Padma, is term literally used for lotus which may be of any colour except blue. But the term has many religious and cultural connotations. The blue lotus is designated by the term Utpala or Nilotpala. In Tantric works the Padma is the day lotus, while Utpala stands for the night lotus. Padma is specially regarded as sacred when the lotus is shown with petals in both the upper and lower directions. It is called the Viswa-padma. The double lotus. Padma indicates purity or descency. In Buddhist tradition it symbolizes self creation and thus, it is the sign of Swayambhu. In Vajrayana Buddhism it represents the female principle. White open padma appears above the left shoulder of Avalokiteswara Padmapani whose spiritual parents are Dhyani Buddha Amitabha and White tara.
OM MANI PADME HUM
Om Mani Padme Hum (Hail the jewel in the lotus) is a six syllable invocation (Mantra) of Avlokiteswara one who is invoked as the savior and the Protector from danger. One who recites this mantra, he will be saved from all dangers and will be protected. So this mantra is widely found in every field of Mahayana Buddhism. One can find this mantra inscribed on rocks, prayer wheels, chaitya walls, loose stones heaped as Mani (jewel) on roads, paths, mountains passes, the approaches and exits of villages. One can find this mantra inscribed outwardly in the prayer wheels and millions of this mantra insides the prayer wheels. One who turns one round of this prayer wheel; it means he recites millions of this mantra. As this mantra saves from all dangers people used it as pendant, rings etc for the protection.
NYATAPOLA
Famous five storeyed temple of Bhaktapur is one of the tallest temples of Nepal. The five storeys depict the layers of cultural traditions of Nepal. Five storeys of the temple and five levels of foundation over ground also represent various auspicious symbols.
OUHM
Ouhm is considered as the mysterious and most powerful compound alphabet which, if pronounced with great concentration and deep philosophical knowledge, can transform one’s atma into the universal body, Bramhah. It symbolises the sentence “Aham Bramhasmi” meaning “I am Bramhah”. In Hindu Philosophy, Atma is the temporary existence which would eventually get reunited with the Bramhah, the original universal entity. Buddhists venerate Om, the mystic syllable of A-u-m with equal fervor. The devotees regard it to be too sacred to be uttered aloud, but only to be formed by the lips.
Adi Buddha at his will proceeded from Ouhm. Ouhm is also pronounced as AUM putting triple letters into one compound letter. In that Aum, omnipresent Adi Buddha resides at and possesses the Tri-ratna or the triple jewels of Buddhism. Another way it is interpreted is as follows:
Adi Buddha became manifest in the greatest Sunyata or void or nothingness as represented by the letter A. When all was Sunyata, Prajnan or the transcendental knowledge or Adi Dharma was revealed out of Akash which is represented by the letter U. Then the Vija or the original seed of mantra of Sangha revealed having represented by the letter M. Thus the letters A-u-m or Ohm represent the vija mantra of Buddha. Dharma and Sangha collectively known as Tri-Ratna.
OKHALDHUNGA
Okhaldhunga, a district of Sagarmatha zone is noted for its trade and indigenous industries. A historic district of Sagarmatha zone, this district used to be the commanding area of the eastern Nepal in the days of yore. Adjacent to the district of Solokhumbu, this district is still a remote part of the country where the road connections are rare and recent. A homeland of Sherpa, Rais and Limbus as well as mountain tribes including Bramhins, Chhetris, Newars, Gurungs and so on, this district is also the homeland of Hindus and Buddhists.
NUWAKOT
A historic place of Nuwakot district, Nuwakot proper is situated at a hill top. Late King Prithvi Narayan Shah had made seven storied fort type palace here before he planned to attack Kathmandu valley in course of unification of Nepal.
Nuwakot district is close enough to Kathmandu towards north. The historic importance of this district is also for the fact that Prithwi Narayan Shah, the then King of Gorkha had first conquered this district before attacking Kathmandu valley. He developed his expansion strategy in this district and later conquered Kathmandu valley which was know as Nepal in those days. After conquering Kathmandu and expanding it further, he adoped the name Nepal as the name of the whole kingdom. This district is predominantly inhabited by Tamang communities on top of other communities like Bahun, Chhetri and Newars and so on. Population of this district is.... and the administrative capital is Bidur.
NIRVAN BUDDHA
Buddha entering into Nirvan in Kusinagar in 543 B. C. in reclining posture after 45 years of untiring efforts in preaching the path to emncipation from the bondage of suffering i.e. Birth, Old Age, disease and Death. Three months before the full moon day of the month of Magh, he had announced to the Bhikhhus in Vaisali that he was relinquishing his will to live as his body was already worn out and he would enter into Nirvana (Final passing away) in Kushinagar on Bhaisakh full moon day.
NIRVANA
Salvation or the ultimate demise or the attainment of ultimate freedom from the wheel of births and deaths which is supposedly the aim of every creature, Nirvana is the state of total absence of temptation and all kinds of malices and, thus, complete freedom from the wheel of existence. In Buddhism one who attains Nirvana is either a Buddha or an Arhat. See also Buddhahood.
NILKANTHA
Nilkantha is another name of Lokeswar, an aspect of Avalokiteswar, a Buddhist god of the family of Amitabha who is one of the five Buddhas or Pancha Buddha. Hindu god Shiva is also known by the same name.
NEWARI
Newari is the language of Newar communities of Nepal. This language is known as Nepal Bhasa having based upon the inscriptions of the olden days when this language used to be the official language of the Kathmandu valley based principalities. This language is spoken in many parts of the country by native Newars who represent four percent of the population of Nepal. There are several dialects based on this language spoken in different places of the country, but the written language is generally understood by all dialect speaking groups. This language has an old tradition and a long recorded history of two millennium as well as rich stock of literature. This language is from Sino-Tibetan or Tibeto-Burman group of languages