This is a major river system and an important river with a huge river basin of the middle parts of Nepal is known as Sapta Gandaki meaning the seven Gandaki rivers because of the seven rivers which meet the main river system at one or the other points. They are (a) Kali Gandaki, (b) Trisuli, (c) Budhi Gandaki, (d) Marsyangdi, (e) Seti (f) Badhigad, and (g) Modi. These rivers originate from various Himalayan ranges of northern Nepal.
GAAI JATRA
Or the week-long cow festival. The day following Rishi Poornima or the first day of the “Lunar month” of Bhadra (August) is the main day of Gaai Jatra. Bereaved Hindu families send a cow or a man with a horn made of straw and his face painted to symbolically resemble a cow, to roam about in the streets in the belief that the gates of heaven will open only by the horns of sacred cows enabling the entry of the departed souls. The whole week of Gaai Jatra is dedicated to fun-making, satires and irony and all sorts of jokes. People form groups of clowns and caricaturists, and move about in the streets amusing onlookers, arousing curiosity and generally, mirth. They often criticise and make sharp comments on subjects of public interest by their sarcastic and jocular presentations. Even some newspapers and magazines bring out similar Gaai Jatra special editions for similar carry forward the tradition of jokes and satire.
Another attraction of this festival is the masquerade. On this day (and also in the days that follow), many people dress up in the oddest possible robes and go round the city. Some of them are clad only in rags and some in straw and hay to make themselves look funny. A number of these showmen have their face painted to make themselves look like devils. According to a Hindu tradition these are regarded to represent the ghostly spirits lost and lamented and wandering around on their way to the world of the dead. However, the Buddhist version of this masquerade is quite different. According to them, these masquerading ones are none other than the personification of the Maras or the devils of temptations who were set to disrupt the deep meditation of Lord Gautam Buddha.
Thus Gai jatra seems to have many interesting insights to offer for festival watchers. Very often rich families organize dramatic recitation of Ramayana in the streets by hiring renowned artists and musicians on this day.
Another attraction of this festival is the masquerade. On this day (and also in the days that follow), many people dress up in the oddest possible robes and go round the city. Some of them are clad only in rags and some in straw and hay to make themselves look funny. A number of these showmen have their face painted to make themselves look like devils. According to a Hindu tradition these are regarded to represent the ghostly spirits lost and lamented and wandering around on their way to the world of the dead. However, the Buddhist version of this masquerade is quite different. According to them, these masquerading ones are none other than the personification of the Maras or the devils of temptations who were set to disrupt the deep meditation of Lord Gautam Buddha.
Thus Gai jatra seems to have many interesting insights to offer for festival watchers. Very often rich families organize dramatic recitation of Ramayana in the streets by hiring renowned artists and musicians on this day.
EXPEDITION
Nepal being the paradise of trekkers and mountaineers, mountain expedition have been a common feature of Nepal. Expedition parties from many parts of the world visit Nepal to conquer the challenging peaks and snow walls almost every year. The conquering of Mt. Sagarmatha (Everest), the world’s highest peak (29,028 ft.) by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa (born in eastern Nepal) and Edmund Hillary (of New Zealand) in 1953 has been the glorious landmark of all expeditions. Many other expeditions have, since, scaled various challenging peaks including Mt. Everest successfully. Adventurous expeditions have become synonymous with popular sport or an agenda of life for individuals, groups or the nations. Hence, hundreds of expedition teams scale various peaks of Nepal every year these days.
EVEREST, MT
The highest peak of the world, Mt. Everest or Mt. Sagarmatha is the crown of the greatest Himalayan range known as Khumbu Himal or Mahalangur Himal. This world-famous peak has been linked with many adventures of mankind, innumerable pieces of literature and the religious and cultural life of Nepal, India and several other countries. Attempted since 1922, this peak was first conquered by two members of a British group of mountaineers led by Col. Hunt in 1953. They were Tenzing Norgay Sherpa (born in Nepal) and Edmund Hillary (New Zealander).
ETHNICITY
Nepal has a very diverse network of cultures, languages and ethnicity just as its diverse geographical locations and topography. In the northern regions or in the high altitude Himalayan regions, live the Tibetan-speaking groups namely Sherpas, Dolpas, Lopas, Baragaonlis, Manangis. The Sherpas are mainly found in the east in the Solu and Khumbu region; the Baragaonlis and Lopas live in the semi-deserted areas of Upper and Lower Mustang in the Tibetan rain-shadow area; the Managis live in Manang district area; while the Dolpos live in Dolpa district of West Nepal, one of the highest settlements on our planet at 4,000 meters.
A diverse set of ethnic groups live in the middle mountain ranges, hills and the valleys. Diverse ethnic groups living together in harmony may be noted as a great tradition of the middle hills and valleys. The following groups of people are commonly found living in the mid-hills: Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Sunuwars, Newars, Thakalis, Chepangs, Brahmans and Chhetris. Brahmans and Chhetris are comparatively larger communities and their dominance in various walks of life in Nepal is noticeable. Other occupational groups of people are Damai (tailor), Sarki (cobbler), Kami (blacksmith) and Sunar (goldsmiths).
The Kathmandu Valley represents a cultural cauldron of the country, where, people from varied backgrounds live together. It is model area of cultural dilution, a melting pot of Nepal. The natives of Kathmandu Valley are the Newars. They are generally termed as one ethnic group these days, but it is, in fact, a diluted and integrated nation of diverse ethnic groups of people who came to Kathmandu valley at different times in course of the history. Newari culture is also an integration of both Hinduism and Buddhism.
The main ethnic groups in the low-land plain areas of Nepal, popularly known as Terai, are the Tharus, Darai, Kumhal, Majhi, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Awadhi and Rajbanshi. There are many other groups like Majhi (fishermen), Kumhal (potter) and Danuwar (cart driver), Dhimal (???) etc.The following population breakdown shows the broad picture of major ethnic groups of Nepal.
POPULATION OF MAJOR ETHNIC GROUPS
ETHNIC GROUP POPULATION
BRAHMAN 23,88,455
CHHETRI 29,68,082
CHEPANG 36,656
GURUNG 4,49,189
LIMBU 2,97,186
MUSLIM 6,53,055
MAGAR 13,39,308
NEWAR 10,41,090
RAI 5,25,551
RAUTE 2,878
SHERPA 1,10,358
THARU 11,94,224
THAKURI 2,99,473
THAKALI 13,731
TAMANG 10,18,252
A diverse set of ethnic groups live in the middle mountain ranges, hills and the valleys. Diverse ethnic groups living together in harmony may be noted as a great tradition of the middle hills and valleys. The following groups of people are commonly found living in the mid-hills: Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Sunuwars, Newars, Thakalis, Chepangs, Brahmans and Chhetris. Brahmans and Chhetris are comparatively larger communities and their dominance in various walks of life in Nepal is noticeable. Other occupational groups of people are Damai (tailor), Sarki (cobbler), Kami (blacksmith) and Sunar (goldsmiths).
The Kathmandu Valley represents a cultural cauldron of the country, where, people from varied backgrounds live together. It is model area of cultural dilution, a melting pot of Nepal. The natives of Kathmandu Valley are the Newars. They are generally termed as one ethnic group these days, but it is, in fact, a diluted and integrated nation of diverse ethnic groups of people who came to Kathmandu valley at different times in course of the history. Newari culture is also an integration of both Hinduism and Buddhism.
The main ethnic groups in the low-land plain areas of Nepal, popularly known as Terai, are the Tharus, Darai, Kumhal, Majhi, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Awadhi and Rajbanshi. There are many other groups like Majhi (fishermen), Kumhal (potter) and Danuwar (cart driver), Dhimal (???) etc.The following population breakdown shows the broad picture of major ethnic groups of Nepal.
POPULATION OF MAJOR ETHNIC GROUPS
ETHNIC GROUP POPULATION
BRAHMAN 23,88,455
CHHETRI 29,68,082
CHEPANG 36,656
GURUNG 4,49,189
LIMBU 2,97,186
MUSLIM 6,53,055
MAGAR 13,39,308
NEWAR 10,41,090
RAI 5,25,551
RAUTE 2,878
SHERPA 1,10,358
THARU 11,94,224
THAKURI 2,99,473
THAKALI 13,731
TAMANG 10,18,252
EIGHTFOLD PATH
Noble eight-fold path is also known as the middle path shown by Lord Buddha for complete freedom from all sufferings. The four noble truths and the eightfold path are the basic tenets of the teachings of the Buddha. For understanding the realities of the life and getting rid of all root causes of suffering, and to attain the stage of enlightenment, the following eight pathways have been recommended by Lord Buddha: (a) Sammaditthi or Right view, (b) Sammasankappa or Right Motive, (c) Sammavaca or Right Speech, (d) Sammakammanta or Right action, (e) Samma-Ajiva or Right livelihood, (f) Sammavayama or Right effort, (g) Sammasti or Right Mindfulness, and (h) Sammasamadhi or Right concentration.
To put them in other words:
• Right view is to understand the four noble truths.
• Right motive is to determine to lead a truthful and noble life.
• Right speech for speaking the truth and refrain from lies
• Right conduct is to keep doing good things and to abstain from wrong actions.
• Right livelihood is to maintain and lead life by all honest means.
• Right effort is to endeavour for maintaining and progressing moral development efforts.
• Right mindfulness is to constantly remember the transitoriness of physical existence, emotions, greed, anger and desires
• Right concentration is to strengthen mind and to make it pure, unattached and bright.
See “Buddhism”
To put them in other words:
• Right view is to understand the four noble truths.
• Right motive is to determine to lead a truthful and noble life.
• Right speech for speaking the truth and refrain from lies
• Right conduct is to keep doing good things and to abstain from wrong actions.
• Right livelihood is to maintain and lead life by all honest means.
• Right effort is to endeavour for maintaining and progressing moral development efforts.
• Right mindfulness is to constantly remember the transitoriness of physical existence, emotions, greed, anger and desires
• Right concentration is to strengthen mind and to make it pure, unattached and bright.
See “Buddhism”
ECOMOMY
With the origin of mankind, it was natural that most basic need, food was required and to fulfil this need, the stone-age man had roots, wild fruits and animal flesh and lived virtually like animals. Later hunting became the main source of living followed by collective agriculture. Agriculture made it possible for dress making and animal husbandry. Gopal and Mahispal communities were wanderers but had domesticated animals. Kirats hunted on animals and ate roots. Only from the time of the Lichchhavis, agriculture, animal husbandry, trade, industry and jobs became established professions.
Nepal being a developing country, its economy is basically agronomical and labour-based. In recent years, the country’s efforts to expand its economy into diverse areas including manufacturing industries and other technological sectors have achieved much progress. Farming is still the main economic activity followed by manufacture of various products as well as trade and tourism. The chief sources of foreign currency earnings are merchandise, export, services, tourism and remittances people working abroad. The annual Gross Domestic Product GDP) is about US$ 4.3 billion.
Nepal being a developing country, its economy is basically agronomical and labour-based. In recent years, the country’s efforts to expand its economy into diverse areas including manufacturing industries and other technological sectors have achieved much progress. Farming is still the main economic activity followed by manufacture of various products as well as trade and tourism. The chief sources of foreign currency earnings are merchandise, export, services, tourism and remittances people working abroad. The annual Gross Domestic Product GDP) is about US$ 4.3 billion.
DURGA
Renowned for killing Mahisasura, the buffalo demon, Durga is a wrathful form of Parvati. She is also known as Mahisha-mardini, one who killed the demon Maishasura and salvaged the human race from the tortures of demons. She is projected as the ferocious Goddess with many arms with a weapon in each of those hands. She is sometime shown holding the tail of her victim giving the impression that she could have held the body of the demon for killing him apparently at the very moment when the demon was about to draw his sword in self-defence. She is mostly shown sitting astride on top of a lion with her four hands holding in each a sword, a club, a louts flower and a dire in other hands. However, Her face always remains calm and gentle. Also see Parvati.
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