BASUNDHARA

Basundhara is the Goddess of wealth or abundance as described in Buddhist scriptures. She resembles in many ways the Hindu goddess Laxmi. She is portrayed as sitting on a double lotus pedestal in a posture similar to Tara. She has four hands holding a sheaf of paddy, a full Vase or purna kalasa, a bundle of jewels and exhibits the Varada Mudra in her right hand. She has three faces, brown in right, reddish in left and yellow in the center.

BARIGAD RIVER

One of the seven Component Rivers of the Gandaki River System, Barigad originated from Surti Bhang Lake and the mountains on the south-eastern side of Dhorpatan. Having drained through various districts and regions including Arghakhanchi and Gulmi, it ultimately meets the Kali Gandaki at Aiselu Chaur northeast of Ridi Bazar of Gulmi district.

Bardia

This is one of the districts of Bheri zone adjacent to Banke district. Gularia is its headquarters and its population is 382,649.

Barahi

Barahi or Varahi is a boar-faced Goddess who protects temples and buildings. Four Varahis are said to preside over the four quarters of Kathmandu Valley. Bajravarahi, red in colour, presides over the West and protects livestock; Nilavarahi, blue in colour, guards the east; Swetavarahi, white in colour, watches over the south; and, Dhumbarahi, gray in color, guards the north and protects the valley from cholera epidemic.

Banke

Banke is the most prominent district of Bheri Zone with Nepalgunj city as its capital. Many zonal offices are also in this district. The population of this district is 287,689. Also see Nepalgunj.

BALMIKI

Balmiki is a great saint in the Hindu pantheon who had the vision to look through ages and was aware of things happening and also those to happen in the days and years to come. He is also known as the author of the great epic, Ramayana.

BALARAMA

The elder brother of Krishna who played a very important role in the Mahabharat without siding of any of the warring parties in the battle between Pandavas and Kauravas. He is also a great character by himself and is also known as the incarnation of Vishnu, just like his brother, Krishna. According to this version of belief, Vishnu is said to have taken the form of two strings of hair, one white and the other black. Balarama with white complexion and Krishna with black complexion, both of them are supposed to be the incarnation of the single entity Vishnu who is all-pervasive. Some people also believe him as the incarnation of Sheshnag, or the Serpent God.

BALA BHADRA, THE BRAVE

A true patriot and a doughty warrior, Bala Bhadra is the gem of Nepalese history. His most remarkable feat was seen at the khalanga fort of Nalapani during the battle between Nepal and British India from 1814 to1816 A.D. Few hundred Nepalese soldiers with their wives and children under his command were attacked by a much bigger army equipped with better arms and ammunition. However the troop of Bala Bhadra fought from inside the fortress where even women were engaged in throwing missiles of stones and brickbats on the enemy. English troops were at disadvantage and suffered many casualties. Later, they cut of the water supply of the Nepalese fort, which caused inevitable distress to the Nepalese troops. At the brave command of Bala Bhadra, the brave, the surviving soldiers came out with unmatched courage splashing their naked swords amidst the enemy troop. There they fought till the last person survived. But Bala Bhadra could reach another fort at Jaitagarh, which he saved from another troop of British army. Bala Bhadra was praised by the enemy side also who, in his honour established a stone tablet at Nalapani describing his astounding bravery.

Bajura

This is a remote district of the Seti Zone of the Far Western Region of Nepal. Martadi is the headquarters of this district. Population of this district is approximately 108,781.

BAJRAYOGINI

Bajrayogini is an important and popular Goddess. She has three forms and conforms to two distinct types.
In one form she has no head, but carries it in her hand. In another, she has her head intact. The former form is identical in appearance with the Hindu goddess Chhinamasta of the group of Mahavidyas, She is always accompanied by two yoginis by her sides. She is yellow in colour and carries her own head in her left hand. The head was severed by herself with her own knife held in her right hand. She is projected in the nude, her right leg stretched and the left leg bent down.
Another form of Bajrayogini is red in colour. She is no less terrible than the headless form, surrounded on all sides by the terrible burning grounds. She stands in a ferocious mood and rides on top of a corpse. She is nude and has three red eyes. With round, contorted eye-brows, a protruding belly and tongue, she carries the kapala in the left hand and the Bajra in the right. The Khawanga hangs from her left shoulder. This form of Bajrayogini is similar in many respects to the form of Nairatma and Vajravarahi.. Also see Bajrojogini