SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 2012
Tour to Paradise of Cultural Heritages - Kathmandu Valley
The blog article is posted in http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Kathmandu-Valley/blog-734993.html originally.
Festivities, celebrations and Nepal can be used synonymous. The popular saying; “There are as many houses as many temples, as many gods and goddesses as many people and as many festivals as many days of the year in Kathmandu” truly depicts the country’s festivities and religious faith of ancient Kathmandu valley (which is known as Nepal in earlier centuries). Today, the numbers of temples and number of Gods and Goddesses might not be equal and comparable because of the increasing numbers of houses and peoples in the valley due to the migration from all over the country. But the number of festivals remains unchanged and even increased with influx of other communities and cultures into the capital city.
There are different festivals being celebrated in Nepal almost every day in the month of July and August. Ghantakarna ( festival to mark demolishing of the mythical demon called Ghanta Karna ), Nagpanchami dedicated to serpent god (god of rain and protection), Rakshya Bandhana & Janai Poornima ( a sacred thread wearing festival ), Gaai Jaatra ( Death rituals of Newar community), Krishnaastami ( Lord Krishna’s Birthday) are some of them. Month of Shrawan (July 15 to August 15 or the 4th month of Nepali calendar) is dedicated to Shiva and worshipping of Shiva takes place for the whole month. Each Monday of this Shrawan month is special for all Hindu women, where they fast for the day, worship lord Shiva wishing the wellbeing of their husband if they are married and wish the best possible husband if they are unmarried.
In this article, two major festivals of the month Janai Poornima or Raksha Bandhan and Gai Jaatra are discussed.
Raksha Bandhan means a bond of protection, and Janai Poornima referred to change Janai (sacred thread by Brahman and Chetri Hindu men). Hindu Brahman and Chetri men wear sacred ornamental thread with three knots around their shoulder, representing major three Hindu Gods – Brahma (the creator), Vishnu ( the operator ) and Shiva ( the destructor).The 'triple knot' is a symbol of body, speech and mind as well, and believed that the one who wears this thread have a good control of these three qualities. So, they change this thread in this day for another one year. All other communities tie the sacred thread in the wrist by Brahman with the hope of bonding devils and bringing good luck and protection.
Gosainkunda Lake situated north of Kathmandu at an altitude of some 4,380m. from the sea level and Kumbheshwor Mahadev temple in Patan are the most sacred and important religious sites to visit on the day. Thousands of pilgrims pay homage to take bath in the freezing cold alpine lake. The lake and its premises istaken as abode of Shiva and Parvati which is mentioned in various Hindu epic books and stories. Those who cannot make their pilgrimage tour to this alpine lake, visit the Kumbheshwor temple premise in Patan. There is the water spring in the temple premise which is believed the water coming from Gosainkunda Lake and as sacred water as in the lake to take bath.
In Terai the same day is celebrated as Rakhi, where sister and brother tie a special thread called Rakhi in the wrist as a symbol of love relation between a brother and a sister and present gift each other.
The next day of Janai Poornima is Gaai Jaatra (literally means a Cow festival). The festival is celebrated by Newar community as important death rituals all over the country. During the festival cow procession (either real cow or decorative cow like symbol) takes place in the alleys of the town representing death soul. It is believed that cow assist death soul to rest in peace and paradise.
The festival is believed to be started from the reign of Pratap Malla in Kathmandu valley some four hundred years ago as it is celebrated today. Once King Pratap Malla lost his son, his grief stricken wife could not be satisfied in any way and the King as well could not lessen the sorrow and grief of his wife. So, the King requested the residence of his kingdom to carry out a cow procession from each house that had lost their family members during the year. It makes the queen to feel that there are many other families living in the kingdom with sorrow and grief as her. The king Pratap Malla, also announced a tradition of including jokes, satires, mockery in the Gai Jatra days to make the people smile.
Since Nepal follows the lunar calendar the dates of the festival can be different for the next year. Nepal, in the month of July and August would be the most beautiful season to travel for the Culture and scenery. The monsoon brings rain and cloudy days but it is green everywhere, waterfall, and clouds as a beautiful painting on the green hills makes the country stunning. You can take the most beautiful photos, memories of culture, life, mountains and many more in this month.
If you want to plan your trip to Nepal you can reach to us at :
SUNDAY, JULY 22, 2012
Nepaliyogatrek.com - For Wellness of Body, Mind and Soul: The most Beautiful Experience of Yoga Trek in the...
Nepaliyogatrek.com - For Wellness of Body, Mind and Soul: The most Beautiful Experience of Yoga Trek in the...: This was the most beautiful and exciting experience of the trek I had so far during my one and half decade long trekking life. Nepal is t...
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2012
A Beautiful Trek Experience in Annapurna with Yoga
This was the most beautiful and exciting experience of the trek I had so far during my one and half decade long trekking life. Nepal is the most beautiful country for trek with some of the best trek trail on the earth in and around Himalayas. The trek was now combined with Yoga program this time and being taught Yoga by professional Yoga teacher. Before I describe our experience how it was beautiful and excited, I would like to tell you something about Yoga first.
The Sanskrit word Yoga has the literal meaning of "yoke", from a root yuj meaning to join, to unite, or to attach. Yoga is said to be originated in India and taken as a physical, spiritual and mental discipline. As a term for a system of abstract meditation or mental abstraction Yoga was introduced by Patanjali in the 2nd century BC. The major goal of yoga is to attain the state of perfect spiritual insight and peacefulness in self. In Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism the word Yoga is associated with meditative practices.
Yoga can be used as a treatment of many illness and diseases which basically follows and requires a regular exercises. Some basic illness and diseases that Yoga can treat are ;
Reducing anxiety and depression
Eliminating fatigue
Rehabilitating injuries
Controlling Diabetes
Overcoming mental disorders
Stabilizing nervous disorders
Ohers such as Headache, Back ache, Menstrual disorders , Sexual dysfunctions, Piles and many more.
But Yoga is not the magic and can be practiced for health and healing alone. ,
Our excited trek had 6 members altogether comprising of professional yoga teacher, guide, porter and trekkers. We started our journey from Kathmandu by taking the Tourist Bus of Swiss Travels to Pokhara. The Bus was.... To Read more please click the link:
By Dipak Bastakoti
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2012
Public Appeal from DJ's Tourism Services to Join Charity Trek ( Sep - Oct, 2012 )
Charity Trek 2012 - Request you all to share and forward with other friends
Charity Trek to Everest and Manasalu region in Sep - Oct, 2012 aim to raise fund for the heart valves which will be provided to needy and poor patients from remote villages ( the peoples from Himalayas ). We thus would like to request you all friends, adventure enthusiasts to sign up by yourself or share with as many other friends and colleagues as you can.
Manasalu Trek
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FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
Why Trek only for FUN ? JOIN OUR CHARITY TREK 2012 - SAVE LIFE & Let people smile !
I Trek With All My Heart for Other HEART
"No one has ever become poor by giving." – Anna Frank
“There is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving” - Henry Drummond
DJ’s Tourism Services has 2 trekking programs in the Himalayas for 2012 (Everest Base Camp Heart Trek & Manasalu Round Heart Trek ) with the slogan “I Trek With All My Heart for Other Heart.”
These Trekking programs aim to raise fund for the Heart Valves to the needy patients from the remote villages of Nepal.
With the help of these Trekking Programs in the Everest Base Camp and Manasalu Round, the DJ’s Heart Fund (The fund initiated by DJ’s Tourism Services) will try to collect USD 4000.00 this year and contribute 5 Heart Valves to the needy poor people of Nepal through Sahid Gangalal Heart Centre in Kathmandu. By participating in these Trekking Programs, you will be part of 5 poor peoples’ new life and many family members around them the SMILE!
Where and how the funds will be utilized / given ?
The DJ’s Heart Fund will hand over the amount to Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre. The Hospital will decide to whom the Valve will be given according to the needs and the request of the needy patients. Sahid Gangalal National Heart Centre is providing specialist care in the field of cardiology and cardiac surgery. The centre has established as National referral centre of cardiology and cardiac surgery. Best cardiac services with latest technologies are available here.
“Live your life from your heart. Share from your heart. And your story will touch and heal people's souls.” - Melody Beattie
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For more information please click the link below :
EVEREST BASE CAMP HEART TREK 2012
(Sep 28th - Oct 14, 2012 )
http://trek2himalayas.com/everest_charity_trek_2012
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MANASALU ROUND HEART TREK 2012
(Sep 28th - Oct 14, 2012 )
http://trek2himalayas.com/manasalu_charity_trek-2012
We hope to get the support from you all !
Kind Regards
DJ's Tourism Services
Kathmandu Nepal
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011
Nepal is SAFE TO TRAVEL now by the U.S. Department of State
Nepal was under political turmoil and war for about 10 continuous year from the year 1996 till 2006. The tourism in this beautiful Himalayan country is major source of foreign currency earning. Due to the armed conflict the number of tourists decreased. The US State Government put travel warning and alert for all these years.
From 2006, the peace process started. The century long monarchy was abolished in the year 2008. The constituent assembly election successfully completed and the new constitution making process is going on. In this context the US Department of State cancelled the travel warning for Nepal for the US Citizens :
From 2006, the peace process started. The century long monarchy was abolished in the year 2008. The constituent assembly election successfully completed and the new constitution making process is going on. In this context the US Department of State cancelled the travel warning for Nepal for the US Citizens :
U.S. Department of State Cancels Travel Warning for Nepal
December 7, 2011
In recognition of improved conditions in Nepal, the U.S. Department of State has cancelled the Travel Warning that was most recently issued on January 12, 2011. The U.S. Embassy is pleased that the overall situation in Nepal has improved to such a degree that this decision could be made.
Thanks US Department of State for the move. We expect more American tourists in Nepal who are keen to explore culture, beauty, religion and Nepal.
DJ's Tourism Services Team
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