As Nepal Tourism Year(NTY) 2011 Approaches...

Not much but only 7 more months to go. Nepal Tourism Year(NTY) 2011 is expected to be big to unlease its natural beauty. Nepal is ready and steady to for and welcome all the visitors, with the slogan "once is not enough", Nepal truly stands on for it. The natural beauty of Nepal that extends from east Illam to west Mahakali, Nepal has marked its existence in the heart of many foreigners and have made them come back more than once.
The lure of natural Nepal that offers trekking, white water rafting, hiking, wildlife conservation area, world heritage sites, ancient temples and monuments, mountaineering, etc. will be offering its finest service during this year particularly. The renovation of the world heritage sites, the services at the trekking zone, etc. have been upgraded and some are still in progress.
The good news for NTY 2011 is that Maoist have promised that there would not be any strikes from their side but many people doubt them. Apart from them there are also other parties but the strikes from other is expected to be negligible.
In the same scenario, one of the world heritage sites that is listed in the UNESCO, Swyambhunath Stupa has just completed its renovation program which is believed to be built during some 2500 years ago (just proud of it:)). The stupa have been painted, the metal painted in gold with eye on it have been changed for good. The current look of the Swyambhu Stupa will stun not only the foreigners but also for the local people as well. So I personally suggest the locals to visit. Meticulously designed stupa was renovated after 100 years, unbelievable? buts its true as the Kantipur Daily quotes (May 19, 2010, Wednesday).
The coordinator of the renovation program of Swyambhunath Stupa, Mukunda Bista states many unexpected things have been innovated such as (I'm writing in Nepali cause I don't know the specific words haha) tama ko paata, treedarshi bhumi, gaajur, tooran, haarmikama, suunko jalap (moolambaa), gajur ko stupa bhitrako kaath is changed, bajra cheeu ko eetako gaarho, ring etc. have been renovated.

To save the heritage Kathmandu Metropolitan Center has now strictly regulated the rules for disallowing the entrance of vehicles into the premises of Kathmandu Durbar Square (KDS) which was once regulated but was not successful. KDS was built during Mall regime with unique design of its class. KDS has been listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The locals have demanded the sames years before but due to the inefficience of the regulating body it kept failing. The arriving of the NTY 2011 has at least waked them up to take some initiation and make their mark as their presence. The restriction of entrance at the Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square which are also listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites was implemented years before. This restriction has made some regular passer by a bit difficulty to reach their destination bu the importance of such world heritage sites is understood and welcomed by all. The pictures itself depicts the importance of this place.
Even though this regulation is active the news regarding the violation of the same rules by the top authorities of the polices itself keeps on publishing on the regular daily Kantipur. Sometime its about parking in the retricted area and the other time police authority riding and motorbike in the restriction area without a helmet. This violation might seem negligible which raises the question regarding if this regulation might dissolve after the NTY 2011. Lets be optimistic and be positive.

Until my next post, Sionara!

INDRA JATRA

It is a well known fact that Hinduism and Buddhism are the two major religions of Nepal, each having it's own rules and rituals. However, like most festivals of Nepal, both Hindus and Buddhist unite to celebrate the festival of Indra Jatra. This festival is celebrated by both Hindus and Buddhists with great enthusiasm. It is also believed that Indra Jatra is a festival of classical dances. It is on this very day when one is able to observe numerous varieties of traditional dances. The festival is named after Lord Indra who is known as the god of rain and also as the king of heaven.

The festival of Indra Jatra continues for eight days with much rejoicing, singing, dancing and feasting. People from all over Nepal, mostly those who live within the Kathmandu Valley, gather at the Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu. The first day of the festival is viewed by a large number of people. On that day, a long wooden pole is erected in front of the ancient Royal Palace at Hanuman Dhoka, in order to propitiate Lord Indra, the"god of rain". Classical dancers also assemble at the spot, wearing different kinds of traditional masks and costumes and dancing around the courtyard of Hanuman Dhoka to celebrate Indra's visit.

On the third day of the festival of Indra Jatra, the living goddess Kumari is taken out in a procession in a chariot. "Kumari", the "living goddess", is considered to be an incarnation of the goddess "Taleju". Chariots of Kumari, Ganesha and Bhairav are taken around the city for three days. According to Hindu beliefs Ganesha is the son of Shiva and Parvati who has a head of an elephant and Bhairav is another form of Lord Shiva himself.

The king of Nepal, the only Hindu king in the world, also pays homage to the Kumari during this period. The festival's many interesting dances, including the Procession of Living Goddess-Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Dasha Avatara masked dances are staged in Kathmandu Durbar Square, near the Kumari Temple. The "Dasha Avatara" refers to the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu who is one of the Hindu's Holy trinity. The excitement of the festival of Indra Jatra comes to an end on the last evening of the festival when the long wooden pole erected on the first day is lowered with religious ceremonies, animal sacrifices and ritual gestures.

CELEBRATION

Given below is information regarding what rituals take place on each of the day.

Day 1-2
A long wooden pole is placed in front of the Royal Palace at Hanuman Dhoka, in order to propitiate Lord Indra. Classical dancers also gather at the spot, wearing different kinds of traditional attires. They dance around the courtyard of Hanuman Dhoka to celebrate God Indra's arrival.Day 3-6
On the third day of the festival of Indra Jatra, the living goddess Kumari ventures out in a chariot in the procession. Kumari, is said to be an incarnation of the goddess Taleju. Chariots of Kumari, Ganesha and Bhairav move around the city for three days. According to Hindu faith Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He is believed has the head of an elephant. Bhairav is one of the forms of Lord Shiva.

Day 7
The King of Nepal, the only Hindu monarch in the world, also pays homage to the Kumari during this period. Intriguing dances are staged in Kathmandu Durbar Square, in the neighborhood of the Kumari Temple. 'Dasha Avataras' are also enacted by the artists. The 'Dasha Avataras' refer to the ten incarnations of Hindu Lord Vishnu who is one of the Hindus' Holy trinity, the supreme powers.







Protest Against Finance Minister Babu Ram Bhattarai for discontinuing finance for Indra Jatra (Sept. 21, 08')