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The King Who Did Not Fear Death

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:09:45 +0100

There was once a philosopher King, Yoga Narendra Malla, who believed that he was immortal. So, to convince people about his belief he installed a statue of himself in front of his palace. The statue had a Naga forming a canopy over his head and a bird on top of the Nagas head, which looked as if it was about to fly. The statue was devoted in prayer to Taleju, the Goddess of Patan state. Then the King proclaimed that as long as the bird perched on top of the Naga, his subjects should know that hew was still alive.

One day the King disappeared mysteriously. The statue prayed to Taleju and the bird had not flown away. Thus, once a year there is a big festival at which the golden window of his palace is left open in the hope of his return. A dish of meal is also served for him regularly.

The Living Goddess

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:59:23 +0100

The Living Goddess should possess following 50 characteristics:
1)   The Living Goddess should not enjoy eggs or meat
2)   She should not enjoy food left by others
3)   She should not touch any leather items
4)   She should not be touched by any lady during menstruation period
5)   She should not cry or shout
6)   She should be the first one to enjoy food when it is ready
7)   She should not take food from other's hand
8)   She should not be beaten or said anything
9)   Only the Living Goddess and the Priest should be inside the room during Nitya Pooja (Daily rituals)
10) Living Goddess should sleep alone
11) Living Goddess should not be given any medicine if she is sick
12) Normally she never falls sick. If by chance she is sick, special ritual known as Chhama Pooja (special ritual) should be performed
13) Everyday she should do make up and stay
14) When she is on her throne, she should not speak
15) She should be addressed as "Dyo Maiju"
16) During her tenure, she should never be face to face with others
17) Only the Girls living in Kwa Bahal, Mu Bahal and Itumbahal in Kathmandu are eligible for the post of Living Goddess.
18) Girls above 3 years are eligible to be a Living Goddess and they will be there till the age of about 12 years
19) If the Living Goddess menstruates before the normal time, another Living Goddess must be selected within 11 days.
20) A girl with smiling face, healthy, beautiful should be selected and then she is taken to the Royal Priest. Wife of the Royal Priest will keep her naked and checks whether some marks are there on her body or not. If she has no marks on her body, she will have Tika from the Main Priest and will be selected
21) Parents of the newly selected Living Goddess, Administrator of the Guthi Sansthan (Organization which looks after religious and cultural matters) go to the Royal Palace with the new Kumari
22) Kumari will have an audience with the King and she offers coin to the King
23) Once the King accepts her as Kumari, she is taken to the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Mool Chowk (Main Courtyard) and then kept in the throne in Kumari Ghar (Kumari House)
24) She is allowed to come out only 13 times a year:
      a) 4 times during the Indrajatra Festival
      b) 2 times to visit Taleju temple during Dashain
      c) Beginning of Swasthani Brat
      d) One Day before Janai Poornima up to Hanuman Dhoka
      e) Up to Taleju temple during Chaite Dashain (Mini Dashain)
      f) During White Machhendra Nath Festival up to Lagan Tole
      g) Up to New Road Gate during Ghode Jatra (Horse Festival)
      h) Up to Bhagwan Bahal on the next day of Janai Poornima
      i) Up to Macchendra Bahal on the occasion of the Religious Bath of White Machhnedra Nath
25) She should live on the second floor of the Kumari Ghar
26) Bhairab, Kumar and Ganesh should lead the Kumari when she goes out during Kumari Chariot festival
27) 8 people helps to carry the Kumari chariot and this work is done on contract basis
28) During her tenure normally she receives:
      a) During her tenure: Rs 6000 per month
      b) Scholarship: Rs 1000.00 per month
      c) For study (from the Palace): Rs 3000.00 per month
      d) Later on, as pension: Rs 3000.00
      e) For Bel Bibah: Rs 1000.00 (one time)
      f) Marriage Expenditure: Rs 10,000.00
      g) Dresses and other materials are provided by the Guthi Sansthan
29) She should be neat and clean, wearing red and yellow dress
30) No attraction towards the men
31) Having father and mother
32) Having round forehead
33) Separate eye brow
34) Having blue and black eyes
35) Low voice
36) Beautifully done make up (16 Sringar)
37) Having healthy body
38) Having no marks on the skin
39) Having no bad smell from any part of the body
40) Having perfect teeth
41) Having no hairs on her body
42) Having black and oily hair
43) Able to listen properly
44) Face like that of a lion
45) Healthy cheeks and nails
46) Lengthy fingers in hands and feet
47) Having proper and normal steps
48) Courageous and peaceful nature
49) Having bright and smiley face
50) Having normal breast

The Tihar Ends

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:56:13 +0100

The second biggest festival known as Tihar ended today. However, the Newar community of Kathmandu celebrated their Bhai Tika on 20th October. This was due to the controversy in the calender. The Newar community celebrated their 1130th New Year on 19th October. Now the life is normal in Nepal.

The Tihar Begins

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:47:23 +0100

The second biggest Hindu festival known as "Tihar" will begin from 15th October, 2009. The festival is commonly known as "Bhai tika' in Nepal and Diwali in India. It is celebrated for 5 days. This time only 18th and 19th October will be Government holidays as the most important day known as "Laxmi Pooja" falls on Saturday, October 17th. Saturday is the Government holiday in Nepal.October 18th is the New Year's Day for the Newars, the original inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley. It will be their 1130 Nepal Sambat. Sisters will offer "Tika" to their Brothers on 19th. Then the festival will come to an end. Life will be normal after the end of this festival.

Why Death is not Seen?

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:54:48 +0100

It is believed that Death was a visible body. When the time for one to die would come, Death would come to the person and the person would accept to go to the Yamalok (place for the dead). Death was thus accepted and was celebrated.

Once while Death was going through the list of people who had to die, he came across a young blacksmith who was not ready to die. He still had a lot of dreams to fulfill, so, when he saw Death come to him he was polite with Death for he wanted Death to leave him alone. Death would not leave him. He then told Death that he wanted to show him work and took him to a multi-chambered iron building, which he had built. He guided Death to the innermost chamber and asked Death to relax there. He then locked Death inside the chamber, locking seven doors. The blacksmith told no one his secret.

Lord Shiva found out that Death was trapped and entrusted his consort, Parvati, to carry out a plan to release Death. Parvati, disguised as a beautiful woman working in the place where the blacksmith went every evening to drink, went to the world of the mortals. She served the young Blacksmith many fine drinks, acting very seductive, and tried to find out his secrets. The intoxicated Blacksmith revealed all she wanted to know.

Then, Death was released and from then on, Death never went to the world of the mortals in its visible form.

The Dashain Ends

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:08:16 +0100

After a long holiday offices are open in Nepal. The Ten days festival commonly known as Dashain is over. People who went to their homes out side the Kathmandu are back. As such once again the Kathmandu Valley has started suffering from over population and pollution. Streets once again are jammed due to heavy traffic. For a couple of days they will talk about the Dashain. Then they will start talking about the Brother festival which is going to be started from October 15th and will be celebrated for 5 days. In Nepal it is known as "Bhai Tika" ("Bhai" means brother).People will worship the crow on the first day. Dog will be worshipped on the second day, Cow on third day, Ox on fourth day and Brother on 5th day. This will be the second biggest Hindu festival. Those who do not have their own Brothers and Sisters will visit temples. Offices will be closed on October 18th and 19th only.

Facts about Nepal

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:28:14 +0100

How much do you know about Nepal? Some interesting information about Nepal:

Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and altitudinal variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60 m above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mount Everest at 8848 m, all within a distance of 150 km resulting into climatic conditions from sub-tropical to Arctic.

Nepal occupying only 0.01 percent of the total landmass of the earth is home to:

-    2 % of all the flowering plants in the world
-    8 % of the world's population of birds (more than 848 species)
-    4 % of mammals on earth
-    11 of the world's 15 families of butterflies (more than 500 species)
-    600 indigenous plant families
-    319 species of exotic orchids.
-    Area: 147181 sq. km
-    Location: China in the North and India in the South, West & East
-    Capital: Kathmandu
-    Population: Appx. 28.8 million
-    People: More than 101 ethnic groups and 92 spoken languages
-    Language: Nepali, however, travel-trade people understand & speak English
-    Religion: Secular state with Hindu and Buddhist population
-    Currency: Nepali Rupee
-    Political System: Federal Democratic System
-    Climate: Nepal has four major seasons:
     Winter:    December-February
     Spring:    March-May
     Summer: June-August, and
     Autumn: September-November

Monsoons' are from June till mid September. Nepal can be visited the whole year around. As far as the clothing is concerned, light weight clothing is recommended from May through October. Warm garments are required in October-March. An umbrella or a raincoat is a must for the rainy season.

The United Communist Party

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:28:44 +0100

The United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) were boycotting the President and the Ministers due to their unconstitutional steps. Yesterday all of a sudden Chairman Prachanda went to the President's house and met the President and discussed with him about the recent political development. Due to the Maoist's protests, the Legislature has not been in the session since last about one and half month. The Government has not been able to discuss the annual budget and pass it. The Legislature must pass the budget before October 17th, 2009.

Dashain 2009

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:35:10 +0100

Nepali people just celebrated their 10 days long biggest Hindu festival. In

Nepal

it is known as Dashain which means 10 days festival. In this festival people used to worship Durga, Goddess of Power for Nine nights and 10 days. In ancient time, Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga and got her blessings. As such, he was able to bring his wife who was kidnapped by the King of Lanka, back from Lanka. So Hindu people worship this Goddess for the sake of power.

September 28 is the main day which is known as Vijaya Dashami. On the main day, after finishing the rituals, people will visit their senior's house and will get blessings and Tika on their forehead. People will wear new clothes and as such one can really enjoy the people with new dresses. Children specially will enjoy the festival.

All the Government offices will be reopened from 2nd of October. However, the Government educational institutes will be reopened from 20th October. Some private schools and colleges will be however opened from 4th of October. So once again life will be active in Nepal.

My Blog

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:35:26 +0100

Hello Friends,

I have created this blog to keep you informed about the recent happening in Nepal. This includes Nepali festivals, cultural events as well as the political and economic news.

I hope you enjoy reading my blog. As always, feel free to share your feedback and comments.