Theme: Explore Sauraha (later changed to Explore Patan due to Nepal bandh)
Hiking Route: Kalimati-Bishalnagar; Itachhen-Bishalnagar; Bishalnagar-Patan Durbar Square
Time: 1-4 hours depending on the individual’s home
Day: September 28, 2008
Team: BalL, BhaskarB, KeshabG, RajendraB, SudeepG, RaghuR
Photos By: BhaskarB, BalL
Caption By: SudeepG
Creative Support: DijupT, AshishS

Rookie Scribe: A visit to Patan Darbar Square and Yala Mahotsav

- Keshab Ghimire

It was to be the first hiking in which I participated since I joined D2. Due to Nepal Banda, the scheduled ‘Explore Sauraha’ hiking trip was cancelled. Three of us had gathered in the office premises in the morning; some of us braving the silent roads and walking all the way to office – a warm up! Most of the people who could be contacted where informed of the cancellation. Then, Bhaskar Dai proposed to go for “Yala Mahotsav, Patan” on foot. Three persons from office and three waiting at Tripureshor agreed and gathered at Thapathali. From there, we walked towards Patan and entered the Mahotsav from Pulchowk side. Some snapshots were captured and finally we reached Patan Darbar Square.

Since I am from outside the valley and I passed my school and intermediate level at Palpa, my home place, I had not gotten any opportunity to visit Patan Darbar Square. I only had read about Patan in books and other magazines and it was known to me that the area was listed as a World Heritage Site. So I was really interested to go. I got the opportunity to visit that place only at the time when I came to Kathmandu for my higher study. I found the area enriched with lots of ancient arts and majestic architecture. People were devoted and simple. It made me think how much effort the people who worked at the Square had to make at the time. I enjoyed the arts and architecture with awe. I visited the museum there and got several opportunities to watch several musical concerts at different occasions. Many times, I used to go and stay there with my friends in the evening. It instilled in me an unusual peace of mind. I have many happy memories and feelings associated with Patan Darbar Square.

Once again we had reached there at last Sunday coincidently otherwise we would be on highway at that time for our scheduled hiking at Sauraha. However once again I got the opportunity to be at Patan Darbar Square with several very interesting colleagues. We took lots of snap shots there. I learnt different things and gained good deal of experience. We got separated at about ten thirty in the morning. That short and a sweet hiking became a wonderful unforgettable event in my life.

Start Slide Show
Please click on the image to see its large version.

01 Exploring Sauraha at Patan	02 Nice early breakfast
03 Entrance @ pulchowk	04 The artistic welcome gate
05 Map for self help	06 Welcome to the festival ver 00.1
07 Guests @ Threshold	08 Welcome Reloaded ver 0.2
09 Hey Guys lets take a shot	10 Beauty and the Beasts
11 Beauty of the day	12 More beautiful when viewed closer
13 Om ganeshaya nama	14 Colorful signboard
15 The FLAME that lighted the whole festival	16 I keep the lamp burning and pray peple will kee the arts alive
17 Array of Lights	18 You`re as old as you feel
19 Place for the concert	20 Buddham saranam gacchami
21 Our Mini Hiking Team	22 Colours of Life
23 Krishna Mandir Temple	24 The Praying King and the temple
25 Promise I didn`t frighten them	26 Blessings to all the visitors
27 Guess who is missing	28 The Guards
29 I welcome the good ones and guard against the rest	30 Bouncer for the festival
31 A Smile full of life	32 The then alarm clock
33 The Temple, King and the crow	34 Pagoda Style Temple in a Frame
35 Good crowd was gathering it was quite early	36 Red and Blue for love and peace
37 Smiling crowd	38 Copper inscription at the museum gate
39 Simha the ancient creature believed to be like dragon	40 Lights and shades
41 Temple and the clear sky, rejuvenates the festival mood	42 The great 17the century leader
43 17th century arts in a view	44 Arts in different Moods
45 One is real others are art	46 Abiral Bagda cha bagmati

Start Slide Show

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Posted by Administrator in Featured, Photo Blog on October 3rd, 2008  |      542 Views     Share This     Print This Post