Hollywood of Nepal 'Chobar'

Chobar is also known as the Hollywood of Nepal as many movies is shot in this place. This peaceful place is located at 8 km from Kathmandu. Chobar is derived from the two words Cho- up and bar means Vihars which means Viharas up in the hills. Chobar is famous for its gorge, cave and park. It is believed that Once Kathmandu was a lake and Manjushree, Hindu God who cut the gorge at the Chobar to make a plain land. This park is surrounded by landscape of beauty. Many families comes to spend their weekend. Local people all over the valley comes to spent their leisure time in this park. The caves of this park are the South Asians longest cave. All the water of the valley river called Bagmati drains through the Chobar Gorge. The birds when they fly over the gorges, it looks amazing. There is a suspension bridge which connects the two valleys. When we walk from the hanging bridge, and when we look down it gives you the thrilling experience. We can also see the opposite side of valley with working farmers in the fields. The cool breeze which passes over the hills will give you relief from distress. The view of fascinating hills and gorges will make you forget all the problems in life. We can also see a panoramic view of Kathmandu Valley with snow-capped Mountains if weather is clear. In the evening we can see the beautiful sunset over the valley. At the top of Chobar hills there is an Aadinath temple, which is another attraction. If we go in festival time we may get chance to see many Devotees. There is one Gumba at the top of the hill and a Militeray Camp. From the top of the hills, we can see the other part of Kathmandu, Pharping way through Hathiban. There is one old Peepal tree and a temple. That tree is hung of many colorful bottles. From there you can see panoramic view of the whole Kathmandu valley from Pharping, Kirtipur, Sayambhu and Bhaisi party. At the south part we have Jalvinayak Temple which is one of the famous Ganesh Shrines in Kathmandu which was built in 1602. The Jal Vinayak is derived from the Ganesh Temple Jal “water” and Vinayak means one who endowed with all features of leader i.e. Nayak. Vinayak is also a name of Lord Ganesh. Near that Temple there is a rock shaped like elephant head that gives a look like Lord Ganesha. The mustard flowers over the valley transform the landscape into a yellow carpet. The local typical houses of these places gives you the taste of Nepali Culture.

A Glimpse of Old Nepal "Panauti"

Panauti is an old Historical Village which is 36 km away from the Kathmandu City. It is a small Village, famous for a state given by the King Bhupatindra Malla to his sister as dowry. This peaceful place with beautiful Mountains, lush green farmlands, old traditional houses, Garden of orange trees and snake like roads which disappear at the ends is an awesome view. This is the place where you can feel an Old Nepal in real. When you enter the lane of this old village the heavenly smell of incense drying in the sun takes you in another world. The red chillies and yellow Turmeric outside the houses makes village more vibrant. The innocent old people resting in the shades of tree saying Namaste with smile is over whelming. Panauti is very rich in Nepali Culture with many festivals. In every festivals large numbers of devotees comes from all over Nepal. Apart from the festivals, the village is very silent as local people are mostly farmers and go for field work. This place is rarely visited by the tourists. The natural river flows from the north through big rocks enters the Triveni Ghat. Triveni is the meeting point of two main rivers Roshi and Punyamati. This Ghat with Small River looks exactly like small Pashupatinath and the colorful ducks swimming in the river adds more charm to this nature. There are beautiful murals in temples which represents the Hindu Tales. The sculpted stone of Hindu God is another attraction. There are many ancient Hindu temples and Buddhist Stupas around the village. Indreshwar Temple of Panauti is one of the famous Temples of Nepal with tallest pagoda where pots and pans were hung by the young people for better married life. There is traditional stone water tap called Dhunge Dhara in some places which reflects the image of Old Nepal. We can also get the opportunity to see arts and architecture of local people. There are many local shops where we can get handicrafts of hay and woods. The Organic tea and coffee of this place is healthier for our body. The trek between Panauti to Namo Buddha is one of the famous trek in Kathmandu. It’s an opportunity to know more deeply about Nepal. This place will soak you in old heritage with beautiful experience. If you want to visit the real Nepal you must reach this place.

Behind our sight " Chepang "

Far from City, there is an indigenous tribe called Chepang which reside in the mid hill region of Shaktikhor, Chitwan. This tribe comes in the poorest tribal groups of Nepal. They live a nomadic life with small size houses and of one-story with thatched roofs. Their population is very less compared to other communities in Nepal. They take  meals once in a day and hardly grow anything due to low irrigation facility; their land is harsh and dry. Their primary occupations are farming with slash and burn system. They commonly grow dry crops which are eaten and affected by monkeys and wind storm vice-versa. The food last for only three months and another nine months they raise goats and chickens and exchange with foods in the market. Their main food items are Kaguno, buck wheat, natural wild roots, Chewri (wild berry), wild potatoes along with collected natural edible foods, hunted bat and fish whereas the main beverage item are local Raksi (alcohol) and Chyang (Rice beer). They are nature worshipers and still believe in Shamanism. The distance from Chepang Village to Shaktikhor is 2 hours of walking. It’s difficult for small children to walk up and down through that hill to school. The Chepang Village is surrounded by Jungle which is not safe and is risky for small children to pass. Because of distance issue they are unable to get basic education. The Chepang community is far away from education and lack of awareness in family planning. Men, women and children all need health education. The living standard is below the poverty line. Children of this community are facing health issues, i.e. malnutrition and scabies, etc. There is a great need for better sanitation and hygiene. If we help them to educate, it will help in some extend to improve their life.

Old memories of Kathmandu valley

Kathmandu was not like this at a time when there were few people, narrow roads and scare black topped roads. Environment was green, surroundings were in peace and distinctly observable. Old people still remember those days when they used to drink water from Bagmati and work in the fields of Kathmandu valley where now the tall concrete buildings are standing. They want to return those days of Kathmandu valley, where there was not any traffic jam, everything was cheap and business was also meant for social welfare.
In these days of modernization and commercialization, people are polluting the environment and ruining the identities of Kathmandu. In this context, old memories of Kathmandu Valley can help to restore that peaceful Kathmandu and stop further damage environment of Kathmandu Valley. Here, you will the innocent faces of Kathmandu Valley.

Bagmati Bridge bordering Kathmandu and Lalitpur. It is one of the oldest modern bridge in Nepal.

 

Bagmati Bride

  Basantapur Durbar Square

Lord Shiva

In Hinduism, Lord Shiva is the god of all gods. He is amongst three Trinity gods who is regarded as destroyer god. He is the superior god among the trinity gods Bramha and Bishnu.
Lord Shiva is described as the one who has long hair, wearing necklace of snake. He is believed to wear clothes of tiger's skin and carry Trishul as his weapon.
It is believed that Lord Shiva live in Himalaya known as Kailash Parvat which is believed to lie in the mountain region of Nepal.
The tales of Lord Shiva is found in Purans (ancient old books of Hinduism). He is called by chanting the mantra "Om Nama Shivaya". His other names are "Kailash Pati" means to owner of Kailash, Mahadev etc. He has a wife goddness Parvati and two sons, Kumar and Ganesh. They are also very respectful gods in the Hinduism.
Some of the pilgrimage Lord Shiva in Nepal are Pashupati Nath Temple in Kathmandu, Goshaikunda in Rasuwa etc.

Another earthquake shake felt in Nepal

Today, morning at about 5:30 am, small shaking of earthquake in Nepal. Most of the people were at sleep and they didn't felt as the earthquake of the 2 months ago did. The movement last for some few seconds about 3 seconds. People are sitting out of their house waiting for the returning of the earthquake. There is no any news of physical destruction and casualties due to today's earthquake.
This time the quake was measured to be 5 Richter scale.

Earthquake of 6.8 Richter Scale in Kathmandu damaged houses and lives

Today around 6:25PM, a big shake of Earthquake has been felt which is said to be centered in Sikkim with 6.8 Richter scale of shake. Due to the shaking, many house have fallen down and many have cracked. Three people were died when the wall around the Brithis Embassy at Lainchaur fallen.Anisha shrestha, Sajan shrestha died in the hospital during the treatment in the Manmohan Hospital. Power supply is partially cut and communication medium are being almost busy.
In Sikkim, the center of the earthquake, the power supply is cut offed and people are worried of returning of the earthquake.
Still the information about the damage are coming and the net effect of the disaster is unknown.

Nepal Vs Jordan - world cup Qualifier | Live in Kantipur TV

There was a big hope when Nepal went to Jordan that Nepali football have improved a lot and people saw a lot of possibility to enter next stage of Qualification. But the hope went to flying when Jordan hit 9 goals to Nepal. In FIFA Ranking, Jordan is 64 step above than Nepal and truely far better than Nepal. But the supporters of Nepal had not hoped such worse game.

Some of the reason may be the difficult in playing in such hot artificial ground. Nepalese footballer felt lacking of support in foreign land.

Still Nepal is has some negligible hope to go next step. For this Nepal has to win Jordan with goal difference of 10 which is about impossible for Nepal. Although, it is expected that Nepal will play far better than that in Jordan taking home advantage.

Match Details
Nepal Vs Jordan - World Cup Qualifier
Venue : Dasarath Stadium, Kathmandu
Date : 28th July, 2011
Time:3:30 pm onwards

Haritalika Teej 2011| Festival of Women in Nepal

Haritalika Teej is one of the most important fasting festival for Hindu women. On the occasion of the Teej, women starve themselves for the whole day by singing and dancing near the temple of Lord Shiva making wishes the long life by the married women. While the unmarried women observe the fasting wishing to have a handsome husband and happy married life.
There is one ancient belief about the Teej that once Goddess Parvati had set intense austerities to get Lord Shiva as her husband and was also successful to make him her husband. And people believe that one who worships Lord Shiva and Parvati on the day, will receive bless from Goddess to make their married life more peaceful.
This year Teej is going to be celebrated on 31st August 2011.

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.

Annapurna I

Annapurna I was the first eight-thousander to be conquered and lies 34km east of Dhaulagiri. The Annapurna

range stretches from 55km and is made up of a series of peaks. Between this massif and the Dhaulagiri range flows the great Kali Gandaki river which has carved what is believed to be the world's deepest gorge with an eight-thousander on either side. Translated from Sanskrit, Annapurna would mean "Full of grain" but is generally known as the "Goddess of harvests". This area has been well-protected under Annapurna Conservation Area Project  (ACAP), one of the most successful conservation projects. Four other peaks in this range share the name Annapurna: Annapurna II (7,937m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Annapurna IV (7,525m) and Annapurna South (7,219m).
As the French expedition led by Maurice Herzog in 1950 had come with the intension of climbing Dhaulagiri, it took them two weeks to locate Annapurna I after they chenged their plans.

Manaslu - Nepal Tourism Year 2011

 Manaslu lies 64km east of Annapurna, between Gorkha and Manang districts in northern Nepal. Of all the

fourteen eight-thousanders, twelve were first summited by climbers from the west while two were conquered by Asians. The fact that the peak was first climbed by a Japanese Expedition has made it one of the most popular mountains among Japanese mountaineers. It all began with a Japanese Manaslu Reconnaissance Expedition in 1952. This was followed by Japanese expeditions in 1953 and 1954 but the latter was unable to approach the mountain following opposition from the inhabitants of Samu village along the route.
The expeditions went up the river Budi Gandaki's course to reach the mountain.

Cho Oyu

Cho Oyu (meaning "Turquoise Goddess" in the Tibetan language) lies 20km west of Everest and forms the

boundary wall between Nepal and China. The first attempt on this mountain was made by an expedition led by the great Eric Shipton and included mountaineers who would one day become very famous: Edmund Hillary, George Lowe, Charles Evans and Tom Bourdilon. They only made it up to 6,650m before turning back.
It was the Austrians, Herbert Tichy and Joseph Jochler accompanied by Pasang Dawa Lama who made the first successful ascent on 19th October 1954, via the north-west ridge. This was the Golden Decade of mountaineering when most of the eight-thousanders were climbed.

Dhaulagiri - Nepal Tourism Year 2011

The Dhaulagiri also known as "The White Mountain" is quite easily recognized because of its unique, mound

shape when seen from treks that leave from Pokhara. Lying in the north-west of Pokhara, this peak first attracted the French expedition that came to Nepal in 1950. Led by Maurice Herzog, the mountaineers looked up at this formidable peak and decided it was impossible to climb and turned their attention to Annapurna I, which they subsequently climbed. It was the dicovery of Dhaulagiri's height in 1809 that brought to light the fact that the Himalayan range of mountains was higher than the Andes in South America. At the time, the Europeans assumed Dhaulagiri was the highest mountain in the world.