News, views, destinations, attractions and suggestions for Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
Monday, November 22, 2010
The only Cable car in Nepal
The only only cable car in Nepal connect the Manakamana temple. It goes from Kurintar to Manakamana. At a time 6 people is allowed to sit in that car. From the car we can see the hills mountains, forests, and the village below it. It takes 10 minutes to travel the distance.
Festivals in Nepal
This is a feature video of festivals celebrated in Nepal. some of the festivals are Dashain, Tihar, Chhat, Indra Jatra, Ghode Jatra etc.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Rasuwa Tamang Heritage Trail
Rasuwa Tamang Heritage Trail is one of the newest trekking routes in Nepal, boasting of the Tamang and Tibetan culture, their craftsmanship, traditionally built stone houses and the beautifully carved wooden porches. This area is one of the original homelands of the indigenous Tamang people and also home of the elusive snow leopard and red panda. The documentary portrays breathtaking mountain range and lifestyle, with people wearing their traditional dress.
Nepal as Nepal
Nepal is a world in itself. Nepal, a place of Naural beauty, hills, mountains, very scared art and culture, a place of adventure, a place of relaxation, high topographic variation, and almost all kind of climatic condition makes Nepal a world in itself. This video had won the Prix Jury 2006 Czech Tourism Tour film Award.
Activities for Nepal Tourism Year 2011
In this video, you can see different activities going on in Nepal to promote the Nepal Tourism Year 2011. Nepal Tourism Board is the official organisation which is making all the preparation, raising the people from all over the world to visit Nepal in the Year. The video shows the preparations, rallies and commitments by different plitical parties to make the program successful. Here, prachanda, Jhalanath Khanal and other leaders signs on a paper to not call strike during the period.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Kathmandu International Theatre Festival 2010
Kathmandu International Theatre Festival 2010, organized by Aarohan Theatre Group is going on at Gurukul, Purano Baneshwor from 17 November from sixteen different counties. The countries participating the festival are Nepal, Bangladesh, Finland, France Germany, India, Iran Norway, Pakistan Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, USA, Uk. The last performance will be on 7 December.
Friday, November 19, 2010
A Pocket Tour of Durbar Square
An Introduction
Over 50 monuments can be found in Durbar Square, the oldest dating back to the 12the century, when the area was the crossroads of two important trading routes. Over the years it evolved into the hub of Kathmandu. A succession of kings built and elaborated on the main royal palace here, which gave it the name "Durbar" or palace, Square.
The area flourished in the 17th century, the "Golden Age" of the Kathmandu Valley, when the Malla rulers of the three neighbouring city-states of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur waged artistic warfare to see who could built the most splendid monuments. Any innovation in one was quickly copied by the other kings, a competition that explains the similarities between the three cities Durbar Squares.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Bangalamukhi
The three cities in the Kathmandu Valley kathmandu, patan and Bhaktpur are very rich in temples and religious monuments. Most of the temples in the valley were built during the Lichhavi dynasty, which dates back to hundreds of years. Some temples and monuments are made of metal, some of wood and others of stone. Each temple and monuments are mode of metal, some of wood and others of stone. Each temple and monument display artistic works that deserve words of praise. But received opportunities to be praised because only a few famous temples and monuments are known to all and visited by many. The not so popular places, temples and monuments also have interesting stories and artistic work behind them, but often remain 'undiscovered'.
So, this time let us walk down about a kilometer from Patan Durbar Square to a place where there are many historical monuments in one single compound.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Nymph of Heaven Rara
Rara, a clean high-altitude lake at an elevation of 2990 meters, ringed by pine, juniper and spruce forest and snow capped Himalayan peaks is the main attraction of Rara National Park. Spread over 14 square Kilometers, the deepest part of the lake is 170 meters.
The oval shaped lake with an east-west axis has a maximum length of 3 km width, has its water flow from its bank and ultimately merge with the Karnali river through the gorges of Khatyad brook.
Discover, azure lake, conifer forest around, sprawling meadow, highland above and snowcapped Himalayan range on the top. A blend of unbelievable beauty and natural bounty, people often compare it with Nymph of Heaven.
The oval shaped lake with an east-west axis has a maximum length of 3 km width, has its water flow from its bank and ultimately merge with the Karnali river through the gorges of Khatyad brook.
Discover, azure lake, conifer forest around, sprawling meadow, highland above and snowcapped Himalayan range on the top. A blend of unbelievable beauty and natural bounty, people often compare it with Nymph of Heaven.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Solukhumbu Dudhkunda-Pikey Cultural Trail
The Documentary of Solukhumbu Dudhkunda-Pikey Cultural Trail takes you on a journey in the southern region of Solukhumbu that is yet to be explored. The Dudh Kunda lake is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva. The devotees believe that taking a dip into the icy cold lake will absolve them all their sins and bless childless families with children. Amazing views of flora and fauna, experience of diverse culture of Sherpas, Khalings Rais, Tamangs, Magars make this journey a life time experience.
Newari Music and Dances
Performance in Newar culture serves a variety of ritual and entertainment functions, establishing intimate connections between ritual, space, time, and society, and between the material and spiritual realms: each genre is performed at specific ritual occasions, in specific places (temple, monastery, street, public square, river crossing, paddy field, cremation ground), at ritually determined times (according to the lunar and solar calenders), and by specific castes and associations, in homour of one or more specific gods, goddesses, Boddhisattvas, etc.
A universal feature is the worship of the god of music and dance, Nasadyo, by all Newar communities. He resides in shrines and in musical instruments. Offerings to him, accompanied by special music, must precede and conclude any music or dance musical apprenticeship.
Newar music and dance are almost exclusively performed by men. Apart form the Jugi tailor-musician caste, performers are not musicians or dancers by profession. Some genres or instruments are restricted to members of a particular caste, but performance may require intercaste co-operation, as for example when Jugis are repaniment on Shawms for Jyapu farmers' drum or dance performances. Many performance-types are organized by societies (guthi). Thus a particular guthi may be responsible for providing daily music at a particular temple; a land holding, sometimes a loyal donation, would have provided the guthi with income for the maintenance of instruments, copying of song-books and other expenses, but those by the central government, and the surviving music guthis are impoverished.
A universal feature is the worship of the god of music and dance, Nasadyo, by all Newar communities. He resides in shrines and in musical instruments. Offerings to him, accompanied by special music, must precede and conclude any music or dance musical apprenticeship.
Newar music and dance are almost exclusively performed by men. Apart form the Jugi tailor-musician caste, performers are not musicians or dancers by profession. Some genres or instruments are restricted to members of a particular caste, but performance may require intercaste co-operation, as for example when Jugis are repaniment on Shawms for Jyapu farmers' drum or dance performances. Many performance-types are organized by societies (guthi). Thus a particular guthi may be responsible for providing daily music at a particular temple; a land holding, sometimes a loyal donation, would have provided the guthi with income for the maintenance of instruments, copying of song-books and other expenses, but those by the central government, and the surviving music guthis are impoverished.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Rasuwa Tamang Heritage Trail
Tasuwa Tamang Heritage Trail is one of the newest trekking routes in Nepal, boasting of the Tamang and Tibetan culture, their craftsmanship, traditionally built stone houses and the beautifully carved wooden porches. This area is one of the original homelands of the indigenous Tamang people and also home of the elusive snow leopard and red panda. The documentary portrays breathtaking mountain range and lifestyle, with people wearing their traditional dress.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Languages of Kathmandu
Tibetan is also commonly used in Kathmandu through most men throughout the Valley speak Nepalese. English is understood to varying degrees by the educated and is the lingua franca of tourist shops and the travel trade industry. Hindi is also commonly understood and spoken by all Nepalese within and outside Kathmandu Valley. Most of the traders in Kathmandu are Marwaris who can speak good Nepali. A growing number of guides and agents are multilingual and Nepalese of all types enjoy trying out their linguistic abilities.
Covering a small on the globe, Nepal is rich in language and ethnic deversities. From one mountain to another mountain and from one valley to another, people speak different language and different dialects. Broadly, there are two main ethnic groups-Indo-Aryan and Tibeto Burman. The diversity of language is a constant reminder of the long process of mixing and separation that took place over the centuries. According to the census, there are 16 major languages with more that 100,000 nave speakes. The national language is Nepali, an Indo Aryan Sanskrit based tongue using Devangiri script.
Like the mountains of Nepal, formed by the collision between continental plates, the language, religion, ethnicity and culture of Nepal have also been borne of a collision between north and south.
Newari, a Tebeto Burman languages quite different from Nepali, is the mother tongue of the Newars of the Kathmandu Valley. The Newars are one of the communities in Kathmandu their mother tongue. Newars have been able to preserve their mother tongue. Newars have a long history of literature and stories. There are many interesting stories passed from generation to generation which help to sustain these as a mother tongue. And in particular many religious and other stories are written in Newari. Although it boasts of a classical literature of its own, written in ancient alphabets, Newars today use the same Devanagiri script and derive many Nepali words. In the last five decades of modernization, Nepal has seen the extinction of many local languages and dialects.
Kathmandu is the place where various types people belonging to different ethnic groups dwell and various language are spoken within Kathmandu itself.
Unlike Newars of smaller towns of the Kathmandu Valley, many of the new generation in urban Kathmandu have assimilated and now speak Nepali.
Bilingualism is prevalent all over the country of Nepal while multilingualism is commonly found especially along the borders.
Nepali is closely related to Hindi and other sanskrit based languages. So Nepali speakers and Indians can easily catch the meaning of what the other is saying.
Basic Nepali is surprisingly easy to learn and local people are invariably thrille when travelers make the effort to pick up a few phrases. knowing a little bit of Nepali if of course a bonus for the strangers.
Some customs and Traditions of Nepal
The customs of Nepal are a very complex matter of superstitions, traditions intertwined with the religious and varying greatly between races and even individuals. A true study of the subject would require more than a life-time of intensive research. Nevertheless, for the foreign visitor to Nepal, an introduction to the basic why's and wherefores, do's and don'ts may prove invaluable as well as make your visit more enlightening and spare you any of a number of uncomfortable situations.
Bungy Jumping
Bungy Nepal is operated at The Last Resort and located 12 km from the Tibetan Border, Bhotekoshi in Nepal. Bungy Nepal was set up by Kisi David Allerdice and Nepali Bishnu Neopanae. Together they scouted the area for a long time to find the perfect location for teh 166 meter long and 160 meter high suspension bridge. The bridge was finally built in three months and the first jump took place in 1999.
Mithila Art
Only few people know how rich is the culture of Janakpur and Morang as Nepal is always treated as Himalayan land by foreigners, The image of Nepal as beautiful Himalayan country cannot be ignored but in the meantime it is important as well to look into the diverse culture of this kingdom. During religious occasions like the Vivaha Panchami and the Ram Navami, there is an deareth of pilgrimage tourists making a bee-line to Janaki temple at Janakpur. But apart this, another facet of Janakpur is the highly refined and traditionally honed artistic skills of the Maithil women. And, this kind of special ethnic pating legacy is also unique in the sense that it is unlike anything seen in the high hills or mountain regions of Nepal. If you wish to know more about it, visit during festival time, Even the innocuous-looking thatched Terai huts are enlivened with numerous varieties of mud-wall, trace and even floor painting in multiple hues.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Chobhar and the surrounding areas
The mention of Chobhar goes back to the ancient legends that tell of the time when all of kathmandu valley was a lake surrounded by hills. It is said that Manjushree, a divine saint from China, came upon this lake eons ago and saw a huge lotus emanating bright light at the center. So he cut a order to observe and worship the lotus. The bed of the lake became Kathmandu valley and the place where he cut the lake is said to be Chobhar. As of today, Chobhar gorge is the only water outlet of the valley through which the Bagmati River flows out of Kathmandu.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Paradise Pokhara
Paradise-Pokhara, situated in central Nepal, is nestled in a region of awesome natural beauty. The valley is filled with lush vegetation, swift flowing rivers and dotted with clear, shimmering lakes. It is one of teh major towns of Nepal, provideing a perfect gareway from the chaotic life in the cities. Pokhara is blessed with the backdrop of one of the most dramatic sceneries in the world. A 140Km of panoroma made up of towering Himalayan ranges seen close enough to be touched on a cloar day. If kathmandu is the cultural hub of Nepal, then Pokhara is the centre of adventure.
Indigenous People Trail
To escape the congestion of commercialized trekking routes and get off-the-eaten track to experience the real Nepal, take the 'Indigenous People (IP) Trail in west Ramechhap District, 130km east of Nepal's capital, kathmandu. The first if its kind in Nepal, the IP trail offers unique, living exposure to one of the most culturally diverse areas of Nepal combined with the beautiful naturally diverse areas of Nepal combined with the beautiful natural landscape. Sailung Peak in the north and the golden sun koshi River flowing along the south mark the start/finish point respectively of the IP Trail which offers a unique and natural combination of ethnic cultural diversity coupled with breathtaking Himalayan and mid-Hill panoramas.
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