MATSYA

(Fish)It is a first incarnation of Vishnu, therefore may be associated with him. Survarna matsya, the two golden fish, symbolizing beings rescued from the ocean of misery of earthly existence. It is also one of the eight auspicious signs of Astamangalas. 

MARWARI

 [MKD] Marwar is the name of a business community of Nepal and India. The origin of this community is from the place known as Marwad located in the state of Rajasthan in India. This community is spread over many places of the world in connection with their trade and business. Since a long time in history, Marwari’s are staying in various parts of Nepal, mostly in Kathmandu and districts of eastern Nepal, having integrated into Nepalese social texture. Their total  population in Nepal is around 20,000. 

MAN MOHAN ADHIKARI ( 1920 - 1999):

 A great leader of Nepalese communist movement, Man Mohan Adhikari was one of the earliest leaders of communist movement in Nepal. He led communist Party of Nepal for a long time since 1950 AD. As a close associate of comrade Puspa Lal who is known as the Founder of communist movement in Nepal., he led Nepal communist Party for a long time.  He became the prime minister of Nepal from 1994 – 1995 as the first very first democratically elected communist prime minister in Nepal. Born ai Biratnagar, an industrial city of eastern Nepal, he got educated locally as well as in India where he participated in Indian liberation movement during his earlier days of political life. He actively participated in Quit India Movement and got arrested and put to jail in India. Later he came back to Nepal and became the trade union leader and led revolutionary activities for betterment of workers as well as for the freedom movement.  He became the leader of communist party of Nepal soon after and led the party for a long time as the Secretary General and President of the party. 

MANJUSHREE

 Manjushree, the god of wisdom and learning is very popular among Nepalese devotees. He is  also known as the God of Divine Wisdom  who confers mastery of the Dharma or the religious knowledge, retainable memory, mental perfection and eloquence. Manjushree is also one of the forms of Bodhisatwa’s who symbolizes wisdom. In Nepal, he is known as the founder of Nepalsese civilization and the creator of Kathmandu Valley. According to the popular belief, he was a great saint who hailed from China. Intuitively he saw the blue flame  symbolizing Adibudhha or the Original Buddha or Swaymbhu on top of  a lotus in the big lake of Nepal. He went there to offer worship, but could not reach because of the water. He cut with his sword the southern wall of the hills and drained the water to the south. The dry valley then became Kathmandu valley of today. He carries the sword of wisdom and light in his right hand and Prajnaparmita , the book of Divine Wisdom on his left hand. Standing on a lotus and with his left hand in teaching gesture or in Jnan Mudra, he is addressed by various names such as  Manjunghose, Manju Bara, Vajraanga and Vagiswara.

MANJUBAJRA

 Manjuvajra is a form of Manjusri represented with his sakti. He has three heads. The center face is red, the right face is blue and the left white. He has six arms which the principal pair is engaged in embracing his female counterpart. The remaining four hands carry the sword, the arrow, the bow and the night lotus. He sits in Vajrasana or in the Bajra-Paryanka attitude in the orb of the moon supported by a lotus. 

MANI RIMDU

 This joyous festival of Sherpas is held annually at Thyangboche, Chewang Gompa and other monasteries in northern Nepal on he full moon day of Mangsir (November) continues for four consecutive days. They have masked dances and their traditional practices and rituals, mainly in the courtyards of the monasteries as the chief and other Lamas look on. 

MANGSIR

 Mangsir is the eighth month in Nepalese calendar. It begins by the middle of November. See Months in Nepal. 

MANDALA

 Mandala, literally meaning a circle, is a Tantric meditation device. It is a pictorial chart of Mahayana Buddhism with its own special entity and significance. It is considered as a visual aid for concentration or meditation leading to the attainment of insights and supernatural power known as Siddhi. The Mandala is the practical as well as graphic representation of the operational scheme of the thought processes. It involves a clear plan for practical realization of the thought process within oneself. It, thus, becomes a Yantra or an instrument. 

There are many types and varieties of mandala’s depending on the nature of the central deity. The most classic pattern of mandalas are of the Dhyani Buddha’s. A circular design in which Pancha Buddha’s, Bodhisatwa’s, demons and sinners along with protectors are arranged formally showing them all in their proper places is believed to be a powerful instrument for producing desired results.  Mandala as a whole is protected by Mahankala. Philosophically, the mandala represents personified sphere of Purity free from all obstacles and impurities. The square of the sacred sphere is enclosed inside multiple circles of flame, Bajra and protective deities.

MALLA, SIDDHI NARSHIGH

 He sat at the throne of Lalitpur city State in 1622 A.D. and ruled over it as the foremost ruler of that state. Kind, learned and religious minded, he was the builder of manu religious shrines and temples of Hinduism and Buddhism, Krishna Mandir (Temple) of Durbar square being the best of them. As a religious minded statesman, he established friendship with neighbouring states and did various other construction works for the benefit of the people. In the end, he abandoned worldly affairs and led the life of an ascetic. Later he went on a pilgrimage from which he never reported back. 

MALLA RANJIT

 Ranjit Malla was the last King of Bhaktapur. As a lover of rare and precious things, he added many courtyards to his palace. And to improve economic conditions in his Kingdom, he imported silver exporting it as coins.