LUMBINI

A famous pilgrimage in the southwest Nepal has been an invaluable depository of Buddhism since Gautam Buddha was born there 543 B.C.  Preserved there are the image of Maya Devi, mother of the Buddha, and many other valuable images and structures. World renowned sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site, Lumbini is also a place of great attraction for tourists. Lumbini lies in the district of Rupendehi which used to be an independent   kingdom at the time of Lord Buddha.

 Emperor Ashok of India had visited Lumbini as a memory of which a stone pillar was erected by him with some dectiptive  inscription in Sanskrit which when translated reads as follows: 

 “When Devanmpriya Priyadarsan  (that is how Emperor Ashok was known as being popular among gods) had been anointed 20 years, he visited in person, worshipped this spot for its being the birth pale of Buddha Sakyamuni, he caused to make stone horse(?) And also to set up a stone pillar (in order to mark the spot where the Buddha was born). “

The discovery of the inscription made by Dr. A. A. Fuhrer in December 1896AD  has fixed firmly the very spot of the Lumbini grove where under a sal tree Siddhartha Gautam Buddha was born to Maya Devi, more than 2,500 years ago. Richly endowed with history and having stored remnants of valuable ancient oriental arts in old monasteries, this place is attracting many tourists from abroad. 

A pond in the Lumbini garden which used to be the bathing place of Lord Buddha at his early age was excavated in 1931 and is now preserved for all to see. Famous pilgrims of past like Fa-hsien and Huen Tsang, the famous scholars of ancient China who made the long arduous journey to visit this place have mentioned about it in their scriptures. 

A comprehensive plan has been made in International scale at the initiative of United Nations to build up this area so as to suit for all types of visitors. Provision of beautiful gardens, rest houses, libraries, monasteries constructed by many countries of the world depicting their national architecture, transport and communication facilities and various other attractions are featured in the plan. Manifold actions are under way and a lot of construction works have been completed as well. A wide campaign for raising fund for completion of remaining parts of the plan is under way in Nepal and many other countries of the world. 

LOSHAR

This is celebrated every year on Tibetan New Year’s Day which falls on Parewa (First) day of Falgun (February). On this day the Sherpas perform their monotonous but highly rhythmic folk songs and dances in groups known as Sheru and in 2 to 4 known as Nangding Solu. This Loshar festival arouses in all Sherpa and Bhotia areas a festive mood that continues for weeks starting from the first day of Falgun (February). This day is being the Tibetan New Year day, they dance in groups, sing folk songs and organise feasts, all in their own costumes and traditions. 

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.