MUGU

 Mugu is one of the districts of Karnali Zone. Gamgadi is the headquarters and the population of this district is 32014.

MUDRAS

 Mudra or the gesture has a great significance in the in religious and cultural artifacts of Nepal. In fact, its connotation and impact in Nepalese social behavior is equally considerable.  For instance,  Abhaya Mudra is the Mudra or Gesture  for protection. In this gesture, the arm is elevated and slightly bent forward. To be precise, the right hand is lifted up to the shoulder level with the palm turned outward and all the fingers extended upward.  This Mudra is characteristic of Dhyani Buddha Amoghsiddhi and is symbolic to assurance for fearlessness to all onlookers. 

In Buddhist tradition, there are several Dhyani Buddha’s and Manushi Buddha’s. The fourth Manushi Buddha is Siddhartha Gautama who is the renowned figure of the present world and thus widely portrayed in arts and sculpture. He is usually shown either seated in the posture of meditation or standing upright. In any case, he is projected with one or the other Mudra or gesture. Different gestures are presented with many other deities as well. The following hand gestures are noteworthy:

Dhyani Mudra 

This gesture is the gesture for meditation. In this gesture both hands placed on the lap, right hand on left, with the fingers fully extended and the palms facing upwards;

Dharmachakra Mudra

This Mudra depicts the turning of the wheel of the law of good behavior. In this gesture, both hands are held against the chest in such a way that the thumb and index finger of each of the hands are joined to form a circle, having the right palm shown outwards and the left palm inwards, the two circles touching each other;

Abhaya

Abhaya Mudra is the Mudra (Gesture) of Protection. In this gesture, the arm is elevated and slightly bent. The hand is lifted to shoulder level with the palm turned outward and al the fingers are extended upward. This mudra is characteristic of Dhyani Buddha Amoghsiddhi.

Bhumisparsa

Bhumisparsa is the mudra of witness (earth-touching). The right arm is pendant over the right knee. The hand with the palm turned inward and all the fingers extended downward with the finger touching the lotus throne. The left hand lies on the lap with palm upward. This gesture ‘of touching the earth’ or calling the earth to witness’ commemorating Gautam Bhddha’s victory over temptation by the demon Mara. This gesture is Charascteristic of Dhyani Buddha Akshobhya as well as Shakyamuni.

Dharmachakra

Dharmachakra Mudra is the gesture of Teaching. Literally, Dharma means ‘Laws’ and Chakra means wheel and usually interpreted turning the Wheel of Law. In this gesture both hands are held against the chest, the left facing inward, covering the right facing outward, the index and thumb of each hand making a circle. It is characteristic of Dhyani Buddha Vairochana. It is also a gesture of hands exhibited by Lord Buddha while preaching his first sermon at Sarnath.

Dhyana Mudra

Dhyana Mudra is the Mudra of Meditation. It is also called Samadhi or Yoga Mudra. Both hands are placed on the lap, right hand on left with fingers fully stretched and the palms facing upwards. Often, a begging bowl is placed. This is the characteristic mudra of Dhyani Buddha Amitabha.

Jnan Mudra

Janan Mudra is the gesture of teaching. In this gesture, the tips of the index and the thumb are joined and held near the center of chest with the palm turned inward. This is the characteristic mudra of Manjushree.

Namaskar Mudra

Namaskar Mudra is the gesture of prayer. In this gesture, the hands are kept closed to the chest in devotional attitude with the palms and fingers joined. This is the special gesture of Avalokiteswara when projected with more than two arms.

Tarjani Mudra

Tarjani Mudra is the gesture of threatening or warning. Only the index finger is raised while the other fingers are locked up in the fish. This mudra is characteristics of most of the wrathful deities.

Vajrakunkara Mudra

Bajrahunkara Mudra is the gesture of Adi Buddha, Vajradhara. In this gesture the wrists are crossed at the breast. The hands hold usually the Bajra and Ghanta. This is the special mudra of Bajradhara and Samvara and most of the gods when holding their Saktis.

Varada

Varada Mudra is the gesture of Charity or conferring boon or grace. The arm is extended all way down with palm facing outwards, fingers extended downwards. This is the Mudra of Dhyani Buddha Ratna Sambhave, Avalokiteswara, sometimes, of a standing Sakyamuni.

Vitarka Mudra

Vitarka Mudra is the gesture of argument. In this gesture the tips of thumb and index finger touched forming a circle. All the other fingers are extended upwards. This is the mystic gesture of Taras and Boddhisatwas.

MORANG

 Morang district of Kosi zone is famous for its industry and trade along with agricultural output. The town Biratnagar is the important centre of various activities in this zone. It is a prominent industrial town of the country. Jute mills, Textile factory, match factory, Sugar mills, Steel factory and many other large and small industries make it a busy town.

Morang is the one of the industrially developed and properous districts of Kosi zone. Biratnagar is the capital of this zone which is the major industrial town of the country. 

MONTHS IN NEPAL

 As Bikram Sambat is the official era of Nepal, Nepalese months are also accordingly different from Roman Calendar based months. The number of days in any particular month may vary from year to year; some months may have 32 days in maximum where as others may have 29 in minimum. The names of the months are as follows: Baisakh, Jestha, Asadh, Shravan, Bhadra, Aswin, Kartik, Mangsir, Poush, Magh, Falgum and Chaitra. The month of Baisakh starts approximately by the middle of April. The lunar months of the same names generally start later than solar months by about a fortnight and that each of the lunar months is in two parts, bright fortnight (Sukla Paksha) and Dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha), both of 15 days approximately.  

MOKSHYA

 Mokshya literally means liberation or freedom from life cycle. In Hindu religious system, there are four free ways to reach liberation namely, Dharma or the right action, Artha or the economic activities, karma or the responsibilities or duties and Mokshya or freedom from every thing including life cycles. Unlike the notion that Hindu way of life is very pessimistic and devoid of much room for one’s liberty, all individuals are considered free enough to choose his own ways to attain the final goal of life i.e., MOKSHYA. Hindu religious culture actually teaches or allows one and all to enjoy every thing worth doing so and then to start staying away from that eventually. The message is not to keep repeating the same enjoyments over and over again. Thus, the Hindu approach to liberation is very materialistic in the beginning. The Hindu philosophy believes that the spiritual aspect of Hindu religion can be better understood through experimentations with materialistic aspects of the world. In other words, detachment or Mukti has to come through attachment or Anurakti.

Strong feeling for sacrifice is accepted as the most effective means to reach the higher stage of Mokshya. There are many kinds of sacrifices for that purpose. To give away foods and clothes to the poor and needy in charity is also a kind of sacrifice. Fasting for meritorious purpose, devoting oneself to the noble cause of social welfare and offering rice, flowers and fruits to the  deities are all different forms of sacrifice and have their own values. However, the animal sacrifice seems to have been the most popular form of sacrifice. It is interesting to note that  Hindus never sacrifice female animals. Animals sacrificed are water buffaloes, goats, chicken, ducks and sheep each symbolizing anger, lust, timidity, apathy and stupidity respectively. One can reach the perfect stage of self realization only when one has full control over all kinds of human vices and demerits. This concept is used for justification of animal sacrifices offered to gods and goddesses.

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.