Boudhanath Stupa after Earthquake

Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal 

In 2013,visiting Boudhanath Stupa with my friends (Rajesh Limbu and Sagar Shakya)

Quick facts on Boudhanth Stupa

Location	Kathamndu, Nepal
Affiliation	Buddhism, Hindusim
Built	5th century
UNESCO Heritage site	Listed in 1979
Maximum Height	43.25m (100ft)
Damaged	Partially damaged by the massive earthquake on 25th apirl,2015
Largest Stupa	In the World
Architecture type	StupaQuick facts of boudhanth Stupa

Boudhanath Stupa is the largest Stupa  in the world.Located in  heart of Kathmandu valley. The architecture used uniquely and the place is visited by both Hindu and Buddhist. It is believed that the stupa was constructed in Fifth century, but its design looks as fresh as it has built in few years ago. Boudhanath is   one of the UNCECO World heritage sites which was listed in 1979.

After the massive earthquake on 25^th April, 2015, the stupa is partially damaged by the tremor. Till on the date of today, most of the parts are  well maintained. Even the process of maintenance going on, but visitors can go and see the heritage site.

Meaning of Different parts of Stupa ;

1) Mandala: Mansion of Boudha

2) Dome      : Symbol of Universe or vase of great treasure

3) Two eyes: Symbol of method and wisdom

4) Harmika : Symbol of eight Nobel Path

5) Nose like Symbol: Symbol of NIrvana

6) Lotus   : Symbol of compassion and purity

7) Umbrella: Protector of three jewels; Boudha, Dharma and Sangha

8) Pinnacle   :  King of all mountains

9) Thirteen step: 13 steps of Bodhisattva's ground for complete englightment

Additional information :

•   Dimension of Dome of Budhha Stupa : 120 ft in diameter,1 hector in width,43.25m in height and area 6756 square meters
• Believed to be built during the Kashyapa Buddha's end period and the beginning period of Shakyamuni Buddha
•  It is also known as "Stupa of Enlightment" or" Bodhi Stupa" and Jhyarung Khashyor.

Under reconstruction Boudhanth Stupa , photo taken on 24 sep 2016

Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath Stupa video on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bemYqOT0Y-kbe

Indrajatra festival in Kathmandu

Indrajatra festival festival is also known as Yenya .Yenya is Newari term that means the Street festival. Indrajatra is the biggest street festival in Kathmandu valley. Particularly the festival celebrates at the courtyard of Basantapur darbar square with magnificent decoration and management. Literally Indrajatra celebrates in two ways. One is masked dances of deities and Demon. The appearance of demon who looks so scary and horror. Those who never have seen such sorts of culture before, they would find interesting to watching as well.  The mask dance is done   with the music of Nepali instrument like Madal, flute, harmony, damfu and many tools used as traditional way. And the another way of celebration is the Kumari who regarded as the  living goddess of earth, took out to the public on this day. She blesses all of the   people from her holy Chariot. But the public not allow going nearby her Chariot nor can one touch her. It's an only one day Kumari sees in Public.

The festival Indrajatra is named as the god of heaven – Indra . The jatra means procession or festival. The history also tells that the indrajatra is the honor of Bhairab, who is manifestation of Lord shiva.

Frequently asked Questions:

Where the indrajatra celebrates?

      The Indrajatra celebrates in  Basantapur Darbar square  in Kathmandu.

When Indrajatra celebrates?

According to the Nepalese Calender ,Indrajatra celebrates every year from the day  of Bhadra Dywadasi to Aswin Chaturdashi. It is celebrated for 8 days. Indrajatra is the biggest day of festival.

Can foreigner go to visit the Indrajatra ?

Yes, foreigner or any religion nationality can see the Indrajatra festival and Enjoy.

Who is Kumari?

Living Goddess – Nepal is the tradition of worshiping young pre-pubescent girls as manifestations of the divine female energy or devi in Hindu religious traditions.

Why Indrajatra is celebrated?

Many years ago, Indra's  (king of Heaven and lord of rain) mother needed specially scented flowers (Parijat). Indra Search the flower in heaven but he did not find anywhere in Heaven. Ultimately he get the information that the flower he is searching that in Kathmandu valley. And Indra himself comes to Kathmandu valley to steal the flower for her mother. Meanwhile, the villagers see the beautiful flower is stealing someone.  And Indra was caught and imprisoned by the villagers.  When his mother got the news, she comes in Kathmandu valley to unveil his son. Seeing his son in the cage and knowing what he had done, she utterly shocked. Her mother tells everything to villagers, after that they released Indra. From that,  the festival is celebrates as a delightful festival in Nepal.  It is celebrated by singing, mask dancing and jubilation.

 I have captured some pictures of Indrajatra festival which are:

Photo 1 : Basantapur Darbar Square 

Photo 2:  the golden chariot of goddess kumari Living goddess kumari 

Photo 3: Sadu from the Basantapur Darbar  Square

Photo 4 : Ganesh, Hindu lord 

Photo 5 : Swat Bhairab, opens once in the ocasion of Indrajatra

Photo 6 : One of the visitor of the Massive Crowd

Photo 7: Living goddess on earth - Kumari , unveil to their devotees

 Photo 8: waving national FLAG

the video OF INDRAJATRA 2016   

CLICK HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-PA-FB8t5o

Sundarijal hike Kathmandu

Sundarijal, it is about 15 km away from central Kathmandu. It is located in north - east of Nepal. The term Sundarijal is the mixture of two Nepalese words "Sundari" and "Jal" which means beautiful water. Certainly when you will be at Sundarijal, you'll see the giant waterfall and the beautiful river streaming downwards to the holy Baghmati River. Similarly, people believe that Sundarijal was named from the temple of Sundarimai whereas every day Hindu devotees go there to worship the goddess of Sundarimai.

We can easily excess to Sundarijal. The road is well concreted all the way so that regularly the public transportation operated from old bus park, near to the Ratna Park. The bus takes around one hour to reach Sundarijal but, sometime it may take more time because of heavy traffic jam. If you have private vehicle, you can go any time without any hindrance.

The small area is occupied by Sundarijal buspark, side of the buspark, there is a small market cover the surrounding. One can eat something before the beginning of hiking and buy something as hiking appetizer. Not the best hotel in the bupark area but, least the hotel's foods and services you would be catered fresh and clean.

The main attraction of Sundarijal is the giant waterfall, the biggest waterfall in Kathmandu valley and the streaming white river that ultimately mix to the holy Bagmati River. It is most popular area because of the green landscape and the wet land as well. Many domestic and international tourists are attracted here by the beauty of Sundarijal. We can organize many activities such as Canyoning, hiking, nature trekking, naturephotography, swimming, birding, cycling, biking, bush walking and so on. At the autumn season, most of the domestic people go there for picnic with their family and friends.

Sundarijal is also a get way of many popular trekking routes like Langtang valley, Gosaikunda, Helambu and one of the short Chisapani trek.

Some of the pictures I have captured by my camera during my hiking which are:

Photo 1: some of my friends enjoying the nature and its beatuty

Photo 3: lower part of  Sundarijal fall

Photo 3: wild Flower

I have also made a short video of Sundarijal hiking, Please have click !!!

Trekking in Nepal

Nepal is known as one of the best adventure destinations in the world. Geography of Nepal is unique an extremely varied landscape  from  Terai to mountain region. Why i suggest to go trekking in Nepal? Trekking in Nepal is only the way to have experience the unbeatable combination of natural beauty and cultural heritage. One can walk along the unexpolred trail for an experience of a lifetime. Along with lush forests, indigenous village, and  mountainsvillages, birds, temples, monasteries and breathtaking landscapes, you will be friendly people of various cultural groups, they offering an  of hospitable tradition.Most of the trekking in Nepal go through the altitudes from 900m to 5545m. The most popular trekking regions in Nepal are Everest, Annapurna and Langtang. However, Makalu region in the east, Kanchenjungha ,Manaslu, Tsum valley, Mustang in the west and Rara and Dolpo in northwest Nepal are also other popular destinations.  Tamang Heritage trail in the Langtang region, Chepang Heritage Trail in Chitwan are also developed. More recently, the government with the support of private sector has developed the Great Himalayan Trail that stretches 1,700 km from east of Nepal to wast of Nepal also begins which takes least one month to complete the trek.

trekking in  Ghorepani poon hill trekking