Nepali Painting

BELL OF kathmandu

NEPAL MY PRIDE

Location: Nepal is a land-locked country bordering with the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China in the north and surrounded by India in the east, south and west.

Language: Nepali is the official language of Nepal. However, educated people can speak English.

Seasons: Nepal has four major seasons (1) Winter: December-February, (2) Spring: March-May, (3) Summer: June-August and (4) Autumn: September-November. Nepal can be visited all the year round.

People and Religion: Hindu, Buddhist, Islam, Muslim, animism and others religion.

Currency: Nepali Rupee notes come in Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000 denominations. Coins come in Rs. 1, 2, 5 and 10 denominations.

Area:-147,181Sq. Kms
Capital: Kathmandu
Latitude:-26* 12’ and 30* 27’ North
Longitude:-80* 4’ and 88* 12’ East
National Flower: - Rhododendron-Arboreum (Lali Gurans)
National .birds: - Impeyan pheasant (Danfe)

Vegetation: Nepal possesses some of the most outstanding bio-diversity in the world ranging from sub tropical rain forest to Alpine deserts.

Weather: climate rages from tropical in low land to arctic in higher altitudes.

Natural resources: Hydropower, breathtaking mountains, copper, cobalt, iron, water

Major Ethnic groups: Chhettri 15.5%, Brahman-Hill 12.5%, Magar 7%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.5%, Newar 5.4%, Muslim 4.2%, Kami 3.9%, Yadav 3.9%, other 32.7%, unspecified 2.8% (2001 census)

Agriculture products: Rice, Corn, Wheat, Sugarcane, Jute, Root crops, Milk, water,

Industries: Tourism, carpet, textile, small rice, Jute, sugar, and oilseed miles, cigarettes, cement and brick production.

Currency code: Nepalese Rupee (NPR)

National park:- Shey-Phoksundo national park, Sagarmatha national Park, Rara national park, Chitwan National park, Makalu Barun National park, Langtang national park, Shivapuri national park, Bardia national park, Kanchenjunga national park,

World heritage sites: cultural – Kathmandu durbar square, Bhaktapur durbar square, Patan durbar square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Changaunarayan, and Lumbini.

Natural world heritages site: natural – Royal chitwan National park and Sagarmatha national park

Conservation area: Annapurna conservation area, Manasalu conservation area.

Wildlife reserve: Shukla phant wildlife reserve, Dhorpatan hunting reserve, Koshi tappu wildlife reserve, Parsa wildlife reserve

Popular Trek destination: Everest region, Annapurna region, Langtang region

Highest mountains: Mt. Everest (8,848m), Kanchenjunga (8597m), Lhotse (8511m),Makalu (8481m), Dhaulagiri (8167m), Manaslu (8156m), cho Oyu (8125m), Annapurna I (8091m)

FLAG 0F NEPAL

The national flag of Nepal (Nepali: नेपालको झण्डा) is the only national flag that is not rectangular. The flag is a simplified combination of two single pennants. Its crimson red is the colour of the rhododendron, the country's national flower. Red is also the sign of victory in war. The blue border is the colour of peace. Until 1962, the flag's emblems, the sun and the crescent moon, had human faces. They were removed to modernize the flag. The faces remained on the sun and the moon on the Royal Standard till the abolishment of monarchy in 2008.
The flag was adopted, with the formation of a new constitutional government, on December 16, 1962. The individual pennants had been used for the preceding two centuries and the double pennant since the 19th century. The flag borrows the basic design from the original Hindu design, which has been in use for more than 2,000 years.

This flag is like most Hindu flags - a pennon.
Interpretation

The blue border symbolizes the peace and harmony that has been prevalent in the country since the age of Gautama Buddha, who was born in Nepal. The crimson red colour is Nepal's national colour, and it indicates the brave spirit of the Nepalese people. The two triangles symbolize the Himalaya Mountains and represent the two major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism. The red triangular flag has been a Hindu symbol of victory since the time of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The depiction of celestial bodies represents permanence, the hope that Nepal will last as long as the sun and the moon. The moon symbolizes that the Nepalese are soothing and calm, while the sun symbolizes fierce resolve. The moon also symbolizes the shades and the cool weather of the Himalayas, whereas the sun symbolizes the heat and the high temperature at the lower part (Tarai) of Nepal. Another interpretation: The flag's shape symbolizes a Nepalese pagoda. Putting a mirror at the side of the flag closest to the flagpole will generate an image of a pagoda.
Promotion by people

To outline the importance of Nepal's Hinduism, Veer Savarkar wrote, "To the Independent Hindu kingdom of Nepal all Hindudom feels itself most loyally attached and would ever strive to strain every nerve in defending its honour and integrity. It is the only part of our Mother Land which continues down to this day as a Dharma Kshettra unsullied by the humiliating shadow of an alien non-Hindu Flag."

Nepali Festivals

Nepal is the land of festivals. No matter what time of year you chose to travel, chances are you’ll see at least one of these vibrant and colourful celebrations. However it is difficult to predict when they will be held as their exact dates are only decided a year in advance, but to be sure to catch one August and September are jam packed with festival fever. Listed below are just a few of the festivals Nepal has to offer.



Shivaratri (Feb/March time). Shiva’s birthday falls on the new-moon day of Falgun (Nepali month). The main celebration can be seen in Pashupatinath and it is quite a sight to see. Hundreds of Sadhus arrive here from all over India and Nepal to celebrate, many of them walking thousands of miles barefoot just to be at Pashupatinath. It is also the one day when hashish is legal in Nepal, so walking around these smoky temples can give you quite a high!



Holi (Feb/march time). In my experience I have to say Holi is the most colourful festival of Nepal, also known as Fagu or the Festival of Colours. It falls on the full-moon day in the month of Falgun. During this festival, water is sprayed around as a reminder of the monsoon days soon to arrive. However do not wear clothes that you are particularly fond of in this day as the water is usually coloured with Tikka (and red seems to be the favourite!). If you are brave enough to leave your hotel you will get covered, great fun if you want to play, but keep an eye above as the locals tend to set up camp on their rooftop and bombard you from above!



Bisket Jatra (April-May). Nepali New Year starts in mid-April. The Bisket chariot festival is a great way to see the New Year in and is said to be one of the most exciting events in the valley. To get a real feel for this festival the best place to be is Bhaktapur.



Buddha Jayanti (May-June) (Buddha’s Birthday). For this festival I would recommend heading to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha (although if this is a little out of your way Swayambhunath (the monkey temple), Bodhnath and Patan are also put on a good show for this festival.) The highlight of this celebration are the colourful Monk dances.



Gai Jatra (Aug/Sept time) The Cow festival is one of the most popular in Nepal. Cows are led through the streets on this day and you’ll even see young boys dressed up as cows! Newars believe that when you die cows will guide them to Yama, the god of the underworld. And if you are lucky enough to be holding onto a cows tail, this journey will be made much easier. As with most of the festivals, to really get a feel for it you should head to one of the Durbar Squares, either Kathmandu, Patan or Bhaktapur.



Teej (Aug-Sept time) The woman’s festival. To become really involved in this festival I’d recommend spending the main day of Teej at one of the Durbar Squares. The whole place will become a sea of red saris. This festival combines feasting and fasting! The women pray for marital bliss, well being of their spouses and children and purification of their own souls. On one of the days the women are even expected to bath their husbands feet and then drink the water!



Indra Jatra (Aug-Sept time) This festival celebrated by both Hindus and Buddists marks the end of the monsoon and is one of great colour and excitement. The festival is named after Lord Indra who is known as god of rain and also as the king of heaven. This festival has 8 whole days of singing, dancing and feasting. On the third day of the festival the Kumari (the living goddess) is taken around the capital in a chariot.



Dashain (Sept/Oct time) This is Nepal’s biggest festival and one of the longest lasting 15 days. This festival is not much to see for tourists as it is a very family orientated, but if you are lucky enough to join in celebrations with a local family and really get involved it is by far the best festival. Different celebrations take place on each day, for example on Maha Astami or the ‘Great Eight Day’, this is when you will see the sacrifices begin and on Vijaya Dashami, the 10th day, is a family affair and cards and greetings are exchanged.



Tihar (Oct-Nov time) Also known as Diwali or Deepawali, this is the festival of lights where the Goddess of wealth, Goddess Laxmi is worshipped. During this time you will see the city come alive with candles (which when the electric isn’t working is simply stunning) and the skies come alive with fireworks; just keep an eye out for teenagers with firecrackers! This is a 5 day celebration honouring certain animals, crows, dogs, cows and bullocks on each day

PASHUPATINATH

One of the holiest Hindu temples on the Indian subcontinent, Pashupatinath is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva as his manifestation Pashupati, the Lord of Animals. Pashupatinath stands by the sacred (but badly polluted) Bagmati river in the eastern part of Kathmandu. While Kathmandu’s Buddhist sites Swayambhunath and Boudhanath are world-famous, the majority of Nepal’s residents are Hindus, and Pashupatinath is an important Hindu pilgrim destination.
Facts About the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu

The exact origins of Pashupatinath are shrouded in legend and myths. There has apparently been an ancient Shaivite temple on the site (a temple devoted to Shiva) long before the present temple structure, which is said to date back to the era of King Bhupalendra Malla in the 17th century. Following a centuries-old tradition, priests in this temple come from South India, and used to be recruited with the consent of the King of Nepal. After the abolition of monarchy in Nepal there have been protests demanding appointment of Nepali priests.

The centerpiece of the temple is a beautiful pagoda-style structure with golden roofs and silver-coated doors. The pagoda is decorated with woodcarvings representing Shiva’s wife Parvati, their son Ganesha and other Hindu gods. Inside the temple is a shivalingam, Shiva’s phallic symbol. The lingam in this temple is chaturmukha, or four-faced statue. On the entrance to the temple stands a statue of Shiva’s bull, Nandi.

Non-Hindus are not allowed into the main temple. In June 2009 new areas of the temple complex were opened to tourists, and the entrance free to foreign tourists was doubled to Rs500 (approximately US$6.50).
Tips for Visiting the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu

The fascinating and colourful temple area provides the visitor a very different experience than Kathmandu’s Buddhist sites. The temple is always busy with orange-robed saddhus, who travel to Pashupatinath from around Nepal and the Indian subcontinent. During the Maha Shivaratri festival in February Pashupatinath stays open all night for its famous Shivaratri celebrations that attract large crowds of saddhus, pilgrims, devotees and tourists.

DEVIS FALL

Devi's Fall is a familiar tourism Place of pokhara. It lies on app. 5 km Far from central market of pokhara city on the western part.

it lies on beside of siddhrth highway, then it is a exit way to go to another city also.

From here, you can go for trekking for nuwakot, taksar, mattikhan and those villages, where you can get the cultural taste of village.

there, you will get full of heartist welcomes from the natural heart of real nepalies. so, don't forget to go to those villlages, when you go to devi's fall