event. All the security and other managements have been completed to make event safe and successful. This event is specially organized to promote the "Nepal Tourism Year 2011".

Maha Shivaratri - A Night of Lord Shiva

Shivaratri literally means the night of Lord Shiva is one of the major festivals of Nepal.  On this occasion 

hundreds of thousands of followers from different parts of Nepal and India come to the Pashupatinath temple – one of the holiest shrines of the Hindus in Kathmandu to worship Lord Shiva on his birthday. Lord Shiva , the god of the gods is considered as the guardian and protector of everything that exists. Colorful and naked sadhus, the wandering sages who emulate Shiva with ashes over their bodies, give lectures to disciples, meditate, or practice yoga. Since, Lord Shiva is fond of  "Gaja" , "Bhang", "Dhaturos"(Some common Narcotics) it is social to take these on this special occasion. Whereas overdose is not accepted. Special attendance camps are set in the courtyards of the temples situated at the opposite bank, where non-Hindus are also free to wander.  The curious can witness some rather interesting yogic demonstrations there.  Children collect donations from passersby since the morning to buy necessary items to prepare holy meal and bonfire during the evening.