LOKESWAR

Lokeswar means the Lord of the world and that it is one of the aspects of Avalokiteswar in that capacity. Lokeswar is depicted as the master of the world, who is unmatchably strong and powweful as well as all prevailing and watchful all the time.  Many of his symbols,  description of his demonstrated strength and characteristics very much resembles with those of Lord Shiva of Hindu trinity. 

LOKAPALAS

Eight points of the compass consisting of four cardinal directions and four intermediate points are supposed to be guarded and looked after by eight guardian deities who are called Lokapalas or those who support the universe. The following Lokapalas are the presiding deities of these directions:- 1. Indra-east 2. Agni-southeast 3. Yama-south 4.surya-southwest 5. Varuna-West 6. Vayu-Northwest 7. Kuvera-North 8. Soma-northeast. 

LINGAM

Lingam is the symbol of Lord Shiva, the regenerator. Lingam, a cylindrical shaped image corresponding to the male reproductive organ is found at innumerable places of worship. Some of those images are just natural and installed for worshipping where as most of the images are man made or artificial. Generally cylindrical shaped and smooth topped Lingam is found standing upright installed on top of Yoni, the female organ which is shaped like a disc lying flat with a drain elongated on one side. This Yoni signifies creative energy that revolves around and the Lingam, though passive, is the centrifugal force of the wheel of existence. 

Linga without yoni is only to represent the formless Supreme consciousness. There are many oval shaped holy lingams without Yoni in Nepal. They are all to remind us of he supreme source of creation. Yajurveda in support of this point says that every thing of this universe is manifested from the dazzling divine light called Jyotirlinga. The scientific version of the same story is that this planet in the beginning was only a flaming piece of the solar planet.

LIMBU

Just like Rai, Limbu is also a branch of Kirati race and very much resemble with other races of Kirati in their way of life, language and culture. They are found settled mostly towards east of Arun river in eastern Nepal. They have much respect for their community and customs, and keep up their ancient rituals by all means. Their region gets sufficient monsoon rain making their cultivated areas very fertile and, thus, their economic condition is generally good. 

The word limbu means an archer, or bearer of bow and arrows. The Limbu peole belong to the Kirant confederation. Their ancestral and original stronghold spans from Arun River in Nepal to the Kingdom of Sikkim in the east. In Nepal, Limbus live and work in the districts of Sankhuwasabha, Tehrathum, Dhankuta, Taplejung, Panchthar and Ilam. Their scripture is called Mundhum. Fedangba, Shamba and Yewa-Yema are their priests. They celebrate the dance festivals of Kelangma popularly known Chyabrung (two-sided drum) and Yarakma (Paddy dance) as major events. Limbu have their own script called Sirijunga. There are many books written in the Limbu language. Their faith is onshrined in the evergreen Cynodondactylon (Dubo) grass the rocks. They bury their dead. The population of the Limbus, according to the census of 1991, is 2.4% of the nationla total.

LIKHU KHOLA RIVER

One of the seven component rivers of Kosi River System, Likhu Khola, having originated from Rolwaling Himal meets Sun Kosi at Lilangjor, southeast of Ramechhap. This river also forms natural boundary between Ramechhap and Okhaldhunga districts. 

LHUTI POONI

Lhuti Pooni, the full moon day of the month of Chaitra (March-April) is the day of festivity or Mela at Balaju in he outskirts of Kathmandu where people bathe in 22 water spouts made artistically in a row. It is a popular belief that the waters of Debighat where the river Trisuli flows some twenty miles west of Kathmandu oozes out of the Nagarjun hills. Spouts of Balaju at its base, thus, receive water, that also on this same full moon day. A miniature replica of Budhnilkantha and a small temple of goddess Ajima (Grandma), both forming the parts of Balaju garden are also worshipped as well. 

LHOTSE, MT.

Mt. Lhotse is the second highest peak in the great himalayan range known as Khumbu Himal, first being the Everest. Lotse with its 27,809 ft. high peak and the other peak Nuptse remain side by side flanking Mt. Everest when viewed from Khumbu region. 

LEPCHAS

The ancient Lepchas are believed to have originated from the foothills of Mount Kanchanjunga, which they revere as their deity. Lepchas presently live in the Ilam District of Nepal, and in Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong of India. They consider themselves of royal stock. Their language is a derivation from the Tibeto-Burman family. They have their own script, and their holy scripture is called Astachyo. Animist in origin, many Lepchas now adhere to Buddhism and Christianity. In Lepcha society, alcohol is considered “clean”. There is no animosity and caste system among the Lepchas. The dead are taken out through the broken wall of the house and are buried. The Lepchas social council is called Rong Senungthi. Their dance is called Loknen. Commerce and agriculture are their major occupations.

LAXMI PUJA

Laxmi puja means a very special day chosen for worshipping Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. People save their earnings to spend lavishly for this day with firm belief that  wealth is the boon of goddess Laxmi. The more she is pleased, the more one may be able to amass wealth.. People also believe and say  ‘that work is worship’. That is why some say that Laxmi is Labour and Labour is Laxmi. Laxmi Puja is, therefore, an example of aspirations, commitments, dedication and hard  labour for various achievements and successes as well as to earn wealth for which they worship Laxmi symbolically. Laxmi is the escort of Lord Vishnu.

It is also believed that Laxmi was found by gods during the great churning of the ocean. It was a great adventure to churn the ocean which was so done in the days of yore for the benefit of all. It involved lots of energy of gods and demons for a long time. Each of them had to work very hard as a result of which they found tremendous amount of jewels, elixirs, and many other invaluable materials. Goddess Laxmi was one of the findings. They found her to be exquisitely beautiful, full of virtues and charm and with great power of bestowing wealth to her devotees. 

If one is lazy and does not show energy in works, Laxmi won’t enter his house even by mistake. So everybody in the households is advised to keep oneself busy doing something. This festival encourages cleanliness as well by instilling the belief in people’s mind that Laxmi won’t visit those places which are not cleaned properly.

Laxmi Puja is the one of the most important day during Deepawali festival which is also known as Tihar festival in Nepal. The following story may be interesting to justify background of the festival.

LAXMI PRASAD DEVKOTA (1909-1959):

Popularly known as Mahakavi literally meaning a great poet, the poet laureate was a graduate in arts and law faculties. On top of being a poet of great fame, he was an unforgettable teacher of his time, a lecturer of the colleges and a tutor in general. Master of enchanting discourses, he once became the minister of education of the government of Nepal. He is also known as a romantic poet often compared with the English Poet Wordsworth. His early poems were influenced by the English Romantic Movement of the late eighteenth century. His poems of later stage of his life spoke the voices of a modern man living in the materialistic age. He wrote epics, poems, essays and plays written in verses. A versatile talent of the time, instant poem maker, an eloquent speaker, Poet devkota has given scores of epoch making collection of poems, epics, essays and stories to Nepali language. Muna Madan, a folk epic and other epics like

Sulochana and Sakuntal are some of his famous works. .