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Geography:-
:-:-
 
A landlocked country the
size of Arkansas, lying between India and the Tibetan
Autonomous Region of China, Nepal contains Mount Everest
(29,035 ft; 8,850 m), the tallest mountain in the world.
Along its southern border, Nepal has a strip of level
land that is partly forested, partly cultivated. North
of that is the slope of the main section of the
Himalayan range, including Everest and many other peaks
higher than 8,000 m. Top
INTRODUCTION:-
Nepal, officially known,
according to its Interim Constitution, as the State of
Nepal (previously known as Kingdom of Nepal) is a
landlocked Himalayan country in South Asia. It is
bordered by China (Tibet) to the north and by India
(Bihar, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand) to the
south, east and west.For a small territory,
the Nepali landscape is uncommonly diverse, ranging from
the humid Terai in the south to the lofty Himalayas in
the north. Eight of the world's ten highest mountains
are in Nepal, including Mount Everest. The country is
famous for: tourism, trekking, hiking, camping, mountain
biking, national wildlife parks, jungle safaris, river
rafting, sport fishing, and its many beautiful temples
and places of worship.
Kathmandu is the capital
and largest city. Other main cities include Dharan,
Thimi, Pokhara, Biratnagar, Lalitpur (Patan), Bhaktapur.
other main towns includes Birendranagar, Bharatpur,
Nepal, Siddhartanagar (Bhairahawa), Birganj (Birgunj),
Butwal, Janakpur, Nepalganj (Nepalgunj), Hetauda, Damak,
Dhangadhi, and Mahendranagar.
After a long and rich
history, during which the region splintered and
coalesced under a variety of absolute rulers, Nepal
became a constitutional monarchy in 1990. However, the
monarchy retained many important and ill-defined powers.
This arrangement was marked by increasing instability,
both in the parliament and, since 1996, in large swathes
of the country that have been fought over by Maoist
insurgents. The Maoists, alienated from mainstream
political parties, went underground and started a
guerrilla war against both monarchy and mainstream
political parties. They have sought to overthrow feudal
institutions, including the monarchy, and establish a
Maoist state.
This led to the Nepalese
Civil War in which more than 15,000 people have died.
After the intra-party conflict within the ruling Nepali
Congress (NC) on the issue of continuation of state of
emergency to deal with Maoist insurgents, then prime
minister Sher Bahadur Deuba recommended the king for the
dissolution of lower house seeking a fresh mandate in
2002. The king accepted his recommendation and dissolved
the house as per the constitution. Later on, Deuba
recommended the king for the postponement of the
parliamentary election on the pretext of insecurity due
to the Maoist insurgency. Then the king sacked Deuba in
2002 on the grounds of not able to hold elections and
started ruling through prime ministers appointed by him.
He then unilaterally declared a state of emergency early
in 2005 and assumed all executive powers.Following the 2006
democracy movement, the king agreed to relinquish the
sovereign power back to the people and reinstated the
dissolved House of Representatives on April 24, 2006.
Using its newly acquired sovereign authority, on May 18,
2006, the newly resumed House of Representatives
unanimously passed a motion to curtail the power of the
king and declared Nepal a secular state. As of
September, 2006, a complete rewrite of the constitution
was still expected to happen in the near future.
As of July 2007, many of
Nepal's new political leaders, including the former
Maoist rebels, now want the monarchy abolished. The
former king has already lost his powers as head of state
and head of the army and the government has decided to
stop paying all allowances. Multi partysystem prevails
in Nepal. Top
History:-
 The first civilizations
in Nepal, which flourished around the 6th century B.C.,
were confined to the fertile Kathmandu Valley where the
present-day capital of the same name is located. It was
in this region that Prince Siddhartha Gautam was born
c. 563 B.C. Gautam achieved enlightenment as Buddha and
spawned Buddhist belief.
Nepali rulers' early
patronage of Buddhism largely gave way to Hinduism,
reflecting the increased influence of India, around the
12th century. Though the successive dynasties of the
Gopalas, the Kiratis, and the Licchavis expanded their
rule, it was not until the reign of the Malla kings from
1200–1769 that Nepal assumed the approximate
dimensions of the modern state.
The kingdom of Nepal was
unified in 1768 by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who had
fled India following the Moghul conquests of the
subcontinent. Under Shah and his successors Nepal's
borders expanded as far west as Kashmir and as far east
as Sikkim (now part of India). A commercial treaty was
signed with Britain in 1792 and again in 1816 after more
than a year of hostilities with the British East India
Company.
In 1923, Britain
recognized the absolute independence of Nepal. Between
1846 and 1951, the country was ruled by the Rana family,
which always held the office of prime minister. In 1951,
however, the king took over all power and proclaimed a
constitutional monarchy. Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah became
king in 1955. After Mahendra died of a heart attack in
1972, Prince Birendra, at 26, succeeded to the throne.
In 1990, a pro-democracy
movement forced King Birendra to lift the ban on
political parties. The first free election in three
decades provided a victory for the liberal Nepali
Congress Party in 1991, although the Communists made a
strong showing. A small but growing Maoist guerrilla
movement, seeking to overthrow the constitutional
monarchy and install a Communist government, began
operating in the countryside in 1996.
On June 1, 2001, King
Birendra was shot and killed by his son, Crown Prince
Dipendra. Angered by his family's disapproval of his
choice of a bride, he also killed his mother and several
other members of the royal family before shooting
himself. Prince Gyanendra, the younger brother of King
Birendra, was then crowned king.
King Gyanendra dismissed
the government in October 2002, calling it corrupt and
ineffective. He declared a state of emergency in
November and ordered the army to crack down on the
Maoist guerrillas. The rebels intensified their
campaign, and the government responded with equal
intensity, killing hundreds of Maoists, the largest toll
since the insurgency began in 1996. In Aug. 2003, the
Maoist rebels withdrew from peace talks with the
government and ended a cease-fire that had been signed
in Jan. 2003. The following August, the rebels blockaded
Kathmandu for a week, cutting off shipments of food and
fuel to the capital.
King Gyanendra fired the
entire government in Feb. 2005 and assumed direct power.
Many of the country's politicians were placed under
house arrest, and severe restriction on civil liberties
were instituted. In Sept. 2005, the Maoist rebels
declared a unilateral cease-fire, which ended in Jan.
2006. In April, massive pro-democracy protests organized
by seven opposition parties and supported by the Maoists
took place. They rejected King Gyanendra's offer to hand
over executive power to a prime minister, saying he
failed to address their main demands: the restoration of
parliament and a referendum to redraft the constitution.
Days later, as pressure mounted and the protests
intensified, King Gyanendra agreed to reinstate
parliament. The new parliament quickly moved to diminish
the king's powers. In May, it voted unanimously to
declare Nepal a secular nation and strip the king of his
authority over the military.
The Maoist rebels and the
government signed a landmark peace agreement in November
2006, ending the guerrillas 10-year insurgency that
claimed some 12,000 people. In March 2007, the Maoists
achieved another milestone when they joined the interim
government.
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General Information:-
Nepal
Land area: 52,819 sq mi
(136,801 sq km); total area: 54,363 sq mi (140,800 sq
km)
Population (2006 est.):
28,287,147 (growth rate: 2.2%); birth rate: 31.0/1000;
infant mortality rate: 65.3/1000; life expectancy: 60.2;
density per sq mi: 536
Capital and
largest city (2003 est.):
Kathmandu, 1,203,100 (metro. area), 729,000 (city
proper)
Other large cities:
Biratnagar, 174,600; Lalitpur, 169,100
Monetary unit: Nepalese
rupee
Languages:
Nepali
48% (official), Maithali 12%, Bhojpuri 7%, Tharu 6%,
Tamang 5%, others. English spoken by many in government
and business (2001)
Ethnicity/race:
Brahman-Hill 12.5%, Chetri 15.5%, Magar 7%, Tharu 6.6%,
Tamang 5.5%, Newar 5.4%, Muslim 4.2%, Kami 3.9%, Yadav
3.9%, other 32.7%, unspecified 2.8% (2001)
Religions:
Hindu
81%, Buddhist 11%, Islam 4%, Kirant 4% (2001)
Literacy rate: 45% (2003
est.)
Economic summary: GDP/PPP
(2005 est.): $42.26 billion; per capita $1,500. Real
growth rate: 2.5%. Inflation: 7.8% (Oct. 2005 est.).
Unemployment: 42% (2004 est.). Arable land: 16%.
Agriculture: rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops;
milk, water buffalo meat. Labor force: 10.4 million;
note: severe lack of skilled labor (2004 est.);
agriculture 76%, industry 6%, services 18%. Industries:
tourism, carpet, textile; small rice, jute, sugar, and
oilseed mills; cigarettes, cement and brick production.
Natural resources: quartz, water, timber, hydropower,
scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper,
cobalt, iron ore. Exports: $822 million f.o.b. (2005
est.), but does not include unrecorded border trade with
India: carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods,
grain. Imports: $2 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): gold,
machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer.
Major trading partners: India, U.S., Germany, China, UAE,
Saudi Arabia (2004).
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Nature:-
Nepal covers a span of
147,181 sq. kilometers ranging from altitude of 70
meters to 8,848 meters. Mountains, mid hills, valleys
and plains dominate the geography of landlocked Nepal
that extends from the Himalayan range in the north to
the Indo-Gangetic lowlands in south. Mt. Everest, the
highest point of the Himalayas is in Nepal.
Physical features also
include green paddy terraces, wind-swept deserts, dense
forests and marshy grasslands. The country is well
endowed with perennial rivers, lakes and glacial lakes
that originate in the Himalayas. Twenty percent of the
land in the country is used for agriculture, where 0.49
percent is used for permanent crops, mainly rice.
Climatic conditions of
Nepal vary from one place to another in accordance with
the geographical features. In
 the north summers are cool
and winters severe, while in south summers are sub
tropical and winters mild.
The variety in Nepal's
topography provides home to wildlife like tigers,
rhinos, monkeys, bears, yaks, leopards and different
species of insects and birds. Nepal is a home to almost
10 percent of the world's bird species among which 500
species are found in the Kathmandu Valley.
The country has managed
to preserve some endangered species of Asia in its
extensive parks and protected natural habitats. The most
abundant natural resource in Nepal is water. Other
resources found here are quartz, timber, lignite,
copper, cobalt, iron ore and scenic beauty.
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Chitwan:-
 Surrounding Chitwan
National Park in southern Nepal is one of the best
planned and most intelligently developed tourist areas
in Nepal. Not only does it offer a wide variety of
resorts and lodges, it is also easy to reach - by road
or by air. Regular flights are scheduled by Nepal
Airlines and other airlines to Meghauli, Simara and
Bharatpur. Many resorts provide coach service. Local
buses offer a choice between a night ride and a day
ride. Chitwan National Park is perhaps the best park in
Nepal for seeing animals in the wild. In the earlier
part of the century, when rapid deforestation was
devastating Nepal's southern Terai belt, Government of
Nepal intervened and proclaimed the Chitwan area a
national park. The Government of Nepal declared the
Chitwan region a national park, outlawed settlement and
deforestation within its boundaries, and a campaign to
save the animals began. Projects carried out with the
help of friendly nations have revived the animals that
remained. Though the Terai is certainly not what it once
was, the preserved portion within the Chitwan National
Park is still a treat for animal lovers. Bengal tigers
roam the region; one-horned rhinos can be seen charging
through the underbrush, feeding and even courting. The
Rapti River has been dammed to form a man-made lake
called Lamital where water-birds and marsh mugger
peckers and many other birds are found in plenty in
these forests. Elephant grass, five to six feet tall,
provides excellent camouflage for animals. This grass
serves as food for the gaur (a local bison), rhino and
other herbivores. Once a year, local people are allowed
into the park area to cut grass. The grass is dried, and
used to thatch roofs or stored for food for the domestic
animals during the dry season. Access : Chitwan is
easily accessible from Kathmandu, being well connected
by a national highway to Bhadrapur and Sauraha. There
are daily flights to Meghauli airstrip just outside the
park boundry. Accomodation : Resorts and lodges are
available to suit one's travel budget; most include
elephant safaris, jungle walks, canoeing and a variety
of cultural activities in their programs. Reservations
for accommodations can be made at the Kathmandu offices
of Chitwan resorts and lodges, with selections ranging
from the most luxurious to those with simple food and
shelter. On a village tour, you can observe the culture
of the Tharu people. Tharu dance and song performances
are included in most resort and lodge entertainment. A
visit to Chitwan is a visit filled to the brim with
activities, whether you stay two days or a week
Nepal's first and most
famous national park is situated in the Chitwan Doon or
the lowlands of the Inner Terai. Covering an area of 932
sq km. the park includes hilly areas of the Siwalik
Range covered by deciduous sal forest. One fifth of the
park is made up of the floodplains of the Narayani,
Rapti, and the Reu Rivers and is covered by dense tall
elephant grass interspersed with riverine forests of
silk cotton (kapok), acacia and sisam trees. This
ecologically diverse area is the last remaining home in
Nepal for more than 300 of the endangered Asian
one-horned rhinoceros and harbors one of the largest
populations of the elusive and rare Bengal tiger.
Besides rhino and tiger, Chitwan also supports a great
variety of flora and fauna. There are four species of
deer, including the spotted chittal, leopard, sloth
bear, wild boar, rhesus monkey, grey langur monkey, wild
dog, small wild cats, the white stockinged gaur (the
world's largest wild cattle) and many other smaller
animals. The swampy areas and numerous oxbow lakes of
Chitwan provide a home for marsh crocodiles. In a
stretch of the Narayani river is found one of the few
remaining populations of the rare and endangered
fish-only eating gharial, or Gangetic crocodile. Here
also is found one of the world's four species of
freshwater dolphins. For the ornithologist and the
amateur bird-watcher the park offers excellent
possibilities with more than 450 species recorded. Some
of the resident specialities are several species of
woodpeckers, hornbills, Bengal florican, and red-headed
trogons. Winter birds such as waterfowl, Brahminy duck,
pintails and bareheaded geese, amongst many other cold
weather visitors are drawn by the sanctuary of the
park's rivers. In the summer the forest is alive with
nesting migrants such as the fabulous paradise
flycatcher, the Indian pitta and parakeets.
Entry Fee Per Person Per
Day:
For Nepalese Nationals,
Rs. 20/-
For SAARC Nationals, Rs.
200/-
For Other Foreign
Nationals, Rs. 500/-
Top
N ote:
Entrance fee not required
for children under 10 yearsPark
Entrance fees is
regulated by Department of National Parks and Wildlife
Conservation (Phone: 4220850). Entrance fees for
mountain National Parks can be paid at ACAP counter
(Phone: 4222406) at Sanchaykosh building in Thamel,
Kathmandu, or at the Park gate. For other National Parks
entrance fees are to be paid at the Park gate
Access:
Chitwan is easily
accessible from Kathmandu, being well connected by a
national highway to Bharatpur and to Sauraha. There are
daily fights from October through May to Meghauli
airstrip just outside the park boundary. Another
exciting alternative is a two to three day raft trip
down the Trishuli river to Narayanghat or directly into
the western edge of the park.
 Visitors can stay in one
of the several lodges and camps inside or outside the
park. Visitors can actively participate in exciting
stalks through the forest looking for animals signs. One
unique Chitwan experience is elephant back safaris in
search of the one-horned rhinoceros, leopard, deer,
bear, monkey and crocodile. Few visitors can ever forget
the excitement of crashing through 20 feet high elephant
grass and sightseeing wildlife. Apart from elephant
safaris, the traveller will be happily occupied for
several days with nature walks, canoe rides down the
park rivers, and land-over drives through the forest.
Royal Chitwan National
Park is home to the great one horned rhinoceros, sloth
bear, wild boar, gaur (bison), 4 species of deer, 2
species of monkeys, 2 species of crocodiles, leopard the
elusive Bengal Tiger and over 450 species of birds and
various other reptiles. It is listed in the world
heritage site. Apart from jungle safari, there are many
places which are quite interesting to visit: Elephant
Breeding Centre, Crocodile Farm etc.
Jungle Safari: One can go
for a jungle safari on elephant back so that s/he can
penetrate deep into the jungle for viewing and
photographing wildlife or for a jungle walk to
experience the abundant bird-life and the flora and
fauna of the Park. If you are lucky, you may see the
elusive Bengal Tiger.
Birdwatching: The Chitwan
National Park is a World Heritage Site that protects 932
square kilometres of dry deciduous forest, tropical
evergreen forest and riverine grasslands. A larger
number of bird species (over 480) has been recorded here
than in any other part of Nepal due to Chitwan’s
diverse habitats and tropical lowland situation.
Boat tour: to watch a
Gharial: Take a drive through the jungles followed by a
boat ride down the Narayani river where there are
excellent chances of viewing the gharial crocodiles as
well as mugger crocodiles, fresh water dolphins, otters
and varieties of water birds, or go on a nature walk.
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Climate and Rainfall
of Nepal :-
Nepal has four distinct
seasons. Spring, from March to May is warm and dusty
with rain showers. Summer, from June to August, is the
monsoon season when the hills turn lush and green.
Autumn, from September to November, is cool with clear
skies, and is the most popular trekking season. In
winter from December to February, it is cold at night
and can be foggy in the early morning but afternoons are
usually clear and pleasant, though there is occasional
snow in the mountains.
Weather condition in
Nepal vary from region to region. Summer and late spring
temperatures range from more than 40 Degrees Celsius in
the Terai to about 28 Degrees Celsius in the hilly
region of the country. In winter, average maximum and
minimum temperatures in the Terai range from a mild 23
Degrees Celsius to a brisk 7 Degrees Celsius while the
central valleys experience a chilly 12 Degrees Celsius
maximum temperature and a minimum temperature often
falling below freezing point.
Much colder temperatures
prevail at higher elevations. The Katmandu Valley
situated at an altitude of 1310m, has a seasonable but
equable climate with average summer and winter
temperatures of 27 Degrees Celsius to 19 Degrees Celsius
and 20 Degrees Celsius to 2 Degrees Celsius
respectively. The annual rainfall in Katmandu generally
exceeds 1300mm. The mean annual precipitation ranges
from more than 6000mm along the southern slopes of the
Annapurna range in central Nepal to less than the 250mm
in the north central portion near the Tibetan plateau.
Amounts varying between 1500 and 2500mm predominate over
most of the country. On an average, about 80% of the
precipitation is confined to the monsoon period
(June-September).
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Country Profile:-
Situated in the lap of
the Himalayas, Nepal is located between the latitude
26*22' to 30*27' North and longitude 80*4' E to 88*12'
East, and elevation ranges from 90 to 8848 meters. The
average length being 885 km east to west and the average
breadth is 193 km from north to south. The country is
bordering between the two most populous countries in the
world, India in the East, South, and West, and China in
the North. Nepal is a land locked country and home place
of natural beauty with traces of artifacts. The Northern
range (Himalayas) is covered with snow over the year
where the highest peak of the world, the Mount Everest,
stands. The middle range (Hill) is captured by gorgeous
mountains, high peaks, hills, valleys and lakes.
Southern range (Terai) is the gangaitic plain of
alluvial soil and consist of dense forest area, national
parks, wildlife reserves and conservation areas. The
temperature and rainfall differ from place to place. In
the geographic diversity and varied climatic conditions
23.2 million people of more than 60 caste/ethnic groups
are accommodated in the country. Nepal presents an
example of being united in diversity over the history
and has maintained it's pride as being an independent
sovereign state. There is constitutional monarchy where
people exercise right of adult franchise. The executive,
legislative and judiciary bodies function and exercise
their rights independently. There is two tier system of
legislation, the upper house, called the Rastriya Sabha,
consists of 60 members and the Lower House, called the
Pratinidhi Sabha is the house of Representatives for
which members are elected from 205 electoral
constituency distributed in 75 districts of the country.
The elected Prime Minister heads the government.
Geographically, the
country is divided in three regions; Mountain, Hill and
Terai accommodating 7.44 and 49 % of the population
respectively. Based on area of districts these regions
constitute 35, 42 and 23% of the total land area. There
are 5 development regions and 75 administrative
districts. Districts are further divided into smaller
units, called Village Development committee (VDC) and
Municipality.
Currently, there are 3914
VDCs and 58 Municipalities in the country. Each VDC is
composed of 9 wards, Municipality ward ranges from 9 to
35. Kathmandu is the capital city.There are number of
peaks, rivers and lakes in the country.
Nepal is the member of
the United Nations and has established diplomatic
relation with 113 (Jun 2001) countries of the world.
Major export commodities are paste, Pulses, oil Cake,
Catechu, Jute good Sacking, Twins, Carpets (Hand knitted
wollen), Readymade garments, handicrafts, ginger.
Economic growth of the
country has not improved markedly over time to over take
population growth. As the country estimated population
growth is 2.3 per annum, the gain achieved by
developmental activities has been concealed by growing
population. Little over half (57%)of the population of
working age reported economically active in 1991 and
among them 81% were engaged in agricultural activities.
Contribution of non-agricultural activities are
gradually increasing in the GDP. Per capita GDP is
estimated in the order of US $ 240 (preliminary
estimate) for 2000/01. The currency is Nepalese Rupee.
* District Profile
Total Area of The Kingdom
1,47,181 Sq.Km.
Total Agricultural
Holdings (1991) 25,98,970 Ha.
Provisional Population
2001
Total 2,32,14,681
Male 1,15,87,547
Female
1,16,27,134
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POPULAR CITIES OF
NEPAL:-
 The capital city,
Kathmandu is enriched with temples more than homes and
festivals exceeding the number of days in a year. The
whole valley with its seven heritage sites has been
enlisted in cultural World Heritage Site list. The
place, which blends cultural vigor with modern
facilities possible on earth is place liked by tourists
been here. The place has more to offer and it is not
only administrative capital of the country but to the
fullest extend capital of traditional culture and
physical resources. Three Durbar Squares - Kathmandu,
Patan and Bhaktapur, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath,
Swoyambhunath and Changunarayan are the places most
revered by the Kathmanduities and whole world.
Kathmandu is not big when
one compares it to other cities in South Asia. Kathmandu
is a fascinating old city today where pagodas, narrow
cobbled lanes, old carved windows, and stone shrines are
backdrops to the drama of life that continues
unhindered. Here the experiences are amazing, views
fascinating, and the climate charming.
There are living
Goddesses whose smiles are a benediction. There are
reincarnate Lamas who foresee the future with a roll of
dice and scriptural reference. There are walks that lead
the adventurous to legendary places where ogres once
lived. There are hidden gardens behind palaces yet
unseen and courtyards where miracles happen, and a city
the Buddha visited.
The natural beauty of
Pokhara in Midwestern Nepal is simply bewitching.
Forming the backdrop are the spectacular Annapurna
Mountains with the magnificent fish-tailed Machhapuchhre
dominating the scene. Adding to Pokhara's enchantment
are the three serene lakes of Phewa, Rupa and Begnas.
Lumbini, in the southwest, is the birthplace of Lord
Buddha and a World Heritage Site. An inscription on the
Ashoka Pillar identifies the Sacred Garden as the place
where the Buddha was born. Lumbini has a number of
artistic temples and monasteries built through
international support.
UNESCO recalls Chitwan as
one of the few remaining undisturbed vestiges of the 'Terai'
region, which formerly extended over the foothills of
India and Nepal at the foot of the Himalayas. The
Chitwan National Park has been enlisted in natural World
Heritage Site. 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.
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Festivals of Nepal
·
Mata Tirtha
Snan (Mother's Day)
This is one of the widely celebrated festivals that
falls on the first month, Baisakh (April/May), of the
Nepali Year.It is also called Mata Tirtha Aunsi as it
falls on a new moon night.
·
Buddha
Jayanti
This day is celebrated to mark the birthday of the Lord
Buddha which dates back in about 543 BC.It falls on
Jestha Purnima (Full moon night-May/June).
·
Ghanta Karna
Chaturdasi
This festival celebrates the exorcism of the mythical
demon Ghantakarna.It is also called Gathemangal festival
which falls on trayodashi of the month Shrawan
(July/August).
·
Janai
Purnima,Rakshya Bandhan,Khumbeshwor Mela Patan
Janai Purnima is the festival of Sacred Thread.On this
day every Hindu ties a sacred thread on the wrist.It is
also called Rakshya Bandhan.On this day, there is a big
Mela (fair) at Khumbeshwor, Lalitpur.It is again on a
full moon night.
·
Gaijatra
The festival of "Gai Jatra" (the procession of cows)
which is one of the most popular festivals, is generally
celebrated in the Nepalese month of Bhadra (August-September).This
festival has its roots in the belief that the god of
death, Yamaraj, must be feared and hence worshipped.
·
Shree
Krishna Janmastami
Sri Krishna Janmastami marks the celebration of the
birth of Lord Sri Krishna. This festival is also known
as Krishna Jayanti or Janmashtami. Lord Krishna is
regarded as the 8th avatar or 'incarnation' of Lord
Vishnu.It falls on Saptami of Bhadra (August/September).
·
Gokarna
Aunsi (Father's Day)
The most auspicious day to honour one's father is
Gokarna Aunsi . It falls on the dark fortnight of Bhadra
or in August or in early September.It is also known as
Kuse Aunsi.
·
Teej Ko
Darkhane Din
"Teej" is the fasting festival for women. Through this
religious fasting, hindu women pray for marital bliss,
wellbeing of their spouse and children and purification
of their own body and soul. It takes place on Tritiya of
Bhadra (August/September).
·
Indrajatra(Holiday Only in Kathmandu)
This festival falls in the end of Bhadra
(August/September). Both Hindus and Buddhists unite to
celebrate the festival of Indra Jatra with great
enthusiasm.
·
Dashain
Holidays
During the month of Kartik in the Bikram Sambat calendar
(late September and early October), the Nepalese people
indulge in the biggest festival of the year, Dashain.
Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival
in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese
of all caste and creed throughout the country. The
fifteen days of celebration occurs during the bright
lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon.
·
Tihar
Holidays
Tihar, the festival of lights is one of the most
dazzling of all Hindu festivals. In this festival we
worship Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth. It heralds
the month of Kartik (October/November) starting with
Kukur Puja-Narak Chaturdashi.
·
Maghe
Sankranti
Maghe Sankranti is the beginning of the holy month of
Magh, usually the mid of January. It brings an end to
the ill-omened month of Poush (mid-december) when all
religious ceremonies are forbidden. Even if it is
considered the coldest day of the year, it marks the
coming of warmer weather and better days of health and
fortune.
·
Shree
Panchami
This festival falls in mid Magh (January/February).It is
celebrated as the birthday of Saraswati, the Goddess of
Learning. She is the lily-white daughter of Shiva and
Durga in spotless white robe and seated in a full-blown
lotus.
This day is also dedicated to the martyrs of Nepal and
hence celebrated as Martyr's Day.
·
Maha Shiva
Ratri
This day is the celebration dedicated to the Lord Shiva
which falls on the Trayodashi of the month Fagun
(February/March).
·
Fagun
Purnima (Holi)
The ancient Hindu festival of Holi falls on late
February or on early March. Allegedly named after the
mythical demoness Holika, it is a day when the feast of
colours is celebrated. The festival is of a week.
However, it's only the last day that is observed by all
with colours.
·
Ghode Jatra
Ghode Jatra, the Horse Racing Day falls on Darhsa Shrad
Aunsi of the month Chaitra (March/April). A grand horse
parade takes place at Tundikhel, the central point of
the city reputed to have been in the former days the
largest parade ground in Asia.
·
Shree Ram
Nawami
Ram Nawami is celebrated in the mid of Chaitra
(March/April) as Lord Ram's Birthday. It is celebrated
with much pomp at Janaki temple in Janakpur city, which
lies in southern Nepal.
·
Bagh Jatra
The Bagh Jatra of Pokhara is another cultural baggage
brought by Newars from Kathmandu, celebrated in early
august. The festival has been celebrated in Pokhara for
about 150 years. It expresses the people's joy at their
deliverance from a marauding tiger. On the first day,
people dress up like hunters and make an appearance
accompanied by musical bands. The next day is an
interlude devoted to the showing of comic programs. For
three days,the hunting party parades through different
parts of the town before "slaying" the beast to end the
festivities.
·
Bhairav Kumari Jatra
This is one of the major religious celebrations in
Dolkha, an historic town in north-eastern Nepal (133 km
from Kathmandu off the highway to Tibet). The festival
falls on early August; and consists of masked dances
that go on non-stop for five days. Escorted by musical
bands, dancers representing the deities Bhairav and
Kumari and other gods and goddesses swirl and sway
through Dolkha, visiting its many temples. On the
occasion, devotees also undergo fasting and worship
Bhairav and Kumari. The ceremony has a history going
back more than five centuries.
·
Chaite Dasain
Chaite Dasain used to be the original day of the grand
Dasain festival (which takes place exactly six months
later now), but because people got their stomachs upset
after feasting on spicy food during the warm month of
Chaitra, the grand celebration was shifted to the cooler
season. But the religious fervor is still evident in the
celebrations of the day.
·
Gaura Parva
Gaura Parva is another celebration honoring Lord
Krishna's birthday. It is celebrated in far western
Nepal with much gusto for two days (August/September).
Apart from the many ceremonies that happen during this
festival, it is the occasion for married women to put on
the sacred thread. The deuda dance is a major part of
the festivities in which participants hold hands and
form a circle as they step to traditional music.
·
Gunla
Gunla is a sacred month dedicated to Lord Buddha. This
festival commemorates the auspicious "rains retreat"
when the Buddha, over 2,500 years ago, led his close
disciples into solitary meditation and preached to them
the essence of his principles.
·
Guru Purnima
Teachers come second (after the gods) in the Hindu
hierarchy of respect. The full moon day of the month
June/July is set aside for students to pay homage to
their teachers and receive blessings from them in
return. At a place called Vyas on the Kathmandu-Pokhara
highway, special worship is performed to Maharishi Vyas,
the saint who wrote the great Hindu epic, Mahabharat.
For Buddhists, the occasion (Dilla Punhi) is sacred as
the day when the Buddha-to-be entered the womb of Queen
Mayadevi. Religious functions are held at monasteries
and temples to commemorate the event.
·
Lhosar
Lhosar is the Tibetan New Year which falls on
February/March. This festival is mast impressively
observed by all the Tibetan-speaking populations. They
organize folk songs and dances on this occasion. These
dances can be seen in Khumbu, Helambu and other northern
regions of Nepal and also at Boudhanath in Kathmandu.
·
Rato
Macchendranath Jatra
(Begins on the full moon day of Baisakh)This is the
longest as well as the most important festival of Patan.
It begins with several days of ceremonies and the
fabrication of a wooden-wheeled chariot at Pulchowk,
near the Ashoka Stupa.
·
Mani Rimdu
(Full moon of the 9th Tibetan month) Mani Rimdu is the
biggest event of the year for the Sherpas of the Khumbu
region. Sherpas from the Khumbu region congregate at
Thyangboche Gompa, the picturesque monastery situated on
a spur at 3,870 meters from where both Mt. Everest and
Ama Dablam can be seen.
·
Mata-yaa
Celebrated in mid-August Mata-yaa is one of Patan's
popular festivals. It consists of a day-long procession
of devotees going around the Buddhist courtyards of the
town and offering worship at the shrines there. Carrying
lighted tapers and joss sticks in their hands, Mata-yaa
participants rush in a meandering file and visit the
hundreds of Buddhist sites scattered all over Patan.
They toss rice grains, flowers and coins at the shrines
as they pass by. Some devotees wear elaborate and
amusing costumes. Musicians also take part in the
parade.
·
Neel Barahi Pyakhan
Neel Barahi Pyakhan is a sacred masked dance which is
shown over four days(August/September)in different parts
of Bode. Nineteen persons representing the town's
guardian pantheon take part in the dance performance.
Music is provided by a 27-piece traditional orchestra.
The ceremony invokes peace and harmony, and is dedicated
to the deity Neel Barahi whose temple is located in a
jungle outside Bode. Bode adjoins Thimi which is 8 km
east of Kathmandu.
·
Rath Yatra
Biratnagar in south-eastern Nepal brings out a
spectacular chariot procession to mark Lord Krishna's
birthday (August/September). The parade sets out from
the Radha Krishna temple and goes around the town. The
six-meter tall chariot carries the images of Krishna and
his consort Radha and is drawn by hordes of devotees.
The annual chariot festival was started in 1932 to
commemorate the building of a temple dedicated to
Krishna.
·
Sita Vivaha
Panchami
This festival, commemorating the marriage of Sita to
Ram, is particularly celebrated in Janakpur. Each year
in Janakpur, idols of Ram and sita are brought out in
bright processions and their Hindu wedding ceremony is
enacted.
·
Tamu Dhee
Tamu Dhee (also known as Trahonte) is a Gurung holiday
(august). Ceremonies are performed to purge the
neighborhood of evil spirits and to safeguard one's farm
and farm animals from hostile elements. The festival can
be observed in Pokhara. Groups of people beating on
different kinds of drums form a colorful procession and
make house-to-house visits. Participants with their
faces smeared with soot and wearing feather headdresses
parade through the town to drive away negative
influences and ensure peace and security.
·
Tansen Jatra
The hilltop town of Tansen in central Nepal exults in a
week-long festive spree beginning with Janai Purnima,
when Hindus change their sacred threads. The next day,
Gai Jatra is marked by parading figures of cows made of
bamboo and cloth. Ropai Jatra is the rice planting
ceremony and participants perform plowing and planting
acts on the streets. During Bagh Jatra, actors dressed
up like tigers and hunters march through town. Then
there are the parades. Images of Ganesh, Bhimsen and
Narayan are placed on palanquins and carried around
Tansen. The celebrations climax on August 12 with
Bhagawati Jatra, the procession of the town's protective
goddess.
·
Taya Macha
The Taya Macha dance is shown in different parts of
Pokhara as part of the Gai Jatra observances. The five
dancers, four dressed up as angels and one as a clown,
are accompanied by a group of traditional musicians. It
is believed that the performance will bring peace to the
souls of those who have passed away during the previous
year. The festival has its roots in the Kathmandu
Valley. It was brought to Pokhara by Newars who migrated
here centuries ago.
·
Yomari Punhi
Yomari Punhi is one of the popular Newar festivals
observed every year during the full moon of December. A
yomari is a confection of rice-flour (from the new
harvest)dough shaped like fig and filled with brown cane
sugar and sesame seeds, which is then steamed
Top
FLORA AND FAUNA:-
Nepal's flora and fauna
can be divided into four regions:-
1. Tropical Deciduous
Monsoon Forest:
2. Subtropical Mixed
Evergreen Forest:
3. Temperate Evergreen
Forest:
4. Subalpine and Alpine
Zone:
Ranging from the
subtropical forests of the Terai to the great peaks of
the Himalayas in the north, Nepal abounds with some of
the most spectacular sceneries in the whole of Asia,
with a variety of fauna and flora also unparalleled
elsewhere in the region. Between Nepal�s geographical
extremes, one may find every vegetational type, from the
treeless steppes of the Trans-Himalayan region in the
extreme north and the birch, silver fir, larch and
hemlock of the higher valleys to the oak, pine and
rhododendron of the intermediate altitudes and the great
sal and sissau forests of the south.
The rolling densely
forested hills and broad Dun valleys of the Terai along
with other parts of the country, were formerly, renowned
for their abundance and variety o wildlife. Though
somewhat depleted as a result of agricultural
settlements, deforestation, poaching and other causes,
Nepal can still boast richer and more varied flora and
fauna than any other area in Asia. For practical
purposes, Nepal�s
 flora and fauna can be divided into
four regions:-
1. Tropical Deciduous
Monsoon Forest:
This includes the Terai
plains and the broad flat valleys or Duns found between
successive hill ranges. The dominant tree species of
this area are Sal (Shorea Robusta), sometimes associated
with Semal (Bombax malabricum), Asna (Terminalia
termentosa), Dalbergia spp and other species, and Pinus
rosburghi occurring on the higher ridges of the Churia
hills, which in places reach an altitude of 1800m. Tall
coarse two-meter high elephant grass originally covered
much of the Dun valleys but has now been largely
replaced by agricultural settlements. The pipal (ficus
religiosa) and the �banyan� (ficus bengalensis) are
to be noticed with their specific natural
characteristics. This tropical zone is Nepal�s richest
area for wildlife, with gaurs, buffaloes, four species
of deer, tigers, leopards and other animals found in the
forest areas rhinoceros, swamp deer and hot deer found
in the valley grasslands and two species of crocodile
and the Gangetic dolphin inhabiting the rivers. The
principal birds are the peacock, jungle fowl and black
partridge, while migratory duck and geese swarm on the
ponds and lakes and big rivers of Terai. Terai forests
are full of jasmin, minosa, accecia reeds and bamboo.
2. Subtropical Mixed
Evergreen Forest:
This includes the
Mahabharat Lekh, which rises to a height of about 2400m
and comprises the outer wall of the Himalayan range.
Great rivers such as the Karnali, Narayani, and Sapta
Koshi flow through this area into the broad plains of
the Terai. This zone also includes the so-called
�middle hills� which extend northwards in a somewhat
confused maze of ridges and valleys to the foot of the
great Himalayas. Among the tree species characteristic
of this region are Castenopsis indica in association
with Schima wallichii, and other species such as Alnus
nepalensis, Acer oblongum and various species of oak and
rhododendron which cover the higher slopes where
deforestation has not yet taken place. Orchids clothe
the stems of trees and gigantic climbers smother their
heads. The variety and abundance of the flora and fauna
increase progressively with decreasing altitude and
increasing luxurance of the vegetation. This zone is
generally poor in wildlife. The only mammals, which are
at all widely distributed, are wild boar, barking deer,
serow, ghoral and bears. Different varieties of birds
are also found in this zone. Different varieties of
birds are also found in this zone.
3. Temperate Evergreen
Forest:
Northward, on the lower
slopes and spurs of the great Himalayas, oaks and pines
are the dominant species up to an altitude of about
2400m above which are found dense conifer forests
including Picea, Tusga, Larix and Abies spp. The latter
is usually confined to higher elevations with Betula
typically marking the upper limit of the tree line. At
about 3600 to 3900m, rhododendron, bamboo and maples are
commonly associated with the coniferous zone.
Composition of he forest varies considerably with
coniferous predominating in the west and eracaceous in
the east. The wildlife of this region includes the
Himalayan bear, serow, ghoral, barking deer and
wildboar, with Himalayan tahr sometimes being seen on
steep rocky faces above 2400m. The red panda is among
the more interesting of the mammals found in this zone;
it appears to be fairly distributed in suitable areas of
the forest above 1800m. The rich and varied avifauna of
this region includes several spectacular and beautiful
pheasants, including the Danfe pheasant, Nepal�s
national bird.
4. Subalpine and Alpine
Zone:
Above the tree line,
rhododendron, juniper scrub and other procumbent woody
vegetation may extend to about 4200m where it is then
succeeded by t a tundra-like association of short
grasses, sedge mosses and alpine plants wherever there
is sufficient soil. This continues up to the lower limit
of perpetual snow and ice at about 5100m. The mammalian
faun is sparse and unlikely to include any species other
than Himalayan marmots, mouse hare, tahr, musk deer,
snow leopard and occasionally blue sheep. In former
times, the wild Yak and great Tibetan sheep could also
be sighted in this region and it is possible that a few
may still be surviving in areas such as Dolpa and Humla.
The bird life at such as lammergeyer, snowcock,
snowpatridge, choughs and bunting, with redstarts and
dippers often seen along the streams and rivulets. Yaks
are the only livestock, which thrive at high altitude.
They serve both back and draught animals. The cheeses
prepared out of the milk are edible for months. The
female Yak provides milk to the Sherpas.
Of the wonderful flora
and fauna must suffice to indicate what a paradise Nepal
is to the lovers of wild animal and bird life, to the
naturalists and to the foresters.
Etymology:-
The word Nepal is
believed to be derived from Nepa: (नेपा:) Nepal Bhasa,
the language of Newars, as the old name of Kathmandu
valley was Nepa: (नेपा:). Another evidence for this is
that the term Nepal Bhasa, language of Newars was called
as Nepal Bhasa long before the unification of Nepal. The
term Nepali, national language of Nepal, was given to a
language called Khas Kura long after unification of
Nepal.
According to Skandha
Purana, a rishi called "Ne" or "Nemuni" used to live in
Himalayas [2]. According to Himwatkhanda, a Hindu
scripture, the word Nepal comes from "Ne"' (the seer)
and "pal" meaning protection.
History:-
Neolithic
tools found in the Kathmandu Valley
indicate that people have been living
in the Himalayan region for at least
nine thousand years. It appears that
people who were probably of Tibeto-Burman
ethnicity lived in Nepal two and half
thousand years ago. Indo-Aryan tribes
entered the valley around 1500 BCE.
Around 1000 BCE, small kingdoms and
confederations of clans arose. One
of the princes of the Shakya (Sakas)
confederation was Siddhartha Gautama
(563–483 BC), who renounced his royalty
to lead an ascetic life and came to
be known as the Buddha ("the
one who has awakened"). By 250
BCE, the region came under the influence
of the Mauryan empire of northern
India, and later became a puppet state
under the Gupta Dynasty in the fourth
century CE. From the late fifth century
CE, rulers called the Licchavis governed
the area. The Licchavi dynasty went
into decline in the late eighth century
CE and from 879 was followed by a
Newar era, although the extent of
their control over the entire country
is uncertain. By late eleventh century,
southern Nepal came under the influence
of the Chalukya Empire of southern
India. Under the Chalukyas, Nepal's
religious establishment changed as
the kings patronised Hinduism instead
of the Buddhism prevailing at that
time.
Hindu temples in Patan,
the capital of one of the three medieval kingdoms.
Hindu temples in Patan,
the capital of one of the three medieval kingdoms.
By the early thirteenth
century, leaders were emerging whose names ended with
the Sanskrit suffix malla ("wrestler"). Initially their
reign was marked by upheaval, but the kings consolidated
their power over the next two hundred years. By late
fourteenth century, much of the country began to come
under a unified rule. This unity was short-lived; in
1482 the kingdom was carved into three areas, Kathmandu,
Patan, and Bhadgaon, which engaged in petty rivalry for
centuries.
In 1765, the Gorkha ruler
Prithvi Narayan Shah set out to unify the kingdoms,
after first seeking arms and aid from Indian kings and
buying the neutrality of bordering Indian kingdoms.
After several bloody battles and sieges, he managed to
unify Nepal three years later. However, the actual war
never took place while conquering the Kathmandu Valley.
Prithivi Narayan Shah was unable to defeat the powerful
Newar kingdom of Kathmandu. In fact, it was during the
Indra Jaatra, when all the valley citizens were
celebrating the festival, Prithvi Narayan Shah with his
troops captured the valley, virtually without any
effort. This marked the birth of the modern nation of
Nepal. A dispute and subsequent war with Tibet over
control of mountain passes forced Nepal to retreat and
pay heavy repatriations to China, who came to Tibet's
rescue. Rivalry with the British East India Company over
the annexation of minor states bordering Nepal
eventually led to the brief but bloody Anglo-Nepalese
War (1815–16), in which Nepal defended its present-day
borders but lost its territories west of the Kali River,
including present day Uttarakhand state and several
Punjab Hill States of present day Himachal Pradesh. The
Treaty of Sugauli also ceded parts of the Terai and
Sikkim to the Company in exchange for Nepalese autonomy.
Nepalese royalty in the
1920s.
Factionalism among the
royal family led to instability after the war. In 1846,
a discovered plot to overthrow Jang Bahadur, a
fast-rising military leader, by the reigning queen, led
to the Kot Massacre. Armed clashes between military
personnel and administrators loyal to the queen led to
the execution of several hundred princes and chieftains
around the country. Bahadur won and founded the Rana
dynasty, leading to the Rana autocracy. The king was
made a titular figure, and the post of Prime Minister
was made powerful and hereditary. The Ranas were
staunchly pro-British, and assisted the British during
the Sepoy Rebellion in 1857, and later in both World
Wars. In 1923 the United Kingdom and Nepal formally
signed an agreement of friendship, truth, and law, in
which Nepal's independence was recognised by the UK.
In the late 1940s,
emerging pro-democracy movements and political parties
in Nepal were critical of the Rana autocracy. Meanwhile,
China regained control of Tibet in 1950, making India
keen on stability in Nepal. King Tribhuvan offered then
Indian Prime Minister accession of Nepal on the
condition that he be made President of India. Nehru
refused but sponsored KingTribhuvan as Nepal's new king
in 1951, and a new government, comprising the Nepali
Congress Party. After years of power wrangling between
the king and the government, the democratic experiment
was dissolved in 1960, and a "partyless" panchayat
system was instituted to govern Nepal. In 1990, the
"Jana Andolan" (People's) Movement forced the monarchy
to accept constitutional reforms and establish a
multiparty parliament in May 1991.[4] Krishna Prasad
Bhattarai became the Prime Minister, drafted a new
Constitution and carried out the democratic elections
for the parliament. The Nepali Congress Party won the
country's first democratic elections, with Girija Prasad
Koirala becoming prime minister.
Recent
developments:-
According to officials,
on June 1, 2001, the Heir Apparent Dipendra is believed
to have gone on a killing spree in the royal palace, in
response to his parents' rejection of his choice of
wife. His parents were killed and he died three days
later. Some people, however say it was Gyanendra's son
who was responsible for the killings. Following the
carnage, the throne was inherited by Birendra's brother
Gyanendra. In the face of unstable governments and a
Maoist siege[4] on the Kathmandu Valley in August 2004,
popular support for the monarchy waned.[5]
On February 1, 2005
Gyanendra dismissed the entire government and assumed
full executive powers in the name of combating the
Maoist movement.[4] In September 2005, the Maoists
declared a three-month unilateral ceasefire which was
not reciprocated by the royal government; the latter
vowed to defeat the rebels by force. A few weeks later,
the government stated that parliamentary elections would
be held by 2007 even after the failed municipal
elections.[6]
On January 14, 2006, the
Maoists attacked five military and paramilitary
installations throughout the Kathmandu Valley. Bombs
were detonated in two of the locations. Twelve people
died, eleven at the Thankot checkpost where multiple
blasts shook homes as far away as Matatheirtha. The
public was shocked as this was proof that the Maoists
were able to organize and plan a simultaneous attack on
multiple locations within the Valley, long considered to
be relatively safe from Maoist violence. During the
attack on the Thankot checkpost, a local toll station
was robbed, which was located less than 100 metres away
from an orphanage housing sixty-four children.
The Maoists, through
support from the seven parliamentary parties (SPA),[7]
arranged a mass uprising against the reign of King
Gyanendra. The royal government used various means to
quell the uprising. Frustrated by lack of security, jobs
and good governance, thousands of people took to the
streets to demand that the king renounce power outright,
but the royal government turned even more ferocious and
continued its suppression, including daytime curfews
amid a Maoist blockade. Food shortages took effect. Soon
there was a plan to hold a march with over one million
people into the city center and encircle the royal
palace. The security forces turned brutal. Thousands
were injured and twenty-one people died in the uprising.
Foreign pressure
continued to increase on King Gyanendra to surrender
power. On April 21, 2006, Gyanendra announced that he
was giving up absolute power and that "Power was being
returned to the People". He called on the seven party
coalitions to name a Prime Minister and that elections
would be held as soon as possible. Both the U.S. and
India immediately called on the SPA to accept this
proposal. Many Nepalese protesters, however, still
carried out rallies in numerous cities and vowed to
continue the stir until they would achieve complete
abolition of the monarchy. The SPA felt the pressure of
these protests as some took place directly outside the
deliberations of Gyanendra's offer. Finally, at midnight
on April 24, after nineteen days' tumultuous protest,
the king called for the country's parliament to
reassemble on April 28.
Parliament has since
reassembled and stripped the king of his power over the
military, abolished his title as the descendent of a
Hindu God, and required royalty to pay taxes.
Furthermore, several royal officials have been indicted,
and the Nepalese government is no longer referred to as
"His Majesty's Government", but rather as the
"Government of Nepal". Following Gyanendra's
relinquishing of absolute power, the Nepalese government
and Maoist rebels agreed on a ceasefire. In August 2006,
both parties came to an agreement on the issue of arms
accountability, agreeing to ask the United Nations to
oversee and keep track of the weapons cache of both
sides. The government and the Maoists are trying to come
to an agreement on the future of the monarchy.
As of 15 January 2007,
SPA and Maoists serve together in an Interim legislature
under the new Interim Constitution of Nepal awaiting
elections to take place in June 2007[8] to a Constituent
Assembly, while all the powers of the Nepali King are in
abeyance. On April 1, 2007 the SPA and the Maoist
together formed an interim government.[9] The interim
government was mandated to hold the Constituent Assembly
elections in June 2007. But, constituent assembly
election could not take place in June, 2007 because of
the lack of security and delay in the verification of
People's Liberation Army. Now, a new date, November 22,
2007, has been declared for Constituent Assembly
Election.[5] The purpose of the constituent assembly
election will be to rewrite the constitution and to
decide the fate of monarchy in Nepal. with the possible
abolition of the monarchy as part of constitutional
change[6].
The Madhesay movement in
the Terai area has recently demanded the end to
discrimination against the Madhesay people. Thousands of
Madhesay people came for the protests, in which more
than 40 people have already died in the uprising.
Recently, the government agreed to hold talks with the
representatives of Madhesay group and few rounds of talk
have also been carried out. However, there are still
many conflicts between Madhesay people representatives
and the government which need to be addressed in order
to mitigate the problems of Terai people and bring in
peace in the country.
But, it seems that
Madhesay groups are now busy to settle the scores with
maoists rather than to work to enhance the rights of
communities. Being divided in many factions and groups,
they have very diverse demands and government is unable
to fulfill them[7]. Some Madhesay Party are demanding
separate independent Madesh State[8] which seems to be
completely unacceptable to other Madhesay leaders and
Nepalese Peoplle.Fingers have been raised against India
for encouraging such movements and demands in Terai[9]
as most of the madhesay are similar to Indian people
residing in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh State of India.
India has been accused as creating instability in Nepal
at this point where Nepal is slowly trying to revert to
peace; though the allegation against India is not of a
new kind.Top
The Hills:-
 The Mahabharat range,
running closely parallel to the Chure range, separates
the Terai from the Hill region, which covers about 64%
of the total land area. This range averages 1,525 to
4,877m altitude and 16kms in breadth. Its structure is
synclinal and topography steep and jagged. Forests are
usually found on the higher elevations whereas the lower
and gentler slopes are used for terraced cultivation.
North of this range and
south of the Himalayas, lies the extensively cultivated
broad hill complex of the "Pahar" of mountain region,
the major subdued in character, this complex has a
generally salubrious climate. The fertile valleys formed
by the principal river systems, including the Katmandu
Valley, are the main settlement and cultivation areas in
the region.
Jungle Safari have a
long history in Nepal. They first started as hunting
trips for the Royal Family and big game hunters from
around the world. In Nepal's protected National Parks
you can observe the wildlife on foot, from the back of a
jeep or even atop an elephant! Some of the animals you
may come across include endangered one horned rhinos,
deer, birds, monkeys and, if you are very lucky, a royal
Bengal tiger.
We recommend a jungle
safari as the perfect way to relax, unwind and
experience the wildlife of Nepal. We offer three to five
day safari packages, with a choice of different
standards of jungle lodges and tented camps. We arrange
everything for you, from accommodation, National Park
entrance permit; elephant back safari, nature walk,
jungle drive, canoeing and even a traditional Tharu
stick dance! We can arrange safaris in Royal Chitwan
National Park, Bardia National Park and Royal Suklaphata
Wildlife Reserve, Parsa wildlife reserve.
A trip to one of Nepal's
protected National Parks or Wildlife Reserves is a
unique opportunity for students to experience some of
Nepal's native flora and fauna. We can arrange safaris
by jeep or elephant, both a great but safe way of
viewing wildlife such as the one horned rhino, deer,
monkeys, sloth bears and, if you are very lucky a royal
Bengal tiger! There are also opportunities to visit the
elephant-breeding center, see traditional Tharu dancing
and visit a typical Tharu village.
Top
LUMBINI:-
The birthplace of Lord
Buddha
Shakyamuni Buddha was
born in Lumbini, in southern Nepal, twenty-five hundred
years ago. Since his time, Nepal has been a sacred
ground for Buddhists as the birthplace of the Buddha.
Lumbini is a small town in the southern Terai plains of
Nepal, where the ruins of the old city can still be
seen. Shakyamuni Buddha was born to a family. Lumbini
has been a holy ground for Buddhists all over the world.
Ashok Pillar, LumbiniThe restored garden and
surroundings of Lumbini have the remains of many of the
ancient stupas and monasteries. A large stone pillar
erected by the Indian Emperor Ashoka in 250 BC bears an
inscription about the birth of the Buddha. An important
part of Lumbini is the temple of Maya Devi. It has a
stone image of Maya Devi giving birth to Lord Buddha as
she holds onto a branch. It has been well worn by the
strokes of barren women hoping for fertility. To the
south of the temple is a pool
 where Queen Maya Devi is
said to have bathed and given her son his first
purification bath. A quiet garden, shaded by the leafy
Bo tree (the type of tree under which Buddha received
enlightenment), and a newly-planted forest nearby lend
an air of tranquillity which bespeaks Buddha's
teachings. Lumbini is now being developed under the
Master Plan of the Lumbini Development Trust, a non
governmental organization dedicated to the restoration
of Lumbini and its development as a pilgrimage site. The
plan, completed in 1978 by the renowned Japanese
architect Kenzo Tange, will transform three square miles
of land into a sacred place of gardens, pools,
buildings, and groves. The development will include a
Monastic Zone, the circular sacred Garden surrounding
the Ashoka pillar and Maya Devi temple, and Lumbini
Village, where visitors will find lodges, restaurants, a
cultural center and tourist facilities. An important
archeological site near Lumbini, Kapilvastu evokes the
ancient palace where Lord Buddha spent his formative
years. Scattered foundations of the palace are abundant,
and archeologists have by now discovered 13 successive
layers of human habitation dating back to the eighth
century BC. A must for archeological and historical
buffs! Besides its religious and historical
significance, Lumbini offers cultural insights into the
village life of southern Nepal. If possible, try to
coincide your visit with the weekly Monday bazaar when
villagers come from miles around to buy grains, spices,
pottery, jewellery, saris and various other items. It
may appear as a scene out of the Arabian Nights, with
colorful merchandise spread out under the mango trees
and the air perfumed with incense. It's a chance to
bargain for souvenirs while witnessing local life in
Lumbini. Wooden ox-carts loaded with hay trundle by.
Villagers dry cow-dung for fuel, and tea stalls serve
sweet milk tea. Today, Lumbini is beginning to receive
travellers' and archaeologists' attention after
centuries of neglect. Serious preservation work has only
just been started in the latter half of this century and
Lumbini as a slice of history is worth seeing and worth
preserving. Access : Nepal Airlines and other airlines
fly regularly to Bhairahawa, near Lumbini, and bus
services are available from Pokhara and Kathmandu.
Accommodation : There are several good hotels and lodges
in Lumbini. Top
FUTUTRE
PROGRAM OF NEPAL TOURISM BOARD:--
Notice for Participation
in Travel Trade Fairs
Nepal Tourism Board
announces the participation in the following travel
trade fairs for the year 2007. Fair/Mart:TTF, Hyderabad
Date:Aug 10 - 12 2007 Participation Fee (Nrs):35,000
Deadline for Application:1 August 2007 No of
Participants:4 Contact:jbhattarai@ntb.org.np Fair/Mart:
TTF, Kolkata Date:Aug 18 - 20, 2007 Participation Fee
(Nrs):35,000 Corporate Night: Aug 16, 2007 Participation
Fee (Nrs): 8,000 Deadline for Application: 5 August 2007
No of Participants:4 Contact:jbhattarai@ntb.org.np All
tourism companies registered with Government of Nepal
are encouraged to apply and participate. Application
form for participation is available with Nepal Tourism
Board. (The forms can be received by email by making
specific request or by downloading from NTB's website.
Duly filled up forms should be submitted to Accounts
Unit, Corporate Services Department, NTB along with full
participation fees before the deadline. Participation
shall be allowed on first come- first served basis.
Nepal Tourism Board Tourist Service Center,
Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu Tel: 977-1-4256909 or 4256229
Fax: 977-1-4256910 E-mail: info@ntb.org.np
SilkAir SETS ITS SIGHTS
on KATHMANDU
Nepal's inbound tourism
to benefit from capacity boost, customers will enjoy
direct flights between Kathmandu and Singapore. Subject
to government approval, SilkAir, the regional wing of
Singapore Airlines, hopes to introduce a three-times
weekly service between Kathmandu and Singapore from end
October 2007. Flights will leave Singapore every
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, at 0910 hours and will
arrive in Kathmandu at 1205 hours (local time). Flights
out of Nepal's capital will depart at 1305 hours,
arriving in Singapore at 2015 hours (local time). There
are presently no direct air services between both
countries. The inbound flights will cater to leisure
traffic out of Singapore and facilitate easy connections
for customers from Australia, New Zealand Japan and
Europe, all of which are important source markets for
inbound tourism to Nepal. For customers from Kathmandu,
the new service will offer direct flights to Singapore
and the convenience of onward connections to more than
90 international cities in the joint Singapore
Airlines-SilkAir network. "We're thrilled by the
opportunity to fly to Kathmandu and are looking forward
to the conclusion of the agreements between the aviation
authorities," said David Lim, SilkAir's Vice President
Commercial. " Nepal's unparalleled natural beauty and
diverse attractions make it more than just a trekking
destination and we're eager make it easier for more
visitors to enjoy its splendour." Flights will be
operated on SilkAir's Airbus A320 family aircraft.
SilkAir extends the Singapore Airline Group's footprint
in Asia by offering connections from Singapore to 28
other exotic destinations in the region. It was voted
"Best Regional Airline" for the seventh time by members
of Asia Pacific's Travel Trade in the annual TTG Travel
Awards. SilkAir operates a fleet of 14 Airbus A-320
family aircraft; with 12 more of the same type on firm
order and options for a further nine. [Operating
schedules are pending regulatory approvals.] For further
information please contact: Singapore SilkAir Renu Nair/
Manager Public Affairs Telephone: (65) 6541 5303 Fax:
(65) 64900516 E-mail: Renu_Nair@singaporeair.com.sg
Kathmandu Everest Express Tours and Travel GSA Singapore
Airlines/SilkAir Rabendra Raj Pandey/Executive Chairman
Telephone: +977-1-422 0759 Fax: +977-1-422 6795 E-mail:
rrpandey@everest-express.com.np
Visitors Arrival in June
2007 (by air only)
Arrival growth continues
The arrival figure released by Immigration Office, TIA
has shown that visitor arrivals to Nepal increased by
9.6 % with total 23502 visitors in June 2007. The
European market has recorded a strong increase by 39 %,
keeping on the ascending trend of arrivals from this
segment in each month of this year. Indian market
recorded a negative growth of 12.8 %, nevertheless this
market alone contributed more than 50 % percent in the
total arrivals. Overall, the Asian market registered a
commendable upsurge in arrivals with a notable rise of
289.5% from china, 235.4 % from Taiwan and 11.7 % from
Japan. The major tourist generating markets from both
Europe and Americas registered a healthy growth this
month, despite some records of negative trend from
France and Italy. Canada and USA market grew by 81.4 %
and 50 % respectively. Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands
and Norway recorded a remarkable growth, more than
double arrivals compared to the corresponding month last
year. Other major markets with bigger share in total
arrivals from European segment like UK, Germany and
Spain also showed a healthy growth of 48.1 %, 7 % and
71.7 % respectively. The total arrival figures till June
2007 has reached to 167133, up by 45538 arrivals
compared to the same period last year. This clearly
shows that tourism sector is manifesting the strong
message of gradual recovery. The drop in the arrivals
from Indian market, considered as a major volume market,
is a matter of concern. Election in the state of Uttar
Pradesh and good number of flow maintained by the non
Indian travelers from overseas via India had a cascading
effect on availability of seats from India. This has
squarely created the dearth in seat availability from
major Indian metro cities from where connection to
Kathmandu was there. Moreover, the surge in the air
traveling cost between India and Nepal is also one of
the greatest reasons of all in the arrival figures from
India. Frequent strikes, street protest and
demonstration, hurdles in vehicle movement in the
country, mainly in the Terai region are some of the
factors contributing indirectly to retard the healthy
growth of tourism.
Appa atop for countdown
no 17
Nepal's celebrated
mountaineer Appa Sherpa scaled the world's highest peak
Mount Everest for a record 17th time on Wednesday, May
16, 2007. Appa, 47, who was leading a 7-member team of
Sherpas on a charity climb to raise education funds for
children of mountain guides -- reached the summit at
8:45 on May 17 morning. Appa and his team member of the
Super Sherpa expedition Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa shot a video
for a documentary and took some pictures on the top of
the world. The footages of the climb will be made into a
charity documentary, the money raised from which will go
towards providing better education and health care for
children in the Sherpa community in the mountainous
regions. World record holder with 17 summits, four
without oxygen on Mt. Everest, Appa, married with four
children, reached the top of the world in the spring of
1990 for the first time. Meanwhile, television
journalist Kami Sherpa also scaled Mount Everest.
EBC of Nepal tops Asia's
first 11 tourist destinations
Venture Magazine
published by a UK Based Kumuka Worldwide, a leading
company specialising in worldwide adventure tours for
more than 23 years has enlisted Everest Base Camp (EBC)
of Nepal in top of their list of Asia's First 11 tourist
destinations. EBC, Nepal, precedes other destinations
such as Lhasa(Tibet). The Taj Mahal(India), Kettuvalom
Cruising(India), Benotta Beach( Sri Lanka) and The Great
Wall of China which are respectively on the list in 2nd,
3rd, 4th, 5th and 8th spots. Trek to Mt. Everest Base
Camp, offers a unique vacation, also Listed in UNESCO
Natural World Heritage Sites, home of Sherpa Peoples and
Stunning Mountain Views, the region boasts some of the
most extraordinary high mountain scenery on earth.
Venture Magazine writes about Everest Base Camp,
"Trekking to Everest isn't just for mountaineers: the
fit will find it a life-changing experience. Kumuka's
'Base Camp Trek' puts the world's greatest mountain in
perspective, exploring Kathmandu and taking the time to
meander through the Sherpa people's homeland, with
porters to take the strain of heavy luggage and simple,
atmospheric tea-house accommodation. Three weeks on the
'Roof of the World' finishes all-too-quickly, with a
spectacular flight from Lukla. Commenting on Asia's
first 11, the Venture Magazine says," Asia has a wealth
of riches, among them the world's highest mountains, the
oldest civilizations and an unsurpassed biodiversity.
From such abundance we have picked a team of attractions
that should make it on every traveller's wishlist. We cn
take you to all of them. But how many have you seen?"
Venture Magazine was distributed in Daily Telegraph
Adventure Travel Show (ATS) held in Olympia, London from
12 to 14th January 2007. Prior to this accolade Nepal is
also honored by Wanderlust Travel Award 2001, UK. It has
kept Nepal in Second Position in the Top Country
Category. Similarly, Modern Maturity (Sep/Oct 2001),
America's largest circulated magazine has declared The
Annapurna Trail-one of the best 12 walks in the world;
Observer Travel Award 2002, UK has declared Nepal
Favorite Long Haul Destination; Lonely Planet has
pictured Nepal as the country with some of the best
walking trails on earth and BBC Holidays has kept Nepal
in the list of 50 places to see before you die.
Adventure Travel in
Nepal
Nepal is home to the
Himalaya's and the world's highest mountain. Rapid
rivers flow through the country and wilderness areas
abound. Experience the ultimate adventure travel in
Nepal. Join us as we explore the various adventure
travel options in Nepal.Top
Trekking:-
 With the great diversity
of landscapes in Nepal, trekking has truly grown in
popularity and will always be a fantastic adventure in
Nepal. Most treks take place through the Middle Hills
region where areas lie between 500m and 3000m above sea
level. Excellent trails in this region will lead you
across mountains and through quaint Nepalese villages.
Trails can be traversed without the use of ropes or
other mountaineering equipment. At certain times and on
certain paths you may experience snow, but it is usually
not a major hazard. Trekking in Nepal doesn't require
any special skills, just stamina and good health.
Various companies offer guided treks through Nepal some
featuring a trek up one of the impressive peaks of the
country. Treks through Nepal are very physically
demanding as long trails take in a several ascents and
descents. People who are interested in trekking in Nepal
should have some hiking experience and be comfortable
with living outdoors. To find out more about trekking in
Nepal, visit our page on “Trekking”. Top
Mountaineering:-
Of course Nepal's grand
mountains offer the ultimate in mountaineering a nd
expeditions can be organized to most of the peaks. Such
expeditions require special arrangements and are best
done through a company offering such a service along
with guides and other staff. Technical mountaineering
equipment and experience is required for this amazing
adventure. As these hikes, especially those up the high
peaks of the Himalaya's require extensive organization,
it is best to contact an adventure company to find out
exactly what is required.
Mountain Biking:-
Mountain biking through
Nepal, though challenging at some stages, is a great way
to explore the natural wonders of this lovely country.
Riding over mountain passes, through small towns and
settlements and past monasteries is a truly unique and
exciting experience, well worth the effort. Friendly
locals will great you as you go along, what better way
to familiarize yourself with the great diversity of
Nepal. Top
Jungle Safaris:-
Jungle safaris are
popular among adventure travelers in Nepal. View the
wonderful wildlife of Nepal in a four wheel drive or
even from elephant back. There are so many wonderful
birds and little creatures to see as well as amazing
vegetation, don't forget to bring your binoculars. From
sub-tropical lowlands to the highest mountains in the
world, there is much to see in Nepal.
Top
White-River Rafting:-
For a truly unique
adventure, experience Nepal from its lively waters.
Whether you are an experienced or beginner rafter, you
will find Nepal's rivers a real treat. Enjoy simply
drifting along, observing the natural beauty or for the
more adventurous, tackle the exhilarating white waters.
Adventure companies in Nepal offer a variety of river
tours and adventures with experienced guides for
tourists. This is an experience not to be missed.
Top
BHAKTAPUR:-B
haktapur or 'the City of
Devotees' is situated at an altitude of 1.401 m and
covers and area of about four square miles. This small
little city still retains the medieval charm and
visitors are treated with numerous natural wonders. The
ancient glory of the Malla rulers reflects in the Durbar
Square and pottery and weaving are their traditional
industries. The city is situated a mere 14 km east of
Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal and is easily
accessible by car or bus.
Due to a long-term
westward drift, the city has two centers (residents of
the two centers stage a energetic tug-of-war during
Bhaktapur's annual Bisket festival) and three main
squares. In the west side of Bhaktapur, the Bhaktapur
Durbar Square and the Taumadhi Tol dominates the
post-fifteenth-century city, while in the east side
Tachapal Tol rules.
Bhaktapur is world wide
renowned for its elegant art, magnificent culture and
its indigenous lifestyle. It is also known for its
majestic monuments, colorful festivals and celebrations
and the natives are best known for their long history of
craftsmanship.
This marvelous city is
also sometimes called the 'City of Culture', the Living
Heritage' and 'Nepal's Cultural Gem' and it really lives
up to its names.
Bhaktapur's jewel
actually lies in the Durbar Square. The Durbar Square
has an abundance of unique palaces, temples and
monasteries, which are admired for their beautiful
artworks in wood, metal and stone. The panoramic view of
the Himalaya Mountains is the perfect setting for
picture perfect opportunities.
Its not the culture, the
heritage, the monuments or the natural wonders that
makes Bhaktapur such a beautiful place, it's the way
they all come together.
Top
SAGARMATHA WILDLIFE
RESERVE:-
 Unique among natural
heritage sites world-wide is the Sagarmatha National
Park, which includes Mt. Everest (8,848 m) and other
high peaks such as Lhotse Shar, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam,
Pumori, Kangtega, Gyachung Kang, Thamserku and Kwangde.
Located North-east of Kathmandu, Sagarmatha National
Park is 1,148 sq km. in area and consists of the upper
catchment areas of the Dudh Koshi, Bhote Koshi and the
Imja Khola rivers. Much of the park lies above 3,000m.
Sagarmatha is rugged, with deep gorges, glaciers and
unnegotiable ice and rock faces. Locally known as the
'Khumbu', it is the home of the famous Sherpa people.
The Sherpas make a living by farming barley and potatoes
and graze their yaks in high altitude pastures. Young
Sherpas have also made their name in mountaineering and
the trekking industry has of late become the community's
economic mainstay. In 1979 the park was declared a World
Heritage Site.
Trees such as
rhododendron, birch, blue pine, juniper and silver fir
are found up to an altitude of 4,000 meters above which
they give way to scrub and alpine plants. In late spring
and summer, the hillsides around the villages of Namche
Bazaar, Khumjung, Thyangboche and Thame are a riot of
colours with several species of rhododendon in bloom.
Wildlife most likely to be seen in Sagarmatha are the
Himalaya tahr, ghoral, musk deer, pikka (mouse hare)
weasel and occasionally jackal. Other rarely seen
animals are Himalayan black bear, wolf, lynx and snow
leopard. Birds commonly seen are Impeyan pheasant, blood
pheasant, snow cock, snow pigeon, red billed and yellow
billed chough, Himalayan griffin vulture and
lammergeier.
Entry Fee Per Person Per
Entry:
For Nepalese Nationals,
Free
For SAARC Nationals, Rs.
100/-
For Other Foreign
Nationals, Rs. 1,000/-
Access:
 All of Khumbu is
road-less, all travel and exploration must be undertaken
on foot. Quick access are by helicopter at the
Syangboche and via the Lukla airstrip from where the
park head-office at Namche Bazaar is a two-day walk.
Alternative approaches are from Jiri in the south-west
and through Arun Valley in the south-east. Namche is 10
to 12 days trek on both these approaches. The best time
to visit is in October and November and from March to
May when days are warm and clear. However night
temperatures can reach zero levels. A two to three-week
stay in the park is ideal and the best areas to visit
are Gokyo Valley, Lobuche-Kala Pattar-Base Camp, Chukung
Valley and Thame valley. Travellers should come with
camping, food and fuel support to enable them to move
freely although room and board are available in most
villages. To enjoy the visit thoroughly it is best to
arrange services of guides and porters with government
registered outfitters in Kathmandu.
N ote:
Entrance fee not required
for children under 10 yearsPark
Entrance fees is
regulated by Department of National Parks and Wildlife
Conservation (Phone: 4220850). Entrance fees for
mountain National Parks can be paid at ACAP counter
(Phone: 4222406) at Sanchaykosh building in Thamel,
Kathmandu, or at the Park gate. For other National Parks
entrance fees are to be paid at the Park gate .
Top
PEAK CLIMBING:-
 Peak Climbing is the one
of the major sports observed in Nepal. More than
anything else; Nepal is best known for its mountains and
mountaineering. Nowhere else on earth can provide you
such a concentration of high snow capped mountains and
have the opportunity to climb some of the highest peaks
of the world. Of course, Mount Everest immediately comes
to mind when people think of Nepal is home to another
seven peaks over 8000 meters and innumerable others
between six and eight thousand meters. Currently 326
peaks are available for expedition with an additional 33
minor peaks being designated as Trekking peaks".
A1 Excursion is fully
organized to provide qualified & trained climbing guides
to take non climbers for convenience, safety & expected
successes. Apart from that we are ready to support of
any kind of trekking peak and obtaining permission,
providing other supporting staff during your climbing.
All mountaineering trips are run with professional
mountain Guides, cook & Sherpas. We provide handsome
services for our patrons and make your trek simple and
easiest one.
Top
POKHARA:-
If Kathmandu is the
cultural hub of Nepal, Pokhara is its center of
adventure. An enchanting city nestled in a tranquil
valley; it is the starting point for many of Nepal's
most popular trekking and rafting destinations. The
atmosphere on the shore of Phewa Lake is one of excited
vitality as hipster backpackers crowd the many bars and
restaurants exchanging recommendations on guest houses
and viewpoints, both by the lake and above the clouds.
Pokhara is a place of
remarkable natural beauty. The serenity of Phewa Lake
and the magnificence of the fishtailed summit of
Machhapuchhre (6,977 m) rising behind it create an
ambience of peace and magic. At an elevation lower than
Kathmandu, it has a much more tropical feel to it, a
fact well appreciated by the beautiful diversity of
flowers which prosper in its environs. Indeed, the
valley surrounding Pokhara is home to thick forests,
gushing rivers, emerald lakes, and of course, the world
famous views of the Himalaya.
The powerful rule of the
old kings of Kathmandu, the Lichhavis and the Mallas,
held sway over this valley for some time. As these
dynasties fell prey to their own troubles, Pokhara
Valley and the surrounding hills disintegrated into
small kingdoms, frequently at war with each other. These
were called the Chaubise Rajya or the Twenty-four
Kingdoms. It was among these that Kulmandan Shah
established his kingdom. His descendant Drabya Shah was
the first to establish Gorkha, home of the legendary
Gurkha warriors.
Finally, Pokhara is a
part of a once vibrant trade route extending between
India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen
camped on the outskirts of the town, bringing goods to
trade from remote regions of the Himalaya. This is the
land of the Magars and Gurungs, hardworking farmers and
valorous warriors who have earned world-wide fame as
Gurkha soldiers. The Thakalis, another important ethnic
group here, are known for their entrepreneurship
Mountain
Views
 Clearly
the most stunning of Pokhara's
sights is the spectacular panorama
of the Annapurna range which forms
its backdrop. Stretching from east
to west, the Annapurna massif includes
Annapurna 1 to IV and Annapurna South.
Although the highest among them is
Annapurna 1 (8,091 m), it is Machhapuchhre
which dominates all others in this
neighbourhood. Boastfully levitating
in the skyline, the fish-tailed pinnacle
is the archetypal snow-capped, needle-pointed
mountain. If you want to see the mountains
from close up, Everest Air offers
a mountain flight from Pokhara that
takes you on an aerial sightseeing
tour of the western Himalaya.
Phewa
Lake
Phewa
Lake, the second largest lake in the
Kingdom, is the center of all attraction
in Pokhara. It is the largest and
most enchanting of the three lakes
that add to the resplendence of Pokhara.
Here, one can sail or row a hired
boat across to the water or visit
the island temple in its middle. The
eastern shore, popularly known as
lakeside or Baidam, is the favorite
home base for travellers and is where
most of the hotels, restaurants and
handicraft shops are located.
Barahi
Temple
The
Barahi temple is the most important
monument in Pokhara. Built almost
in the center of Phewa Lake, this
two-storyed pagoda is dedicated to
the boar manifestation of' Ajima,
the protesters deity representing-
the female force Shakti. Devotees
can be seen, especially on Saturdays,
carrying male animals and fowl across
the lake to be sacrificed to the deity.
Seti
Gandaki
Another of Pokhara's
natural wonders that unfailingly interests visitors is
the Seti Gandaki river. Flowing right through the city,
the boisterous river runs completely underground at
places. Amazingly, at certain points the river appears
hardly two meters wide. But its depth is quite beyond
imagination over 20 meters! Mahendra Pul, a small bridge
near the old Mission Hospital, provides a perfect view
of the river's dreadful rush and the deep gorge made by
its powerful flow.
Devi's Fall
Locally known as the
Patale Chhango (Hell's Fall). Devi's Fall (also known as
Devin's and David's) is a lovely waterfall lying about
two km south-west of the Pokhara airport on the
Siddhartha Highway. Legend has it that a trekker (Devin,
David..) was washed away by the Pardi Khola and
mysteriously disappeared down into an underground
passage beneath the fall.
Show in map
Mahendra Cave
Another of nature's
wonders in Pokhara is the Mahendra Gupha. This large
limestone cave is locally known as the House of Bats, an
apt name for it. A two-hour walk to the north of
Pokhara, it is best to bring your own torch to see the
stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the local winged
residents.
Show in map
World Peace Pagoda
World Peace Pagoda This
pagoda is situated on the top of a hill on the southern
shore of Phewa Lake. It has four images of Buddha facing
in four directions. The pagoda is an impressive sight
and its hilltop location commands great view. It is a
great vantage point which offers spectacular views of
the Annapurna.
Show in map
The Old Bazaar
Pokhara's traditional
bazaar is colorful and so are its ethnically diverse
traders. In its temples and monuments can be seen ties
to the Newar architecture of the Kathmandu Valley.
Located about four km from Lakeside, the market's
original charm is alive and well. This area strewn with
shops selling commodities ranging from edibles and cloth
to cosmetics and gold is a pleasant and shady spot to
stroll around. The old bazaar is also home to one of
Pokhara's most important shrines'. Locally called the
Bindhyabasini Mandir, this white dome-like structure
dominates a spacious stone-paved courtyard built atop a
shady hillock. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati, yet
another manifestation of Shakti. The park-like grounds
offer a fine picnic area, and on Saturdays and Tuesdays
when devotees flock there to offer sacrifices, it takes
on a festive local flavour.
Museums
The Pokhara Museum,
located between the bus stop and Mahendra Pul, reflects
the ethnic mosaic of western Nepal. The lifestyles and
history of ethnic groups such as Gurungs, Thakalis and
Tharus are attractively displayed through models,
photographs and artefacts. One major attraction is a
display highlighting the newly-discovered remains of an
8000-year-old settlement in Mustang. Open daily, except
Tuesdays and holidays, from 10 am to 5 pm. Entrance fee
is Rs.10 (tel: 20413).
The Annapurna Regional
Museum, also known as the Natural History Museum, is
another interesting visit in Pokhara. Run by the
Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the museum
has an exceptional collection of butterflies, insects,
birds and models of wildlife found in the area. Located
at Prithvi Narayan Campus east of the old bazaar, it is
open daily except Saturdays and holidays from 9 am to 5
pm. Entrance is free (tel: 21102).
Surrounding Areas
Pokhara is the starting
and/or finishing point for some of the most popular
treks including the Annapurna Circuit and the Jomsom
Trek. It also offers a number of short treks for those
who cannot opt for long, challenging ones. The most
popular destination among them is Sarangkot (1592 m), a
former Kaski fort lying atop a hill to the west of
Pokhara. The panoramic view of the Himalaya seen from
this point is superb. Kahundanda, Naudanda, Ghandrung,
Ghorepani, and Ghalchok are other favorite destinations
around Pokhara.
KATHMANDU:-
The capital city,
Kathmandu is enriched with temples more than homes and
festivals exceeding the number of days in a year. The
whole valley with its seven heritage sites has been
enlisted in cultural World Heritage Site list. The
place, which blends cultural vigor with modern
facilities possible on earth is place liked by tourists
been here. The place has more to offer and it is not
only administrative capital of the country but to the
fullest extend capital of traditional culture and
physical resources. Three Durbar Squares - Kathmandu,
Patan and Bhaktapur, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath,
Swoyambhunath and Changunarayan are the places most
revered by the Kathmanduities and whole world.
Kathmandu is not big when
one compares it to other cities in South Asia. Kathmandu
is a fascinating old city today where pagodas, narrow
cobbled lanes, old carved windows, and stone shrines are
backdrops to the drama of life that continues
unhindered. Here the experiences are amazing, views
fascinating, and the climate charming.
There are living
Goddesses whose smiles are a benediction. There are
reincarnate Lamas who foresee the future with a roll of
dice and scriptural reference. There are walks that lead
the adventurous to legendary places where ogres once
lived. There are hidden gardens behind palaces yet
unseen and courtyards where miracles happen, and a city
the Buddha visited.
The natural beauty of
Pokhara in Midwestern Nepal is simply bewitching.
Forming the backdrop are the spectacular Annapurna
Mountains with the magnificent fish-tailed Machhapuchhre
dominating the scene. Adding to Pokhara's enchantment
are the three serene lakes of Phewa, Rupa and Begnas.
Lumbini, in the southwest, is the birthplace of Lord
Buddha and a World Heritage Site. An inscription on the
Ashoka Pillar identifies the Sacred Garden as the place
where the Buddha was born. Lumbini has a number of
artistic temples and monasteries built through
international support.
UNESCO recalls Chitwan as
one of the few remaining undisturbed vestiges of the
'Terai' region, which formerly extended over the
foothills of India and Nepal at the foot of the
Himalayas. The Chitwan National Park has been enlisted
in natural World Heritage Site. 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. Top
LUMBINI:-
The capital city,
Kathmandu is enriched with temples more than homes and
festivals exceeding the number of days in a year. The
whole valley with its seven heritage sites has been
enlisted in cultural World Heritage Site list. The
place, which blends cultural vigor with modern
facilities possible on earth is place liked by tourists
been here. The place has more to offer and it is not
only administrative capital of the country but to the
fullest extend capital of traditional culture and
physical resources. Three Durbar Squares - Kathmandu,
Patan and Bhaktapur, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath,
Swoyambhunath and Changunarayan are the places most
revered by the Kathmanduities and whole world.
Kathmandu is not big when
one compares it to other cities in South Asia. Kathmandu
is a fascinating old city today where pagodas, narrow
cobbled lanes, old carved windows, and stone shrines are
backdrops to the drama of life that continues
unhindered. Here the experiences are amazing, views
fascinating, and the climate charming.
There are living
Goddesses whose smiles are a benediction. There are
reincarnate Lamas who foresee the future with a roll of
dice and scriptural reference. There are walks that lead
the adventurous to legendary places where ogres once
lived. There are hidden gardens behind palaces yet
unseen and courtyards where miracles happen, and a city
the Buddha visited.
The natural beauty of
Pokhara in Midwestern Nepal is simply bewitching.
Forming the backdrop are the spectacular Annapurna
Mountains with the magnificent fish-tailed Machhapuchhre
dominating the scene. Adding to Pokhara's enchantment
are the three serene lakes of Phewa, Rupa and Begnas.
Lumbini, in the southwest, is the birthplace of Lord
Buddha and a World Heritage Site. An inscription on the
Ashoka Pillar identifies the Sacred Garden as the place
where the Buddha was born. Lumbini has a number of
artistic temples and monasteries built through
international support.
UNESCO recalls Chitwan as
one of the few remaining undisturbed vestiges of the 'Terai'
region, which formerly extended over the foothills of
India and Nepal at the foot of the Himalayas. The
Chitwan National Park has been enlisted in natural World
Heritage Site. 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.
Top
RAFTING:-
Rafting In Nepal has
earned reputation of being one of the best places for
providing the white-water challenges for paddlers. Due
to the variety in mountain shape, the current in the
rivers are very high which leads in the enormous
excitement and adventure.. The combination of
spectacular rivers, mountain scenery and rich cultural
heritage makes Nepal an obvious river-runner's
destination.
Top
Culture:-
Hinduism followed by
Buddhism, constitute two major religion of Nepal. Both
these co-religionists are bound together by a sense of
fellow-feeling and bonhomie particularly displayed in
their worship of common deities and joint celebration of
many festivals belonging to either religion or culture.
Kumari, the Virgin Hindu Goddess, for instance, is
selected from a Buddhist clan.
A remarkable feature of
Nepal is the religious homogeneity that exists. Apart
from the Hindus and Buddhists, Muslim form the third
largest religious group.
The exquisite
architecture and artistic embellishment of the Nepalese
pagodas that enshrine the bronze and stone images of
great beauty and, more often than not, treat antiquity,
are a unique features of Nepal.
The temples and stupas
are rich repositories of wood carving, metal work,
terracotta and stone sculpture. In their uniqueness they
add glory and grandeur to the cultural scene of the
Kingdom and tell a long history of native genius.
Top
Language:-
Nepali is the national
language of Nepal and is written in Devnagari Script.
Other languages spoken in Nepal include Maithili,
Bhojpuri, Tamang, Avadhi, Tharu and Newari, however most
educated Nepalese can also speak and write English.
The Religious way of
Life:
Religion is an integral
and deep-rooted part of Nepalese life. Temples, images,
sacred paintings are to be seen everywhere. Majority of
the people is Hindu in Nepal, nevertheless, Buddhism has
also important place in this country. Hinduism and
Buddhism are closely connected in Nepal and it would
take a lifetime's study to understand the complexities
of country's religious life. Some hints regarding
religious matters.
Visitors to Hindu temple
or Buddhist shrine are expected to take off their shoes
before entry as a mark of respect. In fact, a pair of
open sandals is more convenient and comfortable while
visiting the temples and stupas. In some of the temples
entrance may be prohibited for the non-Hindus.
Leather articles are
prohibited to be taken inside the temple premises.
Top
TERAI:-
The
Terai region is composed of a 26 to
32 km wide broad belt of alluvial
and fertile plain in the southern
part of the country. This belt extends
from the westernmost part of the country
to the eastern limit and covers about
17% of the total land area. In between
the Chure hills, rising abruptly to
the north of the southern plains and
the Mahabharat range, are a number
of low valleys called "Duns".
The Duns resemble the Terai in relief
and climate and are also called the
Inner Terai. The Chure range running
east west across the country is shaped
like a hedge. The hills of this range
are rather sparsely forested, averaging
600 to 1220 meters in altitude and
8-16 km in breadth. The soil is immature
and dry.
Top
MOUNTEERING:-
With
eight of the highest peaks in the
world, Nepal has been the focus of
some of the most outstanding achievements
in the world of mountaineering. For
many decades the dauntless icy peaks
have posed as challenge to those who
dare. There are some 326 peaks in
Nepal open for mountaineering today.
Government of Nepal opened around
175 peaks in the last two years to
mark the Mount Everest Golden Jubilee
Celebrations. Climbing permit to scale
the Nepal Himalayas is issued in all
seasons by the Mountaineering Section
of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism
and Civil Aviation. Certain official
documents are required to seek permission
for climbing peaks. Around 121 peaks
do not require liaison officer for
expedition. Fees or ties depend upon
the altitude of the peak starting
at US $ 1,000 for peaks below 6,501
meters and rising by US $ 500 for
every 500 meters. Climbing gears and
equipments can be bought or rented
in Kathmandu. Many mountaineering
and trekking agencies also offer packages
that take care of needs like gear,
food, transportation, guide and porter
services. They also arrange insurance.
Visitors should choose an agency that
has good track record. Nepal Himalaya
is known as the rooftop of the world.
The Himalayas are the highest mountains
in the world. Their scenery is legendary.
These mountains have had an air of
mystery until recently. Even today,
the vast area of the Himalaya is untouched.
It has always remained a source of
fascination and inspiration for people
from all walks of life in the world.
Himalaya ("Him" means snow
and "Alaya" means abode),
the abode of snow and the Gods, extends
about 2500 Kilometers. The Brahmaputra
(Assam) in the east and Indus river
in the west demarcate the length of
the Himalaya. It is 300 Kms wide and
rises nine kilometers above the sea
level.
The
Nepal Himalaya is in the centre of
the Himalayan range. Eight peaks that
exceed 8000 metres including the world's
highest peak Mt Everest are the prominent
members of Nepal Himalaya. It has
a convergence of 1310 magnificent
peaks over 6,000 metres. Nepal has
become famous through out the world
due to these mountains.It
is a very interesting thing to know
that there was a sea (the Tethys sea)
between Indian Gondwana continent
(Indian sub continent and Eurasian
continent). Around 70 and 80 million
years ago, the Himalaya began to come
into existence. It is a peak of each
evolution only about 10 to 20 million
years back. Therefore, the Himalaya
is extremely young and geologically
active. According to geologists, mountains
are growing at a rate of 15 cm (6
inch) a year as the Indian plate moving
northward and forcing under the Eurasian
plate. This process (plate tectonics)
causes the earthquakes in this region.
Geologists say that the collision
of continents is squeezing up sedimentary
rocks that were once below the sea.
The mountains of Himalaya are the
result of the collision of continents
'Trekking
in Nepal' means watching the most
spectacular sceneries and also follows
the trails, which had been used for
the purpose of communication and trade
for centuries, walking through the
heart of the Hills and Mountains.
We offer you a trek of any length
that you choose, starting from a day
to long ones ranging from week to
months. The best period for Trekking
in Nepal is in the autumn season which
extends from early September to early
December. A
number of popular treks provide you
the satisfaction of peace and enjoyment
with the friendly people to care you
all the way around the trip and even
visits to the base camps used by mountaineering
expedition.You
can find more specific information
ranging from specific small place
of the country to entire regions.
Listed below are some popular and
interesting treks available.
Village
Tour:-
Village
Tour is the best way to explore
villages of Nepal walking through
the villages surrounding of Nepal,
interaction with the warm and hospitable
local people, buying their authentic
handicraft products and observing
their traditional rituals will bring
one closer to understanding the diversity
of cultures in Nepal. Tour in villages
also gives opportunity to observe
landscapes and vegetation found in
the outskirts of the settlements.
The people in these traditional villages
offer a peep at their agro-based rural
lifestyle, colorful costume, festivals
which they celebrate with much joy
and enthusiasm, and gracious hospitality.
Home
stay during the walk is the most exciting
of all; it gives the opportunity to
observe the interior decoration and
gives the chance to learn the living
style of the villagers of Nepal. It
also helps to interact and know the
people of its best. We offer you Sirubari
Village Tour, Balthali Village Tour,
Tamang Heritage Trail, Langtang Tour,
Dolpa Experience Circuit Tour, Phoksundo
Tour and Dolpa circuit tour.
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