tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20178073658499477172024-03-13T07:22:30.476-07:00Historical place of nepalyanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-79471402979500948472010-10-18T06:30:00.000-07:002010-10-29T18:20:38.850-07:00HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND MONUMENTS IN KATHMANDU<iframe allowtransparency="allowtransparency" frameborder="0" height="30" id="navbar-iframe" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.blogger.com/navbar.g?targetBlogID=8806403265458935941&blogName=Attractions+in+Nepal&publishMode=PUBLISH_MODE_BLOGSPOT&navbarType=BLUE&layoutType=LAYOUTS&searchRoot=http%3A%2F%2Fexperiencenepal.blogspot.com%2Fsearch&blogLocale=en_US&homepageUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fexperiencenepal.blogspot.com%2F&targetPostID=1864641363227500600" title="Blogger Navigation and Search" width="100%"></iframe><br />
<div></div><div id="outer-wrapper"><div id="header-wrapper"><div class="header section" id="header"><div class="widget Header" id="Header1"><div id="header-inner"><div class="titlewrapper"><h1 class="title"><a href="http://experiencenepal.blogspot.com/">Attractions in Nepal</a> </h1></div><div class="descriptionwrapper"><div class="description">Attractions in Kathmandu | Nepal Attractions | Kathmandu Nepal Vacation | Nepal Trekking | Kathmandu Nepal | Nepal Hotel | Nepal people | Nepal Himalaya | Temples of Nepal | Festivals of Nepal | Nepal arts and entertainment | Nepal Culture | Cultural Heritage Sites</div></div></div></div></div></div><div id="crosscol-wrapper" style="text-align: center;"><div class="crosscol section" id="crosscol"></div></div><div id="main-wrap1"><div id="main-wrap2"><div class="main section" id="main"><div class="widget Blog" id="Blog1"><div class="blog-posts hfeed"><div class="date-outer"><h2 class="date-header">Wednesday, January 24, 2007</h2><div class="date-posts"><div class="post-outer"><div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="1864641363227500600"></a><br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://experiencenepal.blogspot.com/2007/01/historical-buildings-and-monuments-in.html"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;">HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND MONUMENTS IN KATHMANDU</span></a> </h3><div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content"></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><strong><span style="color: #996633;">(1) Narayanhiti Royal Palace (Attraction type: Historic home)</span></strong><br />
This is the current Royal Palace where the Himalayan Monarch of the Shah dynasty resides. It is built on a site of a much older one and owns a colossal compound. During the reign of late King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, the father of the present king, the main gate was facing west. Today the main gate eventually faces south. Special permission has to be gotten to enter the palace premises on days of privilege. A famous historic water spout called Narayanhity, is situated at the southern corner of the Palace.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #996633;">(2) Singha Durbar (Attraction type: Historic palace)</span></strong><br />
Literally meaning Lion Palace, it is a grand imposing palace built on the neo-classical style surrounded by a colossal compound. It was built by His Excellency Maharaja Chandra Shamsher S.J.B. Rana- the 5th Rana Prime Minister. It once stood as the private residence of the Rana Premiers till 1950 but now remains the Secretariat Building of His majesty's Government. The Parliament (including the Upper House and the Lower House), the Radio Station, the Television Station, etc. are all located in the very premises.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #996633;">(3) Martyr's Memorial/Sahid Gate (Attraction type: memorial arch)</span></strong><br />
This is located on the way to Singha Durbar, between Bhimsen Stambha and Bhadrakali temple.The memorial arch contains the effigies of four political leaders who were mercilessly martyred in 1940. Two were hung and two were shot. They include Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Shukra Raj Joshy, Dashrath Chand and Ganga Lal Shrestha. The fatherly statue of late King Tribhuwan Bir Bikram Shah Deb appears high in the middle. Late King Tribhuwan is solely held responsible to lead the Historical revolution of 1950- 51 for laying the foundation of today's democratic system, virtually replacing the cruel family autocracy of the Ranas.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #996633;">(4) Dharahara (Attraction type: Historical monument/lookout)</span></strong><br />
Also known as Bhimsen Tower to the local people, it is a 165 feet tall tower built by Premier Bhimsen Thapa in 1932. One fetches a panoramic view of the whole valley of Kathmandu from the top of the tower. It has been open for the general public since Magh 2061 B.S.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #996633;">(5) Ranipokhari (Attraction type: Historical pond/religious site)</span></strong><br />
Situated in between Ratna Park and Jamal. This historical pond has been built by Pratap Malla to sympathize his beloved wife who was deeply shocked by the death of his son. The pond is opened for public only at the last day of Tihar - "Bhai Tika". Those who doesn't have any brothers or sisters visit Rani Pokhari to pay homage to Lord Shiva on that day.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #996633;">(6) Nagpokhari (Attraction type: Historical pond/religious site)</span></strong><br />
Nagpokhari is situated at Naxal, at the eastern side of the Royal Palace along the main road stretching from Thamel upto NaniKeshar Bahal. Nagpokhari bears great religious and historical significance possessing perennial importance after Ranipokhari. Its overall importance gradually increased after the renovation as a park on the initiative of Her Late Majesty the Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah. There are other historical and cultural heritages situated in and around Nagpokhari area mainly Royal Palace, Lal Durbar, NAFA Hall, Phohara Durbar, Naxal Bhagawati, Nandikeshar Bahal, Shankar Kriti Mahabihar etc. Naga Panchami is the festival of snakes celebrated on the fifth day of the bright fortnight in the month of shravan. Naga, the Snake God is one of the important deities worshipped by the Nepalese believing that Naga or Snake protects and fulfill their wishes.Great lord Shiva wears Nagas as garland on his neck.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>yanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-91060442945492709082010-09-07T19:00:00.001-07:002010-09-07T19:04:36.576-07:00Festival in NepalNepal is not only the land of mountains; it is also the land of festivals. There are more than 50 festivals celebrated in Nepal every year. While the national festivals have fixed dates, religious festivals are set by astrologers following the lunar calendar. The best part about the festivals in Nepal is that all the events are celebrated with the same enthusiasm and galore the way it used to be hundreds of years ago when people had no other means of entertainment. <br />
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Some Nepali festivals do not always fall on the same month in each Year. Please see recent Nepali calendar for the exact date of festival holidays for the current year.<br />
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New Year: It is known as “Navavarsha” in Nepal. Nepal has its official calendar that begins from the first day of the first month Baisakh. This very first day is observed as Nepali New Year which usually falls in the second week of April. People go for picnics, have get-togethers and celebrate the day socializing in various ways as this day is also a national holiday.<br />
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Lhosar (Tibetan New Year): This is the New Year of the Tibetans and Sherpas of Nepal which falls in February. The Buddhist monasteries in Kathmandu like Boudhanath and Swayambhunath are decorated with eye catching colorful prayer flags pulling the crowd. The people perform their traditional dances and welcome their New Year with feasts and family gatherings wearing all the new clothes and finest jewelries and exchanging gifts. <br />
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Saraswati Puja: Saraswati Puja or Shree Panchami is a day to celebrate the birthday of Saraswati – the Goddess of Learning. This is a day when people from school students to scholars worship their pens and books to please the Goddess and expect her favor in their studies so they become wise and knowledgeable. People also throng around the idol of Goddess Saraswati, especially in Swayambhunath and offer flowers, sweets, fruits, etc. On this day, small children are taught to read and write and people write on the stones and slabs with chalks and pencils. This day which falls between January/February is regarded as a very auspicious day for marriages too as it is believed that Goddess Saraswati herself blesses the couples. Normally it is the astrologers who fix the marriage date and time in Nepal. <br />
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Shivaratri (Maha Shivaratri): Shivaratri or the night of Lord Shiva that falls sometime between February/March is one of the major festivals of Nepal. This day is dedicated to the Lord of the Lords – Lord Shiva or Mahadev who lived in Mt. Kailash in the Himalayas. Lord Shiva is the most worshipped God in the Hindu religion. More than 100,000 of Hindu devotees from India and Southeast Asia throng weeks ahead of the festival and gather in and around Pashupatinath temple – one of the holiest shrines of the Hindus in Kathmandu to pay their homage to Lord Shiva on his birthday. “Pashupatinath” literally means “the Lord of animals” as Lord Shiva is considered as the guardian and protector of everything that exists in the Himalayan Kingdom. On this holy day, worshippers take dip and bath in the holy river at early dawn and fast for the whole day and stay around fire to keep them warm as it is still winter in Nepal. The devotees also freely indulge in using marijuana and other intoxicating substances as these things are believed to please Lord Shiva and marijuana use is legal only on this sacred day.<br />
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Holi: This festival of water and colors that falls between February/March is also known as “Phagu” in Nepal. This day is observed to rejoice the extermination of female demon Holika who together with her King Brother conspired to kill his son Pralhad, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. This day, playful people especially the young ones wander through the streets in groups on foot or vehicles with various colors smeared all over they and the people in houses make merry throwing colors and water balloons at each other and also to these people on the streets. <br />
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Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses): This festival takes place between March/April and a grand horse parade takes place at Tundikhel. Although this festival does not have much of religious aspects, a large number of people, even from outside Kathmandu flock around Kathmandu to witness the horse race and other exciting sports activities performed by the Army in the presence of the King and the Royal family. <br />
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Buddha Jayanti: Buddha’s birth anniversary is celebrated every year during May in Nepal. On this day people swarm in Swayambhunath and Boudhanath to pay homage to Lord Buddha and also visit Buddha’s birth place in Lumbini and chant prayers and burn butter lamps. Lord Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautam but he abandoned his luxurious life when he realized the misery of mankind and went in search of enlightenment. <br />
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Gai Jatra (Cow Festival): This festival of cow is celebrated every year in August/September. This is one of the most popular festivals in Nepal as it is full of humor, satire, comedy, mockery and shades of sadness too at the same time. And on this day satires and jokes on anybody is legal. As per the tradition, the family who has lost a relative during the past one year must take part in a procession by sending young boys in cow like attire and walk through the streets of Kathmandu lead by a cow. Cow is regarded as a Goddess and it is also the national animal of Nepal. This festival also purges many who have lost their loved ones as they get to console themselves as to they are not the only ones who have been bereaved and it also teaches to accept death as a part of life. <br />
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Krishna Janmastami: The birth anniversary of Lord Sri Krishna, believed to be the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu falls sometime in August/September. All the devotees assemble in Krishna Mandir, the ancient Krishna Temple in Patan Durbar Square and other temples with the idol of Sri Krishna and offer prayers, flowers, food, sweets and chant hymns too. <br />
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Teej (Women festival): This is a Hindu married woman’s day for her man. This festival is celebrated in August/September. Women clad in beautiful red saris with shining potes (glass beads), singing and dancing is the sight almost everywhere in Nepal during the festival of Teej. On this day women observe a fast and pray Lord Shiva for the long, healthy and prosperous life of their husbands and their families. The unmarried women also observe this festival with unabated zeal with the hope that they will get to marry good husbands. From early dawn, women queue up in the multiple lines in Pashupatinath to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva. <br />
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Indra Jatra: This festival named after Lord Indra- the God of Rain and also the King of Heaven is celebrated by both the Buddhists and Hindus in Nepal in August/September. This festival lasts for eight days with singing, mask dancing and rejoicing. The chariot of Kumari – the Living Goddess is taken through the main streets of Kathmandu with much fanfare. On the first day, the King of Nepal also pays homage to Goddess Kumari. The crowd of excited people from performers to spectators engulfs the streets of Kathmandu during this festival. People get to enjoy various classical dances like elephant dance, lakhe – a very popular dance of a man with a mask. <br />
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Tihar: This festival of lights that falls between October/November is the second biggest festival after Dashain. This festival lasts for five days and people worship Laxmi – the Goddess of Wealth. All the houses are cleaned and decorated with the belief that Goddess Laxmi will enter the house that is the cleanest and people lit candles, oil lamps and other lights and the whole place looks illuminating. During the five days, crows, dogs and cows are worshipped and honored with vermilion, garland and delicious food for what they have done in the lives of humans. Crows are regarded as the messenger that brought news even during the times when there were no postmen and no postal services. Dogs are the most obedient animals and they guard our house as true guardians. Cow is also a symbol of wealth in Hinduism and she is also the national animal of Nepal. During Tihar, the Newari community in Nepal also observes Mha puja – a ritual of worshipping one’s own body and life. On this very day, the Newari New Year which is also known as Nepal Sambat begins. The festival ends with Bhai Tika – brothers’ day when his sisters worship him for his long and healthy life to safeguard the lives of his sisters. This is also a gambling time in Nepal as gambling is not illegal during this festival. <br />
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Dashain (Bijaya Dashami): During the month of Kartik (late September and early October), the Nepalese people indulge in the biggest festival of the year, Dashain. Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese of all caste and creed throughout the country. The fifteen days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon. Thorough out the kingdom of Nepal the goddess Durga in all her manifestations are worshiped with innumerable pujas, abundant offerings and thousands of animal sacrifices for the ritual holy bathing, thus drenching the goddess for days in blood.yanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-4634236946379525862010-09-07T18:56:00.000-07:002010-09-07T18:58:19.845-07:00People, Culture, & LanguagesThe People, Culture, & Languages: In Nepal, ethnical cultural groups are diverse and many of them have their own languages and customs. However, they can be geographically categorized according to their habitats. The Sherpas who are of Tibeto-Burman stock mainly occupy the higher hills of eastern and central Nepal. Sherpas inhabit the SoIu Khumbu region, where the world’s tallest peak Mt. Everest stands. Generally they are Buddhist but some follow the Bon, the pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet, and other religions. The Sherpas are famed for their valor and mountaineering skills and are professionally involved in many mountain expeditions. Today. Sherpas have joined other occupations as well, like business, administration and politics.<br />
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A wide variety of ethnic groups occupy the mid-hills. The Kirats or Limbus and Rais inhabit the east. During the 7th century BC, they established a dynasty in the Kathmandu valley and ruled it for 1,000 years. They are not originally Hindus or Buddhists but are ancestor worshipers. However, today, many embrace Hinduism. In the former days, they were warriors and skilled hunters. The Kirats speak Tibeto-Burman languages. Many serve in the British Army today and have earned a reputation as the brave Gorkhali.<br />
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The population of the Kathmandu Valley consists mostly of Newars. They speak Nepal-vasa and practice Hinduism and Buddhism. Many families celebrate both Hindu and Buddhist festivals. Their culture also reflects tantrism and animism. Newars are accomplished in commerce and they run most enterprises in the heart of the Valley. Historically, they are well known for establishing the three artistically beautiful cities of Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu.<br />
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The inhabitants of the hill flanks surrounding Kathmandu Valley are mostly Tamangs, who make up one of the largest Tibeto-Burman ethnic groups in the Kingdom. In the Tibetan language, Tamang means "horse soldier" which gives us an idea about their past occupation. Today, they farm and work as semi-skilled and unskilled laborers. Tamangs practice Tibetan Lamaism or the Bon religion and speak their own language.<br />
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The Magars live in the western and central hills of Nepal. They had their own kingdoms until the 18th century and were closely associated with the Hindu Indo-Aryans in the west. Much of their cultural practices have been influenced by Chhetris, and today it is difficult to make any difference in the housing, dressing and farming practices of the two. The British and Indian armies and a great number serve in the Gorkha regiments have sought after the Magars.<br />
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Another ethnic group closely resembling the Magars in many aspects are the Gurungs. They also live in the western and central hills of the country although further to the east. Of Tibeto-Burman stock, the Gurungs have their own distinct language and practice shamanism. Many find employment in the British and Indian armies.<br />
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The Khas are the Bahuns and Chhetris who formed their own kingdoms in the far west. They are Hindus, and the Khas originally spoke Nepali, which is the country’s official language. Traditionally, the Bahuns were priests and are better educated than most ethnic groups. In fact, many occupy important government and educational posts in the kingdom today. The Chhetris have traditionally been known as warriors. Those living in the higher hills in the far western region lead hard lives because of lack of rain and farming is practiced in the river valleys and on the hill flanks.<br />
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The Tharus are one of the original ethnic groups to inhabit the Terai. The Majhi, Danuwar, Rajbansi, Darai, Satar, and Dhimal also occupy the flat lands. The Tharus have their own unique religion and practice animism. Their culture is especially suited for the hot plains and they are actually immune to malaria. They have Mongoloid features and speak their own language. There is much migration going on in the country now and the cultural definition of the people by area is difficult. Urban population is increasing by 7% each year and most cultures have intermingled.yanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-53065303356628628632010-08-30T04:06:00.000-07:002010-08-30T04:06:30.246-07:00Manakamana Cabale Car: Nepal's only cable car,Manakaman Devi ...<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal">Manakamana Cabale Car: Nepal's only cable car <strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></strong></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The Legend Behind Manakamana</span></strong></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Legend has it that Gorkha King Ram Shah’s (1614-1636 A.D) Queen possessed divine powers- a fact known only to Lakhan Thapa, her devotee. One day, when the King discovered that his Queen was a Goddess, he suddenly died. As per the custom, the Queen had to commit sati on his cremation pyre. Consoling the lamenting Lakhan, she promised to reappear near his home.<div align="center" class="mosimage" style="float: left;"><img alt="Image" border="0" height="284" hspace="6" src="http://colorfulnepal.com/images/stories/manakamana.jpg" title="Image" width="400" /><div class="mosimage_caption">manakamana temple</div></div></span></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Six months later, a farmer hit a stone while ploughing his field and noticed blood and milk flowing from it. The flow ceased when Lakhan worshipped the stone with tantric rituals. The site became the foundation of the present-day shrine-the current pujari Priest being the 17<sup>th</sup> generation descendant of Lakhan Thapa.</span></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Renovated many times over the centuries, the Manakamana Temple has a four-tiered pagoda style roof with the entrance facing southwest. The priest performs daily prayers and rituals behind closed doors before allowing the public to enter. Manakamana Devi is widely believed bless her devotees by fulfilling their wishes.</span></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><em><strong>Wish Fulfilling Goddess</strong></em><br />
Since the 17<sup>th</sup> century Manakamana Devi has been widely venerated all over the Nepal because of the belief that she fulfills all wishes. The Shrine is accessible in about 10 minutes with Nepal’s first cable car.</span></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal"><img alt="Manakamana Cabale Car: Nepal's only cable car" border="0" height="210" hspace="6" src="http://colorfulnepal.com/images/stories/cablecar.jpg" style="float: right;" title="Manakamana Cabale Car: Nepal's only cable car" width="305" /></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Safety</span></strong><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Imported and installed by the world renowned Dopplemayr of Austria, the Manakamana Cable Car system is 100% safe with supporting feature like automatic backup generator, hydraulic emergency drive and a team of qualified and well-trained staff and technicians. </span> </div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Ever since its inauguration by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev on November 24 1998, Manakamana Cable Car has immensely contributed to the religious and touristy significance of the area. Besides drastically reducing the previously arduous five-hour climb to a mere 10 minute comfort trip, it has revolutionized the tourism of international standards.</span></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Manakamana Cable Car has been able to garner overwhelming support from its customer within a short period of operation. This is attributable to proven records of safety, comfort, cleanliness and customer service, combined with the cultural importance of the Manakamana region and superb natural surroundings.</span></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Location:</span></strong><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The grand main gate welcomes all to the Bottom Station (258M) which is located on the bank of the Trisuli river and is 2.5 hour drive away from <a class="simply_intern" href="http://colorfulnepal.com/kathmandu.html" title="Kathmandu">Kathmandu</a> (2 hours from <a class="simply_intern" href="http://colorfulnepal.com/pokhara.html" title="Pokhara Nepal">Pokhara</a> and 1 hour from Narayanghat). </span></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The Top Station (1302m) at Manakamana is near the Manakamana Temple, which lies south of the historic town of Gorkha and is located on the top of a ridge overlooking the spectacular river valleys of Trishuli and Marshyangdi.</span></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><br />
<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Other Facilities:</span></strong></div><div align="justify"> <ul style="margin-top: 0cm;"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Internaional class restaurant serving local, Indian and continental cuisine</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Communication facilities</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Kiddies games</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Souvenir shop</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Parking space</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Resort </span></li>
</ul></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Nature’s Prize: </span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Journey to Manakamana can be exhilarating both spiritually and visually. Spectacular views from around the temple area include deep valleys, terraced fields as well as the Manaslu-Himlchuli and the Annapurna ranges.</span></div>yanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-13584098291549729312010-08-30T03:29:00.000-07:002010-08-30T03:29:48.586-07:00Hanuman Dhoka (Old Royal Palace)<div align="left">Hanuman Dhoka is the former Royal Palace of the Malla kings and sequentially of the Shah dynasty. It is several complexes connected together taking up about five acres. The eastern wing of the palace was built in the mid-16th century, and is the oldest part of the palace. It has ten courtyards. King Pratap Malla enlarged the original building in the 17th century, adding many of the temples. The oldest part of the palace is <strong>Sundari Chowk</strong> and <strong>Mohan Chowk</strong> in the north part of the palace, which are both closed. In 1768, after Prithvi Narayan Shah took over the valley he built four <strong>lookout towers</strong> in the southeast part of the palace.</div><div align="left">The palace was last lived in by the royal family until1886, when the royal residence was moved to the Narayan Hitti Palace, in the northern part of Kathmandu. The old palace still has its ritual and ceremonial importance and the King of Nepal is crowned and other ceremonies enacted here. </div><div align="left">Outside the palace is a stone inscription put there by Pratap Malla in 15 different languages. It is said that someone can read that milk with gush out from the middle of it.</div><div align="left">The entrance is on the west side of the palace. Open daily except Tuesday, 10.30 am to 3 pm, 4 pm in the summer; Friday 10.30 am to 2 pm. Admission Rs 250.</div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Palace Entrance</span></strong><br />
You enter the palace through the <strong>Hanuman Dhoka</strong> (Hanuman Gate), on the east side of north Durbar Square. To the left of the palace entrance is a 17th century statue of <strong>Hanuman</strong>. Hanuman service to Rama as depicted in the Ramayana has led to Hanuman standing by the entrance (dhoka) of the palace guarding it. Hanuman is covered in a red cloth and has an umbrella over his head. The image of Hanuman dates from 1672. His face is covered by a red paste put on by visitors. On the left is an interesting sculpture of <strong>Lord Narasimha</strong>, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu, tearing apart the demon Hiranyakasipu.</div><div align="left">Past the doorway is a black stone statue of Lord Narasimha, the half man-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu, killing a the demon Hiranyakasipu, inlaid with silver on the left of the lobby. Lord Narasimha was placed here in 1673 by Pratap Malla and there is an inscription of the pedestal that state they it was put here because he feared that he had offended Lord Vishnu because he danced in a Narasimha costume.</div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nasal Chowk</span></strong><br />
After entering the main entrance to the Durbar (palace) next to the Hanuman Temple, you come to Nassal Chowk courtyard. Nasal means “dancing one.” The courtyard gets its name from the image of <strong>Dancing Siva,</strong> on the east side of the square. The square is used for the coronation of the king. King Birendra was crowned as king in 1975 on the platform in the middle of the courtyard. </div><div align="left">The nine storey <strong>Basantapur Tower</strong> is in at the south side of the courtyard. The building in the south and east sides of the square have intricately carved doorways, windows, and struts.</div><div align="left">The courtyard was made during the Malla period, but many of the building around the square were built during by the Ranas. The rectangular square runs north–south. The entrance is in the northwest corner. Near the entrance is an intricately carved doorway, which was the entrance to the Malla’s king private apartments. There are images of four gods on the panels.</div><div align="left">There is a golden image of <strong>Maha-Vishnu</strong> in an open veranda on the eastern wall. It was originally in the Maha-Vishnu Temple in the square, but after the 1934 earthquake was moved to this location. In the northeast corner of the courtyard is the <strong>Audience Chamber</strong> of the Malla kings. In this open veranda is the throne of the Malla kings and portraits of the Shah Kings.</div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Panch Mukhi Hanuman Temple</span></strong><br />
This temple dedicated to Hanuman is in the northeast corner of the Nasal Chowk courtyard. It has five circular roofs. Each city of the valley has a five roofed temple, the most famous being the Nyatapola Temple in Bhaktapur. Only the temple priest may enter this temple.</div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Basantapur Tower</span></strong><br />
South of Nassal Chowk is the huge nine-storey Basantapur Tower. You can climb the tower and get a great view of the palace and city. If it is clear you can also see the Himalaya Mountains. The struts on the facade of the tower, especially those facing Basantapur Tower have erotic carvings on them. Basantapur means “place of Spring,” and refers to Kathmandu.</div><div align="left">King Prithvi Narayan Shah constructed the four red towers around Lohan Chowk. The towers represent the four old cities of the Kathmandu Valley. There is the Kathmandu or Basantapur Tower, the Kirtipur Tower, the Bhaktapur Tower or Lakshmi Bilas, and the Patan or Lalitpur Tower.<br />
The tower was restored before King Birandra’s coronation.</div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mul Chowk</span></strong><br />
The courtyard is surrounded by a two storey building and was dedicated to religious activities. Mul Chowk is dedicated to <strong>Taleju Bhawani</strong>, the goddess of the royal Malla family, and during the Dasain festival sacrifices are performed in the center of the courtyard. This courtyard can be seen from the doorway off Nassal Chowk.</div><div align="left">There is a small <strong>Talegu Temple</strong> with a golden torana in the south side of the courtyard. The deity of Talegu is moved to this temple during the Dasain festival. There are images of the river goddesses Ganga and Yamanu on either side of the entrance.<br />
From the Bhaktapur Tower, from where visitors usually view the courtyard, the view is not very good and the temple can not be viewed at all.</div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Degu Taleju Temple</span></strong><br />
This triple roofed temple dedicated to Taleju, the family deity of the Mallas, was built by Shiva Singh Malla. </div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mohan Chowk </span></strong><br />
Mohan Chowk, north of Nasal Chowk is the residential courtyard of the Malla kings. It was built in 1649. In the past a Malla king had to be born here to be able to become king. It is believed Jaya Prakash Malla, the last Malla king, had problems because he was not born here. This courtyard can not be entered.</div><div align="left">The golden waterspout, called <strong>Sun Dhara</strong>, in the center of the courtyard, is believed to have the <a class="kLink" href="http://www.vegetarian-restaurants.net/Nepal/Kathmandu/Hanuman-Dhoka.htm#" id="KonaLink0" style="position: static; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="undefined"><span style="color: blue ! important; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="color: blue ! important; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; position: relative;">water</span></span></a> from Budhanilkantha in the north part of valley, come from it. The ornately carved spout is several metres below the level of the courtyard. The Malla kings would bathe from it each morning.<br />
There are towers in its four corners. </div><div align="left">The small <strong>Sundari Chowk</strong> is north of Mohan Chowk.</div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tribhuwan Museum</span></strong><br />
On the west side of Nassal Chowk is the Tribhuwan Museum, which contains an exhibit of items of the grandfather of the present king. It has excellent stone carvings, several spectacular thrones, jewel-studded ornaments used for coronations, weapons, furniture, wooden temple carvings, and a coin collection.</div><div align="left">There is a re-creation of the king’s bedroom and study, which contain the king’s personal effects. King Tribhuwan was responsible for overthrowing the Rana’s rule in 1951. There are many photos and newspaper clipping that depict he escape and then his successful taking back of the throne.<br />
This part of the palace, next to Durbar Square, was built by the Ranas in the mid to late 19th century. You enter the museum from Nasal Chowk. Cameras have to be deposited at the door.</div><div align="left">In the southeast corner of the courtyard is <strong>King Mahendra Memorial Museum</strong>, which has exhibits in relation to the present king’s father. It has two thrones.</div>yanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-48919548405199683482010-08-30T03:09:00.003-07:002010-10-18T19:11:06.148-07:00Historical Monuments & WHS - Welcome to Official Site of Lalitpur ...<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="height: 598px;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="font16" height="30">Historical Monuments & WHS </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="font11_green" valign="top"><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Cultural Heritage</strong></span><br />
<br />
Lalitpur, since historic times have been known for its rich social and cultural heritage and tradition. The city still displays this unique tradition and culture in its day to day life and activities. It won't be wrong to consider Lalitpur as a city of living culture rather than a heritage. Various religious and ethnic communities belonging either Hinduism or Buddhism live side by side in close harmony. <br />
The city boasts with number of heritages both in tangibles and intangibles forms. Apart from the varieties of historic Hindu and Buddhist monuments like Bahas, Bahis, Pagoda and Stone Temples, Chaityas, Pati, Agamchhens, stone spouts etc., adorned with beautiful art and architecture, the buildings of ordinary people along the city's streets and alleys of the city form a part of its tangible heritage. The various religious and cultural activities that have survived the test of time and have continued to be indispensable part of people's day to day life too contribute to its intangible heritage. <br />
Various Jatras or festivals, which would include various cultural and religious processions, dance, music and other various activities are even today enthusiastically observed and form an essential part of day –to-day life of its citizens. <br />
Patan Durbar Square has been list in UNESCO world heritage sites, which is one of the seven such sites in Kathmandu Valley.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Tangible Heritage</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">1. Durbar Square</span></strong><br />
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Patan Durbar Square located at the city centre is the focal point of all the heritages in Lalitpur. This palace complex from where the ancient rulers of this city ruled consists of 19 monuments in and around it. The Durbar Square was designated as World heritage site in 1979. It is a pride and glory of not only Patan but also the nation as a whole. It is small but has been successful in preserving its original character than other palaces of the Kathmandu valley. It is most impressive architectural site with complex of temples.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">2. Temples</span></strong><br />
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Different types of temple architecture have developed in Nepal since few hundred years. It is a mixed type of architecture represented by multi roofed temples, Shikharas style temples, monasteries, Patis, Chaityas, palaces, residential houses. All these represent a unified and comprehensive character which has earned for them a distinctive terminology of Nepalese architecture. As in other countries the development of a distinct Nepali style of architecture is reflected in Nepal’s religious buildings. Among many styles of architecture, the multi roofed temples or even the houses are known as traditional architecture which is named as the Nepalese or the Newari architecture also. <br />
The most impressive characteristics of the architectural complex in Nepal are represented by temples in association with palaces and residential houses. The complex of temples is clearly visible in the durbar square of Patan. The durbar square area possesses tiered temples as well as cithara temples. The durbar square of Patan with rich cultural and architectural heritage occupies a central position in the city scope. In 1928 Perceval London very much appreciated this square “as an ensemble, the durbar square in Patan probably remains the most picturesque collection of buildings that has been set up in so small place by the piety and pride of an oriental man.” <br />
Temples are constructed not only in durbar square complex but in other parts of the city core also. Patan is a living example of religious harmony. So one can find Hindu temple and Buddhist Chaityas in a same complex standing together. In this report only the multi roofed temples and the stone temple (Shikhara) have been discussed. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2.1 Multi Roofed Temples</span></strong><br />
<br />
The multi roofed temples commonly interpreted a pagodas are different from other religious buildings. These temples are identified with roofs of decreasing dimension, stacked one above another constituting a traditional style. It is very difficult to say about the Origin of this temple style. Buildings with tiered roof were already known in both India and China before the time of Christ, and it is assumed that the influence of Indian architecture is there in traditional Nepalese architecture. Although one of the Chinese travelers has described in 7th century that Nepali method of tiering the roof was new to them. <br />
It is believed that these temples existed in Nepal from the beginning of the Christian era. These types of temples are built of brick, mud and timber. Although the residential building and temples are built of same materials they differ in conceptual aspects. These types of building are generally square in plan, sometimes rectangular and very rarely octagonal in plan. They are generally raised on a high plinth. The roofs number of these temples varies from one to five. Majority of temples are one to three roofed. Four and five roofed are very rare. For example Bhagbati temple of Nala and Harisiddhi temple of Lalitpur are the only two temples with four tiers. Similarly there are only two five tiered temple, Nyatapole of Bhaktapur and Kumbheshwor of Lalitpur. <br />
Altogether 87 pagoda temples have been identified in this report; these temples have been located in the various 22 wards of Lalitpur (Chart 3.1). The ownership description of the temples shows that most of the temples are taken care of by the Guthi, and by the people of certain caste like Amatyas, Rajopadhyas, and Patravansas etc. <br />
Kumbheshwor temple is one of the five tiered temples and is dated the oldest one from 1391 when it was completed by JayastHiti Malla with two tiers. Srinivas Malla later added three tiers to it making it five tiered. The temple is noted for its fine proportions and elegant woodcarvings. This temple is classified as of international importance that is in “A” category.<br />
The location of the monuments shows that most of the pagoda temples are located in the core city area and the monument zone. The majority of the tiered temples lie in ward no 22 (Kumbheshwor area), 18 and 11 (Durbar Square Area) and 19. The detail information regarding the monuments, its location, ownership and category is given in Annex I.<br />
The monuments in Kathmandu Valley have been categorized according to the Ancient Monument Act 2013, 5th Amendment as given in the Table 3.1.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Descriptions of Some important temples</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">A. Kumveshwore Temple</span></strong><br />
<br />
The Kumveshwore Temple is said to date from 1391 when it was completed by JayastHiti Malla, making it the oldest extant temple in Patan (Figure 3.5).The temple is noted for its fine proportions and elegant woodcarvings. There are numerous statues and sculptures around the courtyard, from the Lichhavis to the Mallas, including a particularly fine Ganesh figure. The temple is, however, dedicated to Lord Shiva, as indicated by the large Nandi (bull), facing the temple inside the main entrance.<br />
The temple platform has two ponds whose water is said to come straight from the holy lake at Gosainkunda, a long trek north of the valley. An annual ritual bath in the Kumveshwore Temple’s tank is claimed to be as meritorious as making the arduous walk to Gosainkunda.<br />
Thousands of pilgrims visit the temple during the Janai Purnima festival in July and August each year to worship the silver and gold lingam which is set up in the tank while members of the Brahmin and Chhetri castes replace the sacred thread they wear looped over their left shoulder. Jhankris beating drums and wearing colorful headdresses and skirts dance around the temple to complete the dramatic scene.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">B. Rato Machhindranath Temple</span></strong><br />
<br />
The Rato (Red) Machhindranath temple, the god of rain and plenty comes in a variety of incarnations (Figure 3.6). To Buddhists he is the Tantric edition of Avalokiteshvara while to Hindus he is another version of Shiva. The temple’s four elaborately carved doorways are each guarded by lion figures and at ground level on the four corners of the temple plinth are reliefs of a curious yeti-like creature. A diverse collection of animals (including peacocks, horses, bulls, lions, elephants, and fish) top the pillars facing the northern side of the months of the year. The metal roof is supposed by struts, each showing Avalokiteshvara standing above figures being tortured in hell. Prayer wheels are set into the base of the temple. <br />
The Machhindranath image is just a crudely carved piece of red-painted wood, but each year during the Rato Machhindranath celebrations it is paraded around the town on a temple chariot. The complex celebration moves the image from place to place over a period of several weeks in the month of Baishakh (April/May), finally ending at Jawalakhel where the chariot is disassembled.<br />
Occurring on a 12 year cycle the procession continues out of Patan to the village of Bungamati, 5 km to the south. Dragging the heavy Chariot along this bumpy and often uphill track is no easy feat. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2.2 Stone Temples</span></strong><br />
<br />
The Shikhara shrines are much smaller in number than the sloping roof and multi roofed temples. Even so most of them date from medieval period. Though the multi roofed style were more prominent and prevalent in the Kathmandu valley it co existed with Shikhara style. The Shikhara is interpreted as mountain peak towered temple generally made of stone and some times brick believed to have been developed in Gupta India about 6th century A.D. <br />
The elementary form of the temple is a small square cellar surmounted by a tapering tower together symbolizing caves and mountains. The temple is usually elevated on a steeped plinth followed by a number of molded courses. In most cases, small Deval is attached on all four sides of the main tower. Sometimes two or three small Devals are built in all sides of the tower at the ground level. The main Shikhara tapers on the top and terminates in a flattened ripped disc known as Amalaka. The Gajur is surmounted on the top of the Amalaka. <br />
The best example of the Shikhara shrine made of stone are Cyasing Deval and Krishna Mandir of Patan Durbar Square. Krishna Mandir was built in N.S. 757 (1636 A.D.) by King Siddhinarasimha Malla. This is one of the finest stone structures in whole Nepal. The temple is constructed over three stepped platforms. It has columned arcade circumbulating the ground floor and on the first floor a row of mini Shikharas. The main shrine is located on the first floor. This temple is classified as of international importance that is in “A” category.<br />
Thirty-four stone temples in the city of Lalitpur have been identified. The ownership of the temples is taken by Shresthas, Bajracharyas, Shakyas and Guthi as well. These temples have been categorized into three groups, A, B and C, according to the Ancient Monument Act of 2013 5th Amendment. Most of the stone temples fall in local category that is category “C”. The detail information regarding the stone temples its location, ownership and category are given in Annex I.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2.3 Pati and Gate</span></strong><br />
<br />
There are number of Patis (or Sattals or Chappa), which are the public rest house of the early days in the city of Lalitpur. In early days, apart from providing resting place for the tradesmen and travelers, they used to be the place for socio-cultural gatherings and functions and were important component of the urban settlement. <br />
In early days, the cities and settlements of Kathmandu Valley had a definite city boundary beyond which the expansion rarely occurred. There were well laid roads within them and the major road that lead to places outside the city and surrounding lands would have artistic gates constructed to mark the point of entry and exit to and from the city. In the city of Lalitpur there used to be 21 artistic gates in the city (Annex I). Patan Dhoka that still exists today is one of them.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2.4 Stone Water Conduit</span></strong><br />
<br />
From the ancient times man has always tried to have water nearby. In the same context, the people of Kathmandu valley have managed to bring water through stone water spout. Water spout are highly decorative elements representing the old culture and civilization fulfilling the water demands till date.<br />
Hitis exhibits the glorious past architectural development in urban design of valley cities. Hiti is a legacy of past working till date in many situations showing great engineering feat of our ancestors. Tusa Hiti in Mangal Bazaar is the highest epoch of stone water spout. Manga Hiti is the oldest one dating 570 A.D (492 Baisakh)<br />
The water spouts were designed with their own source, often in the hinterland of the Patan city. There existed extensive network of canals (Rajkulo) for transportation to the city. Large-scale urban reservoirs (Pokhari) also existed which are believed to play an important role in charging ground water table and thus formed an important element of the entire water network consisting of Hitis and wells. Naricha, Nayekhyo, KhwayeBaha has been confirmed as major aquifers in Laitpur. <br />
In Lalitpur there are fifty six stone water spouts (source: LSMC). Of these, 28 of are running satisfactorily and there is sufficient amount of water flow in the taps. There is very little flow of water in 12 but it increases during the rainy season. There is no flow of water in 4 water spouts and thus requires proper maintenance including cleaning of the source. The rest are said to have been filled up and covered according to the local people. However, some of these could also be restored for cultural preservation if not for functional use. The location and condition and distribution of the spouts in each ward are given in Annex I. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2.5 Pond (Pokhari) and Well</span></strong><br />
<br />
There are altogether 25 Ponds (Pokharis). Major ones are Prayag, Jawaklakhel and PimBahal Pokhari. in the past there used to be many more ponds within the historic city of Lalitpur, which were a vital element of its traditional water supply system. However, many of them have vanished due to drying up, encroachment, and lack of proper maintenance and attention. <br />
As a vital element of traditional water supply system, the city of Lalitpur has 226 wells, many of which are in good condition. However, these wells do not include those built in recent times by the individuals. The traditional wells were often located at courtyards and public spaces and used by the whole community, only few were private owned. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2.6 Ashoka Stupa</span></strong><br />
<br />
According to legend five Stupas were built by Ashoka, the Mauryan King of India, while he was visiting Patan on a pilgrimage. At that time Nepal was ruled by the Kirati Kings. These Stupas were often built upon a mound of earth covered with grass. The four Ashokan Stupas in Lalitpur are at Lagankhel in the south, Imadol in the east, IBahi in the north and Pulchowk in the west.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2.7 Bahal and Bahi</span></strong><br />
<br />
The Newar Buddhist Monastery, with its associated cult objects, is the focus of Buddhism in Patan. The monastery has developed out of an ancient Buddhist design, consisting of a two storey building made up of open halls around a square courtyard. This courtyard is characteristically set back from the road, contrasting from the Hindu temples set up on a multiple plinths in the street and at the crossroads. The Bahals consists of Buddha shrine opposite to the entrance, and sometimes there is also a Ganesh or even a Harati temple.<br />
The Newar Buddhist monasteries have at least one and usually many Chaityas. These are the basic Buddhist cult object, depicting Buddhas on its four sides, and whose forms have gone through long and complex architectural and iconographic evolutions. There are 16 main Bahals in Patan followed with 13 Bahis. Both Bahal and Bahis areas have also been classified according to the national and international importance in category A, B and C.<br />
According to DOA Kwa Baha, UkuBaha, HaBaha and GujiBaha are classified in category “A” as they have been able to retain the features typical of Baha courtyards. BhincheBaha, BuBaha, SuBaha are classified in category “B”. Similarly TagaBaha, and TaBaha are listed separately and classified as category “C”. The ownership of majority of the Bahals belongs to the Sangha. <br />
The most ancient architectural form is preserved in the Bahi type. Bahi, which have retained their classic form, are CikaBahi, IbaBahi, JyaBahi, NakaBahi, NhaykaBahi, UbaBahi, IBahi, PintuBahi and KontiBahi. Many Bahis are in a state of collapse. Among these are KhvayBahi, KhvayBahi Cidhagu, IlaBahi and KinuBahi. Some Bahis have been taken over by their members. This has happened in Mul GuitaBahi, GustalaBahi, ThapaBahi, DhapagaBahi and Kvecvagu etc. <br />
PintuBahi, NakaBahi, NhaykaBahi are classified in category “A”. Although in bad state of repair Pintu Bahi preserves the most typical architectural features of Bahi architecture. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2.8 Description of Vihars</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">A. Shankerdev Samskarita Mayurvarna Mahavihara (Bhinche Baha)</span></strong><br />
<br />
BhincheBaha is located north-east of Sundhara. This Baha has a large courtyard, brick paved and well maintained. The main shrine of Kwapadyo consists of three storey pagoda with a pinnacle or Gajura. The shrines main entrance faces west. The courtyard is decorated with Dharmadhatumandala, Vajradhatu, three Chaityas, and one Chaitya Stambha. The Sansrit name for this Bahal is “Shankerdev Samskarit Mayurvarna Mahavihar”.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">B. Indradev SamskaritaJay Manohar Varma Mahavoihara (Su Baha)</span></strong><br />
<br />
Su Baha is considered as one of the ten most ancient Bahas. This Bahal is situated in an entirely closed courtyard in Su Baha Tole, one of the oldest parts of Patan. Two Licchavi Chaityas are found in the Baha, which has an inscription on it. The inscription does not mention the Baha but its presence indicates the antiquity of the site. The main shrine of the Baha faces west with its entrance marked by two stone lions and two bells. The shrine has well carved struts and the courtyard retains its Pasukajhyah with representation of Buddha above. <br />
The Baha is taken care of by the Sangha which is initiated by the Sixty Shakyas. The members of the Sangha take turn every eight days, from eldest to youngest to serve as Dyopalas. Originally the site of the Bahal is said to be a cremation Ghat.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">C. Baladhar Gupta SamskaritaBaladhar Gupta Mahavihara (Yachhu Bahal)</span></strong><br />
<br />
YachhuBaha is said to have been founded by Baladhar Gupta and named after him as Baladhar Gupta Mahavihara. This is a small Baha situated in a courtyard just north of the Sundhara area. The Baha is taken care of by the Sangha members. There is one Sangha of five initiated members. They take turns serving as a Dyopala in the temple of Kwapadyo . The annual festival of the Baha is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Magh. Very little is known about the history of this Bahal. Some say that the orphaned people of Uku Bahal had no means of support so they were given this Bahal as means of support. The Baha was then renovated with the help of the Uku Baha Sangha.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">D. Divya diwakar SamskaritaShree Vaisyavarna Mahavihara (Guji Baha)</span></strong><br />
<br />
Guji Baha was founded by Vaisya Diwakar Varma. This Baha is located in Sundhara area. The Licchavi style Chaitya mark the north entrance of the Bahal. The earliest of this Bahal is given on the manuscript of N.S. 373 (1253 A.D.) from the time of Abhay Malla. The main shrine of Kwapadyo is a well preserved three-storied shrine. The Baha is taken care of by the Sangha members. The Sangha of this Bahal consists of about 150 Shakyas. They serve as Dyopalas in the Kwapadyo shrine in order of seniority in fifteen days interval. The priest of Bu Bahal performs the rituals whenever a Bajracharya is required.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">E. Shivadev Samskarita Rudravarna Mahavihara (Uku Bahal)</span></strong><br />
<br />
Uku Baha was founded by Shivadeva Varma. The Bahal was said to be later renovated by Rudradev so it is named as “Shivadev Samskarita Rudravarna Mahavihara”. The Bahal was established in Wankuli area so also known as Wankuli Bihar. Later the name changed to Wankuli- Unkuli- Uku Bahal. This is one of the best-preserved Bahals of Patan with the second largest Sangha and greatest number of branches. It is said that the residents of this Bahal are shifted to a separate place so that the Bahal could be preserved as a shrine. <br />
The main shrine of Kwapadyo is facing north with two-gilded copper roof. The Kwapadyo is a statue of Aksobya. The courtyard is full of figures like bronze images, pair of winged horses, Garuda, pair of horned horses, lions. The courtyard also contains the statue of Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shumsher who donated money for the repair of the Bahal after the earthquake in 1934. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">F. Balarcana Dev Samskarita Jyesthavarna Mahavihara (Tanga Bahal)</span></strong><br />
<br />
Tanga Baha is also known as Caku Baha. The Sanskrit name of the Baha is “Jyesthavarna Mahavihara”. It is located on the east side of the road leading south from Patan Durbar. The main shrine of the Baha is a small two-tiered freestanding temple within an enclosed courtyard. The main shrine houses a small red image of Padmapani Lokesvara, popularly referred to as Caku Baha Dya or Minnath. Some say that the name is derived from the word Caku, which means molasses, which, is offered to the god. Others speculate that it is derived from Newari word for sparrow (Chakuncha), because the location is supposed to have been chosen by sparrows. <br />
The image is also called the Jatadhari Lokesvara and is the Kwapadyo of the Sangha of the Baha. The shrine of the Baha faces west. The courtyard is full of Chaityas and a Dharmadhatumandala. The northeast corner of the courtyard has an open shrine dedicated to Janmadvara. On the southern side an old building exists which is also known as the Dyochhen of Vasundhara. The earliest inscription found there is dated N.S. 245 (1125 A.D.) which was put there while installing a golden Gajura.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">G. Mandeva Samskarita Chakravarna Mahavihara (Cuka Bahal)</span></strong><br />
<br />
The Bahal is situated south of Tangah Baha. This Baha was said to have been founded by King Mandeva I. Although this Baha is one of the oldest Bahals of Patan it now remains as a branch Baha of Kwa Bahal. The Sangha of the Bahal is composed of 26 Bajracharyas who are originally from Nyakhachowk and are members of Sangha of Kwa Bahal.<br />
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<strong>H. Bhuvanakar Samskarita Dharmakirti Mahavihara (Ta Baha)</strong><br />
<br />
TaBaha in Sanskrit is named as "Bhuvanakar Varma Samskarita Dharmakirti Mahavihar”. This Baha is said to have been founded by Bhuvanakar Varma. The Baha house the temple of Rato Machhindranath and Kwapadyo. The Baha and the temple are two separate entities. The shrine of Kwapadyo is located in the southern part and the temple in northern part. <br />
The temple is three storeyed with copper roof and the shrine of Kwapadyo is a simple one. The shrine of Kwapadyo requires maintenance. Most of the houses in the Baha are occupied by the Dyapalas from the Bajracharya family. Some part of the Baha is currently occupied by the Guthi Sansthan office. This Bihar is considered as one of the most ancient Bihars of Patan. The earliest reference of the Baha comes from the inscription of IbaBahi Dated N.S. 547 (1427 A.D.).<br />
<strong>I. Laxmi Kalyan Varma SamskaritaRatnakar Mahavihara (Ha Bahal)</strong><br />
Ha Baha is also known as Hakha Bahal or Hatako Baha. This is among the few Bahals of Patan to retain its architectural character. This Baha is also known as Ratnakar Mahavihara and was founded by Laxmi Kalyan Varma. King Siddhinarsing Malla worked for the maintenance of the fifteen Bahals of Patan and Hakha was one of them. It is said that it was the king who shifted this Bahal from Mul Chowk to the location where it is now (N.S. 738-71). <br />
The main shrine of Kwapadyo with three storey is opposite to the entrance. The main entrance is marked by two large lions mounted on stone bases supported by crouching elephants (Figure 3.15). The shrine of the Kwapadyo occupies the southern wing. There is a Licchavi Chaitya in front of the shrine, three Dharmadhatumandalas and a Vajra in the courtyard. <br />
The Baha Sangha consists of three lineages, Bajracharya, and two of Shakyas. When the Bahal shifted from Patan Durbar area, the Bajracharyas refused to move and they left the Sangha and joined the Sangha of Bu Baha. The Sangha of the Bahal take turns serving as Dyopalas. One of the main features of the Sangha of the Baha is that they worship the living goddess of Patan, Kumari. The Kumari is always selected from the families of Ha Baha and whose official residence is in quarters directly behind the Baha complex. <br />
<strong>J. Bidhyadharsarma Samskarita Yashodharvarma Mahabihara (Bu Bahal)</strong><br />
Bu Bahal lies off the main road to Patan Durbar in the area of GaBahal (Figure 3.16). The Bahal consists of a large courtyard whose entrance is guarded by two stone lions. To the left side of the entrance facing north is the main shrine which is three storied and in Pagoda style. In Sanskrit the Bahal is called “Bidhyadharsarma Samskarit Yashodharvarma Mahabihar”. The total area covered by Bu Bahal is 4 ropani- 11 Anna- 1 Paisa- 2 Dam. The Bahal is taken care of by the Sangha. Various rituals are performed in this Bahal. The most important one takes place in the second day of the month of Magh. Every three years and during initiation (Barecuyegu), all the sons of the Sangha members assemble in the courtyard to have their horoscopes prepared.<br />
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<strong>K. Sri Vaccha Mahavihara (Si Baha)</strong><br />
<br />
Si Baha is located in a closed courtyard at the western edge of the city. This Baha is also known as Sri Vaccha Mahavihara. This Baha is said to have been established by King Siddhinarsimha Malla and renovated after the great earthquake of 1934. The earliest date associated with this Baha is found in the Pancharaksa manuscript dated N.S. 509 (1389 A.D).<br />
The shrine of Kwapadyo is a well preserved structure with four storeys. The entrance of the shrine is marked by two stone lions. The Kwapadyo is a standing image of Buddha locally referred to as Ratnapani Bodhisattva. The topmost roof pinnacle of the shrine is a Gajura with three guilt Chaityas. There is a Dharmadhatumandala and a Chaitya with circular base in the courtyard. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">L. Rudradev Gargagotra Varma Samskarita Dattanama Mahavihara (Dau Baha)</span></strong><br />
<br />
Dau Baha was founded by Rudradev Varma. There are no certain historical evidences about this Bahal. The Bahal was said to have existed during the rule of King Siddhinarsimha Malla and was supported by royal grant. Dau Baha is a fully enclosed courtyard with the entrance of Kwapadyo shrine marked by two stone lions. The shrine is surmounted by a characteristic tower topped by golden finial. The entrance leading to the Baha is defined by a Pati where there are images of Mahankal, Ganesha and Manjushree.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">M. Bhaskerdev Samskarita Hiranyabarna Mahavihara (The Golden Temple/ Kwa Bahal)</span></strong><br />
<br />
This is one of the 18 main Bahals of Patan. The Sanskrit name of the Bahal is given as “Bhaskerdev Samskarit Hiranyabarna Mahavihar”. The name of the Bahal was given according to the saying that there was a mouse named Hiranyak with eyes sparkling like diamond. This Bahal is located in Kwalkhu Tole, north-west of Mangalbazaar. Built outside the boundary of the palace of Kirat King Patuk this was called Kwathalakhu Bihar. Later it was called Kwatha Bihar then Kwa Bahal. Nowadays the Bahal is popular by the name of the Golden Temple. The Bihar is said to have been constructed by Bhaskerdev of Medieval Era. This Bahal is famous for the Golden Temple inside the Bahal and has been identified as one of the religious centers of the valley. This Bihar is very well known from the name of “The Golden Temple” all over the world and many tourists come to visit this Bihar. There is always a huge gathering of devotees in the month of Shrawan for various Pujass. People come here to fast as well as request for the reading of the Pragyaparmita.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Pragyaparmita of the Golden Temple</span></strong><br />
<br />
Hiranyabarna Mahavihar is not only a religious area but this is the place where religious book (Grantha s) of Buddhism is recited. This Bihar is famous for one of the main nine Ganthas “Pragyaparmita”. This Grantha was written by a monk named Ananda in B.S. 1282 during the reign of King Abhaya Malla. This Astasahashrika Pragyaparmita is written in golden letters. People believe that this Grantha was kept in this Bihar to protect from evil nature of people. People from various regions come to read this book. From B.S. 1995 this Grantha was kept safe in a box. A separate Guthi has been established for the reading of this religious book. The local people believe that if they ask to carry out the reading of this book once, their every desire will be fulfilled. Nowadays people have to register their names months before for the reading of this book.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">N. Guna Laxmi Varma Samskarita Guna Laxmi Mahavihara (Dhum Baha)</span></strong><br />
<br />
Dhum Baha is known by its Sanskrit name Guna Laxmi Mahavihara. The Baha is said to have been founded in the reign of King Siddhinarsimha Malla, but the dated reference of this Baha begins from N.S. 682 (1562 A.D.) after the period of King Siddhinarsimha Malla. DhumBaha lies to the north of the durbar square at Sankhamul in the area known as Ko Baha. <br />
The main shrine of Kwapadyo is a stone image of Aksobya facing north with corrugated roof. In the courtyard are a large votive Chaitya and a mounted Vajra. The Sangha of the Baha consists of 25 Bajracharyas. They perform the usual rituals in the shrine of the Kwapadyo morning and evening. Legend of the Baha says that this Baha serves the members of the ironsmith caste. They believe that Lord Buddha baptized an ironsmith just as he baptized a barber to monkhood in India.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">O. Surya Varma Samskarita Vajrakirti Mahavihara (Wam Baha)</span></strong><br />
<br />
Wam Baha is located to the northeast of Patan Durbar. It was founded by Surya Varma and the Sanskrit name is Vajrakirti Mahavihara. The inscription found in the Baha dates back to N.S.561 (1441A.D). The courtyard of the Bahal is brick paved, with a Vajra, votive Chaitya and an old Lichhavi style Chaitya. The houses around the Baha courtyard are occupied by Shakyas and Bajracharyas.<br />
The main Pujas of the Bahal is on the full moon day of Falgun. The annual festival of the Baha used to be observed in Mangsir by the Sangha of this Baha and Jyo Baha, one year at WamBaha and next at JypoBaha.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">P. Rudradev Nangapala Samskarita Jyotivarna Mahavihara (Jyo Baha)</span></strong><br />
<br />
History of this Baha not much known. Jyo Baha is said to be founded by Rudradev Nangapala who later named it as Jyotivarna Mahavihara. This Baha is located directly behind the Durbar Square and retains none of its original buildings except the shrine of Kwapadyo . The entrance of the shrine is guarded by two lions.</div></td></tr>
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</tbody></table>yanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-91617457060298319842010-08-30T02:33:00.001-07:002010-08-30T03:06:22.300-07:00Everest Facts<table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="middle" width="233"><span style="color: black;"> <img height="190" src="http://www.mnteverest.net/pics/ev8.jpg" width="267" /></span></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#b6b6b6" valign="middle" width="524"><h1><b><span style="color: black;">MOUNT EVEREST HISTORY/FACTS:</span></b></h1><span style="color: black;"> Welcome to Mount Everest facts. In this site you will find many informative facts of Mt.Everest and a bit of history. Any facts or history bits you feel should be added, just send an e-mail as usual at the bottom of page..</span> <br />
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<center> <span style="color: black;"><b>EVEREST FACTS</b></span> </center> </td> </tr>
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<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Age of Everest:</b><br />
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<center>Everest was formed about 60 million years ago </center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Elevation:</b><br />
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<center>29,035 (8850m)-found to be 6' higher in 1999</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Name in Nepal:</b><br />
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<center>Sagarmatha (means: goddess of the sky)</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>In Tibet:</b><br />
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<center>Chomolungma: (means: mother goddess of the universe)</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Named after:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Sir George Everest in 1865 ,the British surveyor-general of India. Once known as Peak 15 </center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Location:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Latitude 27° 59' N.....Longitude 86° 56' E It's summit ridge seperates Nepal and Tibet</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>First Ascent:</b><br />
<br />
<center>May 29,1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary, NZ and Tenzing Norgay, NP, via the South Col Route</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>First Solo Ascent:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Aug. 20,1980, Reinhold Messner, IT, via the NE Ridge to North Face</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>First winter Ascent:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Feb. 17,1980 -L.Cichy and K. Wielicki, POL</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>First Ascent by an American:</b><br />
<br />
<center>May 1,1963, James Whittaker, via the South-Col</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Mt. Everest rises a few milimeters each year due to geological forces </b></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Everest Name:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Sir George Everest was the first person to record the height and location of Mt. Everest, this is where Mt."Everest" got its name from(In american language) </center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>First Ascent by a Woman:</b><br />
<br />
<center>May 16,1975, Junko Tabei, JAP, via the South-Col </center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>First Ascent by an American Woman:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Sep.29,1988, Stacey Allison, Portland, OR via the South-East Ridge</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>First Oxygenless Ascent:</b><br />
<br />
<center>May 8, 1978- Reinhold Messner, IT, and Peter Habeler, AUT, via the South-East Ridge</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>First woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest from both north & south sides:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Cathy O'Dowd (S.A.) South May 25,1996/North '99 </center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Fastest Ascent from South:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Babu Chhiri Sherpa 34, NP-16 hours and 56 minutes (5-21-2000)</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Fastest Ascent (north side):</b><br />
<br />
<center>Hans Kammerlander (IT) May,24,1996, via the standard North Col Ridge Route, 16 hours 45 minutes from base camp</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Youngest person:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Temba Tsheri (NP) 15 on May,22,2001</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Oldest Person:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Sherman Bull May,25,2001 -64 yrs </center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>First Legally Blind Person:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Erik Weihenmeyer May,25,2001 </center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Most Ascents:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Eleven, 24th May 2000 Appa Sherpa became the first person to climb Everest 11 times-Ten, Ang Rita Sherpa, Babu Chiri Sherpa all ascents were oxygen-less. </center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Best and Worst Years on Everest:</b><br />
<br />
<center>1993, 129 summitted and eight died (a ratio of 16:1); in 1996, 98 summitted and 15 died (a ratio of 6½:1) </center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Highest cause cause of death:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Avalanches-about a (2:1) ratio over falls</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Country with most deaths on mountain:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Nepal-46 </center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Most dangerous area on mountain:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Khumbu Ice Fall-19 deaths</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>First ski descent:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Davo Karnicar (Slovenia) 10-7-2000</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Last year without ascent:</b><br />
<br />
<center>1974</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Last year without ascent:</b><br />
<br />
<center>1977</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Corpses remaining on Everest:</b><br />
<br />
<center>about 120</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Longest stay on top:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Babu Chiri Sherpa stayed at the summit full 21 hours and a half</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Largest team:</b><br />
<br />
<center>In 1975, China tackled Everest with a 410-member team.</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Fastest descent:</b><br />
<br />
<center>In 1988, Jean-Marc Boivin of France descended from the top in just 11 minutes, paragliding.</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Only climber to climb all 4 sides of Everest:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Kushang Sherpa, now an instructor with Himlayan Mountaineering Institute</center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>First person to hike from sea level to summit, no oxygen.:</b><br />
<br />
<center>11th May 1990,Tim Macartney-Snape, Australian </center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>Largest number to reach the top in one day:</b><br />
<br />
<center>40, on May 10, 1993 </center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>First person to summit Everest twice:</b><br />
<br />
<center>Nawang Gombu-Nepal(once with Whitaker in '63,and again two years later in '65)Gombu now works for the Himalayan mountaineering institute </center></td> </tr>
<tr bgcolor="#f9eac1"> <td><b>The oldest woman to summit</b><br />
<br />
<center>Anna Czerwinska May 22, 2000. </center></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><table border="0" height="23"><tbody>
<tr> <td bgcolor="#b6b6b6" height="19" width="100%"></td> </tr>
</tbody></table></center></div><br />
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</script>yanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-45466506534058793292010-08-30T02:22:00.000-07:002010-08-30T02:25:04.386-07:00Buddha<div id="title"><h1><span class="fn">Buddha</span></h1><div id="byline">From <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/classics/a/glossary.htm" rel="author">N.S. Gill's Ancient/Classical History Glossary</a></div></div><div class="nav"><h4>See More About:</h4><ul><li><a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/lr/buddha/432478/1/" rel="nofollow" zt="18/1Ys/[1">buddha</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/lr/buddhism/432478/2/" rel="nofollow" zt="18/1Ys/[1">buddhism</a></li>
</ul></div><div class="imgw" id="mimg"><q><img alt="Bodhisattva" class="photo" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/ancienthistory/1/G/H/o/2/Bodhisattva.jpg" /></q><br />
<div class="caption">Bodhisattva at the National Museum, Delhi, India</div><cite>CC <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyougushi/27767715/" target="_blank" zt="-o1/XJ">Hyougushi</a> at Flickr.com.</cite></div><div class="sb" id="sb1"><script type="text/javascript">
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<div>
<b>Definition: </b>Buddha was a legendary prince or the son of a nobleman, who founded a major world religion around the 5th century B.C. The word <i>buddha</i> is <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/language/g/021909Sanskrit.htm">Sanskrit</a> for 'awakened one'. The
Buddha was known as Siddharta Gautama, son of Suddhodana, the head of
the Sakya tribe and a member of the clan of Gautama. Prince Siddharta
was born in what is now Nepal, in Lumbini, in a petty state that was
subordinate to the Magadha kingdom in India. At 29 Siddharta renounced
his family and station and set out on a spiritual journey of abstinence
and contemplation. When that failed, he sat down under a ficus <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/indusvalleyrel/g/021709Bodhi.htm">tree</a> (in modern Bodhgaya, in the Indian state of Bihar). There he meditated until he achieved enlightenment or <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/indusvalleyrel/g/021709Bodhi.htm">Bodhi</a>. He then taught followers what he had learned. This became the doctrine of <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/indusvalleyrel/g/021609Buddhism.htm">Buddhism</a>.
See <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/indusvalleyrel/a/1120098FoldPath.htm">The 8-Fold Path</a>
Sources:
"Buddhas and Bodhisats," by B. A. de V. Bailey. <i>Parnassus</i>, Vol. 12, No. 2 (Feb., 1940), pp. 26-30+51.
"An Introduction to Buddhist Archaeology," by Gina L. Barnes. <i>World Archaeology</i>, Vol. 27, No. 2, Buddhist Archaeology (Oct., 1995), pp. 165-182.
<h3>
Go to Other Ancient / Classical History Glossary pages beginning with the letter</h3><a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/aterms/index.htm">a</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/bterms/index.htm">b</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/cterms/index.htm">c</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/dterms/index.htm">d</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/eterms/index.htm">e</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/fterms/index.htm">f</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/gterms/index.htm">g</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/hterms/index.htm">h</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/iterms/index.htm">i</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/jterms/index.htm">j</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/kterms/index.htm">k</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/lterms/index.htm">l</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/mterms/index.htm">m</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/nterms/index.htm">n</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/oterms/index.htm">o</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/pterms/index.htm">p</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/qterms/index.htm">q</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/rterms/index.htm">r</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/sterms/index.htm">s</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/tterms/index.htm">t</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/uterms/index.htm">u</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/vterms/index.htm">v</a> | <a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/wxyzterms/index.htm">wxyz</a> </div></div><div id="resources">
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<h5>
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<li><a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/bl_text_earlychinrel5.htm" zt="18/1Pp">Buddhism and Other Religions of China</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/indusvalleyrel/p/021909Buddhism.htm" zt="18/1Pp">Profile of Buddhism</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/people/p/Ashoka.htm" zt="18/1Pp">Ashoka - King Ashoka</a></li>
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<h5>
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<li><a href="http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/indusvalleyrel/g/021709Dharma.htm" zt="18/1Pp">Dharma</a></li>
<li><a href="http://buddhism.about.com/od/buddhisthistory/a/earlyhistory.htm" zt="18/1Pp">Early History of Buddhism - From Buddhism at About.com</a></li>
<li><a href="http://buddhism.about.com/od/thefirstbuddhists/a/firstmonks.htm" zt="18/1Pp">The First Buddhist Monks - From Buddhism at About.com</a></li>
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<h5>
From Buddhism and Hinduism at About.com</h5><ul>
<li><a href="http://buddhism.about.com/od/abuddhistglossary/A_Glossary_of_Buddhist_Terms.htm" zt="18/1Pp">Glossaries of Buddhist Terms</a></li>
<li><a href="http://buddhism.about.com/od/buddha/a/birthofbuddha.htm" zt="18/1Pp">Birth of the Buddha -- The Buddha's birth in myth and legend</a></li>
<li><a href="http://hinduism.about.com/od/gurussaintsofthepast/a/buddha.htm" zt="18/1Pp">Buddha: The Refiner of Hinduism - Exploring Hindu-Buddhist Connections</a></li>
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<li><a href="http://womenshistory.about.com//library//pic/bl_p_index_people.htm" zt="18/1YL/Zn">Women's History Picture Gallery - Individuals</a></li>
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</ul></div></div>yanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-62255021848061659632010-08-30T02:12:00.001-07:002010-08-30T02:17:59.704-07:00Important Events<h1>Nepal History</h1><img align="right" alt="Nepal" height="150" hspace="5" src="http://nepal.saarctourism.org/gifs/nepal-old-temple.jpg" width="250" />Nepal has been a Kingdom for over 1500 years from now. The Newars are thought to have lived in the Nepal Valley since the 4th century AD, developing a Hindu-Buddhist culture. Cited below is a brief chronology of the important events that happened in Nepal.<br />
<br />
<b class="hd">Nepal: Chronology of Important Events</b><br />
<table border="1" bordercolor="#a4d1ff" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" class="bdtxt-tbl" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-top: 3px;"><tbody>
<tr> <td width="18%"><b class="shb">Period</b></td> <td width="72%"><b class="shb">Description</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">ca. 563 B.C.</td> <td>Buddha born in Lumbini</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">ca. A.D.400-750</td> <td>Licchavi kingdom in power in Kathmandu</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1100-1484</td> <td>Khasa Mall kings rule in western Nepal</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1200-16</td> <td>Arimalla, first monarch of the Malla Dynasty, rules in Kathmandu Valley.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1312</td> <td>Khasa King Ripumalla leads raid in Kathmandu Valley</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1345-46</td> <td>Sultan Shams ud-din Ilyas of Bengal leads raid in Kathmandu Valley.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1382-95</td> <td>Jayasthitimalla rules as king of united Malla kingdom in Kathmandu Valley.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1428-82</td> <td>Yakshamalla reigns - height of united Malla kingdom.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1484</td> <td>Malla kingdom divided; three kingdoms of Kathmandu, Bhadgaon, and Patan established.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1559</td> <td>Gorkha kindgom established by Dravya Shah.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1606-33</td> <td>Ram Shah of Gorkha reigns; Gorkha kindgom experiences first expansion.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1743</td> <td>Prithvi Narayan Shah ascends to throne of Gorkha.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1768-90</td> <td>Gorkha conquers Kathmandu and Patan, Bhadgaon, eastern Nepal, and western Nepal.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1775 </td> <td>Prithvi Narayan Shah dies, first king of united Nepal. </td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1814-1816</td> <td>The Anglo-Nepalese War and the resulting Treaty of Sagauli reduces the territory of Nepal.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1846</td> <td>Jang Bahadur Rana takes over as prime minister and establishes hereditary Rana rule. </td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1946</td> <td>The Nepali Congress Party is founded.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1947</td> <td>The United States establishes diplomatic relations with Nepal.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1948</td> <td><ul><li>The country's first constitution, the Government of Nepal Act, is promulgated; </li>
<li>Prime Minister Padma Shamsher Rana resigns in the wake of opposition to the new constitution from conservative Ranas; </li>
<li>Mohan Shamsher becomes prime minister; constitution is suspended.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1951</td> <td><ul><li>Mohan Shamsher capitulates; </li>
<li>King Tribhuvan is restored to the throne </li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1952</td> <td><ul><li>Koirala resigns; </li>
<li>King assumes direct rule.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1953</td> <td>Koirala is recalled as prime minister.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1955</td> <td><ul><li>King Tribhuvan dies and is succeeded by Mahendra; </li>
<li>Nepal joins the United Nations; </li>
<li>National Police Force is formed; </li>
<li>Koirala resigns; Mahendra takes over direct control.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1956</td> <td><ul><li>Tanka Prasad Acharya is named prime minister; </li>
<li>Border treaty with China concluded;</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1957</td> <td><ul><li>Acharya resigns; </li>
<li>K.I. Singh becomes prime minister for a few months.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1958</td> <td><ul><li>USSR opens an embassy at Kathmandu;</li>
<li>Subarna Shamsher is named new prime minister.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1959</td> <td><ul><li>United States opens an embassy at Kathmandu;</li>
<li>New constitution is promulgated, superseding Constitution of 1951;</li>
<li> First general elections are held;</li>
<li>Nepal Congress Party wins absolute majority; </li>
<li> Tribhuvan University founded; </li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1960</td> <td><ul><li>B.P. Koirala heads first popular government; </li>
<li>Koirala's policies are opposed by the king, and Koirala is abruptly dismissed; </li>
<li>All political parties are banned; the king takes over direct control of government; </li>
<li>Treaty of Peace and Friendship with China is concluded. </li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1961</td> <td><ul><li>Kind proclaims guided democracy; </li>
<li>Boundary treaty with China renewed. </li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1962</td> <td><ul><li>New constitution, third since 1951, establishes panchayat form of government;</li>
<li>Land Reorganization Act and Mulki Ain, new legal code, are promulgated; </li>
<li>Anti-India riots erupt in Kathmandu over Indian aid to dissidents. </li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1963</td> <td><ul><li>Emergency is ended; Panchayat elections begin; </li>
<li>National Guidance Council is formed; </li>
<li>Tulsi Giri is named prime minister; </li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1965</td> <td><ul><li>Local government reorganized;</li>
<li>Giri resigns;</li>
<li> Surya Bahadur Thapa is appointed prime minister</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1969</td> <td><ul><li>Thapa yields office to Kirti Nidhi Bista; </li>
<li>Indian military mission withdrawn.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1970</td> <td><ul><li>Bista resigns; </li>
<li>Raj Bhandari becomes interim prime minister.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1971</td> <td><ul><li>Bista is recalled as prime minister; </li>
<li>New trade and transit treaty negotiated with India.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1972</td> <td><ul><li>Mahedra dies and is succeeded by King Birendra;</li>
<li>Development regions are established under National Development Council.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1973</td> <td><ul><li>Nagendra Prasad Rijal is named prime minister; </li>
<li>Singha Durbar, the seat of government, burns down.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1975</td> <td><ul><li>Rijal resigns; </li>
<li>Tulsi Giri is appointed prime minister; </li>
<li>King Birendra is crowned;</li>
<li>"Go to the Village" campaign is launched.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1976</td> <td><ul><li>B.P. Koirala returns from India and is arrested; </li>
<li>Treaty with India expires and is not renewed. </li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1977</td> <td><ul><li>Tulsi Giri resigns as prime minister in the wake of corruption charges;</li>
<li>Former prime minister Kirti Nidhi Bista is reinstated as prime minister.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1979</td> <td><ul><li>Following nationwide demonstrations by students, Bista is replaced as prime minister by Surya Bahadur Thapa;</li>
<li>King announces referendum on the panchayat form of government.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1980</td> <td>In national referendum people vote for continuance of the panchayat form of government and against the reintroduction of political parties.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1982</td> <td>B.P. Koirala, Nepali Congress Party leader dies.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1983</td> <td>Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa is defeated in the Rastriya Panchayat and is replaced by Lokendra Bahadur Chand.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1986 </td> <td><ul><li>Second elections to Rastriya Panchayat held;</li>
<li>Marich Man Singh Shrestha becomes prime minister.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1989</td> <td>Failure to renegotiate trade and transit treaties with India disrupts economy.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1990</td> <td><ul><li>Demonstrations for the restoration of democracy;</li>
<li>Panchayat system is dissolved; </li>
<li>Interim government made up of various parties and king's representatives formed; </li>
<li>New constitution promulgated.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1991</td> <td><ul><li>Elections to Parliament held; </li>
<li>Nepali Congress wins a narrow majority; </li>
<li>G.P. Koirala becomes prime minister.President of Nepali Congress and interim prime minister, K.P. Bhattarai, defeated in the polls by the leader of CPN-UML, Madan Bhandari.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1992</td> <td><ul><li>Local elections held; </li>
<li>Nepali Congress wins a majority of the seats.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1993</td> <td><ul><li>Madan Bhandari killed in a mysterious car crash. Violent demonstrations by communists to overthrow Koirala's government; </li>
<li>Devastating floods kill hundreds.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1994</td> <td><ul><li>Prime minister Koirala resigns and calls for new elections afte losing a parliamentary vote due to the abstention of 36 members of his own party. New elections in November results in a hung parliament; </li>
<li>CPN-UML, which emerged as the single largest party, formes a minority government.</li>
</ul></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1995</td> <td>The minority goverment of CPN-UML loses power in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence. A coalition government of Nepali Congress, RPP and Sadhvabana is formed.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1997</td> <td>The NC-RPP coalition government loses power resulting in a UML-RPP coalition. This government itself loses power six months later to another NC-RPP coalition. Ganesh Man Singh, who led the 1990 democracy movement dies. </td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top">1999</td> <td>The third general elections after restoration of democracy results in Nepali Congress coming back to power with an absolute majority in the House. Krishna P. Bhattarai becomes Prime Minister for the second time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>yanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-40957649799996422942010-08-30T02:07:00.000-07:002010-08-30T02:09:14.675-07:00Swayambhunath<h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading"><b>Swayambhunath</b> (<a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devnagari" title="Devnagari">Devnagari</a>: स्वयम्भूनाथ स्तुप; sometimes romanized <b>Swoyambhunath</b>) is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathmandu_Valley" title="Kathmandu Valley">Kathmandu Valley</a>, west of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathmandu" title="Kathmandu">Kathmandu</a> city. It is also known as the <b>Monkey Temple</b> as there are holy monkeys living in parts of the temple in the north-west. The Tibetan name for the site means 'Sublime Trees' (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wylie" title="Wylie">Wylie</a>:<i>Phags.pa Shing.kun</i>), for the many varieties of trees found on the hill. However, <i>Shing.kun</i> may be a corruption of the local <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newar_language" title="Newar language">Newari</a> name for the complex, <b>Singgu</b>, meaning 'self-sprung'.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath#cite_note-0">[1]</a></sup> For the Buddhist <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newars" title="Newars">Newars</a> in whose mythological history and origin myth as well as day-to-day religious practice, Swayambhunath occupies a central position, it is probably the most sacred among <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_pilgrimage" title="Buddhist pilgrimage">Buddhist pilgrimage</a> sites. For Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism, it second only to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boudhanath" title="Boudhanath">Boudhanath</a>.</h1>The Swayambhunath complex consists of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stupa" title="Stupa">stupa</a>, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period. A Tibetan monastery, museum and library are more recent additions. The stupa has Buddha's eyes and eyebrows painted on. Between them, there is something painted which looks like the nose - but is the Nepali symbol of 'unity', in the main <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepali_language" title="Nepali language">Nepali language</a> dialect. There are also shops, restaurants and hostels. The site has two access points: a long stairway, claimed to have 365 steps, leading directly to the main platform of the temple, which is from the top of the hill to the east; and a car road around the hill from the south leading to the southwest entrance. The first sight on reaching the top of the stairway is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajra" title="Vajra">Vajra</a>. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsultrim_Allione" title="Tsultrim Allione">Tsultrim Allione</a> describes the experience:<br />
<br />
<h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Architecture">Architecture</span></h2>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stupa" title="Stupa">stupa</a> consists of a dome at the base. Above the dome, there is a cubical structure present with eyes of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha" title="Gautama Buddha">Buddha</a> looking in all four directions with the word "unity" in the main Nepali dialect between them. There are pentagonal <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toran" title="Toran">Toran</a> present above each of the four sides with statues engraved in them. Behind and above the torana there are thirteen tiers. Above all the tiers, there is a small space above which the <a class="new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gajur&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Gajur (page does not exist)">Gajur</a> is present.<br />
<h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Symbolism">Symbolism</span></h2>The dome at the base represents the entire world. When a person awakes (represented by eyes of wisdom and compassion) from the bonds of the world, the person reaches the state a bit higher. The thirteen pinnacles on the top of it symbolises that sensient beings have to go through the thirteen stages of enlightenment to reach <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhahood" title="Buddhahood">Buddhahood</a>.<br />
On each of the four sides of the main stupa there are a pair of big eyes which represent Wisdom and Compassion. Above each pair of eyes is another eye, the third eye. Saying goes that when Buddha preaches, cosmic rays emanate from the third eye which acts as message to heavenly beings, so that those interested can come down to earth to listen to the Buddha. The hellish beings and beings below the human realm cannot come to earth to listen to the Buddha's teaching, however, the cosmic ray relieves their suffering when Buddha preaches.<br />
There are carving of Panch Buddhas (five Buddhas) on each of the four sides of stupa. Apart from this, idols of the Buddhas are at the base of the stupas. Panch Buddhas are Buddha in metaforical sense in Tantrayana. They are Vairochana (occupies the center and is the master of the temple), Akshobhya (faces the east and represents the cosmic element of consciousness), Ratna Sambhava (faces the south and represents the cosmic element of sensation), Amitabha (He represents cosmic element of Sanjna (name) and always faces the West) and Amoghsiddhi (He represents the cosmic element of conformation and faces the north).<br />
Each morning before dawn, hundreds of Buddhist (Vajrayana) and Hindu pilgrims ascend the 365 steps from eastern side that lead up the hill, passing the gilded Vajra (Tibetan: Dorje) and two lions guarding the entrance, and begin a series of clockwise circumambulations of the stupa.<br />
<blockquote>We were breathless and sweating as we stumbled up the last steep steps and practically fell upon the biggest vajra (thunder-bolt scepter) that I have ever seen. Behind this vajra was the vast, round, white dome of the stupa, like a full solid skirt, at the top of which were two giant Buddha eyes wisely looking out over the peaceful valley which was just beginning to come alive.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath#cite_note-1"></a></sup></blockquote>Much of Swayambhunath's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iconography" title="Iconography">iconography</a> comes from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrayana" title="Vajrayana">Vajrayana</a> tradition of Newar Buddhism. However, the complex is also an important site for <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist" title="Buddhist">Buddhists</a> of many schools, and is also revered by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism" title="Hinduism">Hindus</a>.<br />
<table class="toc" id="toc"><tbody>
<tr> <td><div id="toctitle"><h2>Contents</h2><span class="toctoggle">[<a class="internal" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath#" id="togglelink">hide</a>]</span></div><ul><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath#Mythology"><span class="tocnumber">1</span> <span class="toctext">Mythology</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath#History"><span class="tocnumber">2</span> <span class="toctext">History</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-3"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath#Architecture"><span class="tocnumber">3</span> <span class="toctext">Architecture</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-4"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath#Symbolism"><span class="tocnumber">4</span> <span class="toctext">Symbolism</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-5"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath#Gallery"><span class="tocnumber">5</span> <span class="toctext">Gallery</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-6"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath#See_also"><span class="tocnumber">6</span> <span class="toctext">See also</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-7"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath#Footnotes"><span class="tocnumber">7</span> <span class="toctext">Footnotes</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-8"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath#Additional_References"><span class="tocnumber">8</span> <span class="toctext">Additional References</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-9"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath#Further_reading"><span class="tocnumber">9</span> <span class="toctext">Further reading</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-10"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath#External_links"><span class="tocnumber">10</span> <span class="toctext">External links</span></a></li>
</ul></td> </tr>
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<h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Mythology">Mythology</span></h2>According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhu_Purana" title="Swayambhu Purana">Swayambhu Purana</a>, the entire valley was once filled with an enormous lake, out of which grew a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelumbo_nucifera" title="Nelumbo nucifera">lotus</a>. The valley came to be known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhu" title="Swayambhu">Swayambhu</a>, meaning "Self-Created." The name comes from an eternal self-existent flame (<i><span class="Unicode" style="text-decoration: none; white-space: normal;" title="International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration">svyaṃbhu</span></i>) over which a sūpa was later built.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Shaha.2C_Rishikesh_1992_p._122_2-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath#cite_note-Shaha.2C_Rishikesh_1992_p._122-2"></a></sup><br />
Swayambhunath is also known as the <b>Monkey Temple</b> as there are holy monkeys living in parts of the temple in the north-west. They are holy because Manjushree, the bodhisattva of wisdom and learning was raising the hill which the Swayambhunath Temple stands on. He was supposed to leave his hair short but he made it grow long and head lice grew. It is said that the head lice had transformed into these monkeys.<br />
The <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisatva" title="Bodhisatva">Bodhisatva</a> <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manjushri" title="Manjushri">Manjushri</a> had a vision of the lotus at Swayambhu and traveled there to worship it. Seeing that the valley can be good settlement and to make the site more accessible to human pilgrims, Manjushri cut a gorge at <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chovar" title="Chovar">Chovar</a>. The water drained out of the lake, leaving the valley in which Kathmandu now lies. The lotus was transformed into a hill and the flower become the Swayambhunath stupa.<br />
<h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="History">History</span></h2>Swayambhunath, is among the oldest religious sites in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal" title="Nepal">Nepal</a>. According to the <i><span class="Unicode" style="text-decoration: none; white-space: normal;" title="International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration">Gopālarājavaṃśāvalī</span></i> Swayambhunath was founded by the great-grandfather of King Mānadeva (464-505 CE), <span class="Unicode" style="text-decoration: none; white-space: normal;" title="International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration">King Vṛsadeva</span>, about the beginning of the 5th century CE. This seems to be confirmed by a damaged stone inscription found at the site, which indicates that King Mānadeva ordered work done in 640 CE<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Shaha.2C_Rishikesh_1992_p._122_2-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath#cite_note-Shaha.2C_Rishikesh_1992_p._122-2"></a></sup><br />
However, Emperor Ashoka is said to have visited the site in the third century BCE and built a temple on the hill which was later destroyed.<br />
Although the site is considered Buddhist, the place is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus. Numerous king Hindu followers are known to have paid their homage to the temple, including Pratap Malla, the powerful king of Kathmandu, who is responsible for the construction of the eastern stairway in the 17th century.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-3"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath#cite_note-3"></a></sup><br />
The stupa was completely renovated in May of 2010, its first major renovation in 90 years and its 15th in the nearly 1,500 years since it was built. The dome was re-gilded using 20 kg of gold. The renovation was funded by the Tibetan Nyingma Meditation Center of California, and began in June 2008.<br />
<h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Architecture">Architecture</span></h2>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stupa" title="Stupa">stupa</a> consists of a dome at the base. Above the dome, there is a cubical structure present with eyes of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha" title="Gautama Buddha">Buddha</a> looking in all four directions with the word "unity" in the main Nepali dialect between them. There are pentagonal <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toran" title="Toran">Toran</a> present above each of the four sides with statues engraved in them. Behind and above the torana there are thirteen tiers. Above all the tiers, there is a small space above which the <a class="new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gajur&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Gajur (page does not exist)">Gajur</a> is present.<br />
<h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Symbolism">Symbolism</span></h2>The dome at the base represents the entire world. When a person awakes (represented by eyes of wisdom and compassion) from the bonds of the world, the person reaches the state a bit higher. The thirteen pinnacles on the top of it symbolises that sensient beings have to go through the thirteen stages of enlightenment to reach <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhahood" title="Buddhahood">Buddhahood</a>.<br />
On each of the four sides of the main stupa there are a pair of big eyes which represent Wisdom and Compassion. Above each pair of eyes is another eye, the third eye. Saying goes that when Buddha preaches, cosmic rays emanate from the third eye which acts as message to heavenly beings, so that those interested can come down to earth to listen to the Buddha. The hellish beings and beings below the human realm cannot come to earth to listen to the Buddha's teaching, however, the cosmic ray relieves their suffering when Buddha preaches.<br />
There are carving of Panch Buddhas (five Buddhas) on each of the four sides of stupa. Apart from this, idols of the Buddhas are at the base of the stupas. Panch Buddhas are Buddha in metaforical sense in Tantrayana. They are Vairochana (occupies the center and is the master of the temple), Akshobhya (faces the east and represents the cosmic element of consciousness), Ratna Sambhava (faces the south and represents the cosmic element of sensation), Amitabha (He represents cosmic element of Sanjna (name) and always faces the West) and Amoghsiddhi (He represents the cosmic element of conformation and faces the north).<br />
Each morning before dawn, hundreds of Buddhist (Vajrayana) and Hindu pilgrims ascend the 365 steps from eastern side that lead up the hill, passing the gilded Vajra (Tibetan: Dorje) and two lions guarding the entrance, and begin a series of clockwise circumambulations of the stupa.yanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-68608497715853502272010-08-30T02:00:00.001-07:002010-08-30T02:01:32.857-07:00Pashupatinath Temple<b>Pashupatinath</b>, or <b>Pashupati</b>, is a Hindu temple on the banks of the Bagmati River in Deopatan, a village 3 km northwest of <a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/nepal/kathmandu">Kathmandu</a>. It is dedicated to a manifestation of Shiva called Pashupati (Lord of Animals). It attracts thousands of pilgrims each year and has become well known far beyond the Kathmandu Valley. The temple is barred to non-Hindus, but a good view of the temple can be had from the opposite bank of the river. <br />
<h2>History</h2>It is not known for certain when Pashupatinath was founded. Tradition says it was constructed by Pashupreksha of the Somadeva Dynasty in the 3rd century BC, but the first historical records date from the 13th century. The ascetic Pashupata sect was likely related to its foundation. <br />
Pashupati was a tutelary deity of the ancient rulers of the Kathmandu Valley; in 605 AD, Amshuvarman considered himself favored by his touching of the god's feet.<br />
By the later Middle Ages, many imitations of the temple had been built, such as in Bhaktapur (1480), Lalitpur (1566) and Benares (early 19th century). The original temple was destroyed several times until it was given its present form under King Bhupalendra Malla in 1697.<br />
According to a legend recorded in local texts, especially the <i>Nepalamahatmya</i> and the <i>Himavatkhanda</i>, the Hindu god Shiva once fled from the other gods in <a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/india/varanasi.htm">Varanasi</a> to Mrigasthali, the forest on the opposite bank of the Bagmati River from the temple. There, in the form of a gazelle, he slept with his consort Parvati. When the gods discovered him there and tried to bring him back to Varanasi, he leapt across the river to the opposite bank, where one of his horns broke into four pieces. After this, Shiva became manifest as Pashupati (Lord of Animals) in a four-face (<i>chaturmukha</i>) linga. <br />
<h2>What to See</h2>Pashupati Temple stands in the center of the town of Deopatan, in the middle of an open courtyard. It is a square, <b>two-tiered pagoda temple</b> built on a single-tier plinth, and it stands 23.6 meters above the ground. Richly ornamented gilt and silver-plated doors are on all sides. <br />
On both sides of each door are niches of various sizes containing gold-painted images of guardian deities. Inside the temple itself is a narrow ambulatory around the sanctum. The <b>sanctum</b> contains a one-meter high linga with four faces (<i>chaturmukha</i>) representing Pashupati, as well as images of Vishnu, Surya, Devi and Ganesh. <br />
The <b>priests</b> of Pashaputinath are called Bhattas and the chief priest is called Mool Bhatt or Raval. The chief priest is answerable only to the King of Nepal and reports to him on temple matters on a periodic basis.<br />
The <b>struts</b> under the roofs, dating from the late 17th century, are decorated with wood carvings of members of Shiva's family such as Parvati, Ganesh, Kumar or the Yoginis, as well as Hanuman, Rama, Sita, Lakshman and other gods and goddesses from the <i>Ramayana</i>. <br />
Pashaputi Temple's extensive grounds include many other old and important temples, shrines and statues. South of the temple, for instance, is <b>Chadeshvar</b>, an inscribed Licchavi linga from the 7th century, and north of the temple is a 9th-century temple of Brahma. On the south side of Pashupati temple is the <b>Dharmashila</b>, a stone where sacred oaths are taken, and pillars with statues of various Shah kings. <br />
In the northeast corner of the temple courtyard is the small pagoda <b>temple of Vasuki</b>, the King of the Nagas. Vasuki has the form of a Naga (mythical snake) from the waist upwards, while the lower parts are an intricate tangle of snakes' bodies. According to local belief, Vasuki took up residence here in order to protect Pashupati. One can often see devotees circumambulating and worshipping Vasuki before entering the main sanctum. <br />
The <b>Bagmati</b> River, which runs next to Pashaputinath Temple, has highly sacred properties. Thus the banks are lined with many <i>ghats</i> (bathing spots) for use by pilgrims. Renovating or furnishing these sites has always been regarded as meritorious. <br />
<b>Arya Ghat</b>, dating from the early 1900s, is of special importance because it is the only place where lustral water for Pashupatinath Temple can be obtained and it is where members of the royal family are cremated. The main cremation site is Bhasmeshvar Ghat, which is the most-used cremation site in the Kathmandu Valley. The preferred bathing spot for women is the Gauri Ghat, to the north. <br />
Across the Bagmati River are 15 votive shrines, the <b>Pandra Shivalaya</b>, which were built to enshrine lingas in memory of deceased persons between 1859 and 1869.yanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-1382593630704771982010-08-30T01:53:00.001-07:002010-08-30T01:56:01.656-07:00Nepal-China Relations<table cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" width="100%"><span style="font-size: medium;">Nepal-China Relations</span> </td> </tr>
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<tr> <td align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> 2007-09-05 </span> </td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: justify;"><div style="overflow-x: auto;"><span class="defaultfont"> 1. China and Nepal are close neighbors on the two sides of the Himalayan Mountains and have a long history of friendly ties. It is said that more than two thousand years ago, Manjushri came all the way from the Wutai Mountains in China to Nepal. He cut open the mountain with his sword and drained the water from the lake, thus creating the Kathmandu Valley. This beautiful legend gives vivid expression to the ardent desire of our two peoples for friendship. Historical records show that the friendly exchanges of China and Nepal date back to as early as the mid-7th century. At that time, China and Nepal already started exchanging emissaries. Fahien, a Chinese eminent monk in the Jin Dynasty and Huen Tsang, another Chinese eminent monk in the Tang Dynastry, came to Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha, on pilgrimages. Songtsen Gompo, King of the Tubo Kingdom in the Tang Dynasty married a Nepalese princess Bhrikuti. The Nepalese artisan Arniko built a Buddhist pagoda in Lhasa in the Yuan Dynasty. The White Pagoda in Beijing's Miao Ying Temple was also built under his supervision. All these stories and historical facts show that China-Nepal traditional friendship is solidly based. <br />
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<span class="defaultfont">2. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1955, the friendship and cooperation between China and Nepal has opened a new chapter. This owes much to the commitment and dedication of several generations of Chinese and Nepalese leaders. Such friendship is a great asset of our two peoples. The leaders of, both past and present, have brought about the flowering of China-Nepal friendship with their wisdom, vision and unremitting efforts. Thanks to their untiring efforts made over half a century, exchanges and cooperation between China and Nepal in political, diplomatic, economic and trade, cultural, educational and other fields have borne rich fruit. Indeed, China-Nepal relations have become a model of friendly cooperation for countries of different social systems and neighboring countries to live in friendship and harmony. <br />
</span><br />
<span class="defaultfont">3. To look back the friendly history of China-Nepal relations, three obvious characteristics can be easily concluded, which have enabled China-Nepal friendship to maintain its strong momentum of growth over the years. <br />
The first is trust. The two countries never threat each other, harm each other or doubt each other; but always respect each other, believe each other and help each other. The Chinese Government and people firmly pursue the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, have never interfered with the internal affairs of Nepal and highly respect the road of development chosen by the Nepalese people. We believe that the Nepalese Government and people have the political wisdom and capabilities to solve their own problems. On our part, we appreciate the understanding, solidarity and support that the Government and people of Nepal have given to China in its endeavor for peaceful development. <br />
The second is equality. The Chinese Government and people firmly pursue the principle that a country is equal with others no matter how big or small it is. Following that, China has all along developed relations on the base of equality with Nepal. We consistently support Nepal in its effort to safeguard sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. In the past 50 years, abiding by the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, through equal dialogue, communication and coordination, China and Nepal have made excellent cooperation and achieved great accomplishments in bilateral political relations, regional affairs and international forums. <br />
The third is sincerity. China treats Nepal as its closest neighbor and best friend. Although China isn't a rich country, it has provided assistance and cooperation to Nepal in all the fields within its own capacity. Over the past 50 years, with China's financial and technical assistance, more than 30 projects have been completed in Nepal. As recognized by people of all circles in Nepal, these projects have played a constructive role in the social and economic development of Nepal. The Arniko Highway, the Ring Road, stadium and the Birendra International Convention Center, assisted by China, are among the best examples. In return, the Nepalese Government and people has shown friendly sentiments to China and delivered its valuable support to Chinese people. We highly appreciate the strong support Nepal has given to us over the years on the questions of Taiwan and Tibet and other major issues related to China's sovereign rights and interests. <br />
</span><br />
<span class="defaultfont">4. In recent years, the relations between China and Nepal have developed more rapidly. The top leaders exchanged visits frequently and the two countries carried out cooperation smoothly. <br />
In the political field, frequently high-level visits have greatly enhanced the mutual understanding and trust between our two countries. In the year of 2006 only, in which great changes took place in Nepal, H.E. Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, the State Councilor of China, H.E. Mr. Wu Dawei, Vice Foreign Minister, visited Nepal, expressing our strong and continuous support to Nepal despite of the changes in Nepal's politics. Likewise, Hon. Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, visited China, reiterating that the new Government of Nepal would insistently support China on the issue of Taiwan, Tibet and other issues of China's core interests. In January, 2007, H.E. Mr. Li Tieying, Deputy Speaker of National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China, paid a visit to Nepal, which has strengthened the exchanges and cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries. <br />
The bilateral economic and trade relations have kept a healthy developmental momentum. According to the Chinese Customs, the total trade volume in 2006 reached US$ 268 million, with 36.5% increase over previous year. During the bilateral visits in 2006, the Chinese Government has announced to provide grant assistance of RMB120 million and concessional loan of US$ 200 million to Nepal. <br />
We are also glad to see that the people-to-people contacts between our two countries have unfolded rapidly and smoothly over the past years. In 2001, the two countries signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation, including Nepal into the list of the tourism destination for outbound Chinese travelers. Later on, the two countries signed "Air Service Agreement", according to which, Air China opened a direct air link between China and Nepal in 2004, by route of Chengdu-Lasha-Kathmandu. In addition, the China Southern Airline has also started operating air service between Guangzhou and Kathmandu since February, 2007. Likewise, the Nepal Airline is operating air service between Kathmandu and Shanghai, Kathmandu and Hongkong. <br />
China and Nepal have also maintained sound coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs such as peace, development, human rights and UN reform. We share the common views on many issues related to our mutual concern. <br />
The relations between the two armies are an important component of the overall relations between China and Nepal. In the past years, the military relations and cooperation between China and Nepal have experienced continuous development. Nearly all the former Army Chiefs and Defense Secretaries of Nepal have visited China. The Defense Minister and the General Chief of Staff of China have also visited Nepal. China has rendered help and assistance to Nepal within its own capacity. The two armies have conducted good cooperation in personnel training as well. Since 1998, the Nepal Army has sent officers and soldiers to study in Chinese military universities. In the academic year of 2006/2007 in particular, 21 officers and soldiers of the Nepal Army went to China for training. China has also sent military officers to participate in the adventure trainings organized by the Nepal Army since 2002. <br />
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<span class="defaultfont">5. As looking across the globe, it is easy to come to the conclusion that peace, stability, cooperation and development are the calling of the times and the common aspiration of the mankind. Both China and Nepal face a historical opportunity to develop. By seizing this opportunity, the two neighboring countries should build on past achievements and push ahead to bring China-Nepal good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation to a new height. No matter what changes take place in Nepal, China's friendly policy towards Nepal will remain unchanged. <br />
</span><br />
<span class="defaultfont">6. In recent years, Nepal has been affected by conflicts and instability. As an immediate neighbor and close friend of Nepal, China has shown great concern. We have also tried our best to play a constructive role in urging all sides in Nepal to solve problems through dialogues and talks. To our great joy, under the endeavors of diligent, sapiential and brave Nepalese people, Nepal is now heading to a road of peace, stability, economic development and social prosperity. The Chinese Government and people respect political system and road of development chosen by Nepalese people, and sincerely hope that all constitutional forces in Nepal will set store by the fundamental interest of the country and people, and seek to appropriately settle the current difficulties and problems through dialogues, based on the maintenance of Nepal's independence, sovereignty and national integrity. The Chinese Government welcomes the progress made in the peace process. We believe that all the concerned parties in Nepal would continue to push forward the peace process, benefit the Nepalese people and make contributions to the peace, stability and development of this region. <br />
</span><br />
<span class="defaultfont">7. The Chinese Government will continue to pursue a policy of friendship towards Nepal and attach great importance to developing the comprehensive and friendly relations with Nepal. We are committed to developing friendship and partnership with our neighbors, and strive to become a good neighbor, partner and friend of them. This is a solemn and long-term pledge of the Chinese Government. China will never change its friendly policy towards Nepal irrespective of changes both internationally and in our two countries. <br />
</span><br />
<span class="defaultfont">8. The Chinese Government is committed to pursuing cooperation with Nepal in all areas. As developing countries, China and Nepal are both faced with the arduous tasks of economic and national development. Strengthening cooperation of mutual benefit and promoting common development are our shared aspirations and serve our mutual interests. China is ready to increase friendly exchanges with the Nepalese Government, political parties and people of all walks of life, and expand bilateral exchanges and cooperation in politics, economy, trade, culture and tourism. China will continue to support economic and social development in Nepal to the best of its capacity. <br />
</span> </div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>yanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-80682440753785198072010-08-30T01:48:00.000-07:002010-08-30T01:51:41.626-07:00Khagendra Thapa: My Vision for Nepal<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="story-top"><tbody>
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<tr> <td colspan="2"><h1>Khagendra Thapa: My Vision for Nepal</h1></td> </tr>
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<center><br />
<h3>My Vision for Nepal</h3><br />
by <a href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0710/S00326.htm#a"><i>Khagendra Thapa</i></a></center>According to the 2001 census of Nepal, there are 103 different ethnic groups in Nepal. They speak at least 90 different languages. Some of the ethnic groups are as small as 164 people. Nepal is a country of minorities. The largest minority group is that of Chhetris at 15.80% followed by the Brahmins at 12.74%. Magars constitute the third largest minority group at 7.14%. Realizing the complexities of the make up of the population, Pirthvi Narayan Shah, the founding father of Nepal declared in 1767 AD that Nepal is a garden for people of all races and ethnic groups. In fact, Nepal was well known as a peaceful nation with complete harmony among people of diverse ethnic groups who practiced different culture and spoke different languages. <br />
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<li><a href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0704/S00121.htm">Siddhartha Thapa: The End Game</a> 07/04/2007</li>
<li><a href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00233.htm">Ethnic Groups and Race Based Federalism In Nepal</a> 14/03/2007</li>
<li><a href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00182.htm">Hari Bansha Dulal: Nepal - Inclusion With Vision</a> 12/03/2007</li>
<li><a href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00274.htm">Khagendra Thapa: Nepal on Fire</a> 24/04/2006</li>
</ul><div id="more-related-stories">Results powered by <a href="http://search.scoop.co.nz/">search.scoop.co.nz</a> More Related Stories <a href="http://search.scoop.co.nz/search?q=related:HL0710/S00326">>>></a> </div></div>To give an example as to how people live in the villages of Nepal, let me describe the village in Dhankuta where I was born and raised. To the South of my home there were four Newar families. To the East side there were three Newar families and two Sunar families. To the North side there were six Newar families and six Chhetri families. To the west side there were four Damai Families and Chhetri families. Further in the East side there was big Limbu village mixed with Brahmins and Chhetris. Further South and South East there were more Limbus, Chhetris and Brahmins. In the North West there was a large group of Kami and Magar residents. There was even a Sarki family in the village. All these people lived in complete harmony. There was no presence of any police in the village. Any dispute among the villagers was settled by the village elders without any involvement of the courts. There was only one court in the district head quarters. I am sure it is a typical mountain village in Nepal. It was a self sustained village in that Damais tailored the clothes, Kamis made the tools for agriculture and house hold items out of iron, Sunars made the jewelry and Sarkis made the shoes. The villagers produced just about everything they consumed. When they wanted to eat some produce such as peanuts or mangoes or bananas they went to another village where there was a bazaar held once every two weeks where villagers bartered their produce. For example, those living in the hot areas and cold areas bartered their products. <br />
We have lived in peace and harmony for centuries. After the movement of April 2006 sidelined the monarchy and brought the former insurgents(Maoists) to government, there has been numerous incidents of racial and ethnic group uprising thereby creating tension and conflicts among the various groups. Some groups are demanding cessation from Nepal and establish a separate independent country. All political parties have agreed to at least divide the country into Federal Republic. However, not a single party has any clue as to how to divide the country into different units. Various ethnic groups have demanded Self Governing Units based on Ethnic Groups. This is not going to work due to the lack of the homogeneity of population settlement. Moreover, Nepal has always been a unitary government. No single part of the country has ever been a self governing unit for the last 240 years which is a long time. Therefore, when the political parties promised Federal Structure to Ethnic Groups and Terai residents, they have not realized that they are treading into the uncharted territories.<br />
At the time when many nations are working together and uniting their efforts such as the European Union, it is impractical and stupid to divide an existing nation to appease a handful of selfish politicians, thugs, and armed terrorists. The division of nation will bring about untold amount of misery and suffering to the people. It will benefit no one. We should learn from what happened when the British left India and the former colony of Britain was divided into India and Pakistan. We need to have a logical approach to solving problems so that the demands of Terai residents as well as the demands of the other ethnic groups are met without destroying the basic structure of the society. The foolish and selfish politicians and administrators living in luxury of Kathmandu do not understand the problems faced by the people in the villages of the terai, hills and the mountains. Are these fools aware of the fact that a pregnant mother has to carry drinking water for the family two miles up the mountain? Men do not fetch drinking water in Nepal. When I was out in Salyan to survey for water supply, I was both saddened and surprised to note how difficult life did a Magar village had because of lack of drinking water in the vicinity. They had to travel two miles down the steep mountain to fetch water. <br />
It seems that the political parties do not have the interest of the people or the nation in mind. They are all busy in planning to take care of themselves, their relatives and their cadres. Not a single political party has given a program or plans as to how they are going to solve the problems of the people regarding poverty alleviation, eradication of illiteracy, economic development, train workforce to develop the country, health care, education, transportation, maintain racial and ethnic group harmony, and above all protect our territorial integrity and preserve our sovereignty.<br />
Since no political party was willing to give a plan of action, I decided to give mine with a hope that they might decide to copy my plan so that our motherland and our people will benefit.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Our Goals as a Nation</b><br />
<br />
The goals are divided in different aspects. Different goals may require different time limits. <br />
<b>Education and Literacy</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>1. Every school age child between the ages of 5-16 years should have access to school with books and school supplies.</li>
<li>2. Every Nepali should be able to read and write. For this, we must run a massive literacy campaign. Every literate Nepali must be challenged to help make three fellow illiterate Nepali to read and write within a year. Democracy without the literate citizens becomes a joke just like the one we had from 1990-2002.</li>
<li>3. We must open life skills development centers where we provide training in basic health care, carpentry, plumbing, electrical wiring, masonry work (brick laying), etc. These centers must be opened at least one in each district.</li>
<li>4. We must emphasize in trained practical hands on education in areas of engineering technologies such as electrical, welding, manufacturing, plastics, surveying, construction, automotive, HVACR as well as nursing, dental hygiene, physical therapy, radiography, respiratory care, sonography, phlebotomy, nuclear medicine, etc.</li>
<li>5. We must emphasize on female education and achieve gender equality by empowering women.</li>
<li>6. We must provide equal opportunity to education to people of all regions and all ethnic groups with special attention given to historically disadvantaged groups.</li>
</ul><b>Health Care </b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>1. No Nepali should die of communicable diseases or due to lack of medication of any kind of diseases.</li>
<li>2. Every village should have a pharmacy and a basic health care provider.</li>
<li>3. Nepal must manufacture its own medications in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical companies. If proper incentives are given, big Pharmaceutical Companies would be willing to shift their Asian Head Quarter to Nepal because of our weather which is highly conducive to all kinds of herbal plantations and central location.</li>
<li>4. We must have at least one Major Hospital in every zone.</li>
<li>5. We must strive for a steady decrease in child mortality</li>
<li>6. We must increase the awareness of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS</li>
<li>7. We must help improve maternal health.</li>
</ul><b>Fulfilling our Energy Needs</b><br />
Nepal has one of the largest hydroelectric power generation potential. However, because of the lack of leadership and vision, we do not have enough energy provided even in the capital city forget about the villages. To fulfill our energy needs for domestic consumption as well as for transportation and manufacturing, we must aggressively launch hydroelectric power generation programs with an intent to fulfill our complete need for energy without having to import any fossil fuels from other countries.<br />
<br />
<b>Transportation</b><br />
<ul><li>1. We must build major electric train service that runs from East end of the country to the West end.</li>
<li>2. There should be north south connections to the major east-west electric train by electric buses as well as rope ways.</li>
<li>3. All other vehicles should be based on electric energy or other alternative energy.</li>
<li>4. All government owned vehicles should be sold and government and corporations should not provide transportation to the employees. If transportation is provided to the government officials it should be a bus which will pick them up in certain locations and drop them off at the end of the day. Even government ministers should not be provided with government vehicles. A poor country like Nepal cannot afford to provide expensive cars to the high ranking officials or ministers.</li>
</ul><br />
<b>Economic Development</b><br />
Nepal must rely on its own resources and stop begging for money and donations from other countries even to pay the salary of its incompetent and idiotic bureaucrats. Nepal must fight for fair trading practice with other countries particularly with its immediate neighbors. One of the areas where Nepal can immediately start benefiting is in exporting bottled water. In addition, it should increase the production of medical herbs for export. Our emphasis must be to encourage farmers to cultivate herbs for export purpose.<br />
<b>Turn Nepal into the Business and Financial Center of Asia</b><br />
Once Nepal establishes its basic infrastructure, it should actively entice the multinational corporations such as Intel, IBM, Microsoft, Citi Corp, and many others to establish their Asian Head Quarters in Nepal. Nepal’s central location in Asia, its honest and hard working people and great weather should be very appealing to the Corporations. If we are able to bring political stability, there is no reason why the multinational corporations would not be willing to relocate their head quarters in Nepal. In addition, they will save a lot of money in energy costs since we have wonderful weather requiring less heating and cooling than any other Asian country. <br />
<br />
<b>Food and Agriculture</b><br />
Nepal’s population is increasing both due to natural growth rate of 2.2 % and immigration from India. The available cultivable land is only 14% of the total area. Therefore, we must emphasize on increasing agricultural production.<br />
<ul><li>1. We must provide irrigation for agriculture so that the farmers do not have to depend on the rainfall alone. Currently, only miniscule areas of the arable land are irrigated. Increased irrigation will help farmers to produce more food and cash crops.</li>
<li>2. We must use Biotechnology to produce more food. For example, according to Jimmy Carter because of the recent developments the following areas of food production using Biotechnology may help Nepal to produce enough food to feed its population:</li>
</ul>Golden Rice enriched with beta carotene and iron that can help combat vitamin-A deficiency, a major cause of blindness among poor people in Nepal. Researchers also are working on a "Golden mustard" that will yield cooking oil enriched with vitamin A. Mustard oil is widely used in Nepal to prepare food. <br />
New varieties of corn, sorghum, sweet potato, and wheat that are being developed to provide more amino acids such as lysine, an important dietary protein. <br />
Cucurbit crops that resist viruses and increase yields of these important staples for Nepali people.<br />
"Pharma foods" that may help prevent or cure diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, leading causes of infant mortality in Nepal. <br />
New banana varieties resistant to Black Sigatoka that could reduce the need for chemical controls, improve production agronomics, and increase the quality of bananas. These Bananas could also be exported as cash crop.<br />
<ul><li>3. We must make a proper use of land for agricultural purposes. Instead of just producing the traditional staple crops such as rice, corn, millet and wheat, Nepali farmers should produce more vegetables and products that cause less soil erosion. The market for such products is readily available in the cities in Nepal as well as in India. For example, farmers in East Nepal already export substantial amount of vegetable to India.</li>
<li>4. Proper land use may prevent both soil erosion and land slides. Both increase the siltation in the rivers thereby causing flooding and river changing its course. River course changes can destroy a lot of arable land. It takes over 400 years to replace the top soil that is being washed away from the hills and mountains of Nepal because of improper land use.</li>
</ul><b>Housing and Shelter</b><br />
Because of the increase of population and displacement of people from their homes to cities as well as to district head quarters due to the Maoists insurgency, there has been an acute shortage of housing in these areas. In addition, because of increasing loss of forested areas, the poor people are finding more and more difficult to find basic building material for their shelter. <br />
Our goal should be such that every Nepali family has a some kind of a shelter. As much as possible shelters or houses should be built using local resources. For example, using jute sticks, bamboo and mud Satars, Dhimals, Tharus, and others build beautiful little huts for themselves whereas in the mountains villagers build good homes using bamboos, stones and clay. <br />
Of course, our politicians and rich businessmen and those who are historically privileged build concrete and brick homes especially in Kathmandu. I do not believe there is a single politician (other than Maoists) who does not have a nice home in Kathmandu. Some of the highly corrupt ones also own homes in India along with fat bank accounts. Some of the rich people’s homes in Kathmandu can also withstand earthquakes but not as well as the beautiful huts built by Satars.<br />
<b>Make Nepal the Play Ground of Asia</b><br />
Nepal has many historic and religious places such as Lumbini the birthplace of Lord Buddha and several religious places for both Hindus and the Buddhists. Moreover, as stated above we have great weather as well as natural beauty. In addition, seven of the ten highest mountains including the Mount Everest are located in Nepal. The holy city of Kathmandu is not only the home of Lord Pashupatinath but is a great historical place with its majestic pagoda style temples and palaces built in the last seven centuries. In addition, there also famous Buddhist holy places such as Swoyambhu and Bauddha.<br />
Nepal should make it appealing to tourists not only from countries all over the world but also should pay special attention to tourists from its both neighbors China and India. The rising economy of these countries has created a large middle class which can afford to spend money on traveling. <br />
In addition to the existing cultural, religious, and natural beauty, Nepal should add new attractions to entice other kinds of tourists. Nepal must clean up its religious places and establish many casinos from East to West so that we can keep more of the tourist’s money in Nepal. Casinos could play an important role in improving the economy of a region or country. For example, look at Nevada in the USA. It has no agricultural land and no industries. Yet it is thriving economically. Right now the great industrial States such as Michigan are in a very poor economic situation where as Nevada is flourishing economically primarily because of its casinos. <br />
<b>Preserving Our Heritage</b><br />
Nepal has many historical religious places with ancient temples especially in the holy city of Kathmandu. There are also important historical temples and places outside the capital for example in the holy city of Janakpur, there is a beautiful Janaki Mandir. The all powerful parliament has declared Nepal a secular state, nevertheless these unruly parliamentarians should not be allowed to destroy our national heritage like the way Taliban destroyed Buddhist Statues in Afghanistan. When the Maoists come to power and Comrade Prachanda becomes the first President of Nepal as he promised to Nepali people, I genuinely hope that he will not burn our religious books and burn down our temples.<br />
<b>Maintaining the Harmony and Peace among Communities</b><br />
Thanks to Maoists Comrades, civil Society Members, NGOs and INGOS, the peaceful coexistence that existed in Nepal for centuries is no longer there. The events of Kapilvastu, Gaur, Nepalganj and the constant Chakka Jam and Nepal Bandha are burning examples of what has happened to otherwise peaceful society. The random murders by members of one ethnic group to other ethnic groups are taking place just about every day not to mention about the threats of violence and intimidation. As a result, some communities living and working in some parts of the country have been displaced. <br />
In order to maintain and to reestablish the inter-ethnic and itra-ethnic group peaceful coexistence, Nepal needs to form Peace and Reconciliation Committees, comprising of the representatives of all ethnic groups (residing in the area) in each village and communities.<br />
<b>Observe Baisakh 1st the day of National Unity and Reconciliation</b><br />
The Muluki Ain (Civil law) declared about forty years ago did away with all kinds of discriminations and untouchability. However, the law was only limited in paper. The successive governments of all political color did nothing to really implement it. Now, it is time for the people to come forward and implement the law and repair the fractured race and ethnic group relations. In order to achieve the peace and tranquility in the society, we must declare Baisakh 1st (The Nepali New Year’s day) as the Day of National Unity and Reconciliation. In order to get rid of the issue of untouchability and discard the feeling of superiority and inferiority by people of different castes, I propose that we hold parties and get together in every village, town , and city blocks and have feasts sitting, singing, dancing and enjoying together so that Brahmins, Podes, Sarkis, Damais, Chamars, Kamis, Madhises, Pahades, everyone gets along on the day of Day of National Unity and Reconciliation. We must also welcome people of all religious faith no matter whether they are Muslims, Christians, Buddhist, or Hindus. There are two issues which bring about division and dissension among people and those are politics and religion. Discussion about these issues must be banned from these parties. Consumption of alcohol must not be allowed in these get together. Political leaders who want to bring political issues and religious leaders who want to talk about religion must not be allowed to participate. However, as long as they are willing to participate without political agenda and religious prejudice, they should also be welcome. People themselves should organize these parties (may be pot lucks) without the involvement of the government.yanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-54488625075972473732010-08-30T01:37:00.000-07:002010-08-30T01:37:56.408-07:00Palpa<img height="280" src="http://www.kathmandunewsline.com/Uploads/Common/Feature/20070115122438.gif" vspace="2" width="415" /> <img align="right" border="0" height="85" onclick="window.open('../Uploads/Common/Large/20070115122438.gif','','top=0,left=0,width=470,height=390,resizable=1');" src="http://www.kathmandunewsline.com/Uploads/Common/Thumb/20070115122438.thomb" vspace="2" width="100" /> <strong>-Anil Koirala<br />
Palpa:</strong> <br />
Palpa (a historical place) is in Lumbini zone, named for the birthplace of Guatama Buddha. Palpa's high hills command an impressive view of Nepal in all directions with the great Madi Valley in the west and the Kali Gandaki River along its northern border. Palpa is made up on sixty-five VDC areas and a population of some 240 thousand people. Palpa is situated at the southern slope of the Mahabhrat range, and the Himalayas. The main religion of the people of Palpa is Hinduism followed by Buddhism. There are also Muslims and Christians in small communities. <br />
<strong>History:</strong><br />
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Tansen was the capital of the Palpa kingdom ruled by the Sen Dynasty, before Nepal was united,. The history of Tansen dates back to the 16th century. Prithvi Narayan Shah, who united Nepal, mother was from the Sen Family. For years the Gorkha and Palpa kingdoms were in alliance and combined them took control of western Nepal. In 1806, Prithivipal Sen, the last king of Palpa, was asked to come to Kathmandu and he was beheaded. Palpa became parted of the Kathmandu kingdom and Tansen became the administrative city for the area. Members of the Shah and Rana family have ruled the region.<br />
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<strong>Tansen:</strong><br />
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Tansen is a hill town, enterprising Newar traders and craftspeople and the rich culture of the Magar people and other groups who make up the town and area's population combine to make Tansen unique in Nepal. With views of the Himalaya from Shreenagar and rich natural environment all around, Tansen is one of the most scenic places in Nepal. As a gateway to Palpa and surrounding areas, it offers access to Palpa's variety and character of rural life, small towns, religious and historical sites. Though it boasts a busy market and is a centre in Western Nepal and the headquarters of the Palpa district, Tansen is quiet and pollution free. Kathmandu Valley and Tansen are much closer in their character: Newari houses, cobbled streets, Rana buildings, pagoda temples etc. <br />
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An ancient hill town Tansen-1350 meters above sea level is the administrative headquarters of Palpa district. It is a typical Nepali town with numerous fairs, festivals, religious and cultural events. The name Tansen has been derived from the Magar language tansing-means the northern settlement. Magars in Palpa district and Newars in Tansen town inhabit in majority and there are also Chhetris and Brahamins and others. <br />
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Tansen is the best and nearest hill station of west Nepal and northern states of India due to its location and climate. There are great views of the Madi Valley from town. There are some interesting walks in the area. It is a good to two hours walk to the Kali Gandaki River and the large, deserted Ranighat Palace. From the close by hill call Srinagar Danda, there are excellent views of the Himalaya Mountains. The climate of Tansen is most pleasant throughout the year. In summer it stays mild and charming-hardly exceeds 28° degree Celsius. In winter it is quite warm and sunny -the temperature does not fall near freezing. Tansen is easily accessible through Siddhartha highway in-route and almost in between to Pokhara & Lumbini- the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The connection road to bus stop of Tansen is only 4 km. <br />
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<strong>Tansen Durbar:</strong><br />
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This was the palace of the provincial governor built in the Rana style. It has an impressive but run-down eastern gate called ‘Baggi Dhoka’ or ‘Mul Dhoka’. Outside the gate is a public square called ‘Sitalpati’. General Pratap Shamsher built this palace in 1927 AD. It is a four-storied building with sixty-three rooms, two meeting halls, and two minarets at two sides. The main gate of this palace is known as 'Baggi Dhoka' the biggest gate in the Kingdom. The ‘Durbar’ is known as a 'Singh Durbar of Palpa". But this ‘Durbar’ and ‘Mul Dhoka’ is affected during the war with Maoists last year and is now again started to reconstruct.<br />
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<strong>Famous Destinations near Tansen: </strong><br />
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<strong>Srinagar Danda:</strong><br />
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‘Srinagar Danda’ is a 1600m high hill just north of Tansen, from where there are excellent views over the Kali Gandaki River of the Himalaya. We can see Annapurna and Langtang in the east. The 1650 meter high majestic ridge covered with dense pine forest in the south slope and natural vegetation with the National flower 'Rhododendron' in the North Slope is popular for naturalist. During a clear day, a magnificent view of long range of snowy mountains to the north and the vast expanse of Terai plains to the south can be seen. This provides unbroken peace and relaxation. <br />
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The green view of hills around is very enchanting, beautiful and calm. The tranquil Srinagar forest is equally pleasant. A bird’s eye view of Tansen with the green and plain Madi Valley on the background can be enjoyed. It is only the place from where one can see the vast expanse of Terai plains to the south and the long range of snowy mountains to the north. The main snowy peaks seen from here are Dhaulagiri : I- 8167 mtrs., Nilgiri-7061 mtrs., Annapurna: I-8091 mtrs., Hinchuli-6441 mtrs., Machhapuchhare-6997 mtrs., Manaslu-8157 mtrs., Ganesh Himal etc. <br />
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<strong>Ranighat (Ranimahal):</strong> <br />
Ranighat palace is built by Khadga Shamsher JBR in 1894 AD., on monument of deep love with his queen Tej Kumari. It is very nice palace with the architectural point of view. It is built above a single huge stone near by Kaligandaki river. Ranimahal is popularly pronounced as ‘Tajmahal’ of Nepal. Here is the 2nd largest suspension bridge of Nepal and ‘Alamdevi Mandir’ across the river. ‘Siddapani cave’, ‘Hattidhunga’-huge elephant shaped stone, ‘Baikunthapahar’ - water falls, are on the way form Tansen. <br />
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<strong>Bhairavsthan:</strong> <br />
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This is the most popular temple in Palpa and also throughout the nation. Situated at 5 km North-west of Tansen on the Palpa-Gulmi, this temple also has the largest ‘Trishul’- a symbol of God Shiva, of Asia. Every year during the Dashain, the greatest festival of Hindus of Nepal, people from different places come here to worship the god- ‘Bhairav’ and show homage by paying Him the blood of five different cattle- known as ‘Panchabali.’ <br />
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<strong>Ridi:</strong> <br />
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Ridi is one of the historical places of Palpa. Situated at about 20 Km. north-west from the Palpa Headquarters – Tansen, it is also the place where the Ridi River and Kali Gandaki River meet. There is a popular Pagoda-style Rishikesh Mandir, thus contributing to the place being a pilgrimage site. In 1st Magh(15th January) every year, pilgrims from different corners of Nepal come here to take sacred bath in the river and then pay homage at the temple. Local people and businessman, some others from neighboring districts come to participate in a 3-day fair held during the same occasion. Transactions of local rugs (‘Kamlo’) brought from Jumla and Humla districts are one of the features in the fair. <br />
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<strong>Popular Temples in Tansen:</strong> <br />
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<strong>Amar Narayan Temple:</strong><br />
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This temple is a traditional three-tiered pagoda-style temple built in 1806. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful temples outside of Kathmandu Valley. The temple was built by Amar Singh Thapa, who annexed Tansen to become part of Nepal. There are some tanks near the temple, and many bat in the years nearby. The temple dedicated to lord Vishnu is famous for its erotic wooden carvings. The temple is a masterpiece of Nepalese architecture. The remarkable huge stone masonry wall surrounding the whole premises is called; the great wall of Palpa. <br />
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<strong>Bhagawati Temple:</strong><br />
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This temple, near the Tansen Durbar, was originally built in 1815 to commemorate the victory over the British at Butwal. In the area there are small temples dedicated by Ganesh, Saraswati and Siva. It was rebuilt by Col. Ujir Singh Thapa, the governor of Palpa in 1815 A.D. to commemorate the victory over British Indian troop in the battle front of Butwal. <br />
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<strong>Siddhi Binayak Temple:</strong> <br />
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The temple of God Ganesh called siddhi Binayak, is situated at the slope of srinagar hill just above the town. Devotees visit this temple on every Tuesday. One can have a very good view of the town from here. <br />
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<strong>Laxmi Narayan Temple:</strong> <br />
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It is situated at Basantapur-Tansen. It is constructed in Nepalese Pagoda style. Three main Hindu Gods namely Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the protector) and Shiva ( the destroyer ) are worshipped in this temple.<br />
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<strong>Bhimsen Temple:</strong><br />
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Bhimsen is the strongest hero and worship him like a god for the protection of their property and safety of their business tours. It can be seen in the every settlement of Newars. One of the most ancient of such temples is situated at the heart of the town, at Sitalpati. It is built in Nepalese pagoda style. <br />
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<strong>Palpa is popular for: </strong><br />
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<strong>Bronze craft (Palpali Karuwa): </strong><br />
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Palpa is famous for various kinds of handicrafts and cottage industries. One of the most famous products of this district is a typical water-jug called Karuwa. It is made of bronze and available in different sizes. In Tansen, Taksar is the main area where the art of bronze crafting is still flourishing. People visiting Palpa are always eager to buy a Karuwa as a souvenir. <br />
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<strong>Palpali Dhaka:</strong> <br />
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It is quiet famous handloom industry and gained national and international fame. It needs skill and hard labor to weave this cloth. Similarly the Palpali Dhaka Topi (cap) has become a part or our national dress. There are several products of these clothes; Dhaka topis, shawls, purses etc. can be bought as a souvenir. <br />
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<strong>Facilities: </strong><br />
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<strong>Hotels and Restaurants:</strong><br />
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Hotel the Bajra, Hotel Gautam Siddhartha, Hotel Srinagar, Hotel the White Lake is the good hotels in Tansen for staying on a reasonable payment. Nanglo West, a branch of a Kathmandu-based restaurant is the restaurant which serves Nepali and Newari food, and Western food. Doko Restaurant serves Tibetan as well as Newari food. <br />
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<strong>Getting there and back: </strong><br />
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There are direct bus services between Kathmandu and Tansen, between Pokhara and Tansen, between Bhairahawa/Lumbini and Tansen and between other different places. Several daily flights connect Kathmandu with Bhairahawa within 45 minutes, from where it takes about 2 hours to reach Tansenyanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-25992227473687374222010-08-28T19:48:00.000-07:002010-08-28T19:51:17.752-07:00Bharatpur, Nepal <br />
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This place was Amazing <br />
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Bharatpur Can you imagine a very excitement boating, playing with the elephant calf, rhino calf , line of hundreds of wild and house hold elephant, running rhino and tiger dears and beers, monkey and crocodiles jungle and a city jungle camp and various collage adventure danger and many, many hospital for the treatment much hospital, you can find all of this in Bharatpur Chitwan,<br />
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Geographical situation of the city,<br />
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Bharatpur is in central Nepal, Naryani River is faling from north to west to city, east and south border of the city is with royal Chitwan national parks and the southern border is with several fortile village in west Chitwan, Naryanghar is lowest part of the city and Bharatpur Dipendra nagr is highest, it is the fertile and red rock on the base, the city is north south long and west east width.<br />
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General history,<br />
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Historically Chitwan was ruled bye many kings of old Tananhu state and Gorkha before unification of the country, but that time there is no people in Bharatpur aria , but other smaller aria of Chitwan is covered by local Tharu and Kumal community in the history , Bharatpur Became a municipality in 1987, its new city but the economic and social growth is very high now the expected population of the city is around 150000 (one hundred fifty thousand) Uprdang gadhi was the old headquarter of this region before the rule of rana dynasty, this historical town is 30 kilometer far from Bharatpur city center, which is in the pick of the mountain, but later Headquarter was sifted in Bharatpur due to the difficulties of the transportation . Brahman, Chetriya , Gurung , Magar , Chepang are the main cast of mountains aria, but in the plan tharu are the oldest cast but in modern Bharatpur all the cast of Nepal are living together. Bharatpur city history is not so old it was establish just in 1987, but its very fastest growing city in central Nepal and it’s the sixth biggest city of Nepal, this city was made bye the migrated people from all parts of Nepal, that’s why people say 76 district (there is only 75 district in Nepal but the migrated Nepali people from India and Burma also come to live Bharatpur so its called 76 district) now it’s the major destination of education in Nepal, Rampur central agriculture collage is situated here , and Birendra, Balkumari first, Balkumari second, Saptagandaki, maya devi girls collage are other main campus , in addition other campus are available for higher education, hundreds of secondary and primary school are sichuated in Bharatpur, for nonformula education there are so many library in the city, also it is a main destination for the helth and treatment, Mahendra Adrsh Chikitsalya is the oldest hospital in Bharatpur, B.P. Koirala cancer hospital just establish In Bharatpur before 15 years , King Mahendra Memorial eye hospital, Bharatpur medical collage teaching hospital are other big hospital but several private hospital and nursing homes are there, every day and night people from different part of the country are migrating Bharatpur to take this educational and health facilities,<br />
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Business and commerce,<br />
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Bharatpur is one of the central Business hub of Nepal, it’s the main exporter of honey, mushrooms, chickens cultivated flower, also rice mage are the other exporting agricultural production, factory for refinery and processing of above mentioned production are situated, also it’s a major industrial city, cement , coca cola clouts and beers are main industrial production , also it’s a central junction of the transportation of Nepal, main east west Mahendra highway connect Bharatpur rest of the country and Mungling Naryanghar highway connect Bharatpur with capital Katmandu and major tourist city Pokhara, air service is available in Bharatpur from Katmandu and Pokhara , the main job of the people of Bharatpur is commerce and industry and job also agriculture related works, can find supermarkets and other markets in the city.<br />
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What are the main attractions around Bharatpur,<br />
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Two major and other small river are falling near from Bharatpur, Naryani is the one of the biggest river of Nepal, and the main cursing bridge of Naryani is in at Naryanghad Bharatpur, jet boat is serving people and tourist to see the excitement of river side , and the wide banks of Naryani is popular for the people to see sunset , and there is holiest place Devghat, where people use to come feel there religious believes, Royal Chitwan National Park is the main ornament of Nepal and Chitwan but also for Bharatpur, its living place of royal bangle tiger, rhino, Elephant and other wild animals , tourist from all over the old come to see these animals and enjoy the safari, and the sight of Kasra main entrance of Royal Chitwan is sichuated on the banks of Rapti river where most popular hotels are available, these hotels offer the tourist all the modern service and safari service including elephant riding to see the tiger and other animal on the parks, these hotels offer all the facilities together with many wildlife game which take place time bye time mainly world cup elephant polo, elephant running, horse raiding , truest can enjoy by rafting in Rapti river, and can play with the calf of elephant, rhinos and crocodiles in there reproduction center, playing with this baby wild is different joy. on the north and eastern border of the city is BarandaBhar jungle, and a part of the Royal Chitwan National park, there is Bishajari lake in the eastern corner of the city, which is the famous marshland of south Asia the birds from Siberia China and south India and Shri lanka migreat here every year . the researcher and the bird lover always come here to study about more type of birds, this wetland is protected as world heritage, if the whether is clear we can see various pick of Himalaya from the city too, the Banks of the Naryani River is used for rest and resort booting is available in the river to go Dveghat ( a historical place of Bharatpur city) up to Mugling ( Northern Town of Chitwan District) and Chers the station of Mnakamna cable car and which cable car Carry people up to Mankamna Temple in Gorkha District .<br />
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Main hotel<br />
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Royal Century , Naryani Safari, Chitwan Key men, jungle Resort, Jungle safari and tiger top resort , wild life camp,<br />
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People and lives and transportation<br />
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Nearly hundred and fifty thousand people live in Bharatpur city, and some more eighty thousand people live in near by town like Tadi, Gitanagar,Rampur. Bhartpur is the major market not only for the local but for the other zone and region people of Nawlparasi and eastern Palpa , of Lumbini zone people of Tanhu Gorkha, Lamjung of Gandki zone and people of Dhading and Nuwa kot are totally depends on the Market of Bharatpur, also it’s the getaway of capital Katmandu and the Pokhara second city of Nepal and it’s the central point of west east Mahendra Highway, so the transportation to Bharatpur from any part of the country is excellent, To go other truest destination Pokhara , Lumbini and Katmandu is very easy from Bharatpur, air service is available for Pokhara and Katmandu, for the local transportation of the city, and near by aria is very sufficient, city bus service, taxi service and car and motorbike hair service is very easy, also the ricsa service is available for the local enjoyment. <br />
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Himalyan view From Bharatpur <br />
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Jet <br />
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Sunset <br />
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Tiger <br />
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Rai <br />
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Naryani and Rapti River beside Bhr <br />
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Main city Aria Bharatpur <br />
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MM park Aria Bhr <br />
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Histry of Hunting Bhartpur <br />
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Baby Elephent <br />
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Elephent Tour in Jungle <br />
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Rapti River <br />
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Turist <br />
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Birds In Bish hajar Lake <br />
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waitng historic boat in Rapti <br />
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Children and Naryani River <br />
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Sunset view from Naryni Bridgeyanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-81621220258422166452010-08-28T19:08:00.001-07:002010-08-28T19:10:51.107-07:00Nepal Sacred Sites and Religious Places - Religious and Historical ..Sacred Sites in Nepal<br />
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Below is an illustrated index of the sacred sites and religious places in Nepal profiled so far on Sacred Destinations, listed in alphabetical order by name. Please note this list is far from comprehensive - many more great sites remain to be added. You can also view these sites on an interactive map.<br />
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Boudhanath Stupa<br />
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Kathmandu<br />
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The largest stupa in Nepal, Boudhanath is the center of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu and rich in Buddhist symbolism. <br />
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Kumari Ghar<br />
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Kathmandu<br />
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Kumari Ghar is home to the Living Goddess, a specially chosen young girl believed to be the incarnation of Durga. The brick building is beautifully decorated with wood-carved reliefs. <br />
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Lumbini<br />
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One of four major Buddhist pilgrimage sites, Mahadevi Temple in Lumbini marks the site of the Buddha's miraculous birth. <br />
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Pashupatinath Temple<br />
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Kathmandu<br />
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This important Hindu temple is dedicated to a manifestation of Shiva called Pashupati (Lord of Animals). It lies along the sacred Bagmati River and is used for cremations. <br />
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Swayambhunath Stupa<br />
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Kathmandu<br />
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Approached by a steep staircase, the atmospheric "Monkey Temple" is the oldest and most important Buddhist shrine in Kathmandu.yanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-44631916502338311802010-08-28T19:03:00.000-07:002010-08-28T19:11:27.652-07:00Bhaktapur, The historical place of Nepal--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
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Bhakatpur<br />
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Situated to the east of Kathmandu at about 14 kilometers this city is known for its pottery and weaving. Bhaktapur or the City of Devotees still retains the medieval charm and visitors to this ancient town are treated to myriad wonders of cultural and artistic achievement. The past glory of the Malla rulers continue to be refleted at the Durbar Square. Pottery and weaving are its traditional industries. Visitor can be reached by public transport and by trolley buses from Kathmandu<br />
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Bhaktapur Durbar Square<br />
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The Golden Gate is the entrance to the main courtyard of the Palace of 55 Windows. Built by King Ranjit Malla, the Gate is one of the most beautiful and richly carved specimens of its kind in the entire world. the gate is embellished with deities and monsters with marvelous intricacy. The Palace of 55 Windows was built in the 17th century. Amoung the brick walls in their gracious setting and sculptural design, is a balcony of 55 Windows. This balcony is a masterpiece of wood carving. The stone temple of Batsala Devi which is also located in the Durbar Square is full of intricate carving. This temple also sets a beautiful example of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal. There is a bronze bell on the terrace of the temple which is also known as the "Bell of Barking Dogs". This colossal bell placed in 1773 AD, was rung to signal curfew during those days. <br />
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The main square of the city contains innumerable temples and other architectural showpieces like the Lion Gate, the Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, the Picture Gallery, the Batsala temple, etc. A magnificient statue of King Bhupatindra Malla in the act of worship is placed on a column facing the palace of the many windows.<br />
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The National Art Gallery<br />
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Contains ancident and medieval paintings belonging to Hindu and Buddhist schools depicting Tantrism of various periods and descriptions.<br />
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Surya Binayak<br />
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Situated in a beautiful surrounding of Bhadgaon, the temple of Ganesh is placed in a sylvan setting to catch the first rays of the rising sun. It is a good picnic spot flanked by many attractive landscape<br />
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Changu Narayan<br />
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Situated at the end of a long ridge which runs well into the Valey, it is said to have been built by King Hri Dutta in 323 A.D. and said to be the oldest temple in the Valley.<br />
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Nagarkot<br />
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It is a popular tourist resort of Nepal. It is situated 32 Km east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2,175 m above the sea level. The panorama of the major peaks of the eastern Nepal Himalaya including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) can be seen from here.yanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-16383726003931168302010-08-28T18:58:00.000-07:002010-08-28T19:11:58.260-07:00Gorkha <br />
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Gorkha is an ancient Kingdom and the capital of the last monarchs of Nepal, the Shah. It is located midway between Kathmandu and Pokhara. Gorkha can be reached from either city by taxi or public bus. <br />
The capital of the Nepal was shifted to Kathmandu after King Prithvi Narayan Shah unified the Kingdom of Nepal during the eighteenth century. But this beautiful township has always remained as the center of attraction for many Nepalese as well as foreign visitors.<br />
It is a picturesque hill- town that has a rich history of its own. Situated on a small mountain at the height of 3500 feet, Gorkha offers a magnificent view of the Himalayan Peaks. <br />
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Among the sites to visit, Gorkha Durbar is the most important historical site. This historical palace is a one-hour walk from the downtown Gorkha. The palace is strategically located over a fortified hillock. On the southwestern side of palace lies the temple of Goddess Gorakhkali. A cave that claims to shelter the statue of Gorakh Nath, the Tantrik sage, adjoins it. <br />
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The place is picture-perfect to have a view of Manaslu and Himalchuli peaks of Himalayas. Nevertheless, the best place to have a view of the palace and peaks is Upallokot, a viewpoint made on a pedestal over the hill at the height of some 5000 feet.<br />
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The other important site is Manakamana Temple. The place lays on a beautiful ridge southeast of the township of Gorkha. The temple, a famous pilgrimage for Hindus, is dedicated to Manakamana, the holy goddess of wish fulfillment. It is a four-hour uphill walk from Anbu Khaireni on Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway.yanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017807365849947717.post-28546104773326673382010-08-28T18:37:00.000-07:002010-08-28T18:42:09.962-07:00Lumbini Nepal <br />
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Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha, is the centre of holy faith for the millions of Buddhists all over the world. Located in south-western Nepal, Lumbini holds several reminders of Lord Buddha. One of the most important historical sites in Nepal is endowed by nature with rich natural beauty.<br />
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Fast facts <br />
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Location South-western Nepal<br />
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Importance One of the most important historical sites in the country, UNESCO <br />
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world heritage site<br />
Known For Religious historical sites<br />
Nearby Attraction Kapilvastu <br />
Tourist Attractions<br />
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Lumbini Garden<br />
The garden is foremost attraction in Lumbini tourism. The fact that Lord Buddha had taken birth in Lumbini Garden makes it a plce of reverence. Number of stupas, monasteries and temples surround the garden. <br />
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Some of these are ancient while are some were erected by medieval states. A collosal stone pillar built by the great Indian emperor Ashoka is also here. Account of the birth of Buddha is inscribed on it.<br />
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Mayadevi Temple<br />
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Devoted to Maya Devi, the mother of Lord Buddha, the temple attracts praise for its architectural beauty. Credit of discovering the temple, in 1895, goes to a German archaeologist. The temple is remarkable in the way Maya Devi is shown giving birth to Lord Buddha.<br />
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Pushkarni Pool <br />
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Queen Mayadevi took a dip in the pond before giving birth of prince Siddhartha. The prince also had his purification bath in the pond. Brick steps of the pond lead to the emerald-green water.<br />
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Kushinagar<br />
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Lumbini travel guide also takes you to Kushinagar where Lord Buddha attained nirvana. One can see number of stupas, viharas and chaityas which remind us of the mahaparinirvana. <br />
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Bodhgaya<br />
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The place of Mahaparinirvana, it was at Bodhgaya that Gautama Buddha attained unsurpassed, supreme Enlightenment. The legand narrates that Siddartha Gautama reached the village of senai and sat on a kusa grass mat under a pipal tree. Here he resolved not to rise again untill enlightenment was attianed. Thereafter the place became a pilgrimage site.<br />
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Maha Bodhi Temple <br />
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The temple is known for its 1700 years old idol. The idol sits facing the place where Lord Buddha achieved enlightenment.<br />
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Bodhi Tree <br />
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Near Maha Bodhi Temple is the Bodhi tree, an ancient peepal tree. Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under this tree. <br />
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Kapilvastu Excursion<br />
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Kapilvastu, birthplace of Gautam Buddha, is a famous historic town which is always brimming with charm. Lord Buddha was born here in the sixth century. Kapilvastu attracts Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world. Kapilvastu is 27km from Lumbini.<br />
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Kathmandu Valley <br />
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Experience the wilderness and the culture. Walk through colorful narrow streets, large towns to the untouched surrounding villages and foothills. Buddhist monasteries, Stupas, Temples and with their almost mediaeval atmosphere. Besides that here are many ancient places around the kingdom and primitive houses around the Kathmandu valley to make your stay relish. <br />
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Kathmandu Durbar Square <br />
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Also known as Hanuman Dhoka, is a complex of temples and monuments including the old Royal palace, the Kasthamandap which is constructed from the wood of a single tree. Near by this stated living godess Kumari. <br />
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Swayambunath <br />
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A two thousand year old Buddhist Stupa, situated on a hillock about 75m above the level of the city. If offers a scenic view of the valley. One of the World's largest and oldest <br />
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Bouddhnath <br />
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Buddhist Stupa at Boudha lies 8kms West of Kathmandu. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels that has all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha.<br />
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Pashupatinath <br />
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Famous Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva , situated 5Kms East of Kathmandu on the bank of sacred Bagmati River. Thousands of Hindu Pilgrims undertake long and strenuous journeys to visit this temple. It is a source of divine attraction and is the symbol of peace and prosperity. <br />
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Bhaktapur <br />
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located at 16 kms East of Kathmandu, includes the famous Golden Gate, the palace of 55 windows, innumerable temples. Nearby are the Duttreya Square, a treasure house of ancient wood carving, and the Nyatapola temple, the tallest pagoda structure in the valley. <br />
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Patan <br />
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Patan locally referred to as Lalitpur and situated at the south of Kathmandu is the second largest town in the valley. Patan's great building boom took place under the Mallas in the 16 th, 17 th and 18 th centuries. Numerous temples of widely divers style as well as many Buddhist monasteries are scattered around the fascinating town. The city is famous for its crafts and metal works, which are wonderful souvenirs to be carried home. <br />
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Pokhara<br />
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A place gifted by the nature with a scenic diversity and another prestigious recognition for Nepal , the Annapurna region is as one of the best 12 walk in the world. Paddy fields terraced hillsides, Hindu shrines Gurkha and Tibetan villages, subtropical forests, mountain passes, and amazing backdrops of the snow-covered Himalayan chains and the peaks make this regions spectacular as the hike to Everest base camp. The circuit trip can be combined Manaslu trek take 20-22 days, starting from Dhading and ending at Pokhara 75 miles Northwest from Kathmandu. <br />
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From terraced field, you climb past rhododendron forest, across suspension bridges through one of the world's deepest gorge between Dhaulagiri and mountaineer's historical mountain the Annapurna. Pokhara is a very relaxing and pleasant tourist town set on the placid turquoise waters of Lake Phewa, a setting of great beauty and tranquility <br />
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Janakpur <br />
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Janakpur is believed to have been the capital of the Mithila Kingdom in mythical times. An important pilgrimage site, Janakpur has many shrines dedicated to Ram, Sita and other Hindu deities.yanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08212126858402223270noreply@blogger.com0