MODI KHOLA RIVER

 This river forms one of the component rivers of Gandaki River System of Central Nepal. Having its origin at the Annapurna Himal, it ultimately joins Kali Gandaki at Kalya.

MINERELS

 “Poverty amidst plenty” is the paradoxical proverb used to describe Nepal. It is believed that Nepal possesses hidden treasures of various kinds of minerals. Some are known and others unknown, quite a few minerals are being exploited and lot more yet to be planned for exploration. Fahien and Huen Tsang, the ancient travelers of China had written that Nepal was an iron and copper exporting country. In later days also attempts had been made to explore minerals time and again. However, in extraction of minerals Nepal is still in its infancy due to confronting financial and technical problems. With the help of friendly nations  Government of Nepal is now in process towards the development of mines. 

Geological investigation carried out so far has revealed the potency of various mines and minerals such as iron, copper, zinc, cobalt, gold, mica, graphite, limestone, nickel, gypsum, beryl, kaoline, quartz, talc, sulphur, Ramtilak (a kind of yellow soil), peat etc. Petroleum is still an expectation India, USA, UK and Switzerland are extending their cooperation in this field. The bureau of mines endeavoring for extensive research works. A list of minerals found in Nepal either exploited or otherwise having based upon the report of the Mining Department, is listed below:- 

Coal:- 

Kailali, Knchanpur (Chuche Danda); Sindhuligarhi (Darnali river) Palhi (Tamaspur); Dang, Sallyan, Rapti valley (Narayangadh), Morang (Barah Chhetra) Baglung, Muktinath. 

Peat Coal:- 

Tokha, Sangla. Bansbari, Thimi, Chapagaon, Banepa etc. 

Iron:- 

Baglung (Falday), Garsing, Dussa, Phusebhir Mankhu, Sunkhani, Barabise and Bhugdev, Bajhang (Ghatekhola), Thosekhani, Kathmandu valley (Fulchoki), Pyuthan (Warengaon). 

Copper:- 

Chisapanigarhi, Kulekhani, Baglung (Balkot, Wokherbot, Garsing, Tipling, Pansing, Jhiku Nager, Barabise), Gorkha (Gyazikhani), Kathmandu (Chovar), Okhaldhunga (Jantrekhani), Fable, Wapsekhini, Solakhani, Ilam (Shidikhani) Dhangadi (Jugadi), Bhojppur (Ditungkhani), Dhankuta (Yangma), Narakot in Althazar Parbat. 

Lead:- 

Chisapanigarhi (Aaukhale and Purlung), kathmandu (Fulchoki), Baglung, Galkot, Nuwakot (Majorkhola), Dolkha (Dudhpokhari). 

Mica:- 

kathmandu valley, Nuwakot (Garsing Fosainkunda, Chauturali, Lamagaon, chaunri Bhanjyang, Basent Paowa, Jame), Sindhuligarhi, Chainpur, Bhojpur, Bajhang Lamjung. 

Gold:- 

(Dust mixed in sand) Kolpunkhola, Bhandramati, Rapti (Phen Khola) Kali and Budi Gandaki, Sunkosi, Bajhang (Dalkot), Barbung Khola, Jumla (Barnchhap) Palpa (Ridi Khola). 

Zinc:- 

Nuwakot (Piping, Major Khola) Palanchok (Nangpha), Kathmandu (Fulchoki). 

Nickel:- 

Taplejung, Khokaling, Tungchhap, Nuwakot (Same Pangsing), Nangpha, Ramechhap (Bhorle, Khorepani). 

Cobalt:- 

Gulmi (Janagash), Palpa (Near Darjeeling Samar Bhamer), Bajhang, Junchap. 

Salt:- 

Nuwakot (Janagash), Pokhara (chipalang). 

Gypsum:- 

Dang, Sallyan. 

Graphite:- 

Ilam (Parmijung), Jame, Patibhanjyang. 

Sulphur:- 

Gosainkunda, Pangsing, Barah Chhetra, Satis Khola, Chisapanigarhi (Jungan, Bhimphedi, Lipche), Jumla (Rupade). 

Mineral Oil:- 

Muktinath, Padukasthan in Dailekh, Kathmandu, (natural gas) Surkhet, Piuthan, Morang, Jhapa, Balaju (Dugranipani). 

Beryl:- 

Tame, Bhojpur, Chainpur. 

Saltpetre:- 

Doti, Sallyan, Chuse Range. 

Limestone:- 

Godacari, Chovar, markhu, Bhainse, Cement Factory is under construction at Chovar. 

Platinum:- 

Kaligandaki near Ridi Bazar. 

Garnet:- 

kankai, Kosi, and Arun river banks. 

Ochre:- 

Fulchoki, Gundu, Mirge, Kerantichhap, Jakkoti. 

Slate:- 

Bandipur, Tisuli (Chokdi) Swayambhu, Tistung Palung. 

Talc:- 

Kharidhunga, Barabise. 

Marble:- 

Godavari, Hetaunda, Morang. 

Dalomite:- 

Sallyan. 

MILA POONHI

 Mila Poonhi is the full moon day of the month of Poush (December-January). God Narayan of Changu hillock known as Changu Narayan is taken in a procession this day along the main streets of Kathmandu. Changu hillock is about five miles toward northeast from Kathmandu. 

MES SANKRANTI

 As the word ‘Mes’ means Aries or ram and Sankranti being the first day of the month, Mes Sankranti signifies the day when the sun enters Aries in the zodiac system. This day in Nepalese calendar is Baisakh Sankranti, the first day of the month of Baisakh. This day also marks the beginning of the New Year in the Kingdom of Nepal. This day is observed as the public holiday and people exchange greetings and best wishes for the New Year. Besides being the New year’s day, it is also a day of festivity and of religious sanctity. People flock into some particular places of deities in this day to observe the festivals or , in local term  Mela. See “Swapna Teertha”, ‘Bisket’. 

MECHI ZONE

 Area: 2799 square miles. Population: .......... This easternmost zone bounded by Tibet region of China on he north, Sikkim and Darjeeling on the east, west Bengal of India on he south and Kosi zone on the west is situated partly in the mountain regions and partly in the Terai. This comparatively small zone has four districts in it namely Taplejung, Panchathar, Ilam and Jhapa. Kumbhakarna Himal having famous peaks like Mt. Kanchanjungha and Mt. Makalu in it, lies in this zone. Besides rice, sugar cane, jute etc., potato, fruit and tea are grown here. Though industry is not in developed stage, the zone has great industrial potential. Due to transport facilities and road connections with other zones and Indian regions, this zone has been exporting its products such as rice, timber, herbs, tea etc. 

MATSYA

Matsya means fish. The very first incarnation of Lord Vishnu is that of a fish. So Matsya is respected and worshipped as the first personification or incarnation of Vishnu. It is believed that Vishnu had taken that incarnation to save Manu from the great disaster caused by a terrible flood. Manu was the great Hindu philosopher and a learned Bramhin who propounded many religious rites, disciplines and social orders through his texts recorded as Manusmriti. 

MECHES

 Being residents of the Mechi River banks and the neighborhoods in the district of Jhapa, they are aptly called the Meches. They are closer to the Botes in civilization. According to historians, Meches were nomadic until a few decades ago. They became settlers when the land range and forest frontiers of their free roaming became demarcated and restricted. Ai Bali Khungri and Batho Barau are their principal deities. They also worship the deities of the forest. Their language derives from the Tibeto-Burman family. Meches are also called Bodos. They are at present engaged in farming.

MAYA DEVI

 One of two queens of King Suddhodana of the kingdom of Kapilvastu two and half millennium years ago, Maya Devi is better known as the Mother of Lord Gautam Buddha inspite of the fact athat she had had her own special identity as an ideal queen to her credit. During her pregnancy she had swallowed a white elephant in her dream, as a result of which she gave birth to Siddhartha Gautam who eventually became the Buddha, the enlightened one. However, she passed away after seven days of the birth of Lord Buddha. 

MATSYENDRANATH (WHITE) JATRA

 The Car festival of the Sweta or white Matsyendranath is observed in Kathmandu. The way this festival is observed is very much similar to that of Rato Matsendranath festival of Patan. The difference is mainly in size of the chariot and the duration of the festival.  White Matsyendranath has a smaller chariot and the duration of the festival is shorter as well. This festival or the festival of pulling the chariot of White Matsendranath  begins on the day of Chaitra Dasain (March) which normally lasts for four days. The Car is drawn everyday to reach a particular locality and after completion of the round,  Sweta Matsyendranath is taken back to be installed in its permanent abode, the temple of Matsyendra Bahal at  Kel Tole, Kathmandu. 

MATSYENDRANATH TEMPLE OF PATAN

 The pagoda styled temple of Matsyendranath temple of Patan is the abode of Avalokiteswar or Red Matsyendranath. A fine idol of Matsyendranath is placed here for six months every year. This temple was built in 1408 A.D. Numerous bronze images and art works of the past scattered around add to the attraction of the temple precincts. Matsyendranath is placed at Bungmati, a village few miles away from Patan, for another six months from where it is brought to Patan every year amidst great reception and celeberation. During April-May, Matsyendranath is installed in a huge car-chariot with four big wheels to be taken around the city of Paten to the great enjoyment of huge crowds of onlookers. It generally lasts for the whole month. 

Popularly known as the the God of rain & food grains, it is an extremely popular deity of Nepal. This deity has many names such as Karuanmaya, Bodhisattwa, Padmapani, Awalokiteswara, Lokeswara, Lok Nath, Bunga Dyo, etc.  One of the strong elements of his popularity is thatof the long tradition of worshipping him as the all-compassionate god of rain and food grain.

There are many legends and descriptions associated with Rato Matyendranath which could attract any researcher easily. One anecdote is depicted here just to show his popular image.  Once Adi Nath, the lord of the universe who was also the presiding deity of Kathmandu called a meeting of all the deities under him. As per his invitation every body except Rato Matsendranath turned up. This made Adinath furious and considered it as an insult to him. Adinath got the message from him that he was too busy growing food and taking care of his subjects. This angered him enough to stop the rain in Patan City of Rato Matsendra. Time for the rice plantation came but there was no rain. People apprehended famine.  But Rato Machhendra did not loose his patience and immediately started a campaign for rice plantation even without the rain. Before he set himself to this most challenging task he assumed the form of an elderly farmer so as to win support from all. He walked out on his staff to the farms  far and wide where the people were helplessly sitting idle and started advising one and all that they should plant the rice even if there was no rain and wait for the result. The farmers followed his advice and set themselves at work. To the surprise of all, the result of their work was just tremendous. Although the rice plants did not grow tall enough yet the rice grains on them were unusually big. On the other hand, in Kantipur where Adinath lived, the rice plants grew tall enough but did not have any rice grain in them. This event soon convinced Adinath that Rato Matsyendra really had a great spirit  to serve his subjects most sincerely. Since then Adinath treated him with great respect.