KURMA

The second incarnation of Lord Vishnu was in the form of a tortoise i.e. Kurma. In this incarnation, he supported mountain Manthara from sinking into the ocean. It is believed that this mountain on top of the ocean was used by gods as the base to churn the ocean for exploring ambrosia, the nectar for immortality. 

KUMBHESWAR

This is a five-storied pagoda styled temple of Lord Shiva situated in lalitpur district. A natural holy spring here is said to have its source in the famous glacial lake of Gosaikund. The temple was built by King Jayasthiti Mall and the golden finial was added in 1422 A.D. The tank by the side of the temple is sanctified by installing various images of gods and that ritual bathing takes place on the day of janai purnima (Aug-Sep) every year. 

KUMBHAKARNA HIMAL

With several peaks above 20,000 ft. above sea level, Kumbhakarna Himal range stretches from the west of  Khumbu Himal to the upper reaches of the Arun rivers. The imposing feature of this range is further dignified by its highest peak Mt. Makulu which is the 5th highest of the world. 

KUMARI

Kumari is known as the incarnation of the goddess Kali, but she is not so ferocious as the latter. In Nepal, particularly in Kathmandu, Kumari is a living goddess. The presiding goddess of Kathmandu is a Kumari, a girl chosen from among the shakya girls. Including the President and earlier kings of Nepal, all dignitaries and people of Nepal pay homage to her. Other Kumari’s are there in several other monatries and areas in Kathmandu valley who are worshipped in similar way at various locations. For more information on the origin of Kumari and the Kumari Ratha Jatra, a festival to celeberare her, see Kumari Ratha Jatra.

KUMARI RATH JATRA

During Indra Jatra, the rath or the chariot of Kumari is also drawn. This being the dominating feature of that festival, Indra Jatra itself is sometimes considered as Kumari Rath Jatra.

The origin of Kumari Rath Yatra is described in the Chronicles as follows. Formerly kings of Kathmandu had had direct consultation with Kumari on political and various other issues, but once when king Trailokya Malla was playing at dice with her, goddess Kumari noticed a stolen glance of the former’s daughter and since then refused to be seen anymore. The saddened king was later assured by Kumari that she would incarnate time to time as a daughter of someone in the Shakya clan. The practice of choosing a virgin girl and two young boys from amongst the children of Shakyas as the incarnations of goddess Kumari and gods. Ganesh and Bhairav came into being. However, the practice of drawing their chariots started of late during the reign of king Jaya Prakash Malla some two and half centuries ago. 

KUMALS

Kumals are found in large numbers in the districts of Dolkha, Dhading, Sankhuwasabha, Palpa and Parbat. They are also found scattered in almost all the other districts of Nepal. They share physical characteristics and ways of life with the Tharus, Danuwars, Darais, Majhis and Botes. The main occupation of the Kumals is pottery. Their language is more accentuated to the Tibeto-Burman family. Their preferred inhabitation is on riverbanks, inner valleys and tropical areas. They relishpork and buffalo. The Kumals seek assistance from the Dhami and Jhankri shamans. They either bury their dead or consign them to the flow of the rivers.

KUBERA

Lord of the yakshas, Kubera is the god of wealth according to Hindu pantheon. He was so deputed by Bramha, the creator himself. The elephant and the lion are his vehicles. Like that of Jambhala, a similar god in Buddhist theology, a money bag, jewels, and the mongoose who vomits jewels are his symbols, too. 

This lord of wealth and guardian of the Northern Direction,  he is said to have performed austerities for a thousand years, in response to which Bramha gave immortality and assigned him as the god of wealth, guardian of all the treasures of the earth. He is supposed to distribute wealth to the living beings according to the destiny of the receivers. Kubera’s empire of the dwelling place is known as Alaka or Alkapuri in the Himalayas or in the Haven. 

KSHETRIYA

Belonging to the caste of warriors and kings, Kshetriyas are, according to the doctrine of Hindu caste system, the second highest caste. The stuff they are made of are the arms of Bramha, the creator. 

KRISHNA MANDIR

The temple of Lord Krishna at Mangal Bazar, the palace complex of Patan stands out, with its superb architecture as a specimen of temple craft. Built by King Siddhi Narsing Malla in the 16th century A.D., this all-stone temple exhibits the height of skill in the field of stone carving Nepalese sculptors had attained in the 16th century. Minute details of stone carvings done in the temple but many people into astonishment. 

One of the most colorful activities held in and around this temple is the celebration of Lord Krishna’s birthday. This celebration is marked with the active and enthusiastic participation of all devotees and, particularly women who spent overnight in and around the temple by worshipping and participating in the ritual dance performances. This street show begins early in the morning and goes on till late at night. The women devotee's dancing on this day around the temple is usually accompanied by male Madal drummers from the countryside. 

KRISHNASTAMI

Krishnastami is the birthday of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna considered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Hindu deity of preservation has a large following in Nepal. His visual feature is projected in blue, a traditional color of Lord Vishnu. His being blue inside is to remind his devotees that he is all-pervading and ever-fascinating like the brilliant blue sky. In the words of Adi Shankaracharya, Lord Krishna is that changeless Absolute of whose real and conscious existence in the form of the blue color of the universe gives us a mysterious glimpse. 

There is perhaps no deity like Lord Krishna in the entire Hindu pantheon who has been so highly honored by millions of his devotees including great Rishis (seers), brave kings, and simple souls. Krishna is also generally regarded as a great god of love and romance. It is said that thousands and thousands of Gopinis had been enamored by the beauty of his bright blue body. The work Gopini denotes girls whose occupation is to raise cows and treat them with great care and love. Since the most peaceful animal on earth for all Hindus is the cow Gopinis has great respect for cows and Krishna. It must be remembered here that one of the more popular names of Krishan is Gopal, which means the protector of cows. 

It is said that merely by playing a tune on his magic flute he can put his devotees in a trance. This is the reason why he is always shown in artworks with a flute in his hands. And another interesting feature of his image is his standing position with his right leg slightly bent. This kind of gesture is said to represent his being involved in non-stop actions to keep everything of the world in order. So the saints and seers have rightly called him a great Karma Yogi, meaning the great man of actions. Geeta is a divine gift from Lord Krishna to all spiritual seekers and followers of his path. 

Lord Krishna is a divine dancer, too. The Gopinis dancing with the Lord in the middle is called Raasa Leela meaning the dance of spiritual ecstasy.  Lord Krishna in the middle surrounded by the Gopi girls is said to represent the supreme reality or Parabrahma. The devotees surrounding the lord are to represent their intensive desire for ultimate union with the supreme being. Not surprisingly,  the scene of devotees dancing on the occasion of the birthday of Lord Krishna is one of the most enjoyable highlights of the celebration.