Chitwan National Park

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Chitwan National Park, the first national park of Nepal, was established in 1973 and granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984. It covers an area of 932 km2 and is located in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal in the Chitwan district wedged between two east-west river valleys at the base of the Siwalik range of the outer Himalayas. In altitude it ranges from about 100 metres (330 ft) in the river valleys to 815 metres (2,674 ft) in the Churia Hills. It has a particularly rich flora and fauna. One of the last populations of single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros lives in the park, which is also one of the last refuges of the Bengal tiger. In the north and west of the protected area the Narayani-Rapti river system forms a natural boundary to human settlements. Adjacent to the east of Chitwan National Park is Parsa Wildlife Reserve, contiguous in the south is the Indian Tiger Reserve Valmiki National Park.

Chitwan is dominated by almost monotypic stands of sal forest which occupy 60% of the total area and is a remnant of the lowland Terai forest which once stretched across the foothills of the Himalayas through India and Nepal. Riverine forest and grasslands form a mosaic along the river banks are maintained by seasonal flooding. On the hills are pines and scattered palms, and moister slopes support bamboos.

Chitwan is situated in a river valley basin or dun, along the flood plains of the Rapti, Reu and Narayani rivers. The Narayani is also called the Gandaki and is the third-largest river in Nepal. It originates in the high Himalaya and, drains into the Bay of Bengal. The Siwaliks show a distinctive fault pattern that has produced steep cliffs on the south-facing slopes, where vegetation cover is poorer than the northern slopes. The flood plains comprise a series of ascending alluvial terraces laid down by the rivers and subsequently raised by Himalayan uplift. The terraces are composed of layers of boulders and gravels set in a fine silty matrix.

The climax vegetation of the Inner Terai is sal forest, which covers some 60% of the park. However, floods, fires and riverine erosion combine to make a continually changing mosaic of grasslands and riverine forests in various stages of succession. Purest stands of sal occur on better drained ground such as the lowlands around Kasra in the centre of the park. Elsewhere, sal is intermingled with chir pine along the southern face of the Churia Hills and with tree species. Creepers are common. The under-storey is scant with the exception of grasses.

The park contains the last Nepalese population (estimated at 400) of the endangered great one-horned Asian rhinoceros which is the second largest concentration of this species to occur after Kaziranga National Park in India. Royal Chitwan is also one of the last strongholds of the Royal Bengal tiger. Other threatened mammals occurring in the park include leopard, wild dog, sloth bear and gaur. Other mammals include sambar, chital, hog deer, barking deer, wild pig, monkeys, otter, porcupine, yellow-throated marten, civet, fishing cat, jungle cat, jackal, striped hyena and Indian fox. Aquatic species include the gangetic dolphin, the mugger crocodile and the endangered gharial.

The area is located in the central climatic zone of the Himalayas, where monsoon starts in mid June and eases off in late September. During these 14–15 weeks most of the 2,500 mm yearly precipitation falls – it is pouring with rain. After mid-October the monsoon clouds have retreated, humidity drops off, and the top daily temperature gradually subsides from ±36°C / 96.8 °F to ±18°C / 64.4 °F. Nights are cooling down to 5°C / 41.0 °F until late December, when it usually rains softly for a few days. Then temperatures are rising gradually.

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Education Day

There are a number of festivals and national holidays celebrated annually in Nepal to highlight education and its importance. One such holiday is the Education Day celebrated on Falgun 12th (late February). It also commemorates the late King Birendra‘s coronation address in 1975. In his coronation address to the nation, Late King Birendra underscored the importance of education for the development of the nation. Fresh from his return from the West, where he acquired modern education, Late King Birendra declared primary education free in that speech.

Mahendra Vidya Bhushan medals are conferred to achievers in the educational field on this day by the Head of the State. Mahendra Vidya Bhushan ‘A’ Class is conferred for achieving Doctorate in various subjects from various universities at home and abroad, while students securing highest marks in Masters level are decorated with class ‘B’ and those securing highest marks in Bachelor level are presented with class ‘C’. Mahendra Vidya Bhusan medals have been given away every year since 1960.

A second annual occasion addressing education is the festival Basanta Panchami that is celebrated in Maagh of each year.

Democracy Day

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Democracy Day or Rashtriya Prajatantra Diwas is celebrated every year on Falgun 7th. It is a public holiday in Nepal. This day is celebrated in Nepal to commemorate the day when Nepalese were released from the clutches of 104-year-long Rana autocracy on February 18, 1951.

The People of Nepal experienced a life full of nightmares while under the ruling power of the Ranas. The Ranas had taken away a lot of opportunities away from the people while the members of their family were enjoying the extravagance and abundance that they had from the highest office. Anomalies such as corruption, discrimination and violent behaviors have ruled the country during this period of Nepali history.

In the efforts of the people to free themselves from this kind of government, a lot of courageous souls established groups to expel the Rana government and bring back the equality and fair treatment in the whole country. It is in this crucial time that the four martyrs of Nepal were made known which inspired the citizens even more to continue what they were fighting for. The power of the people continued to become stronger and intact. And after 104 years of struggle, Nepal finally triumphed over the Ranas on 1951.

The day is observed throughout the country with a number of special programs. Each year a special program with military parade is shown by the Nepal Army at Tundikhel. A number of dignitaries like the President (the King, before the monarchy was abolished), Prime Minister, Speaker of the House attend the function. The people also celebrate this day offering prayers to give respect and honor to the heroes of Democracy. Most government organizations and independent groups hold several activities and rallies all over the country as well. Part of the tradition also is that the people illuminate their home and establishments with lights and hold fireworks displays during the night of the celebration.

Lets call for unity, consensus and co-working among political parties and Nepali people on this day!

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Bryan Adams in Nepal 2011

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Guess who’s coming to Nepal this year? Bryan Adams. Bryan Adams is all set to perform in Nepal on February 19, 2011. What better time than Visit Nepal Year 2011, right? Bryan Adams is performing in India, Bangladesh and Nepal as part of the Bryan Adams Live Full Band Show World Tour. The Bryan Adams live-in-concert is being organised by JPR events and supported by ODC Network.

Members of the band are: Bryan Adams (Guitar + Vocals), Norman Fisher (Bass Guitar), Keith Scott (Lead Guitar), Micky Curry (Drums) and Gary Breit (Keyboards)
Venue : Dasrath Stadium
Ticket Price :
* Platinum : NRs. 6000
* Gold : NRs. 3000
* Silver : NRs. 2000
Time : 7 – 9 pm

Tickets have been available January 15,2011 onwards at:
* Manakamana Development Bank
* Nanglo – The Bakery Cafe etc

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National Flag

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The national flag of Nepal is the world’s only national flag that is non-quadrilateral in shape. Its crimson red is the color of the rhododendron, the country’s national flower. Red is also the sign of victory in war. The blue border is the color of peace. Until 1962, the flag’s emblems, the sun and the crescent moon, had human faces. They were removed to modernize the flag. The flag borrows the basic design from the original Hindu design, which has been in use for more than 2,000 years.

Meaning behind the flag:
The blue border symbolizes the peace and harmony. The crimson red is Nepal’s national color, and it indicates the brave spirits of the Nepalese people. The two triangles symbolize the Himalaya Mountains and represent the two major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism. The red triangular flag has been a Hindu symbol of victory since the time of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The depiction of celestial bodies represents permanence, the hope that Nepal will last as long as the sun and the moon. The moon symbolizes that the Nepalese are soothing and calm, while the sun symbolizes fierce resolve. The moon also symbolizes the shades and the cool weather of the Himalayas, whereas the sun symbolizes the heat and the high temperature at the lower part (Terai) of Nepal. Another interpretation: The flag’s shape symbolizes a Nepalese pagoda. Putting a mirror at the side of the flag closest to the flagpole will generate an image of a pagoda.

Often called the “Battle Cry” here is a national song that talks about our national flag:
Written by Gopal Prasad Rimal
Composed by Amber Gurung
Sung by Amber Gurung and Fatte Man Rajbhandari

Listen to it here, the first one is the original version and while the second one is a remix by 1974 AD, a popular rock band from Nepal:

Lyrics

Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro

Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya
Himal jhain aatal yo, jhukena ko kahile
Latrana yo kahile, jungi nishan hamro
Yo janmadai jagat ma kayoun prahara aaye
Samrajya dubi hare, harena shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya

Jaba samma chhandra surya aakash ma rahanchha
Taba samma hunchha aafnai rato ragar yo hamro
Gai sari chhan sankhu jo jo yahan jagat ma
Sabako saran baljhiyo jungi nishan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya…

Shahid Diwas

Shahid Diwas or Martyrs’ day is an annual public holiday celebration by the Nepalese as a way of remembering and giving honor to people who sacrificed their lives to fight for what is right for the country and its people. Specifically in memory of the four martyrs who were executed in 1941: Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Dashrath Chand, Gangalal Shrestha, and Shukraraj Shastri. They gave their precious and youthful lives to tear down the autocratic Rana family rule. The Rana rulers felt those four youths were a great threat to their tyrannical regime. Shukra Raj Shatri and Dharma Bhakta Mathema were hanged, and Ganga Lal Shrestha and Dashrath Chand were shot for asking a little bit of human rights for Nepalese people.

Former royal regime has constructed a gate called Shahid (Martyrs’) Gate with the statues of those four martyrs at four different corners and then one level above built the statue of former King Tribhuvan.

National Anthem

Lhosar

Lhosar is the celebration of the New Year various Buddhist communities in Nepal. The word meaning of ‘Lho’ is year and sar, the new. Hence, Lhosar indicates the beginning of new year and farewell to the old. Lhosar is the principle festival of the community belonging to the Tibeto-Burman language family and followers of Mahayana Buddhism like Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung, Yolmo and Bhotia. The monasteries in Kathmandu are thronged by the Buddhists during this festival.

Lhosar in Kathmandu is observed in monasteries like Swayambhunath and Boudhanath. The Buddhists join the mirth of the festival. They dress in their traditional apparel and gather with the family members and friends to celebrate the joyous occasion. They take part in several cultural activities like dancing and singing. The songs gradually rise in pitch and are sung in unison.

The dance performances during celebration of Lhosar in Kathmandu are enjoyed by the people. The dances often have symbolic connotations. The monks also participate in the auspicious dances and they dress up in gorgeous silk dresses. The monks generally perform a special type of slow dance. The songs and dances are accompanied by horns and cymbals.

There are three types of Lhosar, each distinct from the other in the manner of celebration. Tola Lhosar, Sonam Lhosar and Gyalbo Lhosar. Tola Lhosar is familiar amongst the Gurung community and it coincides with Paush Shukla Pakchhya of Nepali calender. Sonam Lhosar is celebrated by the Tamang and Yolmo communities and it falls under the Maagh Shukla Pakchhya. Similarly Gyalbo Lhosar is the festival of the Sherpa, Tibetan communities living in the hilly terrain and occurs in the month of Falgun Shukla Pakchhya. Even though different communities celebrate Lhosar in different ways, the ultimate goal is one – welcoming the New Year and bidding farewell to the old.

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