Visit Nepal 2011

Government of Nepal in consultation with Nepalese travel trade sector and concerned organizations/experts decided on October 25, 2008 to launch a national tourism campaign “Nepal Tourism Year 2011″. This announcement reflects the government’s anticipation to bring into Nepal at least one million international tourists by the year 2011 and tourism industry’s exigency to organize a tourism promotion campaign for wider impact.

With the badge of adventure destination glittering and the adage “Atithi Devo Bhava” (Guests are Gods) embedded in our culture, the portfolio of tourism products never cease to mesmerize the visitors. The unparallel cultural, geographical, ethnic and bio diversities of the country allure visitors to Nepal time and again which truly substantiates the spirit of Nepal tourism brand ‘Naturally Nepal, once is not enough !’

The concept of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 envisions harnessing these opportunities and strengths and bringing together the commitment of the government, expertise and experiences of the organizations like Nepal Tourism Board, aptitude and dynamism of the private sector and communities for further tourism development in the country. Representation and active participation from the major political parties, members of the Constitution Assembly and Right groups is always taken into prominence in order to make the campaign inclusive and participatory in modus operandi and effective in result. The campaign will also focus on mobilizing the networks of the Non-Resident Nepalis (NRN) communities, Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad, INGOs and NGOs, airlines and national and international media. Similarly, friends and well-wishers of Nepal, tourism academicians and celebrities will be approached in order to highlight the campaign internally as well as internationally.

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Mt. Everest

Mount Everest is the world’s highest mountain above sea level at 8,848 metres (29,029 ft). It is located in the Himalayas on the Nepal (Sagarmatha Zone)-China (Tibet) border.

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Lalitpur

Patan Durbar Square

Patan (Sanskrit: Patan, Nepal Bhasa: Yala), officially Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City, is one of the major cities of Nepal. It is one of the sub-metropolitan cities of Nepal located in the south-western part of Kathmandu valley. It is best known for its rich cultural heritage, particularly its tradition of arts and crafts. It is also called as city of festival and feast, fine ancient art, making of metallic and stone carving statue. At the time of the 2001 Nepal census it had a population of 162,991 in 68,922 individual households.
Patan is situated on the elevated tract of land in Kathmandu Valley on the south side of the Bagmati River, which separates it from the City of Kathmandu on the northern side. It was developed on relatively thin layers of deposited clay and gravel in the central part of a dried ancient lake known as Nagdaha.
It is among the largest cities in the country, along with Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Biratnagar.
The city spreads over 16 sq. kilometres and is divided into 22 Municipal wards. The city is bounded by:
East: Imadol VDC and Harisiddhi VDC
West: Kirtipur Municipality and Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC)
North: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC)
South: Saibu VDC, Sunakothi VDC and Dhapakhel VDC

Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the capital and largest metropolitan city of Nepal. The city is the urban core of the Kathmandu Valley in the Himalayas, which also contains two sister cities namely Patan or Lalitpur, 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) to its southeast (an ancient city of fine arts and crafts) and Bhaktapur, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) to its east (city of devotees). It is also acronymed as ‘KTM’ and named ‘tri-city’. Kathmandu valley is only slightly smaller than Singapore in terms of area.
The city stands at an elevation of approximately 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) in the bowl-shaped valley in central Nepal surrounded by four major mountains, namely: Shivapuri, Phulchowki, Nagarjun and Chandragiri. It is inhabited by 949,486 (2009) people. The Kathmandu valley with its three districts including Kathmandu District accounts for a population density of only 97 per km2 whereas Kathmandu metropolitan city has a density of 13,225 per km2. It is by far the largest urban agglomerate in Nepal, accounting for 20% of the urban population in an area of 5,067 hectares (12,520 acres) (50.67 square kilometres (19.56 sq mi)).
Kathmandu is not only the capital of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal but also the headquarters of the Central Region (Madhyamanchal) among the five development regions constituted by the 14 administrative zones of Nepal located at the central part of the country. The Central region has three zones namely, Bagmati, Narayani and Janakpur. Kathmandu is located in the Bagmati Zone.
Kathmandu, as the gateway to Nepal Tourism, is the nerve centre of the country’s economy. With the most advanced infrastructure among urban areas in Nepal, Kathmandu’s economy is tourism centric accounting for 3.8% of the GDP in 1995–96 (had declined since then due to political unrest but has picked up again).
The city’s rich history is nearly 2000 years old, as inferred from an inscription in the valley. Its religious affiliations are dominantly Hindu followed by Buddhism. People of other religious beliefs also live in Kathmandu giving it a cosmopolitan culture. Nepali is the common language of the city, though many speak the Nepal Bhasa Newari as it is the center of the Newar (meaning: citizens of Nepal) people and culture. English and Hindi are understood by all of the educated population of the city. Besides a significant number of the population speaks any of the foreign languages like : French, German, Chinese, Hebrew, Korean etc. The literacy rate is 98% in the city.
Kathmandu is now the premier cultural and economic hub of Nepal and is considered to have the most advanced infrastructure among urban areas in Nepal. From the point of view of tourism, economy and cultural heritage, the sister cities of Patan(lalitpur) and Bhaktapur are integral to Kathmandu. Even the cultural heritage recognition under the World Heritage list of the UNESCO has recognized all the monuments in the three urban agglomerates as one unit under the title “Kathmandu Valley-UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Krishnastami

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The birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, believed to be the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu falls sometime in August/September. All the devotees assemble in Krishna Mandir, the ancient Krishna Temple in Patan Durbar Square and other temples with the idol of Lord Krishna and offer prayers, flowers, food, sweets and chant hymns too. This festival is also known as Krishna Jayanti or Janmashtami.

Mathura was the capital of a kingdom in North India. Ugrasen was the king of Mathura. He had a son, Kansa and a daughter, Devki. During the lavish wedding of Devki to Vasudev, Kansa heard a celestial voice announce, “O Kansa, Thy death is written at the hand of the eighth son born to this union.” Through the ensuing years the demon king put to death six children born to Devki in the dungeons of the Palace. On the day that Sri Krishna was born it was raining and dark. At midnight a bright light appeared in the room of Devki. Then the child was born. Vasudev, terrified for the bay’s safety, carried it in a basket through the opened gates of the dungeon. On account of the heavy rain the river Yamuna was swollen. But as he stepped out of the prison the rain stopped and the dim light of the moon showed the way. A huge snake taking the shape of an umbrella protected the child. As he reached the river the waters were divided leaving a dry path for Vasudev to cross. Vasudev went to the home of his friend Nanda. He exchanged the baby boy with a baby girl and went back. The following day, when Kansa tried to kill the baby girl she slipped from his hands and the image of Devi appeared. She spoke to Kansa, “The one who is destined to kill you has already taken birth elsewhere.” Sri Krishna flourished under Nanda’s and Yashodha’s care and later on slayed Kansa.

On Krishna Janmashtami numerous devotees flock to the ancient Krishna temple in old Patan Durbar Square to keep vigil through the glorious night of his birth. Some sing ancient hymns, others clap their hands, while some pray. Crowds of men and women edge their way slowly up narrow steps through the seated devotees to the temple’s dark interior to where the main idol stands. There they offer flowers, coins and food and wait for a glimpse of Krishna Janmastami festival at Krishna Mandir the idol. After the temple priest gives them ‘prasad’ they make their way down to join the multitude of devotees in the streets.

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Gai Jatra

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Gai Jatra literally translates to the procession of cows. The festival of cows is one of the most popular festivals of Nepal. Gai Jatra festival has its roots in the ancient age when people feared and worshiped Yamaraj, the “God of Death”. However, the ironical sessions synonymous with the Gai Jatra festival came into tradition in the medieval period of Nepal during the reign of Malla Kings. Hence, the present form of Gai Jatra is a happy blending of antiquity and medievalism.

According to the traditions since times immemorial, every family who has lost one relative during the past year must participate in a procession through the streets of Kathmandu leading a cow. If a cow is unavailable then a young boy dressed as a cow is considered a fair substitute. In Hinduism, a cow is regarded as the most venerated among all the domestic animals. It is believed that the cow, revered as a holy animal by Hindus, will help the deceased relative’s journey to heaven.

In terms of historical evidences, once when King Pratap Malla lost his son, his wife, the queen remained dumbstruck. The king was very sad to see the condition of his beloved queen. The king, in spite of his several efforts, could not lessen the grief of his wife. By all means he wanted to see little smile on the lips of his sweetheart. He announced that someone who ever made the queen laugh would be rewarded adequately.

During the festival of Gai Jatra, the cow procession was brought before the griefstricken queen. Then the participants began ridiculing and befooling the important people of the society. Finally when the social injustice and other evils were highlighted and attacked mercilessly, the queen could not stop smiling. The queen laughed, and Pratap Malla, the king ensued a tradition of including jokes, satires,mockery and lampoon in the Gai Jatra days.

After the procession is over, in the afternoon, nearly everyone takes part in another age-old tradition in which the participants dress up and wear masks. The occassion is filled with songs, jokes, mockery and humour of every kind become the order of the day until late evening. Hence, Gai Jatra is a healthy festival which enables the people to accept the reality of death and to prepare oneself for the life after death. According to Hinduism, “whatever a man does in his life is a preparation to lead a good life, after death”.

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Rakshya Bandhan (Janai Purnima)

Janai Purnima falls on the full moon day of August. Brahman and Chhetri communities in Nepal change their sacred thread “Janai” on this day after taking a holy bath or dip in the river. Meanwhile, for people in these communities and others like Newars, Brahman priests tie an ornamental thread to their wrists and in return receive gifts. These sacred threads are sanctified by the Brahman priests, worshiping Gods and Saptarishis. Saptarishis are the Tutors of the Gods in an ancient time who could forecast the past present and future episodes exactly in the Golden era. The sacred thread Janai and the thread is venerated as a feature of Lord Vishnu and it protects us from being and kind of spiritual sickness as well.

Many people throng to Pashupati and Budhanilkantha temple on this day to change Janai and tie thread (dhaago) from the priests there. Brahmin and Chhetri people get Janai only when they have completed their Bratabandha (a special type of religious rite, approximately before the age of 15).

A religious fair takes place at Gosaikunda Lake in Rasuwa district on this day. Thousands of devotees throng there to take the holy dip in the lake to eradicate their sins. A similar religious fete takes place at Kumbheshower temple (Bangalamukhi) in Patan. People who can’t visit the Gosaikunda pilgrimage take holy dip in this pond and worship to Lord Kumbheshower there. It’s believed that the water there has been brought from Gosaikunda Pilgrimage.

Nag Panchami

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Nag Panchami is celebrated to commemorate the battle between Nag and Garud. Legend has it that the stone image of Garud at Changu Narayan is said to perspires during the festival and priests are sent to wipe the perspiration off with a handkerchief. They later present it to the king and water is used to make it into a snake bite remedy, despite the fact that there are few snakes inhabiting Nepal.

Nag Panchami translates to the “Festival of Snakes”. In the ancient Nepal, Nags or Serpent Kings were worshipped and it was believed that their relationship with the Gods and nature would secure devotees’ survival. The myths and legends surrounding the Nags have a few versions of the story that led to a creation of the festival. In one story version, it is said that the Kathmandu Valley used to be a vast lake. As the story goes, when humans started to drain the lake to make space for villages and settlements the Nags became enraged. To protect themselves against the wrath of the Serpent Kings, the humans gave the Nags certain areas as pilgrimage destinations and that through these actions harmony was restored to nature.

Another popular tale is one of a Tantric King that used the powers he possessed to force the Nags to return rain to the land which they had taken away. The Nags did give in to the King’s amazing powers, but he also recognized their powers. To honor the power of the Nags, the King created the Nag Panchami festival to honor the Gods. As the serpents were believed to be capable of controlling the rains, it is important to the people of Nepal to show their respect during the festival to insure that they do not offend the Gods.

The festival usually takes place in the month of August and as part of the celebration, residents post pictures of serpents above the doors to their home to ward off the evil spirits. Prayers are said during the festival while people wearing demon masks, dance in the streets entertaining festival participants. It is also believed that offerings should be given to the Serpent Kings during the festival and residents leave food items such as milk and honey in their gardens for the Nags, or snakes. The offerings and prayers are then honored by the Serpent Kings by ensuring rain and protection for the people of Nepal.

Gathe Muga:

Gathe Muga: or Ghanta Karn (or Gathe Mangal) refers to the celebration of the expulsion of a Rakshyas or evil spirits and bring peace and prosperity to the society. This also marks the beginning of several festivals that will follow.

So how is it celebrated? Effigies of the demon Ghantakarna are erected at street crossroads and corners. Each area with the effigy will have a boy, painted all over his body and face impersonating the demon, with other kids chasing him. At the end of the day, the effigy is dragged to the nearby river bank for disposal with the painted man sitting on it. The demon escapes on the way to the river. Some variance is observed in the celebration. In some communities, the demon’s effigies are burnt during celebrations. People wear iron rings on their fingers to ward off any possible influence of the evil spirits. People also place pots of cooked rice at the crossroads as food for the evil spirits to eat so that they don’t harm anyone.

It is believed that this festival started in the Lichhavi era. It is also a festival of appeasement, of cleansing and of purifying. Legend has it that demon Ghantakarna, literally meaning bells like ears, used to terrify the people by stealing and eating children. People could not go out because of the terrors of the demon. Entire society looked deserted and lifeless. Frogs, friend of farmers, too were as sad as the people. Ultimately, the frogs decided to come to the rescue of the people. Frogs assembled in different directions and began agitating the demon by croaking loud when Ghantakarna was on his way for the man-hunt. Furious Ghantakarna tried to catch each of the frog. But the clever frogs led him to jump into a big swamp leaving him to die there. The valley was liberated from the fear of the demon. Frog is, therefore, worshipped by the farming communities, till today.

Buddha Jayanti

Lord Buddha

Buddha Jayanti is the celebration of the anniversary of the three major events in the life of Lord Gautam Buddha. This day is also known as Buddha Purnima. It is the celebration of the birth, enlightenment, and attainment to Nirvana of Lord Buddha and is the most important event of the year for Buddhists. This sacred celebration takes place around the world on the full moon of the fourth lunar month, which for Nepal is the month of Baisakh or Jestha. On this day people swarm in Swayambhunath and Boudhanath to pay homage to Lord Buddha and also visit Buddha’s birth place in Lumbini and chant prayers and burn butter lamps. Lord Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautam but he abandoned his luxurious life when he realized the misery of mankind and went in search of enlightenment.

Buddha Jayanti is day which is seen as being thrice blessed, as Buddhists remember Lord Buddha’s birth in 623 BC, his enlightenment or attainment of supreme wisdom in 588 BC and his realization of Nirvana at the age of 80. Buddha Jayanti is an elaborate occasion and Buddhist monasteries all around the world resound with sermons, prayers and recitals of Buddhist scriptures throughout the day. These are offered in front of a statue of Lord Buddha.

Celebrations continue on the following day when, according to Buddha Jayanti custom, a gigantic figure of Lord Buddha is displayed to followers, and numerous small shrines are venerated. The roofs of the homes of worshippers are decorated with colorful white, yellow, red and blue flags twisting and turning in the breeze, adding to the festive atmosphere of the occasion. People gather into large groups to parade through the streets while chanting prayers to the Lord Buddha to thank him for all his generous provisions.

A Buddha Purnima tradition requires that followers and monks offer candles, flowers and a variety of fruit to the statue of Lord Buddha, while the smoke of burning incense fills the air. People from all over the world travel to visit the Mahabodhi tree, the site where Buddha attained enlightenment. Colored flags are tied to the tree and fruit and candle offerings are made to it as well.

Festivals and celebrations are a way of life in Nepal and visitors traveling through this fascinating country are likely to witness one of these occasions. Certainly the celebration of Buddha Jayanti is a joyous and colorful occasion which will leave a lasting impression.