Everest Uncensored

505. Perfect Enlightenment (Samyak-Sambodhi)
Photo By: Sunil Manandhar
Posted Date: 16th March, 2012

Photo Description:
Once every five years, auspiciousness is dissipated into the air as statues of Dipankar Buddhas from across the Kathmandu Valley are taken out of their closets, dusted and readied for granting blessings in the courtyard of Nagbahal, one of the spacious courtyards of Patan (Lalitpur).

Samyak, a kind of festival, this year fell on the 24th of February. ‘Samyak’ implies oneness of all sentient beings and observance of this festival is believed to lead the practitioner to the path of the Bodhisattvas the culminating in perfect enlightenment (samyak-sambodhi).

The essence of this festival is the practice of Giving, or dana-paramita – specifically, to monks (Sakyas and Vajracaryas in the Newar Buddhist tradition) and to Buddhas, especially to Dipankar Buddha, who predicted Sakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment in a previous lifetime. People from all parts of the valley gather at Nagbahal to pay homage to the Buddhas and offer Panch Daan (a ritual where the buddhas are offered five types of materials – cereals, salt, pulses and money).

The procession of gods and people mix freely in the courtyard to the tune of traditional musical instruments such as Dhime, Dhaa, Bujyaa, Bansuri etc. from various Bahals, Toles, Vihars and Mahavihars around the locality.

Camera Specifications:
Camera Model: Nikon D5100
F-stop: F/4.8
Exposure Time: 1/60
ISO Speed: 1600
Focal length: 32mm
Effect: HDR

485. Reflection
Photo By: SURx
Posted Date: 25th November, 2010
Location: Patan

Description:
Pimbahal Pokhari is beautiful pond with a small krishna temple at the center is located in the heart of Patan. Locals says that the rani pokhari in kathmandu was modelled after this.

The myth behing the origin of the lake that most locals believe is at one point during the past, the residents of Lalitpur faced acute water shortage. At that time, there lived a maiden with beauty so enchanting that even the demons were overcome by her charms and on the request of the philanthropic maiden, the demons built the lake for the benefit of the residents.

Camera : Canon EOS 450D
Aperture: F/5.6
Shutter speed: 1/60 sec
FL: 18 mm
ISO: 100

433. Into nothingness
Photo by: Jiten
Posted Date: 23th March 2010
Location: Patan Darbar Square, Patan

Description :
This woman I met yesterday morning (22nd March 2010) at Patan Darbar Square, who is resting in the course of a walk undertaken on an apparent errand and taking time off to draw on a cigarette too. Looked into it from the perspective of the slogan of building a “New Nepal” — a catch phrase now — there does not seem to be anything that interests her.

421. Golden Temple, Patan
Photo by: Gavin Burnett
Posted Date: 1st February 2010

Description:
Taken inside the Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar) Patan, Kathmandu, Nepal. Temple was founded during the 12th Century. Patan’s Golden Temple simple from the outside and majestic from the inside, with stone gates produced by the silakars whose descendants can still be seen working in the woodcarving industry.

Trip Itinerary
Day 1
1. Dawn and a typical one hour delay in Kathmandu
2. Brunch and V Shots at Riverside Springs Resort
3. Late lunch at Pokhara Thakali
4. Sunset and golden mountains from Sarangkot
5. Pool and R Punch at Amsterdam
6. Live music and V Shots at Busy Bee
7. V Shots and sleeping-like-a-baby at Grand Holiday and Trek-o-tel

Day 2
1. Rowing and paddling at Fewa
2. Hiking to Peace Pagoda
3. Visit to Devi’s Fall
4. Visit to Gupteshwar Mahadev Cave
5. Fish and prawns at Malekhu
6. Traffic jam and weapon-brandishing at Nagdhunga
7. Midnight at Kathmandu

Bill Abraham and Lucien St Cyr ‘s Story:
The van stopped by the Y&Y at 6 am Saturday morning for our weekend journey to Pokhara. Joining Lucien and I were Bhaskar, Roshan, Pramod, Rohan, Sudeep, Pawan, Neeraj, Dipesh, Amit, and our faithful driver, Ram. We stopped for breakfast on the way at a small resort called the Riverside, which coincidentally, happened to be alongside a river. After breakfast, we continued on our journey.

We arrived in Pokhara at around noon and checked into our hotel. After we settled in, we went out to lunch at a local restaurant that everyone was quite familiar with. After a nice relaxing lunch, Ram drove us up to Sarangkot to view the sunset over the Annapurna Himalayas. We watched the sunset turn the mountain snow caps a beautiful golden color.

we somehow managed to turn a 1 hour hike, into a 3 hours journey to the top.

The next day, we went on a trek to scale a “mountain” (a mountain in my book) to view the Pokhara Stupa. First we had to cross the Fewa lake. Most of us opted to take a paddle boat across the lake, but there were four brave souls who dared to take a rowboat. Once across, we somehow managed to turn a 1 hour hike, into a 3 hours journey to the top. Once at the top, we viewed the beautiful white Stupa and also had another beautiful view of the mountains, as well as of the surrounding Pokhara valley.

Coming down the “mountain” was a lot easier than going up. We made it down with only minimal stops in between, with Ram there at the bottom to greet us. Once at the bottom, we all hopped into the van and went to David’s fall, a deep and narrow waterfall that is best viewed from behind. In order to do this, we had to cross the street and enter a cave. From inside the cave we were able to catch a much better view of the backside of the falls.

After leaving the cave, we stopped for lunch at the same restaurant we ate at the day before. As before, lunch was good and relaxing (everyone was tired). We finished lunch at about 4 in the afternoon and then hit the road back to Kathmandu.

On the way home we stopped at a small road side restaurant for a quick snack, and then continued on our way back to KTM. Unfortunately, we got stuck in traffic and did not arrive back at the Y&Y until after midnight. Everyone was tired, but we had a great and memorable time. Our hosts were terrific.

Dipesh Shrestha ‘s Story:

a great place to get the view of the mountain range and the pokhara valley

I was very excited about the trip to pokhara because it was my first hike from office. After leaving the office at 6.30 we moved towards pokhara. The ride from Kathmandu to pokhara was really interesting. Upon reaching pokhara and having lunch we went to Sarangkot to view the sunset which was the most amazing view of the Annapurna range and the sunset I had seen. Another thing that I saw that day was a face of the tiger on Machhapuchre. After the sunset we came down towards the lakeside and roam around the pubs. The next morning we took a boat towards the Peace Stupa after the boat ride we started our short hike towards Peace Stupa. It was a great place to get the view of the mountain range and the pokhara valley. After staying there for some time we moved down the other way where the office van was waiting for us which took us to Davis fall and Gupteswor cave. The view of Davis fall from the cave was great. And after having our lunch we returned towards Kathmandu. On the whole the trip was really great experience to know pokhara as it was just my second trip there and also to know the people we travel along.

Amit Nepal’s Story:

Surely, one of the most awaited events. D2 hiking (Trip to Pokhara) was the kind of refreshment that I was looking for. I was wondering whether I could wake up at 5 in the morning. And I did wake up. That’s amazing. Isn’t it?

The trip was interesting from the moment we took off from the office. I got this opportunity to meet new colleagues from D2 (Nepal) as well as two different colleagues from D2 (Boston). I definitely had a great time with them.

Guru’s Melody in the Van, having shots in Riverside restaurant was one hell of a moment. The most memorable of them all would be the moment while returning from Pokhara: We were stuck in traffic for about 2 hours and there was a stranger who was carrying a KHUKHURI in his hand and was guiding all the vehicles as if he was some traffic personnel. This may be the kind of attitude that Traffic police should have in order to prevent Traffic jams. ?

So, overall it was a hectic schedule with an awesome experience.

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Please click on the image to see its large version.

01 A break on the highway	02 Aaanch
03 We bond	04 We pose
05 Communication	06 Lucien
07 Strings	08 The Gyanendra Pose
09 Roshan, Amit and Dipesh	10 Team at RSR
11 Not much snow in Machhapuchhre	12 Team at Sarangkot 1
13 The shoot	14 The sea of sky
15 Perspective	16 Orange
17 Lucien Smiles Cyr	18 The sun has set
19 Bill Smiles Abraham	20 Burn
21 M1	22 M2
23 M3	24 Team at Sarangkot 2
25 The shot	26 There It Is
27 We play	28 Movement
29 Boats in Fewa	30 Lucien, Dipesh, Amit and Rohan take the Row Boat
31 The rest take the Paddle Boat	32 The climb begins
33 Lucien leads	34 Up Up
35 From the Peace Pagoda	36 Raniban
37 Guess who	38 Pawan, Neeraj, Amit, Sudeep, Lucien, Rohan and Roshan
39 The Eagle Has (not yet) Landed	40 Life is a Struggle
41 The easiest part	42 Life is a twig
43 The Buddha	44 The Peace Pagoda
45 Life is full of thorns	46 So This is It
47 Yellow	48 Blue
49 Misty Pokhara	50 Roshan, Sudeep, Bill, Lucien, Rohan and Neeraj
51 Team at Peace Pagoda	52 Embrace Thy Soul
53 Which One Shot	54 The Pull
55 The Four I`s	56 Please Go Quietly
57 More Downhill	58 Chautari
59 Downhill	60 Onlookers
61 Pigeons at rest	62 Devi`s Fall 2
63 Devi`s Fall 1	64 Stalactites
65 Pythonlikes	66 Down the Gupteshwar Mahadev Cave
67 Cavemen 2	68 Cavemen 1

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403. Matya : In the name of Loved ones
Photo by: Ujjwal Bajracharya
Posted Date: 10th September 2009

Description:
A Newar Festival… celebrated just after the Gai Jatra was observed this year in Patan. I was lucky to be back just in time to see this… In this festival, people who have lost their family members or relatives, participate and walk to all the four Ashok pillars located in different part of Patan. They print the photos of their loved ones and offer it to different gods and goddesses on the way to these four pillars. They start their journey early in the morning and keep walking the whole day. This time, it started from Haugal, near Patan Durbar Square. People wearing joker dresses and others also participated. They walk, joke and dance the whole day….. It’s one of the many wonderful cultures we have in Nepal.

Read the rest of this entry �

Photographers: Abishesh Joshi, Balkrishna Lachhimasyu, Dhilung Kirat, Dijup Tuladhar, Manish Shakya, Rina Maharjan and Sabeen Shrestha
Date: 2008/10/05 – 2008/10/11
Caption: RinaM/DhilungK
Report Compiled by: Luna Gurung
Creative Support: DijupT/RinaM

” दशौं आयो खाऊँला पिऊँला चङ्गा उडाउँला पिङ्ग खेलौंला ”

Dashain, brings about the reunion of distant and nearby relatives occur in every household. The market is filled with shoppers seeking new clothing, gifts, luxuries and enormous supplies of temple offering for the gods, as well as foodstuffs for the family feasting. Thousands of sheep, goats, ducks, chicken and water buffalo are prepared for the great slaughter. Anywhere you go the festive mood of ‘Vijaya Dashami’ is found.

The first nine days of Dashain are called Nawa Ratri when tantric rites are conducted. In Nepal the life force is embodied in the divine energy and power of the female, depicted as goddess Durga in her many forms. All goddess who emanated from goddess Durga are known as devis, each with different aspects and powers. During these nine days people pay their homage to the goddess.

The first day of Dashain is called Ghatasthapana, which literally means pot establishing. On this day the kalash, (holy water vessel) symbolizing goddess is placed in the prayer room. The kalash is filled with holy water and covered with cow dung on to which seeds are sown. The room where the kalash is established is called ‘Dashain Ghar‘. The kalash and the sand are sprinkled with holy water everyday and it is shielded from direct sunlight. By the tenth day, the seed will have grown to five or six inches long yellow grass. The sacred yellow grass is called ‘Jamara‘. It is bestowed by the elders atop the heads of those younger to them during the last five days when tika is put on.

As days passes by regular rituals are observed till the seventh day. The seventh day is called ‘Fulpati‘.

In fulpati, the royal kalash filled with holy water, banana stalks, jamara and sugar cane tied with red cloth is carried by Brahmans on a decorated palanquin under a gold tipped and embroidered umbrella. The government officials also join the fulpati parade. With this the Dashain feasting starts.

The eighth day is called the Maha Asthami: The fervour of worship and sacrifice to Durga and Kali increases. On this day many orthodox Hindus will be fasting. The night of the eighth day is called ‘Kal Ratri‘, the dark night. While the puja is being carried out great feasts are held in the homes of common people.

The ninth day is called Nawami: Animals mostly black buffaloes are slaughtered to honour Durga the goddess of victory and might and to seek her blessing. On this very day the god Vishwa Karma, the God of creativity is also worshiped. All factories, vehicles, any machinery instruments and anything from which we make a living are worshiped.

The tenth day is the Dashami: On this day we take tika and jamara from our elders and receive their blessing. This function continues for four days after which Dashain ends on the full moon day, the fifteenth day. The full moon day is also called ‘Kojagrata’ meaning ‘who is awake’.

After Dashain everyone settles back to normal. After receiving the blessing of goddess Durga, people are ready to work and acquire virtue, power and wealth. Dashain thus is not only the longest festival but also the most anticipated one among all the festivals of Nepal.

Vijaya Dashami 2065 was observed as vivacious and joyous festivity throughout “Naya Nepal” this year. Our EU volunteers and contributors went extra miles to capture various moments of this festive season. We have an exclusive report along with photographs taken inside and outside of Kathmandu valley.

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Please click on the image to see its large version.

01 Managing the people to cross Koshi river to get them home for Dashai	02 People ready to ride a boat after walking 4hr to get home
03 Koshi story..	04 .. ripples last for long
05 Swing in Linge ping	06 Wishing
07 Bharda kali on MahaAsthami	08 Kalash for puja
09 Queue up at Bharda kali	10 Dashami Diyo
11 Dashain Shop	12 Kal Bharab
13 Statue of Hanuman at Hanuman Dokha	14 Narshiha at Hanuman Dokha
15 Mahalaxmi being worshipped on Mahaastami	16 Langur Burja
17 Nyatapola	18 Seasoned Patan
19 Selling flocks	20 Set of Feast
21 MahaAstami Worship – Manakamana Gorkha	22 When is my turn (Manakamana)
23 Taleju, only open at MahaNawami	24 Beyond the boundary
25 The warm up	26 The settings of Kot.
27 The worship begins	28 Ritual process before sacrified (II)
29 54 buffalos and 54 gots are sacrificed during kot praba	30 What is you view on this
31 The sight … .	32 … and the scene
33 Babas enjoying dashain	34 The closing
35 Controllers of the freedom flights	36 You get to touch this Grand Bell only once a year (on MahaNawami)
37 So they are happy to join	38 Worship during Nawami
39 In these years our business is getting down.	40 Dhago chod .. dhago chad
41 Locals visiting Shrine	42 Enjoying the Diyo-Light
43 Local Instruments	44 Dattatraya, Bhaktapur (Constructed by the wood of a single tree)
45 Godddess Bramhayani	46 Sending the message to God Indra to stop rain.
47 Buffalo offered to goddess Bramhayani	48 Akash Bhairab
49 Showing respect to deity I	50 Showing respect to deity II
51 Local instrument at Khadga Jatra	52 Kumari
53 Paya(khadga) Jatra at Dhasami (I)	54 Paya(khadga) Jatra at Dhasami (II)
55 Paya(khadga) Jatra at Dhasami (III)	56 Vindabasini Pokhara
57 Youthful enthusiasm for the culture	58 Subha Vijaya Dashami
59 Taking bath before worship	60 Dashain Swing at Sarankot
61 Looking through the holy bell – Radha Krishna Temple, Pokhara	62 Taal Barahi on Dashami – Pokhara
63 Jamara at Tika	64 Set of Tika thaali
65 The best part of Dashami	66 People busy in Dashain Shopping [Gantok]
67 Dashami Night in Gantok	68 Waitting for Tihar

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245. An Evening at Patan Durbar Square
Photo By: Milan Lamichhane
Posted Date: 30th July

Description:
One of the most popular places to hang out in Patan district. If you go there during the evening hour, you will find people from various walk of life enjoying their life.

Camera: FujiFilm FinePix 9500 @ 6.2mm and f/2.8

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-LIN Editor