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Discover the Divine: A Comprehensive Guide to Muktinath Temple in Nepal

2024-12-19T15:11:00.000+05:30

Nestled amidst the majestic Himalayas, Muktinath Temple Nepal stands as one of Nepal's most sacred pilgrimage sites, attracting thousands of devotees and spiritual seekers each year. This revered destination, revered by both Hindus and Buddhists, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, religious significance, and cultural heritage. Whether you're planning a spiritual journey or an adventurous trek, Muktinath Temple in Nepal promises an unforgettable experience.

Introduction to Muktinath Temple: A Sacred Pilgrimage Site in Nepal

Located in the Mustang district of Nepal, Muktinath Temple sits at an elevation of approximately 3,710 meters (12,207 feet) above sea level. This sacred site is renowned for its twelve golden pinnacles and the sacred Muktidhara (the waterfall of liberation), where pilgrims perform rituals in its icy waters. Muktinath is accessible year-round, offering a serene escape for those seeking spiritual solace and natural splendor.

Historical Significance of Muktinath Temple Nepal

Muktinath holds profound religious importance in both Hinduism and Buddhism. According to Hindu beliefs, it is the place where Lord Vishnu imparted the wisdom of liberation to Sage Jalandhar. For Buddhists, Muktinath is associated with Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), who meditated in the area and helped establish Buddhism in the region. This confluence of beliefs makes Muktinath Temple a unique symbol of religious harmony and spiritual enlightenment.

How to Reach Muktinath Templae Nepal: Travel Tips and Routes

Reaching Muktinath Nepal involves a scenic journey through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Himalayas. The temple is approximately 150 kilometers from Pokhara, a major tourist hub in Nepal. Travelers can take a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, followed by a road trip or a trek to Muktinath. The most popular trekking route is the Muktinath Trek, which typically takes 3-4 days and offers stunning views of the Annapurna range.

By Air:

Kathmandu to Pokhara: Regular flights are available, taking about 30 minutes.
Pokhara to Jomsom: For those opting for a shorter trek, a flight to Jomsom is available, followed by a drive to Muktinath.

By Road:

Kathmandu to Pokhara: Approximately 6-8 hours by bus or private vehicle.
Pokhara to Muktinath: An additional 2-3 days by trekking or a shorter drive if opting for motorized transport.

Best Time to Visit Muktinath Temple Nepal: Weather and Seasonal Insights

The ideal time to visit Muktinath Temple Nepal is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons. These periods offer clear skies, moderate temperatures, and the best trekking conditions. During winter (December to February), the region experiences heavy snowfall, making access challenging but providing a serene and snow-clad landscape. Monsoon season (June to August) brings heavy rains, which can lead to landslides and unstable trails.

Architectural Style and Unique Features of Muktinath Temple Nepal

Muktinath Temple exhibits a blend of architectural styles, with influences from both the Indian subcontinent and the Himalayan region. The central shrine is built in a pagoda style, featuring a multi-tiered roof and ornate wooden carvings. The shrine houses the main deity, Lord Vishnu, in the form of a Saligram, which is a sacred black stone representing the god. In addition to the main shrine, there are several smaller shrines and structures throughout the complex, each with its own unique features and artistic details.

One of the most striking features of the temple complex is its metalwork, which includes the 108 water spouts and the brass and bronze statues of various deities. These metal elements not only showcase the skilled craftsmanship of the artists but also hold deep religious significance for the devotees who visit the temple.

The 108 Water Spouts and Their Significance

One of the most distinctive features of Muktinath Temple Nepal is the 108 water spouts, known as Mukti Dhara, arranged in the shape of a semi-circle. These spouts, made of brass, are carved with the heads of various animals, such as lions, horses, and cows. The water that flows through these spouts is believed to have originated from the sacred Gosainkunda Lake and is considered to possess purifying qualities. Devotees often bathe under these spouts, braving the icy temperatures, as a ritual of spiritual cleansing and liberation.

Exploring the Sacred Geography of Muktinath Temple Nepal

Muktinath Temple is strategically located near the Tibetan border, adding to its cultural and geographical significance. The temple complex includes the main shrine, numerous sub-shrines, and the sacred Muktidhara spring. Pilgrims often circumambulate the temple in a clockwise direction, performing rituals and offering prayers. The surrounding landscape features rugged mountains, pristine rivers, and unique geological formations, enhancing the spiritual ambiance of the site.

Rituals and Traditions at Muktinath: A Spiritual Experience

Muktinath Temple rituals are deeply rooted in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Key rituals include:

Khopas (Burial Rites): Tibetan Buddhists perform these rites for the deceased, believing it helps liberate souls.
Circumambulation: Devotees walk around the temple multiple times, chanting prayers and offering incense.
Water Offerings: Pilgrims pour water into the Muktidhara spring, symbolizing purification and liberation.

These practices create a vibrant and spiritually charged atmosphere, making Muktinath Temple a profound destination for spiritual growth and reflection.

Muktinath Temple Nepal Trekking: Adventure Amidst Spirituality

The Muktinath Trek is a popular route for adventure enthusiasts and spiritual seekers alike. The trek offers a blend of challenging trails, stunning vistas, and cultural encounters. Key highlights include:

Thorong La Pass: At 5,416 meters, this high-altitude pass offers panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
Tsum Valley: A hidden gem, this valley is rich in Tibetan Buddhist culture and untouched natural beauty.
Gothadi: A remote village offering a glimpse into traditional Tibetan lifestyle and architecture.

The trek requires good physical fitness and acclimatization to high altitudes, but the rewards are immense, with unforgettable landscapes and a deep sense of accomplishment.

Accommodations and Amenities Near Muktinath Nepal

While Muktinath itself is a remote location with limited accommodation options, nearby towns like Jomsom and Kagbeni offer a range of lodges and guesthouses catering to different budgets. Facilities typically include basic amenities, local cuisine, and warm hospitality. It's advisable to book accommodations in advance, especially during peak pilgrimage seasons, to ensure a comfortable stay.

Practical Tips for Your Muktinath Pilgrimage

Embarking on a pilgrimage to Muktinath Temple Nepal requires careful planning and preparation. Here are some practical tips to ensure a smooth journey:

Permits: Obtain necessary permits such as the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Muktinath.
Health Precautions: Acclimatize properly to avoid altitude sickness. Carry necessary medications and stay hydrated.
Gear: Pack appropriate trekking gear, including warm clothing, sturdy footwear, and rain protection.
Local Etiquette: Respect local customs and traditions. Dress modestly and seek permission before taking photographs of people.
Sustainability: Practice eco-friendly trekking by minimizing waste, respecting wildlife, and supporting local communities.

Conclusion: Embracing the Spiritual Journey to Muktinath Temple Nepal

Muktinath Temple in Nepal is more than just a religious site; it's a journey into the heart of spirituality, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you're drawn by the promise of liberation, the allure of adventure, or the desire to connect with Nepal's rich heritage, Muktinath offers a transformative experience. Plan your pilgrimage with care, immerse yourself in the sacred ambiance, and let the divine energy of Muktinath guide you on a path of enlightenment and peace.

10 Enchanting Destinations You Must Explore in Nepal

2024-12-13T10:04:00.000+05:30

Nepal, a land of majestic mountains, vibrant culture, and breathtaking natural beauty, is a haven for travelers seeking adventure and spiritual solace. Here are the top 10 places you must visit when exploring this enchanting country:

1. Kathmandu Valley The heart of Nepal, Kathmandu Valley, is home to three historic cities: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan. Each city boasts UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Durbar Squares, ancient temples, and stupas like Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) and Boudhanath.

2. Pokhara Known as the "Gateway to the Himalayas," Pokhara offers stunning views of the Annapurna range. It’s a serene spot with attractions like Phewa Lake, World Peace Pagoda, and Davis Falls.

3. Mount Everest and the Khumbu Region For adventure enthusiasts, trekking to Everest Base Camp or exploring the Khumbu region is a bucket-list experience. The region also offers rich Sherpa culture and breathtaking landscapes.

4. Chitwan National Park A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chitwan is perfect for wildlife lovers. Spot rare animals like the Bengal tiger and one-horned rhinoceros during a jungle safari or canoe ride.

5. Lumbini The birthplace of Lord Buddha, Lumbini is a spiritual hub with monasteries, the Ashokan Pillar, and the Maya Devi Temple. It’s a peaceful retreat for meditation and reflection.

6. Annapurna Circuit Renowned as one of the best trekking routes in the world, the Annapurna Circuit offers diverse landscapes, from lush subtropical forests to arid highlands.

7. Nagarkot Just a short drive from Kathmandu, Nagarkot is a hill station known for spectacular sunrise views over the Himalayas. On clear days, you can see Mount Everest from here.

8. Patan (Lalitpur) A city rich in art and culture, Patan is famous for its ancient architecture, intricate wood carvings, and the beautiful Krishna Mandir.

9. Rara Lake Located in the remote northwestern region, Rara Lake is Nepal's largest lake, surrounded by pristine forests and snow-clad mountains. It’s a paradise for nature lovers.

10. Bandipur A charming hilltop town, Bandipur is known for its well-preserved traditional architecture, breathtaking mountain views, and warm hospitality.

Nepal’s diverse landscapes and rich heritage make it an unforgettable destination. Whether you’re seeking adventure, spirituality, or cultural exploration, this Himalayan gem has something for everyone. Pack your bags and prepare to be mesmerized by Nepal's beauty!

Top 10 Unforgettable Destinations to Explore in Palpa

2024-12-07T11:18:00.000+05:30

Palpa, a picturesque district nestled within Tansen Municipality, spans 1,373 square kilometers and offers a tranquil escape for both local and international visitors. Tansen, an ancient hill town, is known for its stunning landscapes that exude a serene charm, making it a popular destination. Located strategically between Pokhara and the Indian border, Tansen is adorned with beautiful Newari architecture, charming cobblestone streets, and a historic marketplace. Notable landmarks include the majestic Rani Mahal and the scenic banks of the Kaligandaki River, both offering delightful experiences for travelers.

The region’s diverse topography ranges from 250 meters at its lowest point to 2,000 meters at its highest, adding to its natural allure. Palpa is rich in biodiversity, with an array of flora and fauna, while its cultural heritage is deeply rooted in Newar architecture and the Magar community. Other ethnic groups in the area include the Bhojpur, Gurung, Brahmin, Chhetri, and Limbu.

To reach Tansen from Kathmandu, you can choose between two routes: one via Butwal (296 kilometers) or the other via Pokhara (324 kilometers). Regular buses connect Kathmandu to Palpa, or you can fly to Bhairahawa or Pokhara and take a scenic drive to Tansen.

Tansen City

Tansen City is located on the route between Pokhara and Lumbini. It is among the most incredible destinations to visit in Palpa.

It provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the Magar Kingdom, a mighty Kingdom of Nepal, as well as modern Magar culture, history, and way of life.

Tansen is a wonderful place to visit in March, April, and May because of the pleasant weather and scenic scenery. Tansen has just been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. It is now becoming the best tourist destination.

2. The Rishikesh Temple

Rishikesh Temple in Palpa is a medieval pagoda-style temple. It is a beautiful temple built by Palpa’s first king, Manimukunda Sen.

Many devotees gather here to commemorate one of Nepal’s most famous festivals, Maghe Sankranti, which is celebrated on the first day of Magh every year.

They commemorate the holiday by bathing in the nearby Kali Gandaki River. People come to this temple to worship the statue of the deity Rishikesh.

3. Rani Mahal

Rani Mahal was among the most famous palaces of the Rana Regime. The magnificent Rani Mahal, often known as the Taj Mahal of Nepal, is situated on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River in the Palpa region of Nepal. In 1893, General Khadga Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana built this mansion. Tansen is a one-day hike away from the Rani Mahal.

Rani Mahal is surrounded by a beautiful forest called Rani Ban & the Rani Ghat River. It’s a lovely and magical location with a temple, pond, & garden. Rani mahal Beach Camp is located on one side of the palace, where you can rent tents for camping.

4. Srijana Farms

Srijana Farms is a farm in Western Nepal with forty acres of land, 80 goats, and beautiful pathways surrounded by lush hills. The cuisine is fresh, and they even make their own alcohol. The bedrooms are in a traditional mud house with clean but modest amenities.

It is an excellent stop on a motorbike trip between Pokhara & Lumbini. You can spend the day relaxing in a hammock with the sun on your face. Several activities are available there, such as a one-day trip to Rani Mahal and barbecues.

5. Shrinagar Hilltop

Shrinagar Hilltop is well known and located outside of Palpa. Gorgeous scenery, plants, and animals on your way up the hill greet you. A stunning panoramic view of the city below and the mountains at the top awaits you at the summit.

This hill is among the most picturesque spots in the Palpa area. You can see Machapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, Kanjiroba, Annapurna, and Langtang on a clear day. On the other side, you will view the never-ending plain Terai, which separates Shrinagar Hill.

The hilltop offers camping opportunities for those who enjoy it. Some people spend the night in a tent in the middle of nowhere. The Himalayas surround it, which is the perfect location to hang out.

6. Statue of Mahamritunjaya

The Mahamritunjaya statue is situated in Barangdi and is Asia’s most prominent metal statue of Lord Shiva. Near Lumbini, this monument lies 315 kilometers west of Kathmandu. This monument is constructed in a sitting position and is 18 feet tall, weighing 3,000 kg. According to the creator, the sculptures are built of pure metal idols that are 70% copper & 30% brass. The sculptures take around two years to build and cost roughly Rs. 9 million.

The idol was inaugurated on February 19, 2014. On inauguration, 111 Bhraman chanted the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra for 5 hours. Every Shivaratri and every Monday in the month of Shawna, worshippers gather here to worship Shiva. The entire body of the idol was revealed while practicing Maha Snan. On the other day, the statues were covered with red fabric on another day, just showing the face.

7. Mul Dhoka’s

It is part of Palpa’s Tansen Durbar and is called Mul Dhoka. General Pratap Shamsher constructed it. This is among the Kingdom’s most enormous wooden gates.

Mul Dhoka leads the way into the palace. It was damaged during the 2006 battle and reconstructed.

Sitalpati is a lovely public square in the vicinity of Mul Dhoka. It is a popular meeting place in Palpa for locals and visitors.

8. The Rishikesh Temple

The Rishikesh Temple is situated in Palpa and was established by Mukund Sen, Palpa’s first monarch. According to mythology, the monarch found the divinity of God Rishikesh while swimming in the Kali Gandaki River.

On January 30, 2008, this property was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in the cultural category. This temple combines several architectural styles from the medieval and San eras. Satidevi’s body pieces were burnt here, according to Hindu mythology.

9. Temple of Bhairabsthan

Bhairabsthan Temple is a Hindu temple devoted to Bhairab or Bhairava that was built during the reign of King Mukunda Sen of the Sen Kingdom when Palpa was the capital. It is about 9 kilometers northwest of Tansen.

During festivals, many tourists from all over the world gather to worship Lord Shiva. It is claimed to be one of Asia’s most prominent temples.

10. Rambha Devi

Rambha Devi is located about 31 kilometers east of Tansen. It is the most visited religious site in Palpa.

During the holidays, the temple attracts more devotees from all over the world.

The evergreen forest that surrounds the temple contributes to its beauty and serenity.

Conclusion

It is a well-known and popular tourist destination with several appealing attractions, such as Ranighat Palace, Tansen, and Shrinagar Hill.

Visit Supa Deurali (Supadevarali) Temple is One of the Popular Pilgrimage Destinations in Nepal

2023-05-07T10:56:00.013+05:30

Supa Deurali Temple (Supa Deural Mandir) is a Hindu sanctuary devoted to devi which is arranged in the town of arghakhanchi locale, sandhikharka district in area no.5,Nepal. It is one of the well known journey site of western Nepal encompassed by wonderful slopes. This spot is worth visit for journey reason just as touring an all encompassing perspective.

Supa Deurali (Supadevarali) Temple Nepal

Supa Deurali Temple is Located in the Arghakhanchi District, in the western part of Nepal, the Supa Deurali is a mountain temple at an elevation of 1.509m above the sea level. Supadeurali one of magnificient hill station and pilgrimage site is situated at Narapani VDC of Arghakhanchi. It is in road of Gorusinge-Sandhikharka. It lies 81 km north from Butwal.

Arghakhanchi District

Supa Deurali is associated with a fantasy story of a Lahure “the officer in Indian armed force”. It is accepted that when he was going to India he revere in the sanctuary and pledged to the divinity that on the off chance that he return securely he will offer brilliant chain to the sanctuary. He was fruitful in his crucial while returning back home he overlook and pass the way furtively. The phenomenal intensity of Supadeurali acquired him sanctuary and set the Lahure appended at the center of rock to be sculpture. The sculpture of lahura can in any case be obvious in the stone close to sanctuary. The significance of the noteworthiness of the lovers that can be seen here is expanding each day.

Supadeurali, is the old district headquarters of Arghakhanchi is well known for its spectacular view of Himalayan panoramic view to the north including Mt Machhapuchchre, Mt Annapuran, Mt Dhaulagiri etc and broad plains of Nepal and some cities India to the south.

The divinity has satisfied the desire of numerous enthusiasts as well as it has been a help for some youngsters who are getting instruction as the gift of the god.

History of Supa Deurali

The marvelous intensity of Supa deurali got him sanctuary and set the Lahure joined at the center of rock to be sculpture. The sculpture of lahura can even now be noticeable in the stone close to sanctuary. The significance of the hugeness of the fans that can be seen here is expanding each day. The divinity has satisfied the desire of numerous enthusiasts as well as it has been a help for some youngsters who are getting training as the gift of the god.

Road Condition

The way to the sanctuary is called Gorusinge-Sandhikharka street. The street is cleared however it’s troublesome and it’s a bad dream in the wet or dim (or both). There is no place for mistake on this street. Try not to stuff your paunch to an extreme. In the end, you may feel regurgitating allurements while climbing roundabout streets at higher heights. The street has black-top and rock surface and connections Gorusinge, at a rise of 128m over the ocean level, and Sandhikharka, at 965m. Words can’t portray the street and pictures don’t do it equity. It’s blocked intermittently because of avalanches activated by relentless rainfalls.

In numerous spots the street is flanked by a drop of several meters (a large number of feet) unprotected by guardrails. The drive offers all encompassing perspectives along the street. Close to the sanctuary the street is amazingly risky with a high number of mishaps. It’s supposed to be the most risky piece of this limited street.

Where to Stay at Supa Deurali

Narpani Supa Deurali Resort

Sandhikharka-6 Narpani, Sandhikharka 32700 Nepal

Narpani Supa Deurali Resort

Overview
Narpani Supa Deurali Resort Khanchikot is rated 3 stars and comprises 15 rooms with homely comforts. There are laundry facilities, 24-hour security service and housekeeping service in addition to a free parking lot and a sun terrace available on site.
Rooms
The rooms at Narpani Supa Deurali Resort are fitted with climate control, a flat-screen TV and a writing desk.
Eat & Drink
This hotel includes the restaurant that is open for a continental breakfast.
Leisure & Business
A special menu and a play area are provided for guests with children.

MAP

Reference: https://www.nepal-travel-guide.com/supa-deurali/

Visit Manakamana Temple Gorkha Nepal

2017-05-29T16:26:00.001+05:30

The Manakamana Temple (Nepali: मनकामना मन्दिर) situated in the Gorkha district of Nepal is the sacred place of the Hindu Goddess Bhagwati, an incarnation of Parvati. The name Manakamana originates from two words, “mana” meaning heart and “kamana” meaning wish. Venerated since the 17th century, it is believed that Goddess Manakamana grants the wishes of all those who make the pilgrimage to her shrine to worship her.

Manakamana Temple

The Manakamana temple lies 12 km south of the town Gorkha. The temple is located on a distinguished ridge 1,302 metres (4,272 ft) above sea level and overlooks the river valleys of Trisuli in the south and Marsyangdi in the west. The spectacular views of the Manaslu- Himachali and Annapurna ranges can be seen to the north of the temple. The temple is approximately a 140 kilometres (87 mi) from Kathmandu and can also be reached via bus east from Pokhara in around three to four hours.

Mythical foundation

The legend of Manakamana Goddess dates back to the reign of the Gorkha king Ram Shah during the 17th century. It is said that his queen possessed divine powers, which only her devotee Lakhan Thapa knew about. One day, the king witnessed his queen in Goddess incarnation, and Lakhan Thapa in the form of a lion. Upon mentioning the revelation to his queen, a mysterious death befell the king.

As per the custom of that time, the queen committed Sati (ritual immolation) on her husband’s funeral pyre. Before her sati the queen had assured Lakhan Thapa that she would reappear in the near future. Six months later, a farmer while ploughing his fields cleaved a stone. From the stone he saw a stream of blood and milk flow. When Lakhan heard an account of this event, he immediately started performing Hindu tantric rituals at the site where the stone had been discovered thus ceasing the flow of blood and milk. The site became the foundation of the present shrine. According to tradition, the priest at the temple must be a descendent of Lakhan Thapa

Reasons to visit Manakamana temple

There are many reasons to visit the Manakamana temple of Nepal. As we already described that Manakamana devi is also known as fulfilling wishes. So, the pilgrims from all parts of the country and of all ages visit this place. The newly married couples seeking consummation of their love, students wishing success in studies, politician Twishing to win elections, writers longing to gain name and fame and businessmen desiring to gain success in their business all go to worship this wish-fulfilling goddess.

How to reach Manakamana

Transportation to Manakamana : Bus takes three to four hours from Kathmandu or Pokhara. Generally micro buses and mini buses run to Kurintar. One can take bus in transit from east/west (Janakpur, Kakadbhitta, Biratnagar, Nepalgunj) to Kathmandu or Kathmandu to east/west.

There was transportation to Abu Khaireni until the cable car was installed. In earlier times, the only way to reach the Manakamana temple was by a long strenuous trek for about three hours. Now, there is a facility of a cable car from kurintar, just 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) east of Mugling to Manakamana. The cable car rides over the distance of 2.8 kilometres (1.7 mi) in 10 minutes more or less.

The cable car usually operates during the daytime from 9 am to 5 pm and stops during lunch break from noon to half past one. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev inaugurated Manakamana cable car on November 24, 1998. The cable car system was imported from Austria and guarantees a hundred percent safety. It has features such as automatically operated generators in case of power failure and hydraulic emergency drive. The employees working at the cable car service are qualified and well trained for emergencies. Once you arrive at the temple you can look down upon the Trisuli and Marsyangdi rivers and at a distance you’ll see the magnificent Manaslu, Himalchuli and Aannapurna mountains.

The bottom station of the cable car is placed at Kurintar (258 metres (846 ft)) and the top station is at

Mankamana (1,302 metres (4,272 ft)).[5] With 31 passenger cars and 3 cargo cars, the cable car can handle up to 600 persons per hour. The number of passengers per carrier is 6. The cable car requires a starting power of about 523 Kilowatt and continues further at a power of 420 Kilowatt. All passengers are insured up to Rs. 1,00,000. The tickets for the cable car are valid for seven days from the date of issue.

The rates for the cable car ride inclusive of all taxes are as follows:

Category	One-way	Two-way
Normal (Nepali/Indian)	NPR. 345.00	NPR. 575.00
Child (Nepali/Indian)	NPR. 210.00	NPR. 350.00
Student	NPR. 260.00	NPR. 430.00
Elderly	NPR. 260.00	NPR. 430.00
Disabled	NPR. 175.00	NPR. 290.00
Foreigner (Other than Indians)	USD 100.00	USD 1220.00
Foreigner child (Other than Indians)	USD 1000.00	USD 15000.00

( rate may be vary according to current plans)

Each person is permitted to carry a 15 kg baggage. For excess baggage there is a charge of NPR. 1.00 per Kg.
Children up to the height of three feet may travel free of cost, while children charges apply to those with height above three feet.
The elder category is for those aged above 65 years.
The students and elders category applies to Nepalese citizens only. Proper identification must be provided for the same

Worship and sacrifices

Manakamana is Hindu Goddess so she is worshiped with offerings of flower, sound, scent, dress, make-ups and colors. There is a tradition of sacrificing animals at the temple. Devotees stand in line for even for 5-10 hours during festivals. The line started from the temple gate reach longer than few kilometers sometimes. People can be seen standing in line with pooja samagri (worship materials) in hand and some of them carrying duck, cock or goat with them. People seem to enjoy standing in the line without food, some even with no water.

Pooja Samagri (worship and offering materials) for Manakamana Temple

As per hindu mythology all objects in this universe is consists of five cosmic elements the earth, water, fire, air and ether or space or sky. Therefore the arrangement of pooja samagri is done on the basis of these elements then it helps in balancing and regulating the activated five cosmic elements in the universe. The worshipper then gets the maximum benefit both manifest and unmanifest frequencies emitted from the god and goddess.

Devi is worshiped with the same elements, and in Nepal there is a tradition to offer cloth (bastra) to god and goddess. Especially red is considered as saubhagya (long life in Nepal) so Devi is offered almost everything in Red color.

The pooja thali should contain at least the following in a puja basket along with pancha patro,

1. Abir (kumkum) for saubhagyaManakamana Cable Car Entrance

2. Kesar represents earth

3. Flower and Leaves

4. Dhup for Scent (Fragnace)

5. Diyo for light

6. Cloth (Bastra or Dress) and mirror

7. Fruit and Foods for Prasad (Coconut and sweet deserts)

8. Bell for sound

9. Betel nut and janai

10. Little amount of rice (anna, grain)

The priest takes the pooja material when devotee reaches near the Devi statue and he offers their pooja samagri to goddess and returns the same after offering her. People do Sankalpa (vow) and Bhakal (resolution) in the temple. The priest asks the devotees if they have any vow or resolution for which they are in the temple to offer. If they have any, the priest offers the pooja materials to Goddess in the name of Sankalpa and Bhakal of the devotee. People make resolution at the temple and when their wish is fulfilled they go to see the goodness Burga Bhavani, Manakamana Mata, again to offer their gratitude.

Where Stay and Eat

You will see many lodges and restaurants on your walk to the temple from the cable car stop at the other side. You can also opt to stay overnight in a hotel and return back on the other morning. There will be vendors on temporary stalls selling worship materials on the way to the sacred site. The four tiered temple has a shikhar and has a roof with brass plates. There is also a spot behind the temple where devotees sacrifice animals as per the hindu custom. Some photographers will also be present somewhere at the front looking for customers who want their image together with the temple. You will be in advantage if you bring in a camera.

If you like the blog post please comments below, or if any suggestion or changes mail at laxminarayan108@gmail.com

Reference links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manakamana

http://www.weallnepali.com/about-nepal/historic-places/manakamanatemple

http://www.imnepal.com/manakamana-temple/

http://kathmandutourism.blogspot.in/2013/02/manakamana-temple-history-and-manakamana-cable-car-price.html

Trekking in Nepal, Mountaineering in Nepal - Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Dhaulagiri

2013-11-18T10:52:00.001+05:30

Nepal 1st came into world focus once mountain climber Asiatic of Nepal|Asian country|Asian nation} and Sir mountaineer of recent Seeland conquered Mt. Mt. Everest in 1953. Ever since, there are in-numerous expeditions warding off to the range of mountains. With eight of world’s highest peaks among Nepal’s boundaries, there's tremendous interest within the Asian nation Himalaya. Most of the peaks over 8000m high were conquered throughout the Golden Decade of ascent within the Nineteen Fifties. ascent by then had become a national affair with varied nations vying with one another to be the primary to climb. these days it's all concerning breaking records. There area unit some 326 peaks in Asian nation open for mountain climbing these days.

Climbing permits for peaks within the Asian nation range of mountains area unit issued for all seasons by the mountain climbing Section of the Ministry of Culture, touristy and Civil Aviation. The requisite official documents should be stocked with once seeking permission to climb. Around 121 peaks don't need liaison officers for expedition whereas the remainder should be in the middle of one.

Climbing gear and equipment may be bought or rented in capital of Nepal or the entire expedition may be handled by mountain climbing and trekking agencies. All supply area unit taken care of by these agencies together with gear, food, transportation, guide and porter services. They additionally organize for amount. perpetually select office that features a sensible chronicle.

Highest peaks in Nepal:

There are 1,310 peaks above 6000 meters of which 238 are open for climbing. The following are Nepalese peaks over 8000m in height and open for climbing: Mt. Everest (8,848m),. Kanchenjunga (8,586m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Manaslu (8,163m) and Annapurna (8,091m).

For more information about Mountaineering in Nepal Visit http://www.nepalmountaineering.org/

Visit Dhulikhel Nepal | धुलिखेल | Vacation in Dhulikhel

2013-08-13T15:48:00.000+05:30

Dhulikhel is that the headquarters of Kavrepalanchok District, Nepal. At the time of the 2011 Kingdom of Nepal census it had a population of fourteen,283 folks in three,279 households. Dhulikhel lies on the B.P. route and Arniko route. Arniko route connects Katmandu, Nepal's capital town with Tibet's border city of Kodari. Dhulikhel is found at the jap rim of Katmandu natural depression, south of the range of mountains at 1550m on top of water level and is settled thirty klick southeast of Katmandu and seventy four klick southwest of Kodari. The folks within the village area unit Newars, Brahmin, Chhettri, Tamang and Dalit. drinkable in Dhulikhel is a few of the most effective water in Kingdom of Nepal. it had been created with the assistance of the German organization, German Technical Cooperation.

Dhulikhel has for several centuries been a very important commerce center on the traditional industrial route linking Asian country to Asian nation. Since past times, folks of Asian country visit Asian nation to bring home salt and gold. Likewise, the Tibetans per annum with their flocks of sheep enter into Asian country throughout Dashain, the best Hindu competition. They use to get chilies and alternative daily wants in Asian country and come to their fatherland. In those days, an entire day walk from national capital to Dhulikhel was comfy for Asian nation trippers with simply obtainable of food and water at Dhulikhel at the evening for nightlong keep. Even now, a veronica read from the resorts at Dhulikhel to the landscapes; road to Asian nation and horizons way to the Tibetan borders, clearly exhibits Dhulikhel because the entrance way of Asian nation. once neighboring with Asian nation by motorable road in 1965, Dhulikhel got a face elevate and developed as a holidaymaker destination each for Asian nation trippers and tourists. Dhulikhel is a perfect station to prevent for nightlong keep whereas getting to Asian nation and returning to national capital.

The Mountains - A holidaymaker Paradise: The spectacular snow-fed mountains seen from Dhuklikhel should be one among the best wide views within the world. once a blue haze covers the lower portion of the mountains, they appear to be floating within the air. With the snowy mountains on the background, Dhulikhel may be a stage of huge beauty and a paradise for nature lovers. inexperienced tempting hills of that still virgin and a few became fantastically etched agricultural terraces cater to the beholders' pleasure.

Geographically, the plains get on my feet bit by bit up to the inexperienced mountains and any into the snow capped chain of mountains. The panorama offers an imposing undisturbed read of the chain ranges stretching from Mount Annapurna in the way west to Mount Karolung within the region. quite twenty chain peaks together with Mt. Annapurna (8091 m), Mt. Ganapati Himal (7429 m), Mt. Langtang (7234 m), Mt. Phuribichyachu (6637 m), Mt. Gaurishanker (7134 m), Mt. Lhotse (8516 m) and plenty of others may be seen in their full glory from the various vantage points in Dhulikhel. In short, it's the foremost purpose for the mountain-oriented looking at since past times. The eco-himalayan atmosphere can surprise associate degreeyone an lingering expertise in lifespan.

Temples: There arr various temples within the city portraying AN example of ancient and previous Newari attainment of Dhulikhel. These are vital places of worship for native folks. The core space of Dhulikhel has attention-grabbing slender cobbled streets and lanes embedded with range of Hindu Shrines and many Buddhist Stupa.

In the center of the previous city is that the Narayan Temple with its brass roofs. it's dedicated to Lord avatar whose birthday is gleefully celebrated here in August. aboard is that the Harisiddhi Temple whose God responds to the worshipers' issues and sees their right and wrongdoings. each the temples ar adorned with profuse wood carvings and fronted by 2 Garudas in quite completely different angle. Bhagwati Temple set at the highest of the western a part of the city is taken into account together of the simplest place to envision around Dhulikhel and conjointly to relish the simplest mountain views. The GaukhureshworMahadev Temple is regarding twenty minutes walk to the east of the city close to Tundikhel Recreation Park and is found in an exceedingly peaceful and quite atmosphere. additional up hill, one reaches, inside [*fr1] AN hour trek, the Bhagwati (Kali) Temple. this {can be} a pretty temple that one can see on the skyline together drives into Dhulikhel.

Where to stay and eat at Dhulikhell visit http://dhulikhellodgeresort.com

Visit Bardiya National Park Nepal

2013-02-04T22:31:00.001+05:30

Bardiya National Park is a protected area in Nepal that was established in 1988 as Royal Bardia National Park. Covering an area of 968 km² (374 sq mi) it is the largest and most undisturbed wilderness area in Nepal's Terai, adjoining the eastern bank of the Karnali River in the Bardiya District.

The northern limits of the protected area are demarcated by the crest of theSiwalik Hills. The Nepalgunj-Surkhet highway partly forms the southern boundary, but seriously disrupts the protected area. Natural boundaries to human settlements are formed in the west by the Geruwa, a branch of the Karnali River, and in the southeast by the Babai River.^[1]

Together with the neighboring Banke National Park, the coherent protected area of 1,437 km² (555 sq mi) represents the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) Bardia-Banke that extends over 2,231 km² (861 sq mi) of alluvial grasslands and subtropical moist deciduous forests.

For more information about Bardiya National Park Nepal Visit http://www.sharmatravelsnepal.com/bardia-national-park-tour.html

Top Ten Places to Visit in Nepal

2012-07-21T13:52:00.000+05:30

Are you ready for some high altitude adventure with in a soul-warming environment? Then pack your bags and experience some of the most majestic peaks, most exhilarating torrents and wonderful people Nepal has to offer. Here are some places you may want to visit when go.

1.) Katmandu

Find your inner peace in the streets of Nepal's capital and cultural center. You can walk on the streets of this once inaccessible city and experience the culture, the people, the history, and the faith Nepal had embraced, imbibed, and relived for centuries. Katmandu is also one of the Nepal's starting points in activities like trekking, rafting and other sports. Read More

2.) Royal Chitwan National Park

If you want to experience some jungle adventure with the elephants and ravaging rapids, you may want to stop by Nepal's Royal Chitwan Park. Covering some 932 sq kilometers, this national park serves as a home for 450 species of birds, 45 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 43 species of mammals. One can also enjoy guided jungle walks, terai culture, wild life breeding project, and safari drives inside 4WD cars. Read More

3.) Nagarkot

Located 32 kilometers east of Katmandu, Nagarkot is a great place to visit if you want to see how beautiful and majestic the Himalayan Mountain range can be. A lookout tower in Nagarkot, for one, enables visitor to have a 360-degree scenic view of the Katmandu valley and Himalayan Mountain peaks. Drive up the city, book for a hotel, wake up early, and experience a different kind of sunrise with cool winds blowing every word away.

4.) Pokhara

Located some 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu, this enchanting city is the rally point for trekking and rafting destination. Pokhara offers perfect scenery and gripping natural beauty not only for those who looks for fun but also for those seeking solace. Be it the preview of the Himalayan Mountain range, a row in Phewa Lake, a trek beside Seti Gandaki River and Devi's Fall, or a peek to the Mahendra Cave, a trip to Pokhara is a experience worth the journey. Read More

5.) Pashupatinath Temple

Four kilometers east of Katmandu lies a temple of immeasurable sacredness for Hindu people - the Pashupatinath. Hindu believes that dying and being cremated in Pashupatinath and having one's ashes scattered in Bagmati River will give a Hindu salvation and release from the cycles of birth and rebirth. Have a peek of Hindus life, death and tradition by visiting this holy ground. Read More

6.) Patan

Art lovers and enthusiasts should always put a stop in Patan in their Nepalese trip itinerary. Patan is the oldest city in the Ksthmandu valley and is the home for Nepalese architecture, arts, traditions, and crafts drawing mainly from religious customs. Walk around the city and feel as if you're walking inside an open museum. Read More

7.) Wildlife Reserve of Koshi Tappu

Sprawling some 175 km2 near the River of Sapta-Koshi in Eastern Nepal, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is the best place to watch native and migratory birds in action. Thousands of birds converge in this area, especially during the months of January, February and March. The trip which normally includes jungle walks, jeep drives, and boat rides, coupled with treks to Bhutan and Sikkim or rafting trip in Sunkosi will make any Nepalese trip an unforgettable experience.

8.) Lumbini

Lumbini is the perfect place to go to if you are into cultural, archaeological and religious treasures. With the number of stupa, meditation grounds temples, courtyards and more, a walk in Lumbini is a walk with Buddha. Enter the birthplace of one of the greatest man of world religions - Siddharta Gautama, founder of Buddhism - and be captivated by its serene environment and meditate and reflect with its outmost tranquility and peaceful

atmosphere. Read More

9.) Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur is an ancient town east of Katmandu in the Katmandu Valley. Experience Nepalese life as it happens in this city by enjoying the scenery in Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Potter's square. Make your trip complete with a taste of Khopa Dhau, Bhaktapur's home-made curd. Read More

10.) Visit Sagarmatha National Park Nepal
Sagarmatha National Park is a protected area in the Himalayas of eastern Nepal containing the southern half of Mount Everest. The park was created on July 19, 1976 and was inscribed as a Natural World Heritage Site in 1979. Sagarmāthā is a Sanskrit word, from sagar = "sky" (not to be confused with "sea/ocean") and māthā = "forehead" or "head", and is the modern Nepali name for Mount Everest. Read More

Visit Kali Gandaki Nepal

2012-03-03T12:17:00.002+05:30

River Kali Gandaki Nepal

The Kali Gandaki Gorge or Andha Galchi is the gorge of the Kali Gandaki (or Gandaki River) in the Himalayas in Nepal. Gorge depth is difficult to define due to disagreement over rim height, but by some measures the Kali Gandaki is the deepest gorge in the world. The upper part of the gorge is also called Thak Khola after the local Thakali people who became prosperous from trans-Himalayan trade. Geologically, it is a downfaulted graben.

The gorge separates the major peaks of Dhaulagiri (8,167 m/26,795 ft) on the west and Annapurna (8,091 m/26,545 ft) on the east. If one measures the depth of a canyon by the difference between the river height and the heights of the highest peaks on either side, the gorge is the world's deepest. The portion of the river directly between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I (7 km downstream from Tukuche) is at an elevation of 2520 metres, 5571 metres lower than Annapurna I. The river is older than the Himalayas. As tectonic activity forced the mountains higher, the river cut down through the uplift. This region is known for shaligram fossils, revered as one of five non-living forms of Lord Vishnu.

Kali Gandaki in Monsoon

The Kali Gandaki river source coincides with the Tibetan border and Ganges-Brahmaputra watershed divide. The river then flows south through the ancient kingdom of Mustang. It flows through a sheer-sided, deep canyon immediately south of the Mustang capital of Lo Manthang, then widens as it approaches Kagbeni where high Himalayan ranges begin to close in. The river continues southward past Jomsom, Marpha, and Tukuche to the deepest part of the gorge about 7 km south of Tukuche in the area of Lete. The gorge then broadens past Dana and Tatopani toward Beni.

The Kali Gandaki gorge has been used as a trade route between India and Tibet for centuries. Today, it is part of a popular trekking route from Pokhara to Muktinath, part of the Annapurna Circuit. The gorge is within the Annapurna Conservation Area.

River Rafting in Kali Gandaki

Rafting don’t need experience, if you have healthy passion for exploit, don’t mind being wet for whole day, have a wisdom of humor then Kali Gandaki River rafting absolutely will provide you a shakeing, roller-coaster ride through a very big bathtub, an exciting tussle with natural force.

During the rafting, you will be warped, turned, shaken and essentially hurdled all over the place. The days mostly begin in a similar style, usually with something energetic to eat which you might throw up later. After a briefing about tackling the river, you are free to paddle, raft, admire the view, see villages, eyeball rapids, spot wildlife and wait the slaughter! Kali Gandaki River has some 60 rapids within 72 km of its distance. Over the rafting trip, you are forced to nominate yourself with rapids like ‘Little Brother’, ‘Big Brother’, ‘Rafters Refund’ , ‘walk in the Dark’ at the end of descends; all of them are quite enough to flip a raft.

How To Reach Kali Gandaki

The Kali Gandaki River rafting starts from near Beni, which is 4 hours drive from Pokhara. The route is 90 kilometers long and takes 3 days to complete. On the first day, you will camp in the confluence of Modi Khola and the Kali Gandkai River. On the second day, you will camp below the village of Purti Ghat with the trip ending in Mirmire.

Butwal - Visit Butwal Nepal - Travel Batauli Nepal

2011-04-28T19:13:00.000+05:30

Butwal (Nepali: बुटवल) is a large town in southern Nepal in Rupandehi District, in Lumbini Zone -- of which Butwal is the administrative center. It is located 240 kilometres west of Kathmandu and 22 kilometers north of Bhairahawa, at the northern edge of the Terai plain below the Siwalik Hills. Its name is derived from Batauli Bazaar in the town's oldest district.

Through highway and air links, Butwal connects western Nepal to the capital Kathmandu. It has highway connections to the Indian Border at Sunauli and to hill towns Tansen and Pokhara. Butwal is a major gateway to Nepal.

Butwal is a small city of about eight thousand hector square in area, situated on the low-altitude flat-land (Terai) near the border side to India, is a home to eighty thousand Nepalese of different religion, language, ethinicity and identity. Butwal connects Bhairahawa city, Tansen town, and Narayanghat city through different highways. Butwal is only 26KM from the Indian Border and about 22 km from Bhairahawa, and Tansen is about 36 KM away from Butwal.

History

Fossils of ancient hominoids Ramapithecus were found near the Tinau (Tilottama) River as early as 1932, including a 10.1 million year old tooth.

Historically Butwal connected Nepali people with their Indian neighbors. As the British East India Company annexed Awadh from its hereditary rulers while the Shah Dynasty attempted to annex the Terai, Butwal became one of bones of contention leading to the Gurkha War 1814-16.

When King Tribhuvan fled to India in 1950 during the revolt against the Rana dynasty he travelled through Butwal. Then it was little more than a village on the western bank of Tilottama River (also known as Tinau). With completion in 1968 of Siddhartha Highway from the border at Sunauli through Butwal to Pokhara and then in the 1990s Mahendra Highway across the full east-west expanse of Nepal's Terai, Butwal has developed rapidly.

Population

The city of Butwal, whose population grew from a mere 26,824 in 1991 to a staggering 3,71,884 in 2008 has progressed multi dimensionally when compared to the other small townships of the country. Most of the population consists of Tribal people, who have been dependent on Butwal for their trade and commerce for a very long time. There is also a constant flow of tribal immigration from other towns and hilly villages. The majority of the population is Hindu and there is a considerable Muslim population from the Terai region.

What makes Butwal?

Butwal is known for commerce, industries and agriculture. It has Nepal's second largest horticulture business, and has more than one thousand industries and business enterprises employing over four thousand people. The Tinahu river waters Butwal's flat land, and many farmers use under-ground water system for drinking and supplying water to their farms. Many farmers here have embraced integrated farming, and schools and universities in this region continue to grow. Rice, Wheat, Bean, and Beaten Rice are popular agriculture produce. Many of such produce are equally imported from India and sold to major cities such as Kathmandu, Pokhara.

Education

Apart from its major role in the enhancement of trade in Nepal, Butwal has also acted as a great center for education. It is one of the well renowned education hubs of the Lumbini zone of Nepal, with 4 reputed colleges, a few Private colleges and a number of schools. It also boasts on the performance of students with an average score better than anywhere in the country. With a number of educational institutions giving opportunities of higher studies in Engineering, Medicine, Fine Arts and Commerce and Management, Butwal functions as a viable option for healthcare to the rural hilly areas neighboring the city.

Major Educational Institute in Butwal-:

Butwal Multiple Campus (Nepali: बुटवल बहुमुखी क्याम्पस) has more than 5000 students and classes in Arts, Education, and Science.
Annapurna Model College has a B.A. program.

Places to Visit at Butwal Nepal

Like most of Nepal, Butwal also capitalizes on the great industry of tourism. The major attractions in Butwal include the hill park, the Siddha Baba temple and the museum.

Aap Khola (mango river) where people go for swimming and to obtain water during droughts. There is a view of nearby Manakamana Temple.

Butwal Hill Park (Deepnagar) - an historic place for the Gurung community. This hill used to be called Gurung Dada because Gurungs were buried here. It separates the city into 2 parts and gives views of both sides.

Phulbari (PhoolBari) (Manimukunda Park) - The winter palace of Palpali Sen clan is very fascinating from natural and archaeological values. There are ruins and antiquities of the majestic palace of Manimukunda Sen an ancient Palpali king containing 6 large rooms as well as royal residence, administrative and fascinating scenic grandeur of Butwal, Siddharthanagar and other neighbouring villages of Rupandehi district can be vividly seen from here at night also. His Majesty's Government, archaeological department has attempted to maintain it in 1991. Now Butwal municipality has formed council for the conservation of Manimukunda Sen Park to conduct Phulbari Development Programme and attempted to make it an amusing and a tourist resort.

Jitgadhi - a fortress during Angol Nepal war, Narayan temple built by (1864 B.S.) Hanuman temple and Shivalaya of Hanumagngadhi, Jalabinayak Mehadev temple, Siddababa temple, Nuwakot etc. are famous centres of attraction in Butwal.

Murgiya Jharbaira - about 13 km west from Butwal city. This place is known for secondary schools, rice and oil mills, temples and natural beauty. Temple of Lord Shiva (Parroha Parmeshower Bolbam Dham) is situated near by here with is internationally famous for receiving blessings from Lord of the Lord Shiva Shankar and temple of Goddess Durga at the center of town.

Sainamaina - Located about 12 km. west from Butwal and to North from Banakatti, Sainamaina as an open museum is very famous and fascinating resort from historical archaeological culture and natural points of view. Among the different Gramas villages of Shakya King, it was in the samgrama site. An Indian queen (Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh) because of the British disturbance in her kingdom came to this area with her soldiers and porters (‘Sena’ and Mena’) and finally this area came to be known as Saina Maina. It is an exquisite treasure trove of ancient ruins and antiquities: statues of dancing saints, ruins of palace, well etc.

Siddha Baba Temple is located on hills at the border of Butwal Municipality. Devotees believe that Siddha Baba will grant their wishes and offer pigeons at the temple. On Saturdays, the weekly holiday in Nepal, large number of devotees visit this temple and special Microbus services are offered. The temple is located 1 Kilometer from Butwal, on the SiddharthaHighway to Tansen and Pokhara. Visit this temple to worship, and also to get an awesome view of the Tinau River. It is said that Siddha Baba will grant the wishes of the devotees who visit the temple. Every time a person's wish is granted, that person will release a pigeon at the temple. Interestingly, there is a large number of pigeons found around the temple.

The Statue of Buddha (Jogidanda) was very significant different ruins of having the values of classical art are scattered here and there. This famous archaeological site is being occupied by homeless and landless people. Some of the antiquities of this site are seen thrown around the Lumbini museum.

Nuwakot Hill Top : Climb the Nuwakot Hill Top (890 meter), located at north east of Butwal. Get breathless views of Himalayan range including Macchapuchhre in North and views of the Lumbini and Terai region from Butwal to Bhairahawa.

Where to Stay and Eat

There are several budget hotels at Traffic Chowk, near the bus stop, in the center of town of Butwal on the main road.

The Major & best Hotel at Butwal is given below-:

Hotel Sindoor, a little south of the bus stand, is a modern quiet place with clean rooms for $24/35 (Appox). It is a bit overpriced. You may get a discount. It is the best place in town. Its is 26 Km. from the Indian Boarder and 22 Km. from the airport Bhairahawa.

Hotel Sindoor has 22 Suite, Deluxe, Air-conditioned, air-cooler rooms, Rooms are furnished and decorated with Nepali Style and culture. All the rooms are attached bath with hot and cold water round the clock. For your dining pleasure we offer you wide varieties of delicious food from four major cousins Nepalese, Indian, Chinese and Continental at its own Dining hall. And you can enjoy soft and hard drinks at its Simrik bar. We have 3 conference and Banquets hall. The biggest once accommodates 150 and other has capacity of 50 and 30. We accept foreign currencies, MasterCard. Visa card and Travelers Cheque. On request we can provide Domestic and international air tickets as well train ticket to different part of India.

Hotel Sindoor have National, International telephone services, Fax and e-mail service. We have beautiful garden and parking on its own premises. You contact Hotel Sindoor by calling at +977-071-540381, +977-071-540189 or Visit http://www.hotelsindoor.com.

Hotel New Gandaki which has really basic rooms with common bath for Rs 140 Appox and Rs 225 (appox) with bath.

Santosh Guest House, a few blocks west of Traphik Chowk, is one of the best budget places.

Hotel Siddhartha, Traphik Chowk, has clean, comfortable rooms with bath and hot water for Rs 400/450. It has a good restaurant.

Hotel Kandara, Traphik Chowk, is a modern place with a pleasant, small garden. It has clean rooms with bath for Rs 300/450 Appox, with hot water and a carpet for Rs 450/750 Appox, and with A/C for Rs 1250 Appox. Most rooms have a TV and air-cooler. The rooms in the front can be noisy. It has a decent restaurant.

How you will Get In Or Out from Butwal Nepal

Fly from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa and then drive from Bhairahawa to Butwal, or drive all the way to Pokhara to Butwal or from Narayanghat to Butwal. Many tourists chose to visit Butwal after visiting Lumbini, the Birth Place of Bouddha. The airfare from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa is about Rs 2000 Appox. , and a bus ticket from Bhairahawa to Butwal is about Rs 10, and a bus ticket from Kathmandu to Butwal is about Rs 200 Appox.

Long distance buses depart from Traffic Chowk, Butwal Bus Park on the main road. The government Sajha Yatayat booking office a little down from Traffic Chowk, across from the modern traditionally-designed temple. There are morning buses to Kathmandu (Rs 145 Appox) and Nepalganj (Rs 140 Appox).

There regular buses to Bhairawa/Sunauli (23km).

You book private night buses at shop with a red sign (in Nepali), next to Fedee Restaurant at Traffic Chowk. Private day buses are booked at the office (has a red sign in Nepali) between the Siddhartha and Samrat hotels.

There are buses to Birganj (Rs 120 Appox), Gorkha (Rs 100 Appox), Janakpur (Rs 195 Appox), Kathmandu (Rs 150 Appox), Mugling (Rs 140 Appox, night), Narayanghat (Rs 59 Appox, all day), Nepalganj (Rs 150 Appox, day and night) and Tansen (Rs 110 Appox, morning).

Major Airports Close to Butwal, Nepal:

The distances below are straight-line estimates. If you are planning a trip, check the exact driving distance to/from the airport.

The closest major airport is Gautam Buddha Airport (BWA / VNBW). This airport has domestic flights from Bhairawa, Nepal and is about 22 km from the center of Butwal, Nepal.

Another major airport is Pokhara Airport (PKR / VNPK), which has domestic flights from Pokhara, Nepal and is 76 km from Butwal, Nepal.

International airports near Butwal, Nepal

188 km: Tribhuvan International Airport - Kathmandu, Nepal (KTM / VNKT)

257 km: Varanasi Airport - Varanasi, India (VNS / VIBN)

273 km: Amausi Airport - Lucknow, India (LKO / VILK)

360 km: Gaya Airport - Gaya, India (GAY / VEGY)

Domestic airports near Butwal, Nepal

22 km: Gautam Buddha Airport - Bhairawa, Nepal (BWA / VNBW)

76 km: Pokhara Airport - Pokhara, Nepal (PKR / VNPK)

96 km: Bharatpur Airport - Bharatpur, Nepal (BHR / VNBP)

107 km: Gorakhpur Airport - Gorakhpur, India (GOP / VEGK)

Local airports near Butwal, Nepal

78 km: Meghauli Airport - Meghauli, Nepal (MEY / VNMG)

78 km: Meghauli Airport - Meghauli, Nepal (MHU)

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Visit -Shree Darlamdanda Mahakali Bhagwati temple Palpa Nepal

2011-03-28T19:17:00.000+05:30

Darlamdanda is a village development committee in Palpa District in the Lumbini Zone of southern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 2389 people living in 469 individual households.

This VDC shares its borders with Khanichhap VDC in the east, Nayar Namtalesh and Chappani VDCs in the south, Yamgha VDC in the west, and Syangja district on the north. The holy place Ramdi on the bank of Kali Gandaki river is located in this VDC. The famous and unique Ramdi-pul (bridge) in the Palpa Syangja section of Siddarath Highway is located here. There are special occasions like haribodhani ekadashi (also called Kattike Thuliekadashi), baishakhe sakranti (Nepali new year) that people from neighbouring VDCs and districts visit here.

Darlamdanda Higher Secondary School is one of the major educational institutions in the area. It was established in 2013 BS (Bikram Sambat) as a primary school. It has been upgraded to higher levels in different steps. This school has a huge impact on the educational life of the people in the remote north of the district headquarter.

The climate in the area is very nice all yeararound. The snowfall is a rare case almost no record so far. It rains heavily in the summer. There is no irrigation facility so farmers have to depend on the rain (monsoon). The climate is very friendly to grow variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains.

This place was also known for the Sani Ukali (short but steeper climbings) on the way from Ramdi to Tansen and the Thuli Ukali (big one) in the neighbouring Chappani VDC. There was a project,around 1991 AD (2047 BS) to improve this historical trekking road from Ramdi to Tansen and some section of this was upgraded nicely. However, the work was not completed. After few years, another project started to provide a roadway from Tansen to Ramdi. This included a very hard work of the local people. By 2008 AD (2065 BS) the first phase of it was completed. Except for heavily raining seasons, there is a transportation service available from Butwal and Tansen to Darlamdanda and neighbouring village development committees.

About Shree Darlamdanda Mahakali Bhagwati Temple

Shree Darlam Mahakali Bhagwati temple is located at Darlam Danda VDC-1, Darlam Danda Palpa, Nepal. It is situated at five kilometres south west from the holy place Ramdighat at the bank of Shree Krishna Gandaki River and about 12km north east of major town Tansen, Palpa, Nepal. At this place, the ancestors of late Padampani Gaire had been worshiping Shree Mahakali Bhagwati for several years. In 2000BS, late Padampani Gaire established small temple and worshiped a statue of Mahakali made of clay every day. On 2010BS, Kartik shukla triyodashi, Shree Mahakali appeared in his dreams and said him that she would appear as a stone at a particular time and place. She wanted him to bring that stone and start worshiping her instead of the clay statue. Surprisingly, Mr Humakanta Bashyal, an astrologist had the same dreams on the same night. Both of them went to search the stone according to instructions of goddess independently and found the holy stone at Sapangdi , approximately 200 feet east of the present temple. The holy stone was approximately five feet tall. Since then, this holy stone is worshiped as Shree Darlam Mahakali Bhagwati established in the temple and worships, punchayan puja and rudravishek hawan have been offering to Darlam Mahakali every day. A new temple is being built at the same place now.

The new temple is being built based on the instructions of Shree Darlam Mahakali given to Mr Ganraj Gaire, son of late Padampani Gaire on 2048BS Kartik 22nd in his dreams. The structure of temple is similar to the Manakamana temple as per Shree Mahakali Bhagwati instructions. This temple is built on the land donated by Gaire families, the descendents of late Padampani Gaire and is now made public property where everyone can worship every day.

The structure of this new temple is based on pagoda architecture. The main construction was started on the auspicious day of 2053BS Ashwin Mahanawami. The master plan of this development is to built Shree Ganesh Temple, Shree Bhagawati Panchayan Temple, Shree Shive Temple, Shree Laxmi Narayan Temple, Yagya Mandap, Hawan Kunda, Ved Vidyapeeth and Vandar Kashya around the main temple. To complete this master plan, develop this area as a holy place and keep sacred importance of this temple, Shree Darlam Mahakali Bhagwati temple deveopment and management committee has been established on 24th Bhadra 2057BS. This committee has 17 members representing five VDC of nearby villages. It is registered in district administration office Palpa. It is continuously working with the blessings of Goddess Bhagawati and voluntary works of her devotees. The committee needs constant support of devotes like you to send the holy message of Goddess to everyone. If you wish to donate and support us, please contact us on the details below. You are also kindly requested to come and visit this temple and obtain the holy grace of Shree Darlam Mahakali Bhagawati . May the Goddess bless all of us.

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Visit Lumbini Anchal Nepal

2011-03-05T16:43:00.000+05:30

Lumbinī (Sanskrit: लुम्बिनी, "the lovely") is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi district of Nepal, near the Indian border. It is the place where Queen Mayadevi is said to have given birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who as the Buddha Gautama founded the Buddhist tradition. The Buddha lived between roughly 563 and 483 BCE. Lumbini is one of four magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha, the others being at Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya, and Sarnath.

Lumbini is in the foothills of the Himalaya, 25 km east of the municipality of Kapilavastu, where the Buddha is said to have lived till the age of 29. Kapilvastu is the name of the place in question as well as of the neighbouring district. Lumbini has a number of temples, including the Mayadevi temple, and others under construction. Also here is the Puskarini or Holy Pond - where the Buddha's mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he, too, had his first bath - as well as the remains of Kapilvastu palace. At other sites near Lumbini, earlier Buddhas were, according to tradition, born, achieved ultimate awakening and finally relinquished earthly form.

In Buddha's time

In the Buddha's time, Lumbini was a park situated between Kapilavastu and Devadaha in India. It was there that the Buddha was born. A pillar now marks the spot of Asoka's visit to Lumbiní. According to an inscription on the pillar, it was placed there by the people then in charge of the park to commemorate Asoka's visit and gifts. The park was previously known as Rummindei, two miles north of Bhagavanpura.

In the Sutta Nipáta (vs. 683) it is stated that the Buddha was born in a village of the Sákyans, in the Lumbineyya Janapada. The Buddha stayed in Lumbinívana during his visit to Devadaha and there preached the Devadaha Sutta.

For centuries, Buddhists- all over the world, knew that Lumbini where the Lord was born is somewhere around. The descriptions of famous Chinese pilgrims (of ancient times) Huian Tsang and Faeihan indicated to this area-saying ‘Lumbini-where the lord was born is a piece of heaven on earth and one could see the snowy mountains amidst a splendid garden-embedded with stupas and monasteries!

Orientation and Information

The main archeological sites are located in the Sacred Garden. The newer temples are located north of the Sacred Gardens and some of them are in the new Master Plan area and some aren’t.

There is a tourist information booth is near the parking area at the entrance of the Sacred Garden. They may be able to arrange a guide. One of the Lumbini Development archeologists can provide good information about the site.

You can change money at the Nepal Bank of Ceylon, in Buddha Nagar on the main road (Sunday to Thursday, 10 am to 2 pm, Friday, 10 am to noon).

History

It is believed that the Sacred Garden was made after the Buddha’s death and that there was at least one Buddhist monastery here when Emperor Ashoka visited. The Indian Emperor Ashoka came to Lumbini in 245 BC and erected one of his famous pillars here. In 636 Hsuan Tang and saw many run-down monasteries. In the 15th Muslim came to the area and most likely destroyed what remained of the monument here. After this time the site got covered over by jungle and was lost. In 1896 Palpa Shumsher Rana excavated the Ashoka pillar. Nothing really remains of the ruins of the past accept the pond where it is said Maya Devi bathed. There are some foundations of viharas and stupas near the pond.

Festivals

There is a Buddhist festival in April/May called Buddha Jayanti here to celebrate the appearance of the Buddha. At the same time there is a big Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon day of the Nepali month of Vaisakha (April/May), when Hindu come to worship Maya Devi as Rupa Devi, the goddess of Lumbini.

Best Place to See In Lumbini Nepal

The Ashokan Pillar
Discovered by the now famous German archaeolgist Dr. Fuhrer, the pillar is the first epigraphic evidence relating to the life history of Lord Buddha and is also the most visible landmark of the garden. The historic importance of the pillar is evidenced by the inscription engraved in the pillar (in Brahmi script).

It is said that the great Indian Emperor Ashok visited the site in the twentieth year of is ascendancy to the throne and as a homage to the birthplace,erected the pillar.

The inscriptions in the pillar roughly translates as: Kin Piyadesi beloved of th Gods, having been anointed 20 yeas, came himself and worshipped saying Here Buddha Shakyamuni was born: And he caused to make a stone (capital) representing a horse; and he caused (this) stone pillar to be erected. Because the worshipful one was born in the village of Lumbini has been made free of taxes and recipient of wealth"

Puskarni-the sacred pool
South of the Ashokan Pillar, there is the famous sacred pool- ‘Puskarni’ believed to be the same sacred pool in which Maya Devi took a holy dip just before giving birth to the Lord and also where infant Buddha was given his first purification bath. Architecturally the pool has the projecting terraces in descending order and is reverted with a fine brick masonry.

Sanctum-Sanctorum of the Birthplace
The single most important place of the Lumbini (and to the entire Buddhist world for that matter) is the stoneslab-located deep in the Sanctum sanctorum.Revealed after a hard and meticulous excavations under the three layers of ruins over the site of a famous Maya Devi temple, the stone slab foundation pinpoints the location of the original place-marking the exact spot of the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

Maya Devi temple
Maya Devi temple
has been built in the memory of Gautam Buddha’s mother, Maya Devi. This has become one of the major Nepal Buddhist Tour Destination for the tourists from abroad. The splendid sculpture that has been engraved is Buddha standing upright on a lotus petal and his mother under the Sal tree. This temple is believed to have been built 2000 years back. This is indeed amazing that the temple has been excavated and has been restored for people to learn about the rich culture of Buddhism.

Getting there and around
Buses run regulary after every hour or so from morning six o' clock to afternoon five o' clock to Lumbini from Bhairawa, an industrial town situated 284 km to the southeast of Lumbini. They are crowded and slow: it almost takes an hour for the 22km trip.

You can hire a cab for the day for about US$15. The cost may sound little bit expensive, but it's worth spending if you are travelling in a small group. The other option is you can hire a three-wheeler tempo for about half the price. You can also take a 45-minute flight from Kathmandu to Gautam Buddha Airport at Bhairawa.
Buses from Bhairawa leave from near the main intersection, across the street from the Hotel Yeti.

Air The closest airport is at Bhairawa, from where there are flights to and from Kathmandu.

Depending on how long you want to stay in Lumbini, a bicycle or hiring a rickshaw would be nice to go around but not necessary (especially for the fact that one cannot find a bike for rent easily).

Where To Stay in Lumbini Nepal

Most people come just for a day trip and usually stay the night in Bhairawa or Sunauli 22 km away. It is possible to stay in the very basic facilities at some of the monasteries for a donation. Sometimes the bathrooms can be quite depressing. The Theravada monastery has a basic dharmshala. It may be possible to stay at the Tibetan Monastery, outside of the winter months. It may also be possible to stay at the Dae Sun Suk Gu Sa Monastery.

Lumbini Village Lodge, Lumbini Mehalbar, about 2 km east of main site, has simple rooms (a bit depressing) for Rs 200/300 appox. Basic meals are Rs 40 appox.

Sri Lankan Pilgrims Rest House about a half-hour walk (3km) from the Sacred Garden, is a large modern place that has clean rooms with common bath and hot water. Dorm beds are Rs 250 Appox. It has a restaurant.

Hotel Rainbow has air-cooled rooms for Rs 500/600 Appox. It is over-priced and is right on the highway so can be noisy.

Mikasa Hotel is a new place with good rooms.

Lumbini Buddha Hotel (email: asainadv@mos.com.np) is a mid-range place with hot water and air-cooled rooms. It has a restaurant. It is southwest of the Sacred Garden.

Lumbini Hokke Hotel (20236, 80236; fax: same), several km north of the main site, is a luxury hotel with rooms for $90/130. It is managed by Japanese and is used mainly by Japanese Buddhist pilgrims. Meals for non-guest are $12 or more. It has rooms with Japanese furniture. It is one of the best hotels in Nepal.

Hotel Lumbini Garden New Crystal is newly built. Pool, health club and meditation center.
The Lumbini Garden Restaurant, near the main parking lot (car park), is a decent place that has Indian and Western dishes. The is an eating place in the compound of the Theravada Monastery

Address of Hotels in Lumbini

Hotel Lumbini Garden
Buddhanagar, Mahilawar,
Lumbini, Nepal.
Tel: 977-71-580145/622155
Fax: 977-71-580045
Lumbini Hokke Hotel
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Hotel Nirvana (Lumbini, Nepal)
P.O. Box 24
Paklihawa Road, Siddhartha Nagar
Lumbini, Nepal
Phone:
(977)-71-520837
977)-71-520516
Fax: (977)-71-521262
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Buddha Maya Gardens Hotel
South Of Lumbini Garden, Lumbini, Nepal
+977 71 580 220
(The Buddha Maya Gardens Hotel, Lumbini is set in 4 acres of grounds. A 10 minutes walk away from the Mayadevi temple)
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Places around Lumbini
Kapilvastu
Located some 27 km. west of Lumbini lies the ruins of historic town of ‘Kapilvastu’. Believed to be the capital of Shakya republic where the Lord lived and enjoyed his life until his thirteeth year, Kapilvastu has been identified with. Tilaurakot by the archaelolotists. Also, the place is believed to have been associated with different important episodes: there are ruins and mounds of old stupas and monasteries made of kiln-burnt bricks and clay-mortar. The remains are surrounded by a moat and the wall of the city are made of bricks. In fact, the city of Kapilvastu are in such a grand scale that it could be easily be visualised as a seat of high culture.

Aroarakot
About 10 km northwest of Taulihawa there is a rectangular fortified area which is popularly known as Arourakot. The fortified area is identified by the famous Indian archaeologist P.C. Mukharji as the natal town of Kanakmuni Buddha. Remains of ancient moat and brick fortification around the Kot can still be clearly located. A brick lined well is seen to the south and elevated mound towards the northwest corner.

Gotihawa
About 5 km. southwest of Taulihawa, there is a village called Gotihawa. In the village there is an Ashokan Pillar standing in a slab. The upper portion of the pillar is broken and lost and only the lower portion of the pillar 3.5m. high is still intact. Adjoining the pillar towards its northeast there is a huge stupa with successive ring of wedge shaped Mauryan bricks.

Kudan
About 2 km. southwest of Taulihawa, on the left side of the Shoratgarh Taulihawa road stands the village Kudan having a huge structural ruin with a cluster of four mounds and a tank. The mounds were excavated in 1962.

Niglihawa
About 8 km, northwest of Taulihawa, there is another site of archaelogical importance. The site has quadrangular tank surrounded by bushes, locally known as Niglisagar. On the western Bank of the tank there are two broken pieces of the Ashokan pillar, the longer one laying flat and the shorter ones stack into the ground. The pillar bears 2 peacocks on the top part and a Devanagari script inscription reading Om mani Padme Hun Ripu mallasya Chiran Jayut 1234.’

The shorter portion of the pillar which is partly buried in the ground measures 1.52m in length bears four lines of Ashokan inscription in the Brahmi script which roughly translates as: "King Piyadasi Beloved of the gods, after 14 years of his coronation enlarged for the second time the stupa of Buddha kanaka Muni, and after 20 years of his coronat ion he came himself and worshipped (and ) he caused (this) stone pillar to be erected:"

Sagarhawa
About 12 km. north of Taulihawa, there is a forest area called Sagarhawa. In the midst of the forest there is a huge rectangular tank which is popularly known as Lumbusagar, or a long tank. The ancient tanks ruins which were excavated and indentified by Dr. Aslois A Fuhrer as the ‘Palace of massacre of the Shakyas’ in 1895 can still be located on the west south banks of the Sagar.

Lumbini Development Project
To develop "Lumbini" as a center of International Buddhist Culture and Learning a master plan development is underway. As suggested by Mr. U-Thant. The UN secretary a master plan was prepared by Mr. Kenzo T ange, the reputed Japanese architect. The salient features of the plan are

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Visit Swayambhunath Temple Kathmandu Nepal

2011-02-26T16:29:00.000+05:30

Swayambhunath (Devnagari: स्वयम्भूनाथ स्तुप; sometimes romanized Swoyambhunath) is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. It is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are holy monkeys living in parts of the temple in the north-west. The Tibetan name for the site means 'Sublime Trees' (Wylie:Phags.pa Shing.kun), for the many varieties of trees found on the hill. However, Shing.kun may be a corruption of the local Newari name for the complex, Singgu, meaning 'self-sprung'.[1] For the Buddhist Newars 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 Buddhist pilgrimage sites. For Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism, it second only to Boudhanath.

The Swayambhunath complex consists of a stupa, 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 Nepali language dialect[citation needed]. 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 Vajra. Tsultrim Allione describes the experience:

Mythology

According to Swayambhu Purana, the entire valley was once filled with an enormous lake, out of which grew a lotus. The valley came to be known as Swayambhu, meaning "Self-Created." The name comes from an eternal self-existent flame (svyaṃbhu) over which a sūpa was later built.

Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey Temple 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.

The Bodhisatva Manjushri 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 Chovar. 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.

History

Swayambhunath, is among the oldest religious sites in Nepal. According to the Gopālarājavaṃśāvalī Swayambhunath was founded by the great-grandfather of King Mānadeva (464-505 CE), King Vṛsadeva, 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.

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.

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.

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.

What to See

The primary approach to the temple is from the eastern side, where 365 ancient steps lead up the steep forested hillside. The base is about a 20-minute walk from the center of Kathmandu. This staircase is the only route pilgrims would consider and is the most memorable way for any visitor to experience the stupa. However, an alternative is to drive or take a taxi to the west side, where there are only a few steps to climb to the top.

At the bottom of the eastern stairway is a brightly painted gate containing a huge Tibetan prayer wheel nearly 12 feet tall. It takes two people to turn it and a bell sounds during each revolution. Around the gate are dozens more smaller wheels. Devotees spin prayer wheels to release prayers and mantras to heaven - visitors are welcomed to do so as well.

The staircase is presided over by three painted Buddha statues from the 17th century near the base (women perform prostrations before them in the early morning); another group further up are from the early 20th century.

Strewn along the staircase are numerous mani stones, inscribed with the Tibetan mantra Om mani padme hum ("Hail to the jewel in the lotus"). Merchants sell smaller versions of the stones to tourists. The stairs run through a beautiful forest, which is populated with the hundreds of monkeys that give the temple its nickname.

Main Stupa

The central buildings and decorations of Swayambhunath are rich with Buddhist symbolism. The whitewashed dome of the main stupa represents the womb of creation, with a phallic complement in the square tower. Rising from the tower is a spire made of 13 golden disks, representing the steps to enlightenment. The umbrella on top symbolizing enlightenment itself; some say it contains a bowl of precious stones.

The famous Buddha eyes gazing out sleepily from each side of the tower (oriented to the four cardinal directions) are those of the all-seeing Primordial Buddha. Between each of the pairs of eyes is a symbol that looks like a question mark - this is the Nepali number "1" and represents the unity of all things. Gold plaques rising above the eyes like a crown depict the Five Dhyani Buddhas, celestial buddhas who are associated with the five senses, the four cardinal directions plus the center, and many other symbolic groups of five.

The Five Dhyani Buddhas are further honored with special shrines at the base of the stupa. They face the four cardinal directions, plus one slightly left of east to represent the center direction. Between them are shrines to four of the Buddhas' consorts. Linking all nine shrines together is a chain of prayer wheels and butter lamps. The five main shrines are enclosed in beautiful gilded copper repoussé work, for which the Kathmandu Valley is renowned.

Filling the platform around the main stupa are numerous other shrines and votive structures, most of which have been donated by kings and lamas in the last four centuries. Five of them are associated with the five elements: earth, air, fire, water and sky.

Harati Devi Temple

Notable among these is the Harati Devi Temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess of smallpox and other epidemics, as well as a protectress of children. The small brick pagoda is very popular among both Hindus and Buddhists, especially mothers seeking blessings for their children.

Petitioners toss flower petals, rice, colored powder and holy water over the Harati image, then receive a tika from the resident priest. Monkeys, stray dogs, and pigeons fight over the rice and the food offerings, contributing to the chaotic atmosphere. The image of the goddess dates only from the 19th century; it replaces the original that was smashed by King Rana Bahadur Shah after his wife died of smallpox.

Food offerings for Harati (typically stew, rice and bread) are cooked in a kitchen on the bottom floor of a gompa (monastery prayer room) on the west side of the complex. Visitors can climb stairs to the gompa roof, which is level with the Buddha eyes. From here there are fine views over the stupa and Kathmandu valley.

Shantipur
Northwest of the main stupa is another important shrine, associated with a fascinating legend. Shantipur is a small, plain, box-shaped temple said to contain a great treasure - a living holy man who has been meditating in there for 1500 years. Legend has it that Shanti Shri, who lived in the 5th century, locked himself in a vault beneath the temple, vowing to remain there until the Kathmandu Valley needed him. Entering a mystic state, he has achieved immortality and remains there to help the local people when needed.

In 1658, King Pratap Mella descended into the chamber alone to seek Shanti Shri's help with a drought. The king reported making his way through several underground rooms, each more frightening than the last. The first contained large bats and hawks, the second was home to hungry ghosts that clutched at him in agony, and the third was full of snakes that chased him until he pacified them with milk. The king found the saint in the last room, skinny as a skeleton but still alive and meditating. Shanti Shri presented the king with a mandala, which brought the needed rain.

The outer sanctum of the rather ominous temple can be visited. It is decorated with faded frescoes from the Swayambhu Purana, a 17th-century scripture that recounts the creation myths of the Kathmandu Valley. Shantipur is also called Akashpur (Sky Place) and it represents the fifth element.

Other Shrines
The two bullet-shape temples (shikra) on each side of the stupa, known as Pratappur and Anantapur, were given by King Pratap Malla to help him earn a victory over

Tibet in the 17th century. The story of his success is inscribed on the twin bells in front.

At the northeast corner of the complex is the Shree Karma Raj Mahavihar, an active Tibetan monastery with a big Buddha statue and yak butter candles lit by pilgrims. The resident monks chant around 3 or 4pm daily. The northwest corner is home to Agnipur, a neglected shrine to the ancient Hindu fire god Agni, who relays burnt offerings to heaven. Between these two, north of the main stupa, is Nagpur, a small tank with a snake idol at the bottom. This helps appease the valley's notorious snake spirits.

At the top of the eastern steps is a great bronze vajra (thunderbolt), a Tantric symbol of power, decorated with the signs of the Tibetan zodiac.

When to Go
The weather is most pleasant in Kathmandu in spring and fall. Swayambhunath is most atmospheric in the morning (before 9am), when it hosts more pilgrims than tourists. If possible, visit on a Saturday, the only day Nepalis have off from work. This is the primary day of activity around the Harati and other shrines.

Festivals and Events
The two main festivals celebrated at Swayambhunath are Buddha Jayanti (in April or May) and Losar (in February or March). During these times, many pilgrims visit the temple and the monks create a lotus pattern on the stupa with saffron-colored paint. Also important is the month-long Gunla celebration (August or September) marking the end of the rainy season.

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Visit Sagarmatha National Park Nepal

2011-02-26T13:06:00.000+05:30

Sagarmatha National Park is a protected area in the Himalayas of eastern Nepal containing the southern half of Mount Everest. The park was created on July 19, 1976 and was inscribed as a Natural World Heritage Site in 1979. Sagarmāthā is a Sanskrit word, from sagar = "sky" (not to be confused with "sea/ocean") and māthā = "forehead" or "head", and is the modern Nepali name for Mount Everest.

The park encompasses an area of 1,148 km2 in the Solukhumbu District and ranges in elevation from 2,845 metres (9,334 ft) at Jorsalle to 8,848 metres (29,029 ft) at the summit of Mount Everest.[1] Barren land above 5,000 m (16,400 ft) comprises 69% of the park while 28% is grazing land and the remaining 3% is forested. Most of the park area is very rugged and steep, with its terrain cut by deep rivers and glaciers. Unlike other parks, this park can be divided into four climate zones because of the rising altitude. The climatic zones include a forested lower zone, a zone of alpine scrub, the upper alpine zone which includes upper limit of vegetation growth, and the Arctic zone where no plants can grow. The types of plants and animals that are found in the park depend on the altitude. The park contains the upper watershed of the Dudh Kosi river basin system.

The park's visitor centre is located at the top of a hill in Namche Bazaar, also where a company of the Nepal Army is stationed for protecting the park. The park's southern entrance is a few hundred metres north of Monzo at 2,835 m (9,300 ft), a one day hike from Lukla.

Geology:
According to the continental-drift theory, the Himalaya were uplifted at the end of the Mesozoic Era, some 60 millions years ago. The resulting young mountains of this region are still rising and the net growth is a few centimeters per century.

Flora and fauna

In the lower forested zone, birch, juniper, blue pines, firs, bamboo and rhododendron grow. Above this zone all vegetation are found to be dwarf or shrubs. As the altitude increases, plant life is restricted to lichens and mosses. Plants cease to grow at about 5,750 metres (18,860 ft), because this is the permanent snow line in the Himalayas.

Forests of pine and hemlock cover the lower elevations of the national park. At elevations of around 3.500 meters and above, forests of silver fir, birch, rhododendron and juniper trees are found. The forests provide habitat to at least 118 species of birds, including Himalayan Monal, Blood pheasant, Red-billed chough, and yellow-billed chough. Sagarmāthā National Park is also home to a number of rare mammal species, including musk deer, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear and red panda. Himalayan thars, langur monkeys, martens and Himalayan wolves are also found in the park.

The partial pressure of oxygen falls with altitude. Therefore, the animals that are found here are adapted to living on less oxygen and cold temperatures. They have thick coats to retain body heat. Some of them have shortened limbs to prevent loss of body heat. The Himalayan bears go into hibernation in caves during the winter when there is no food available.

The famed bloom of rhododendrons occurs during the spring (April and May) although much of the. flora is most colorful during the monsoon season (June to August). The wild animals most likely to be seen in the park are the Himalayan tahr, goral, serow, musk deer and Himalayan black bear. Other mammals are weasels, martens. Himalayan mouse hare (Pika), jackals and langur.

The park provides a habit for at least 118 species of birds. The most common birds to be seen are the Impeyen pheasant (the national bird of Nepal), blood pheasant, cheer pheasant, jungle crow, red billed and yellow billed coughs and snow pigeon. Fairly common birds are the Himalayan griffon, lammergier, snow partridge, skylark and many others.

Seasons:
The summer climate is cool and wet and winter is cold and dry. Almost all of the annual precipitation, averaging less than 1000 mm, falls during the summer monsoon, from end of May to September. Climatically, the best time to visit the park is between October and May, except for December to February when, daytime temperatures often drop below 0 C and there is heavy snowfall.

Local Inhabitants:
The park is populated by approximately 3000 of the famed Sherpa people, originating from Tibet in the late 15th or early 16th century A.D. Their lives are interwoven with the teaching of Buddhism. The main settlements are Namche Bazaar, Khumjung, Khunde, Thame, Thyangboche, Pangboche and Phortse. There are also temporary settlements in the upper valleys where the Sherpas graze their livestock during the summer season.

The economy of the Khumbu Sherpa community has traditionally been agriculture, livestock herding and trade with Tibet. With the coming of international mountaineering expeditions in the 1950s, the region also attracted larger numbers of foreign trekkers. Today the Sherpa economy is becoming increasingly dependent on tourism.

How to Get There:

Fly in and out of Lukla, followed by 15 days walk.
Bus to Jiri and trek for 21 days, flying back to Kathmandu from Lukla.
Fly in and out of Phaplu and trek for 16 days.
Fly in to Tumlingtar from Kathmandu and a 10 day walk to the park.

Namche Bazaar

Important Points:
There are trekker lodges with food available in places like Namche Bazaar, Thyangboche, Pheriche and Lobuche and along most of the main trekking routes the small villages have basic accomodation.

There is the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) at Pheriche which has medical facilities and also accepts credit card as payment.

The National Park ranges from 3000 m to 8000 m and above in altitude. Visitors need to be careful and aware of High Altitude sickness (HAS). Do not climb to fast or too high in one day, no more than 400 m in a day. Signs of HAS include: headache, difficulty in sleeping, breathlessness, loss of appetite, nauseousness and general tiredness.

A few water-based attractions besides the snow covered peaks of the Sagarmatha National Park are its rivers and glaciers. This is one area where the glacial and snowmelt water along with rain combine to create some of Nepal's gushing rivers like the Dudh Kosi, Bhote Kosi, and the Imja. Some of the prominent glaciers of the area include the Khumbu, Imha, Nangpa and Lhotse. (For more info about Nepal's rivers, see the river rafting & kayaking page.)

The two most popular destination towns to fly into, in order to start travel through the park are Lukla and the highest airstrip in the world at Syanboche. There are regular flights from Kathmandu to Lukla. If you prefer to do more trekking to reach the park and less flying, there are alternative ways of reaching the park. One way is to fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and walk 10 days, or fly to Phaplu and trek for 5 days. Taking a bus to Jiri is also followed by a 10 day walk to get into the park.

Most of the park is explored by foot and some of the more popular places to check out are Chukung Valley, Thame Valley, Kala Patthar Base Camp (also known as Everest Base Camp), Lobuche, and Gokyo Valley.

Best Times for travel to the Sagarmatha National Park

The best times for travel to the Sagarmatha (Everest) park are March through May or October through November. Although these times are the warmer and clearer days of the year, the nights can still drop below 0 at higher elevations. If you are camping you should be well equipped and stocked with food, fuel and any other supplies.

Entry Fees into Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park:
At Monjo there is the Sagarmatha National Park enterance station where you will have to show your passport and pay a National Park fee.

National Park fee per person per entry:

For Nepali Nationals Free
For SAARC Nationals Rs 100
For Foreign Nationals Rs1000
Children under 10 years Free

Prohibited in the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park

Motor bikes and mountain bikes are prohibited in the park as well as beer bottles and other glass bottles. You should either bury any trash or dispose of it in designated refuse pits. Using firewood is prohibited, locals and visitors are required to buy kerosene for an alternative form of energy. Dole, Pheriche, and Syangboche are all designated places to buy this fuel.

For those wishing to travel by climbing any peaks below 6000 meters will have to buy a permit from the Nepal Mountaineering Association. For those wishing to travel the peaks over 6000 meters, you will have to get permission from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation.

Travelers should always be aware of their body and any signs of high altitude sickness because it can be dangerous or even fatal, especially since the elevation changes are so great in this region. If climbing over 3000 meters, doctors do not advise ascending more than 400 meters a day. If you do get ill and need medical attention while in the park, there is the Pheriche Aid Post (which also has a communication center) and the Kunde Hospital, they also offer medical tips to travelers and locals.

More Pictures

The excited trekkers quickly exited the plane and were encouraged to leave quickly by the whistle-blowing policemen. A few minutes later the weary but happy trekkers who had finished their trek jumped into the airplane and off they went back to Kathmandu. Nupla is in the background. The airport in Lukla was renamed in 2008 to the Tenzing-Hillary Airport. The bituman runway is 527m long, the width is 20m, and the runway incline is almost 20%.

Lukla To Namche Bazaar 05 Planes Land Uphill At Tenzing Hillary Airstrip In Lukla

Lukla To Namche Bazaar 06 Plane Ready To Descend Lukla Airstrip With Karyolung, Lukla, And Nupla

Lukla To Namche Bazaar 18 Monjo

Lukla To Namche Bazaar 19 Monjo Entrance To Sagarmatha National Park, Kani Paintings Of Vajrapani, Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri,

Visit Palpa Nepal - Tansen Nepal

2011-02-19T13:53:00.000+05:30

Palpa District, a part of Lumbini Zone, is one of the seventy-five districts of Nepal, a landlocked country of South Asia. The district, with Tansen as its headquarters, covers an area of 1,373 km² and has a population (2001) of 268,558.

Palpa is not really a tourist destination, and compared to other cities, it's one of Nepal's less visited places. Other destinations in the area such as Pokhara, Kathmandu, and Bhaktapur but palpa may be more interesting to visit.

Before Nepal was united, Tansen was the capital of the Palpa kingdom ruled by the Sen Dynasty. 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 they 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, often after being exiled from Kathmandu trying to overthrow the king of the time.

Go to Palpa (Tansen)

Tansen is between Pokhara (5 hr, 110km) and Sunauli/Bhairawa (2 hr, 55 km), just off the Siddhartha Highway, and is a pleasant place to stop on the way between the two places. It is the administrative center for the area.

Best Places to visit in Palpa

Tansen Bazar

The township of Tansen is among a few towns outside the capital which bears a rich legacy of the traditional art and architecture. Perched on the lap of the spectacular Srinagar Danda (hill) Tansen, commands a gorgeous panorama of the Himalayas as well as the plains of Terai. Located at an elevation of 1310 meters Tansen is a pleasant place to visit during any season of the year. The hill of Srinagar, half an hour’s walk up Tansen Bazaar at an elevation of 1524 m. is rare vantage point to view the contrasting manifestation of nature. An Incredibly Long panorama of the mountains encompassing Kanjiroba, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Langtang Himal at a stretch is visible from here on one hand, while on the other the plains of Madi valley and the bigger terai also comes to distinct view from the same point. Tansen is a good put off point for short as well as long treks. You can visit some of the beautiful points on the Kali Gandaki river such as Ranighat Palace and Ramdi Ghat the dense and serene woody slopes of Rambhapani and Satyawati lake.For longer treks you can choose any area in Annapurna-Dhaulagiri region such as Dhorpatan, Jomsom, Ghorepani or Annapurna Sanctuary. Tansen also provides opportunity for study of Buddhist culture and the life and culture of Magar tribes.

Siddha Baba Temple

The Siddha Baba Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a pilgrimage site for many Hindu devotees. The temple is found on the hills that border Butwal & Palpa. It is said that Siddha Baba will grant the wishes of the devotees who visit the temple. Every time a person's wish is granted, that person will release a pigeon at the temple. Interestingly, there is a large number of pigeons found around the temple.

In visiting the Siddha Baba Temple, it would be best to avoid going here on Saturdays if you want to avoid a large crowd. Saturday is the weekly holiday in Nepal, hence a large number of local devotees come here during that day.

Ranighat

Palpa Ranighat: Visit the ancient building (palace) set on a massive rock bed at the bank of the Kali Gandaki river for viewing palace garden, stone walls, and a small shrine. This palace was built in 1892 by Governor Khadka Shamser in memory of his wife Tej Kumari, and is often called the Taj Mahal of Nepal.

Amar Narayan Temple
This temple is a traditional three-tiered pagoda-style temple built in 1806. It has well carved doors and has some intricate woodwork. It has erotic figures on the roof struts. 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.

Shreenagar Hill:

One of the most picturesque spots in the whole Palpa region, Shreenagar hill abounds in scenic grander and magnificent natural surroundings. A mere 30 minutes climb on foot or 10 minutes drive from the town of Tansen, One would reach the top of the hill which commands a unique spectrum of natural extravaganza-from the snowcapped Himalayan peaks in the north to the lush green wide expanse of plains of Terai in the south, and of course, the panoramic view of the Tansen town. The impressive meadow on the hill top is an ideal spot to view the breathtaking scenes of majestic Dhaulagiri, annapurna and the famed twin peaks of Machhapuchare-the fishtail mountain. also, many beautiful short walks and excursions may be enjoyed from this point. To the comfort of the visitors, there are newly built facilities like cottages and camping sites on the top of the hill. An added attraction is a recently built ‘Twa-dewa’, a huge Newari style bronze lamp stand.

Ramdi
A half-day walk through fertile landscape shaped by teRamdi-Riverrraced rice fields lead to Ramdi at the banks of the Kali Gandaki River. Ramdi is a ‘Ghat’ (cremation place) where people bring their deceased relatives for their final rites. Besides this, Ramdi is famous for its cave temples, where the farmers from surrounding villages offer milk to protect their cattle from leopards and jackals.

Tansen Durbar
Built in 1927 AD by Pratap Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, the Durbar is a grand imposing palace in the heart of the town. Once it was the seat of the Rana governors, the Durbar is now the district secretariat of Palpa district.

Where Stay?
Mostly best Hotels is found in Tansen. There are some undesirable, basic hotels near the bus station for around Rs 100. Hotel The Bajra (20443), a little up the hill, has clean rooms with common bath for Rs 100/150 and with bath and hot water for Rs 250/350.

Hotel Gautam Siddhartha (20280), up the hill, has basic, quiet, clean rooms for Rs 160.
Hotel Srinagar (20045; fax 20467), on the ridge above town 2km away, is a comfortable place that has rooms for $30/40. It is well located and has great views. It is best to call in advance to make sure that have a room available. It is used mainly by tour groups. It is a good way above the town, and you can call and have them pick you up.

Hotel the White Lake (20503, 20291), up the hill, has comfortable rooms for Rs 400/600. It has good views and is a good value.

Where to Eat

Nanglo is one of the popular restuarnt in Tansen. It is situated in the middle of the Bazaar.We can get all the Nepali as well as Western foods over here.The resturant is decorated in a ancient way considering all the Nepali culture and traditions.The people of the town usually go there to have a family gatherings and also for lots of special celebrations.

Nanglo West, a branch of a Kathmandu-based restaurant, has a pleasant indoor and outdoor seating area. It serves really good Nepali and Newar food, and decent Western food.

Doko Restaurant has Tibetan and Newari food.

Hotel Srinagar has a good restaurant.

Travel

There are many buses to Butwal (Rs 25) and to Sunauli/Bhairawa (Rs 44). There is one government Sajha Yatayat bus daily to Kathmandu (Rs 140). There is one bus to Pokhara (Rs 95) and others coming from Butwal. There is a bus to Kakarbhitta. To go to other place in the Terai, you change buses at Butwal.

You can also take one of the more comfortable and faster semi-tourist buses that go between Pokhara and Sonauli. These buses run along the Siddhartha Highway, so you have to get off at Bartun, which is the village three km from Tansen at the road that turns off to Tansen. From there you can either get a bus to Tansen or you can walk up the steep 1km short-cut that begins north of the intersection.

The highway running north–south has some great views, so you may want to ride on the roof. If you are coming here from Pokhara for the best views sit on the right side of the bus.

There are no rickshaws or taxis in Tansen. The better hotels can usually arrange a vehicle or a motorcycle hire. You can rent a bicycle at some guest houses.

Must Visit Palpa Nepal

World’s best festivals: Bisket Jatra - Bhaktapur, Nepal

2011-01-18T14:15:00.000+05:30

Bisket Jatra is one of the most colorful and boisterous celebration in Bhaktapur.In Thimi, the local crowd celebrate it by carrying the palanquins of Hindu deities across the town square. People smear and throw vermilion , as they carry the palanquin of the deities. Yomaris(Newari rice cake prepared especially during New Year) are thrown from homes towards the Balkumari temple, while the boisterous crowd tries to catch it.According to a local belief, a son will be born to anyone who catches a yomari!

Offerings for the deity

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. The Bisket Jatra Festival of Bhaktapur coincides with Nepali New Year. There is a legend that every man who married the Bhasktapur -

Vermilion on the palanquin of the deity

Princess died the honey-moon night. So, one brave prince stayed a wake the night to see that two serpents came out of the two nostrils of the princess when she was asleep. The prince quickly took out his sword and chopped the serpents head off the body. The next day morning, the serpents were displayed in a pole and the Bhaktapur amidst the celebration which continues till today in the form of Bisket Jatra Festival. Still the symbolic pole is erected in Taumadhi Tole of Bhaktapur during this festival. After two days of the erection of the pole, images of Lord Bhairab and his female counterpart Bhadra are enshrined in two large chariots and pulled through crowds of cheering onlookers. When the chariot reaches a sloping open square, there is a tug-of-war between the inhabitants of the upper and lower parts of the town. Winners are considered to be blessed with good fortune for the coming year. The festival concludes with several days of dancing and worship. Thimi, another ancient town of the Valley, also celebrates the New Year with special festivities.

Crowds gather to witness the jatra

Bisket Jatra heralds the start of the Nepali New Year and is celebrated with the most aplomb in Bhaktapur. In one of the most exciting annual events in the Kathmandu valley, a huge and ponderous chariot carrying images of the god Bhairab is hauled by dozens of villagers to Khalna Tole. The creaking and swaying chariot lumbers around town, pausing for a huge tug of war between the eastern and western sides of town. After the battle the chariots head to Khalna Tole, where a huge 25m-high lingam (phallic symbol) is erected in the stone yoni (female genital symbol) base.

In the evening of the following day (New Year’s Day), the pole is pulled down, again in an often-violent tug-of-war. As the pole crashes to the ground, the New Year offi cially commences. Variations on the Bisket Jatra theme can also be seen in the villages of Timi and Bode. In the former there’s a parade of images of the gods, with villagers throwing red powder over them. In the latter, there’s a tonguepiercing ceremony, with one villager spending the day with an iron spike piercing his tongue.

Pashupatinath Temple - Visit Pashupatinath Temple Kathmandu Nepal

2010-12-30T15:20:00.000+05:30

PashuPatiNath Temple is one of the biggest Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world, located on the banks of the Bagmati River in the eastern part of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The temple served as the seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath, until Nepal was secularized. The temple is listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.

Believers in Pashupatinath (mainly Hindus) are allowed to enter the temple premises. Anyone not born in Nepal or India is considered a non-Hindu by the temple authorities. Non-Hindu visitors are allowed to have a look at the temple from the other bank of Bagmati river.

It is regarded as the most sacred among the temples of Lord Shiva (Pashupati).

Legend

Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. It is not known for certain when Pashupatinath Temple was founded. But according to Nepal Mahatmaya and Himvatkhanda, one day Lord Shiva grew tired of his palace atop Mt. Kailash and so went in search of a place where he could escape to. He discovered Kathmandu Valley and, without telling anyone, he ran away from his palace and came to live in the Valley. He gained great fame there as Pashupati, Lord of the Animals, before the other gods discovered his hiding place and came to fetch him. He disguised himself as a majestic deer and would not help the other gods when they asked for his help. When Shiva did not yield to their pleas, they planned to use force. God Vishnu grabbed him by his horns and they shattered into pieces. Vishnu established a temple and used the broken horns to form a linga on the bank of the Bagmati River. As time went by, the temple was buried and forgotten. Then a cow was known to have secretly sprinkled her milk over the mound. Apparently, when the cow herders dug around the spot, they found the lost lingas and again built a temple in revrence.

Pashupatinath Temple Panorama of the Pashupatinath Temple from the other bank of Bagmati river, Kathmandu, Nepal.

History

The temple was first established in the 17th century. The priests who perform the services at this temple have been Bhat-Brahmins from South India (Karnataka) origin since last 350 years. Only the priests from Shimoga District - Karnataka are selected as priests. The priests 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.

This tradition is supposed to have started by the request of Adi Shankaracharya who sought to unify the different states of Bharatam (Unified India) by encouraging cultural exchange. The unique feature of this temple is that only 4 priests can touch the idol. This tradition is supposed to have started by Sage Shankaracharya in 17th century, ostensibly to stop human sacrifice which was prevalent in that temple. This procedure is also followed in other temples around India which were sanctified by Adi Shankaracharya. Malla kings honoured the request of Adi shankarachaya as latter being one of the greatest ever Hindu acharyas.

However,this tradition was recently changed after the historic revolution in Nepal which demolished the monarchy and established democracy where Nepalese priests supported by the anti- Indian Maoists government.There was widespread protests by most Nepalese as they saw this as an intereference in their religion.

Festivals at Pashupati Temple
Pashupati area is regarded as one of the most important places of pilgrimages for the followers of Hinduism. Thousands of devotees from within and outside the country come to pay homage to Pashupatinath every day. And on special occasions like Ekadasi, Sankranti, Mahashivratri, Teej Akshaya, Rakshabandhan, Grahana (eclipse), Poornima (Full moon day) the whole atmosphere turns festive and mirthful as people congregate here in a far greater number.

During the Shivaratri (also spelled Shivratri) festival Pashupatinath temple is lit with ghee lamps throughout the night and the temple remains open all night. Thousands of devotees take ritual baths in the Bagmati river on the day of the festival and observe a fast for the whole day. Hundreds of sadhus (sages) from different parts of Nepal and India come here on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.

Auspicious Days to Visit
In August, during the Teej festival, thousands of women visit the temple to bathe in the holy waters of the Bagmati River. Because this ritual is meant to bring a long and happy marriage, many women dress in red saris, which are traditionally worn for wedding ceremonies. Full moon and New moon days are also considered auspicious to visit the temple.

What to See

Pashupati Temple stands in the center of the town of Deopatan, in the middle of an open courtyard. It is a square, two-tiered pagoda temple 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.

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 sanctum contains a one-meter high linga with four faces (chaturmukha) representing Pashupati, as well as images of Vishnu, Surya, Devi and Ganesh.

The priests 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.

The struts 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 Ramayana.

Pashaputi Temple's extensive grounds include many other old and important temples, shrines and statues. South of the temple, for instance, is Chadeshvar, 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 Dharmashila, a stone where sacred oaths are taken, and pillars with statues of various Shah kings.

In the northeast corner of the temple courtyard is the small pagoda temple of Vasuki, 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.

The Bagmati River, which runs next to Pashaputinath Temple, has highly sacred properties. Thus the banks are lined with many ghats (bathing spots) for use by pilgrims. Renovating or furnishing these sites has always been regarded as meritorious.

Arya Ghat, 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.

Royal Funerals After Palace Massacre in Nepal

Queen Aishwarya funeral pyre
June 2, 2001 at the
Pashupati Nath Arya Ghat

The body of Queen Aishwarya of Nepal is carried to her funeral pyre June 2, 2001 at the Pashupati Nath Arya Ghat complex in Kathmandu, Nepal. Several royal funeral ceremonies were carried out in the evening, one day after the Nepal''s king and queen, along with other members of the royal family and servants were shot and killed in their palace. According to Hindu tradition, the dead are to be cremated before sundown of the day following their death.

Below is the best places to see

» Gold-painted images of guardian deities
» Chaturmukha (four-faced statue)
» Chadeshvar, an inscribed Licchavi linga from the 7th century
» Brahma Temple
» Dharmashila, a stone where sacred oaths are taken
» Arya Ghat
» Gauri Ghat (holy bath)
» Pandra Shivalaya (15 shrines)
» Gorakhnath and Vishwarup Temples
» Guhyeshwari (Guhjeshwari) Temple
» Kirateshwar Mahadeva Mandir and Surya Ghat

How to Reach

There are regular bus services from Kathmandu (from Ratna Park or City Bus Station) to Patan,. It takes approximately 45 minutes to reach Goshala, the stop for Pashupatinath.

Battery-operated Safaa tempos depart from near the Ratna Park office in Kathmandu and drops the pilgrims at Ring Road, west of Pashupatinath. Thereafter, a tempo going to Chabahil or Bodhnath can be hired.

Visit NagarKot Nepal - Holidays, Tours & Tourism Nepal

2010-12-18T18:11:00.000+05:30

Nagarkot is a village and Village Development Committee located 32 km east of Kathmandu, Nepal in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 3504 and had 655 houses in it. At an elevation of 2,195 meters, it is considered one of the most scenic spots in Bhaktapur District. It is renowned for its sunrise view of the Himalaya including Mount Everest as well as other snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan range of eastern Nepal. Nagarkot also offers a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley.

Nagarkot is an international tourist destination with spectacular views of the whole Langtang range, sunrise on the mountains and sunset views. We can see the panoramic views of the captivating landscapes and hills with the Kathmandu valley. You can breathe the cool mountain breeze in the resort town of Nagarkot. There are resorts from top-end quality to decent lodges to accommodate you and serves different cuisines.

Get in

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Buses

It is best to travel by private-hire cars and taxis to Nagarkot. Tourist shuttle buses also operate. From the international airport, it should take about 40 mins and from the city center, about an hour. A scenic drive via the ancient city of Bhaktapur and tiny villages along meandering mountain roads is a journey by itself, before arriving at Nagarkot.

See in Nagarkot

Nagarkot is surrounded by thickly forested hills of pine trees which give you an idyllic escape- with only the wind and the sound of rustling leaves to disturb you.

It is a rustic resort high on the northern fringe of the kathmandu valley. It is an outstanding hilltop that offers great views of Himalayas, breathtaking mountain scenery and the most impressive views of sunrise and sunset.

From Nagarkot, one see the breathtaking views of the major himalayan peaks of Nepal like Manaslu, Ganesh, Langtang, dorje Lakpa, sisa pagma, Choyu, Gauri Shankar, etc. On a clear crystal day, one can even see the tip of Mt. Everest (8848 m) from here. Many tourists go to Nagarkot at afternoon, stay at one of the resorts to view early morning sunrise over the mountains.

5 good reasons to visit Nagarkot

1) For those longing for some really refreshing environment to be free from hectic busy schedules in the crowded Kathmandu.Nagarkot provides a scenic beauty and divine peace far from heat, dust, smoke and city’s hustle bustle.

2) Nagarkot is the nearest point from the Kathmandu valley from where on a clear day, the view of Mount Everest can be seen.

3) Nagarkot is ideal hilltop venue to acclimatize for high altitude adventures as it is located at 7200 ft above sea level.

4) It is the transit point for Helambu and Lang-tang trekking.

5) Nagarkot is also a good point for mini-trekking. There are several treks possible to and from Nagarkot such as sankhu, changu Narayan, Dhulikhel, Sundarijal, Nala, etc.

Plenty of resorts can be seen in Nagarkot, offering full board and accommodation. Situated just below the peak, many tourists stay here and trek to the hill top to watch the sunrise. It is considered the best time to view the mountain ranges because it is when the skies are clear.

Visit Nepal - Cheap Tour & Travel at Nepal

2010-09-09T18:09:00.000+05:30

Welcome to Nepal! The biggest natural museum in the world. Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and latitudinal variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 600 m above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 m, all within a distance of 150 km with climatic conditions ranging from subtropical to arctic. This wild variation fosters an incredible variety of ecosystems, the greatest mountian range on earth, thick tropical jungles teeming with a wealth of wildlife, thundering rivers, forested hills and frozen valleys.

Within this spectacular geography is also one of the richest cultural landscapes anywhere. The country is a potpourri of ethnic groups and sub-groups who speak over 70 languages and dialects. Nepal offers an astonishing diversity of sightseeing attractions and adventure sport, Travel & Tours opportunities found nowhere else on earth. And you can join in the numerous annual festivals that are celebrated throughout the year in traditional style highlighting enduring customs and beliefs.

Kathmandu - City of Hills

The valley is situated at an altitude of 1,336 m above sea level and covers an area of 218.sq. miles. The rich tapestry of the cultural heritage of Nepal is synthesized in the Kathmandu Valley, the home of the ancient and sophisticated Newari culture. The Newars are the indigenous inhabitants of the valley and the creators of the splendid civilization of its three cities - Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. The skillfully built temples and palaces, delicately engraved stone and metal images, carved wooden columns and pillars, and the history laden shrines and chaityas of these three historical cities stand testimony to the Newars's artistic achievements.

Machchendranath Temple:-

The temple of Sweta Machchhendranath is situated at Machchhendrea Bahal between Indra Chowk and Asan Nepal. It is a pagoda of considerable artistic beauty. The deity is also called Jammadyo or Machchhendra.

Akash Bhairav Temple:-

A three-story temple in the main market avenue, called Indra Chowk, the image of Akash Bhairav is displayed outside for a week during Indra Jatra, the festival of Indra, the God of Rain.

Hanumandhoka (Kathmandu Durbar Square) :-

It is the historic of royalty. The Durbar Square, with its old temples and palaces, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. It is here that kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized. Interesting things to see here are: Taleju Temple built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 AD, the temple of Kal Bhairav, the God of destruction, Nautalle Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of King Pratap Malla, the Big Drum and the Jagnnath Temple. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979. The name of the palace 'Hanumadhoka' is actually two words. 'Hanuman' (the monkey god) and 'dhoka' (door). The palace was named so becuase of the statue of Hanuman outside its main entrance; the red statue at the right side of this picture frame.

There are also the Numismatic Museum and Tribhuvan Museum inside the Hanuman Dhoka Palace building. Photography is prohibited inside the museums. Both the museums remain closed on Sundays, Mondays and government holidays.

Temple of Kumari (Kumari Ghar) :-

Kumari (Vestal Virgin), or the living Goddess, who represents a very ancient Hindu deity of Nepal locally known as Teleju, is Buddhist by birth. The temple of kumari is situated in the vicinity of Hanuman Dhoka Palace. The building has instricately carved wooden balconies and window screens. The Kumari acknowledges greetings from her balcony window. Once a year, during Indra Jatra festival, the King of Nepal seeks the Kumari's blessing.

Kasthamandap:-

Located near the temple of Kumari, it is said to have been built by King Laxmi Narsingha Malla in the beginning of the sixteenth century. It is said to be constructed from the wood of a single tree. The city of Kathmandu derives its name from this temple.

Ashok Vinayak:-

The small but very important temple of Ashok Vinayak is situated behind the Kashtamandap. It is also known as Kathmandu Ganesh or Maru Ganesh.

Jaishi Dewal:-

A five-minute walk from Kasthmandap is the Shiva Temple of Jaishi Dewal which is famous for its erotic carvings. It is still one of the main routes of the chariot festival of Indra Jatra and other festivals.

Tundikhel:-

A huge green field known as Tundikhel flanks one entire side of the old city. Some of the important landmarks of the Kathmandu valley are located in the periphery of the Kathmandu valley are located in the periphery of this area. At the south-western end of Tundikhel is a 59.29m. tower built by Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa in 1832 A. D. known as Dharahara or Bhimsen Stambha. The sundhara fountains with golden water spouts, situated at the foot of this great tower, also belong to the same period.

Pashupatinath Temple:-
Situated 5km east of Kathmandu, the temple of Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath, with two tiered golden roof and silver door is considered one of the holiest shrines for Hindus. Although only Hindus are allowed inside the temple, visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities performed in the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river. The temple was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.

National Park Tour

Chitwan is one of the finest national Parks in Asia, renowned for its dense concentration of wildlife and top class tourist lodges, which provides the opportunity to see animals in their natural habitat. Chitwan which means the heart of the jungle is among the last surviving examples of the continuous band of forests and grasslands which once extended from the Indus river in Pakistan to the Burmese border.

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your family vacation in Neapl. Find a variety of vacation packages in Nepal at Unique Nepal Adventures.

Chitwan National Park Nepal | Visit Chitwan National Park Nepal

2010-08-16T16:33:00.000+05:30

Chitwan National Park Nepal

Chitwan National Park is the first national park in Nepal. Formerly called Royal Chitwan National Park it was established in 1973 and granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984. It covers an area of 932 km2 and is located in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal in the Chitwan district. In altitude it ranges from about 100 meters (330 ft) in the river valleys to 815 meters (2,674 ft) in the Churia Hills.

In the north and west of the protected area the Narayani-Rapti river system forms a natural boundary to human settlements. Adjacent to the east of Chitwan National Park is Parsa Wildlife Reserve, contiguous in the south is the Indian Tiger Reserve Valmiki National Park. The coherent protected area of 2,075 km2 represents the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) Chitwan-Parsa-Valmiki, which covers a 3.549 km2 huge block of alluvial grasslands and subtropical moist deciduous forests.

History - Chitwan National Park Nepal

Since the end of the 19th century Chitwan - Heart of the Jungle – used to be a favorite hunting ground for Nepal’s ruling class during the winter seasons. Until the 1950s the journey from Kathmandu to Nepal South was arduous as the area could only be reached by foot. Thus, in an area known as Four Mile Forest comfortable camps were set up for the feudal big game hunters and their entourage, where they stayed for a couple of months shooting hundreds of tigers, rhinocerosses, leopards and sloth bears.In 1950 Chitwan’s forest and grasslands extended over more than 2,600 km2 and was home to about 800 rhinos. When poor farmers from the mid-hills moved to the Chitwan Valley in search of arable land, the area was subsequently opened for settlement, and poaching of wildlife became rampant. In 1957 the country's first conservation law inured to the protection of rhinos and their habitat. In 1959 Edward Pritchard Gee undertook a survey of the area, recommended creation of a protected area north of the Rapti river and of a wildlife sanctuary south of the river for a trial period of ten years. After his subsequent survey of Chitwan in 1963, this time for both the Fauna Preservation Society and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, he recommended extension of the sanctuary to the south.

However, by the end of the 1960s 70% of Chitwan’s jungles were cleared using DDT, thousands of people had settled there, and only 95 rhinos remained. The dramatic decline of the rhino population and the extent of poaching prompted the government to institute the Gaida Gasti – a rhino reconnaissance patrol of 130 armed men and a network of guard posts all over Chitwan. To prevent the extinction of rhinos the Chitwan National Park was gazetted in December 1970 with borders delineated the following year and established in 1973, initially encompassing an area of 544 km2

In 1977 the park was enlarged to its present area of 932 km2. In 1997 a bufferzone of 766.1 km2 was added to the north and west of the Narayani-Rapti river system, and between the south-eastern boundary of the park and the international border to India.

The park’s headquarter is located in Kasara. Close-by the Gharial and Turtle Conservation Breeding Centres have been established. In 2008 a Vulture breeding centre was inaugurated aiming at holding up to 25 pairs of each of the two Gyps vultures species now critically endangered in Nepal - the Oriental white-backed vulture and the slender-billed vulture.

Climate Nepal - Chitwan National Park Nepal

The area is located in the central climatic zone of the Himalayas, where monsoon starts in mid June and eases off in late September. During these 14-15 weeks most of the 2,500 mm yearly precipitation falls – it is pouring with rain. After mid-October the monsoon clouds have retreated, humidity drops off, and the top daily temperature gradually subsides from ±36°C / 96.8 °F to ±18°C / 64.4 °F. Nights are cooling down to 5°C / 41.0 °F until late December, when it usually rains softly for a few days. Then temperatures are rising gradually.

Mammals - Chitwan National Park Nepal

The Chitwan National Park is home to at least 43 species of mammals. The „King of the Jungle“ is the Bengal Tiger. The alluvial floodplain habitat of the Terai is one of the best tiger habitats anywhere in the world. Since the establishment of Chitwan National Park the initially small population of about 25 individuals has increased to 70-110 in 1980. In some years this population has declined due to poaching and floods. In a long-term study carried out from 1995-2002 tiger researchers identified a relative abundance of 82 breeding tigers and a density of 6 females per 100 km2

Leopards are most prevalent on the peripheries of the park. They co-exist with tigers, but being socially subordinate are not common in prime tiger habitat [9]. Apart from these top predators fishing cats, jungle cats, clouded leopards, leopard cats, marbled cats, golden jackals, Indian wild dogs, sloth bears, Bengal foxes, Spotted linsangs, palm civets, Large and Small Indian civets, several species of mongoose, binturongs, honey badgers and yellow-throated martens roam the jungle for prey. Striped hyenas are rare and prevail on the southern slopes of the Churia Hills. Smooth-coated otters inhabit the numerous creeks and rivulets.

Birds - Chitwan National Park Nepal

Every year dedicated bird watchers and conservationists survey bird species occurring all over the country. In 2006 they recorded 543 species in the Chitwan National Park, much more than in any other protected area in Nepal and about two-thirds of Nepal's globally threatened species. Additionally, 20 black-chinned yuhina, a pair of Gould's sunbird, a pair of blossom-headed parakeet and one slaty-breasted rail, an uncommon winter visitor, were sighted in spring 2008

Especially the park’s alluvial grasslands are important habitats for the critically endangered Bengal florican, the vulnerable lesser adjutant, grey-crowned prinia, swamp francolin and several species of grass warblers. In 2005 more than 200 slender-billed babblers were sighted in 3 different grassland types. The near threatened Oriental darter is a resident breeder around the many lakes, where also egrets, bitterns, storks and kingfisher abound.

The park is one of the few known breeding sites of the globally threatened Indian spotted eagle. Peafowl and jungle fowl scratch their living on the forest floor. Apart from the resident birds about 160 migrating and vagrant species arrive in Chitwan in autumn from northern latitudes to spend the winter here, among them the Greater Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle and Pallas's Fish-eagle. Common sightings include Brahminy ducks and goosanders. Large flocks of bar-headed geese just rest for a few days in February on their way north.

As soon as the winter visitors have left in spring, the summer visitors arrive from southern latitudes. The calls of Indian cuckoos herald the start of spring. The colourful Bengal Pittas and several sunbird species are common breeding visitors during monsoon. Among the many flycatcher species the Paradise flycatcher with his long undulating tail in flight is a spectacular sight.

Tourism - Chitwan National Park Nepal

Chitwan National Park is one of Nepal’s most popular tourist destinations. In 1989 more than 31,000 people visited the park, and ten years later already more than 77,000. There are several lodges inside the national park offering full board and accommodation in combination with elephant and jeep safaris, rafting tours and guided jungle walks. The pioneer safari lodge is Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge receiving guests since 1972. Tiger Tops has developed standards for responsible conservation tourism, e.g. supports the “Long-term Tiger Monitoring Project” and anti-poaching units operating in the national park.

On the edge of the national park Sauraha is a well-known spot for tourists. Accessible from the nearby Bharatpur Airport, Sauraha offers a choice of hotels, lodges, restaurants and agencies that organize day trips into the protected area.

HOW TO GET THERE

Chitwan is linked by public buses, tourist coaches, and air service. There are eight entrance gates to the park

Kasara via Jagatpur
Ghatgain via Patihani
Bhimle via Maghauli
Khagendra mali via Bhandara
Sunachuri via Sunachuri
Sauraha via Tandi (Ratna Nagar)
Laukhani via Pragatinaggr
Amaltari via Danda
Kujauli via Rajahar

Content by Chitwan National Park

Visit Pokhara Nepal | Pokhara Tourism | Mountain Hills | Phewa Lake

2009-08-20T17:53:00.000+05:30

About Pokhara

The name Pokhara is derived from the word Pokhari, which in Nepali means pond or a lake. There are about eight different lakes in Pokhara. Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City (Nepali: पोखरा उपमहानगरपालिका Pokhara Up-Mahanagarpalika) is a city of close to 200,000 inhabitants in central Nepal located at 28.25°N, 83.99°E, 198 km west of Kathmandu. It is the third largest city of Nepal after Kathmandu and Biratnagar. It is the Headquarters of Kaski District, Gandaki Zone and the Western Development Region. It is also one of the most popular tourist destinations of the country.

Pokhara lies on an important old trading route between China and India. In the 17th century it was part of the influential Kingdom of Kaski which again was one of the Chaubise Rajaya (24 Kingdoms of Nepal) ruled by a branch of the Shah Dynasty. Many of the mountains around Pokhara still have medieval ruins from this time. In 1786 Prithvi Narayan Shah added Pokhara into his kingdom. It had by then become an important trading place on the routes from Kathmandu to Jumla and from India to Tibet.

Originally Pokhara was largely inhabited by Brahmin, Chhetri and Thakuri (the major villages were located in Parsyang, Malepatan, Pardi and Harichowk areas of modern Pokhara) and the Majhi community near the Fewa Lake. Later in the 18th century A.D the newars of Bhaktapur migrated to Pokhara and settled near main business locations such as Bindhyabasini temple, Nalakomukh and Bhairab Tole. The establishment of a British recruitment camp brought larger Magar and Gurung communities to Pokhara. At present the Khas (Brahmin, Chhetri, Thakuri and Dalits), Gurung (Tamu) and Magar form the dominant community of Pokhara. There is also a sizeable population of Newars in Pokhara. A small Muslim community is located on eastern fringes of Pokhara generally called Miya Patan.

Geography OF Pokhara

Pokhara is situated in the northwestern corner of the Pokhara Valley, which is a widening of the Seti Gandaki valley. The Seti River and its tributaries have dug impressive canyons into the valley floor, which are only visible from higher viewpoints or from the air. To the east of Pokhara is the municipality of Lekhnath, a recently established town in the valley.

In no other place do mountains rise so quickly. In this area, within 30 km, the elevation rises from 1,000 m to over 7,500 m. Due to this sharp rise in altitude the area of Pokhara has one of the highest precipitation rates of the country (over 4,000 mm/year). Even within the city there is a noticeable difference in the amount of rain between the south of the city by the lake and the north at the foot of the mountains.

The climate is sub-tropical but due to the elevation the temperatures are moderate: the summer temperatures average between 25–35 °C, in winter around 5–15 °C.

In the south the city borders on Phewa Tal (lake) (4.4 km² at an elevation of about 800 m above sea level), in the north at an elevation of around 1,000 m the outskirts of the city touch the base of the Annapurna mountain range. From the southern fringes of the city 3 eight-thousanders (Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu) and, in the middle of the Annapurna range, the Machapuchare ('Fishtail') with close to 7,000 m can be seen. This mountain dominates the northern horizon of the city and its name derives from its twin peaks, not visible from the south. The porous underground of the Pokhara valley favours the development of caves of which three prominent ones can be found within the city: Mahendra, Bat and Gupteswor. In the south of the city, a tributary of the Seti coming from Phewa Lake disappears at Patale Chhango (Nepali for Hell's Falls, also called Devi's or David's Falls, after someone who supposedly fell into the falls) into an underground gorge, to reappear 500 metres further south.

Pokhara At Glance

Pokhara spans 8 km from north to south and 6 km from east to west but, unlike Kathmandu, it is quite loosely built up and still has much green space. The Seti Gandaki flowing through the city from north to south divides the city roughly in two halves with the down-town area of Chipledunga in the middle, the old town centre of Bagar in the north and the tourist district of Lakeside (Baidam) in the south all lying on the western side of the river. The gorge through which the river flows is crossed at five points, the major ones are (from north to south): K.I. Singh Pul, Mahendra Pul and Prithvi Highway Pul. The eastern side of town is mainly residential.

Pokhara has become a major tourist hub of Nepal, more than making up for the loss of its trading importance. The city offers a combination of nature and culture with a distinct tourist district in the southern subdivisions of Baidam, Lakeside and Damside. It is mostly known as starting and ending point for Annapurna treks.

Get In At Pokhara

You can travel to Pokhara from the capital Kathmandu using the tourist bus travels that are readily available or the local microbuses or buses which leave Kathmandu for Pokhara almost every 15 minutes. These buses are available until late afternoon. There are night buses as well running on this route but these can be a painful ride, so avoid them. The local buses will cost you around NRs. 400 to 600. Coming from the southern border to India, several buses leave to Pokhara from the border city, mainly in the very wee hours (first at 4AM). It takes about 9 hours and costs between 280 and 380 Rs. Flights cost roughly $90 each way and take only 1/2 hour from KTM. They have the bonus of giving you a bird's eye view of the countryside and of the mountains themselves.

Places to Visit in Pokhara-:

Phewa Lake-:

Phewa Lake, Phewa Tal or Fewa Lake is a lake of Nepal located in the Pokhara Valley near Pokhara and Sarangkot. It is the second largest lake in Nepal and lying at an altitude of 784 m (2,572 ft) it covers an area of about 4.43 km2 (1.7 sq mi) with an average depth of about 8.6 m (28 ft) with maximum water depth is 22.8 m (75 ft) when measured with echo-sounder (depth measuring gauge; PLASTIMO ECHOTEST II) on 5 December 2009. Maximum water capacity of the lake is approximately 46 million cubic meters (37,000 acre feet). Annapurna looms in the distance from the lake and the lake is famous for the reflection of Mount Machapuchare on its surface. The holy Barahi mandir (temple) is situated on the island located in between in the lake.

Location-:

The eastern Pokhara Valley receives irrigation water through a canal running from a reservoir by the Seti River in the north of the city. Phewa Lake is also used for commercial fishing. The tourist area is along the north shore of the lake (Lake Side and Dam Side). It is mainly made up of little shops, little hotels, restaurants and bars. The larger hotels can be found on the southern and south-eastern fringes of the Pokhara city, from where the view of the mountains, mainly Machapuchare, or Fishtail Mountain, is seen best. To the east of the valley are few smaller and few bigger lakes, the largest being Begnas Tal and Rupakot Tal. Begnas Tal is also known for its fishery projects.

Phewa Lake was slightly enlarged by damming. It is in danger of silting up because of the inflow during the monsoon. The outflowing water is partially used for hydro power. The dam collapsed in the late 1970s and it was rebuilt by the Chinese. The power plant is located about 100 m (330 ft) below at the bottom of the Phusre Khola gorge.

Begnas and Rupa Lake-:

There are about eight different lakes in Pokhara and besides the the fewa lake, the other two lakes known as Begnas Lake and Rupa lake located about 15 km from Pokhara are ideal places for relaxation, boating and fishing. Begnas Tal is quiet, clean and peaceful Get to Begnas by bus, or by a taxi, or cycle from Pokhara. Visit Begnas Bazaar for a unique hillside market experience. There are a few basic hotels to stay in and the odd refreshment shop. The walk along the road leading to Begnas Tal is fascinating, the seasonal rhythms of daily life in the country make great images.

Begnas Lake is Surrounded by pristine Nature, with gurgling mountain springs forming natural boundaries on either side, the Begnas Lake Resort spans a whole hillside of unspoilt forestland. To the North and the North-East are the great Himalayan snowy peaks, below which lie terraced paddy fields and the tranquil Begnas Lake, lending a perfect picture frame for the window of every guestroom. Surrounding the resort area are Chestnut, Orange and other fruit bearing trees interspersed by bushes of Coffee, Cardamom and flowering plants. The entire resort breathes of pure, unadulterated Nature. In this healing and life-nourishing environment, we have established the Himalayan Nature Spa that offers a wide range of classical Ayurvedic treatments as well as soothing and rejuvenating massages conducted by an experienced team of Ayurveda experts from Kerala.

Devi's Falls (Patale Chhango)-:

Devi’s fall is one of the deepest caves in Asia. This waterfall was first explored in 1970 by the B.K.R.E. Himalaya, and later explorations were made in 1980 and 1982 by D. Gebauer (Atlas of the Great Caves of the World). According to the book, the Devi’s fall measures 48 metres deep and 1,479 metres long.

Devi's Fall Pokhara Nepal

Devi’s fall is also locally known as Patale Chhango. This is the most fascinating waterfall in Pokhara and the first of its kind in Nepal. During the monsoon season the water level in Devi’s fall rises to an amazing height, the most turbulent water currents engulf even the safety barrier built around the falls. The increasing water level attracts local people and foreigners alike who seem to be rejoicing in the unusual very strong swirling and roaring of the water that takes a giant leap each time to show its uncontrollable might.

Pokhara is the only city in Nepal which is famous for water falls. As we drive by the river sides below the hills we can see several beautiful and dashing water falls flowing downhill and finally flowing to the rivers. The highway to Baglung consist of several water falls. The city itself has a Witness a unique waterfall that lies 2 Km from central Pokhara City. The water fall directly goes into a deep and narrow canal with no ends. It is believed that this deadly waterfall took the life of a tourist named David, who fell down into the canel and was never found, and hence the name David waterfall, named in his memory by the people of Pokhara. This place has many nick names like Davy's Fall, David's Fall or Davis's Fall, all mean the same thing.

Mysterious Mahendra Cave-:

Visiting a cave when on vacation might sound like a strange attraction, but the Mahendra Cave is one of the sights in Nepal that has more to offer than expected. Located near the city of Pokhara, the cave and surrounding sights are worth the trip.

In the year 1950, young shepherds stumbled across the Mahendra Cave that was named in honor of King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev. Locals refer to the cave as the House of Bats (Chamero Odaar) due to this shy species of wildlife that call the cave home. Generally, the Mahendra and other caves in the region are explored with flashlights, but more recently lights have been installed into the cave. The lights have caused great concern amongst conservationists, as some of the bat species that inhabit the caves are very rare. Since the installation, the sightings of bats have declined as the lights clearly disturb the bats, forcing them to relocate. The lack of supervision when tourists and visitors enter the caves is also very disturbing as the constant noise and movement of humans is very stressful to the bats. For more Pictures of Mahendra Cave Click Here

Over and above being famed for housing bats, the Mahendra Cave is a natural cave that is made from limestone. The entire cave is decorated in spectacular stalagmites and stalactites that shine and glimmer when light is shone on them. Walking through the cave, armed only with a flashlight, is definitely more rewarding than when the cave is lit with artificial light. The stone that is dripping from the roof and covering the cave floor comes alive under the beams of the flashlights and increases the excitement of this dark adventure.

As one of the darker sights in Nepal, the Mahendra Cave gives visitors the opportunity to embark on an adventure. There is still much of the cave that has not been explored and gives the cave an atmosphere of awe, when thinking of the mysterious, unknown territory that no man has yet been privileged to see.

Museum-:

One museum display the life styles and history of the Gurungs, Thakalis and Tharu and other one Natural history museum and is functioned by the Annapurna Conservation area project. Butterflies, insects, birds and wild life found in the Annapurna region.

Mountains Views: Spectacular Panorama of the Annapurna range forms the backdrop of Pokhara valley. The mountains stretching from east to west includes Annapurna I to IV. It lies at the distance of 40kms from the valley and at the elevation of 900m. Among these Annapurna. Annapurna I (8.091m high is the highest peak. Mt. Machhapuchhare with its pyramid shape dominated all the other neighboring Peaks. The other peaks are Mt. Dhaulagiri 8167m, Lamjung Himal 6983m and Manaslu 8163m and Himalchuli.

Tour at Kathmadu City - Best place for Holiday

2009-01-07T17:58:00.000+05:30

Kathmandu (Nepali: काठमांडौ, Nepal Bhasa: येँ) is the capital and the largest city of Nepal. The city is situated in Kathmandu Valley that also contains two other cities - Patan and Bhaktapur. Nepali is the lingua franca of the valley and is the most widely spoken language. Nepal Bhasa/Newari is the language spoken by native people, the Newars. English is understood by most of the educated population of the city. The city stands at an elevation of approximately 1400 m and is inhabited by about 700,000 people. Kathmandu is the most developed city in Nepal.
History
Kathmandu is situated in the heart of the Himalaya mountains, and has a rich history. Considered by some to be among the most beautiful cities in the world, the earliest known inscription in the Kathmandu Valley is dated 185 AD. The oldest firmly dated building in the earthquake-prone valley is almost 1,992 years old. Four stupas around the city of Patan said to have been erected by Charumati, attest to the ancient history present within the valley. The Kirats are the first documented rulers of Kathmandu Valley, the remains of their palace are in Patan near kendra Hiranyavarna Mahavihara (called "Patukodon"). The Licchavi Dynasty whose earliest inscriptions date back to 464 AD were the next rulers of the valley. The Malla Dynasty consisted of Newar rulers, who ruled Kathmandu Valley and the surrounding area from the 12th century till the 17th century when the Shah Dynasty founder Prithvi Narayan Shah conquered the valley as he created present-day Nepal. Most of ancient Nepali Architecture present in Nepal today is from the Malla/Newar era.

The city of Kathmandu is named after a structure in Durbar Square called Kaasthamandap. In Sanskrit, Kaasth (काष्ठ) is "wood" and Mandap (मंडप/मण्डप) is "covered shelter." This unique temple, also known as Maru Sattal, was built in 1596 A.D. by King Laxmi Narsingh Malla. The entire structure contains no iron nails or supports and is made entirely from wood. Legend has it that the timber used for this two story pagoda was obtained from a single tree.

Kathmandu is also sometimes called "Kantipur". Kanti is an alternate name of the Goddess Laxmi, and Pur means the place where such a goddess resides; thus, the name Kantipur demonstrates the ancient belief that it is the place where Laxmi dwells. Newars, the native people of the Kathmandu valley use the original term from Nepal Bhasa, Yne.

Present

Being the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu is home to most of the government offices, embassies, corporate houses, and the palace. A golden heaven to the most famous artists in the world, it has the old palace of Newar kings, Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is listed as UNESCO world heritage site, is in Basantapur, next to Freak Street, which was the popular hippie spot during the seventies. The Shah King's Palace stands right next to Thamel - the tourist hub of the country. A small world within itself, Thamel is famous for the most attractive hotels and shopping centers in the world. It consists of two parallel streets just to the west of the palace. It is home to world famous hotels, ranging from different stars. The palace is at the head of Durbar Marg, a street lined with various shops. Most of the streets in Kathmandu are named from Nepal Bhasa, owing its origin to the rich Newari Culture and heritage. In a sense, Kathmandu is the most read text in the field of culture, history and Newari civilization in South Asia.

The "old" city is noted for its many Buddhist and Hindu temples and palaces, most dating to the 17th century. Many of these landmarks have been damaged by earthquakes and pollution. This valley hosts an UNESCO World Heritage Sites composed by seven different Monument Zones: The centers of the three primary cities, Kathmandu Hanuman Dhoka, Patan and Bhaktapur, the two most important Buddhist stupas, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath and two famous Hindu shrines, Pashupatinath temple and Changu Narayan. Since 2003 the site has been inscribed in the World Heritage List as being "in danger" out of concern for the ongoing loss of authenticity and the outstanding universal value of the cultural property.

Kathmandu has been popular with western tourists since the 1960's when it became a key stop on the Hippy Trail, when Jho: Chheen (Nepal Bhasa, continuous house)(Freak Street) was the one of the main location. It is also the subject of a popular Bob Seger song for the same reason. It is rumoured that many rock singers used to visit Jho: Cheen and downtown Kathmandu in search of tranquility and Nirvana.

Tribhuvan International Airport is located about 25 km from the city center, offering domestic and international flights.

Geography

The city is located in the northwestern part of Kathmandu Valley. The Kathmandu Valley covers an area of 565 sq. kilometres. It is situated at 1336 m above the sea level. Bagmati, Bishnumati, Dhobikhola, and Tukucha rivers wind through the city.

Administrative divisions

A crowded street (Jamal) in Kathmandu.

The metropolitan has been divided into around 5 sectors by metropolitan authorities as follows[2]

Central sector

The central sector consists of wards 1, 5, 11, 31, 32 and 33.

East sector

The east sector consists of wards 6, 7, 8, 9, 10(Baneshwor), 34 and 35.

North sector

The north sector consists of wards 2, 3, 4, 16, 29.

City core

This is the most densely populated part of the city. This part consists of most of the historical and cultural monuments of the city.

West sector

The west sector consists of wards 13, 14 and 15.

Demographics

According to 2001 census, there are 235,387 households in the metropolitan city[3]. Kathmandu metropolitan authorities estimate the number of people living in the city to be around 1,081,845 people [4] The largest ethnic groups are Newars, Brahmins and Kshetris. The major languages are Nepali and Nepal Bhasa. The major religions are Hinduism and Buddhism.

Government

The city is looked after by Kathmandu metropolitan office located at Bagdarbar. The city hosts Singhadarbar, the government seat of Nepal (with office of Prime Minister, Supreme Court and Senate). Most of the ministries are present in the Singha Darbar premises. The Royal Palace is located in central part of city in ward number 1.

Economy

Tourism, sometimes said to be the 'third religion' of Nepal, is the country's most important industry, and plays a large role in the economic activity of Kathmandu. The neighborhood of Thamel is Kathmandu's primary 'traveler's ghetto,' packed with guest houses, restaurants, shops and bookstores catering to tourists from abroad. Freak Street, Kathmandu's original traveler's haunt made popular by the hippies of the 1970's, remains a popular alternative to Thamel.[5]

In addition, Kathmandu houses most of the banks, business houses, offices, organizations and share market of Nepal. The busiest economic centers are New Road of Kathmandu, Ason, Putalisadak and Darbar Marg. New Road is regarded as financial hub with presence of most of the banks in this street.