Everest Uncensored

Manish Man Singh:
Yet another hiking from Deerwalk (excited for sure) and we all knew for sure that there was something about this hike as we had Shutterbug (AKA Jitendra Bajracharya) with us on the hike. Khokana, a traditional and tiny Newari village eight kilometers south of Kathmandu (on the outskirts of Patan), which has its own history and has retained its tradition and culture.This village was not far from Kathmandu but surely had lots for the photographers.

Shutterbug started with a team briefing about Khokana. It was morning around 9 AM where most of the people were enjoying the warmth of the sun and women sitting outside spinning, men crushing seeds, and other daily activities.The village is famous for its unusual mustard-oil harvesting process in which a heavy wooden beam is used to crush the mustard seeds in order to extract the oil.Khokana is a unique village which can be taken as a model of a medieval settlement pattern with a system of drainage and chowks. It houses chaityas and a Mother Goddess temple. The most amazing part is that we also saw the first house in Nepal where electricity was provided.Those that visit Nepal for the sheer experience of learning more about the lives and cultures of the local peoples will usually enjoy visiting even the simplest little farming village and getting to know the local inhabitants better. Clearly, Khokana does have something to offer – even if it will only keep you busy for a few hours.

Kanchan Raj Pandey:
This sunday deerwalk hike was totally different from other hike. Shutter Bug (Jitendra Bajracharya) was with us to share his views about photography. We started our hike from Khokana which was about 6/7 kilometers from Kathmandu city limit (ring road) to the south in the lalitpur district lies the village of Khokana (Tipical Newari Village). Khokana is very good place for Photo Session. We learned some tips and tricks about photography.

Perfect way to promote village tourism of this country. Thanks to the team.

Aawat Adhikari:
Apart from other regular hike from Deerwalk, this was very different and special one. We had Jitendra Bajracharya and Aishu Mathema, renowned Photojournalist of Nepal, in our Hike team. Got to learn more Photography skills and the way to Interact with local peoples from them. They shared their professional mantras which I will always remember before taking any shots. And from this hike, also I knew few and interesting stuffs about Historical Khokana and Pharping, It was like time travelling to the Past.

Niraj Thapa:
Hike from Deerwalk has always been a great experience. Besides that, the hike from Khokana to Farping which extended to Dakshinkali was organized as Outdoor Photography Training Session provided from the institute guided by Shutter Bug (Jitendra Bajracharya). So with refreshment and fun being there, it was much more educational and knowledgeable.
Thanks to everyone.

Nisha Sharma Pandit:
This hiking was very exciting and special for me because it was a photography hiking.I got a chance to know the lifestyle of the people of Khokana, Brick factory and people suffering from leprosy which is very heart touching. Also i visited the 1st power house Nepal (2nd power house of Asia) Chandrajyoti Jalvidyut, still running in its 101 years it is just amazing. Altogether, it was tremendous hiking!

I want to thank Deerwalk and Jitendra Bajracharya for providing us the great opportunity to learn a lot about Photography skills.

502. Namaste
Photo By: Kanchan Raj Pandey
Posted Date: 02nd January, 2012

Photo Description:
This picture was taken last Sunday when we were on a hike to learn photography. It was taken in a Leprosy Colony in Kokhana. An old man came out to greet all of us with his hands folded and the smile on his face didn’t reflect his sorrow but one can imagine what he has been through.

So we are just trying to raise the awareness against leprosy which is a curable disease.

People used to believe that this condition is as a result of sin committed in past life. Basically Leprosy or Hansen’s disease is a chronic disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Named after physician Gerhard Armauer Hansen, leprosy is primarily a granulomatous disease of the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract; skin lesions are the primary external sign. Left untreated, leprosy can be progressive, causing permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes.

Camera Specifications:
Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS
F-stop f/5
Exposure Time 1/25 sec
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 step
Focal Length 80mm