INDRAJATRA

This important festival of Kathmandu lasts a week beginning the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadra (September). A long pole is raised to mark the beginning of the festival. The golden image of God Indra mounted on an elephant is placed near the pole. It is believed that Lord Indra had been caught red-handed in human form while stealing some flowers known as Parijat which was not available in the heaven. He was thus put to disgrace and shame with his hands tied up with ropes.

Display of the images of Bhairav and Indra, Tantric and other traditional dances of Mahakali and Bhairav at Bhadgaon and Halchowk respectively, marching dances of Gods, Goddesses and demons, the exhibition of the ten incarnations of Vishnu and the pulling of the chariots of Ganesh, Bhairav and Kumari in Kathmandu are the features of the Indra Jatra. 

The first day of the festival is especially marked by the members of bereaved families (families who have lost a dear one in the preceeding year) who go in procession through the streets of Kathmandu enchanting hymns and prayers. The chariots of living gods Ganesh and Bhairav as well as living goddess Kumari are draw along the streets of Kathmandu on the third, fourth and the last day of the festival . Two young boys and virgin girl are there selected according to religious rules and regulations to act as Ganesh, Bhairav and Kumari. This festival is also known as “Kumari Rath Jatra”.

INDRAVATI RIVER

One of the seven component rivers of (Sapta) Kosi River System, Indravati river is formed with various rivers emerging from Jugal Himal in the district of Sindhupalchowk. The river, along with other two rivers, Jarayetar and Melemchi Khola, joins with Sun Kosi at Dolalghat.

INDRA

An important God of the Hindu pantheon, Indra is represented in many ways since vedic times. He is the personification of atmosphere and the ruler of the sky. He is popularly known as the King of Gods or Heaven. Golden coloured and long armed, Indra is able to assume any form or size at his will. The thunderbolt is his weapon, but he also carries with him the net, hook, the arrow to entangle his foes. Firm and tricky, he always thwarts the attempts of many sages who meditate to replace him. He sends rain and the masters the formation of the weathers. 

ILAM

The district of Ilam is situated in far eastern Nepal. Famous for its tea gardens, this district has various cottage and indigenous industries. Blankets, carpets, Khukuri  (Nepalese-styled big knife) etc. are made here. 

Ilam is one of the districts of Mechi Zone and is adjacent to the district of Jhapa and also the district of Diarjeeling of India. The tea produced here are is high quality and also as famous as Darjeeling tea, most probably being the products of the adjoining mountain ranges. Ilam is also famous for its scenic natural beauty and other products like black cardamom and ginger. Population of this district is approximately 282,806.

HUMLA

Humla is the most remote district of the Karnali zone. This northernmost district has extreme cold climate for most of the year. Simikot is the headquarter of this district. (Area????) Humla has a population of 40,595

HOLI FESTIVAL

Holi, popularly known as Phagu in Nepal, is a festival of colours and , thus, also a colourful festival of the Hindus. During this festival, people enjoy, spraying coloured water or smearing vermilion powder (normally) among friends and near ones. However, some people take this occasion as to indulge in evil designs e.g. annoying women and other pedestrians by doing so.

According to popular legends, the festival is in the pattern of Lord Krishna’s merry making with Gopis (the milkmaids) of Brindaban during the time of Mahabharat. It starts from the eighth of the bright half of the month of Falgun to last for a week. Phagu begins with the hoisting of a bamboo pole known as “Chir” a kind of colourful umbrella with three tiers in which colorful clothes are hung to symbolize the garments of the Gopies who were bathing in the Jamuna river. The bamboo poles are hoisted in Kathmandu at two places – one at Hanuman Dhoka and the other at Basantapur. To end the festival the poles are taken to a river bank and burnt. The last day of the festivals is observed with much gaiety when people feast and go around the city with vermilion powder to smear on friends.  

Another version about the origin of this festival says that it was first observed to commemorate the killing of Hiranyakasipu, the demon king by Narasimha, the man-lion. Or, more precisely, the festival was to cheer up the victory of Pralhad, the son of Hiranyakasipu himself (who turned up as his enemy) who was put to fire by Hilika, sister of Hiranyakasipu to kill him. But Pralhad came out of the fire un-harmed where as Holika who was blessed never to be burnt by fire, turned into ashes because of Pralhad’s devotion to God Vishnu.  

HIRANYA VARNA MAHAVIHAR

This famous monastic court is located in Lalitpur city. The three storied pogoda-style golden temple of Lokeswar (Lord Buddha), a master piece of Nepalese temple craft is the focus of this Buddhist monastery which was built in the 12th century A.D. by king Bhaskar Varma. Popularly known as Kwabahal, this monastery stands out prominently for its superb architecture and history. A big golden image of Lord Buddha, a big prayer wheel, another big temple at the centre of the courtyard (also with golden roof) and hundreds of artistic images of Gods and Goddess decorate the monastery superbly. All four sides of the courtyard are full of works of arts, images, decorative paintings and specimen of ancient architecture.

HINAYANA BUDDISHISM

Difference  of opinions, thought processes and subsequent arguments arising from time to time resulted into the formation of new sects in Buddhism. Two major sects of Buddhism are known as Hinayana and Mahayana. The Hinayana adhered more to the concept of four noble truths and eightfold paths which were primarily a philosophy with codes of conducts and ethical values. In this school of thought, the worship of deities was secondary and that the conception of Nirvana was the end objective which may be attained by freeing oneself from the vicious cycle of births and rebirths. The terminology or the nomenclature of Hinayana is derived from its basic concepts of attaining individual salvation or or an individual’s proceeding towards nothingness or getting mixed up into the non-existentiality or eternity by getting rid of all desires and vices. Each person has to work out his own destiny for salvation or Nirvana. Hinayana Buddhism is also called Theravada Buddhism. 

HINDU TRINITY

Bramha, Vishnu and Maheswar are the three main Gods known as the Trinity, the great Hindu pantheon is based on.  In actual sense, the untimate basis of Hindu philosophy is Bramhah or the eternity which is the ultimate goal of all beings. Even the above mentioned Trinity of Gods emanated from the Bramhah. However, Bramha, the creator, Vishnu, the preserver and Maheswar, the destroyer and regenerator are the main Gods who keep the universe and all beings well regulated according to Hindy theology. Also See Purans.

HINDUISM

The cultural, philosophical and religious complex developed in the Indian subcontinent as a long tradition may be termed as Hinduism. Vedas are the original basis of the tradition and the development of thought processes. Later upanishads played a very important role in elaborating Hinduism. The ultimate universal body Bramhah and the trinity of Gods who originated from Bramhah namely Bramha, Vishnu and Maheswar are of basic importance. Thousands of Gods, Goddesses, incarnations, life stories, events, philosophical texts and religious symbols along with innumerable myths and legends have enriched Hinduism in last three or four millennium years. 

It may also be termed as a multi disciplinary religious system known as Sanatan Dharma, a tradition of religious thoughts and philosophies based on the writings, teachings and accumulation of age old experiences of sages and scholars. See Hindu.