PARBATIYA

Parbatiya is the term literally used for mountain dwellers who actually dwell in mountains instead of valleys or plane areas. However, this term now actually denotes a race of Khasas of Nepal. They resemble south Indians in their physical constructions and are divided into many groups and castes. Bramhins, Chhetris (kshetriyas) and untouchables are three broad division of Parbatiyas. Three broad divisions of Bramhins are Upadhyaya, Kumai and Joshi or Jaishi. Jaishis chose for their professions cultivation, cattle breeding and astrology etc. whereas Upadhyaya and Kumais are mainly doing their priesthood. Among kshetriyas Thakuri, chhetri, Khatri and Hamal are four main divisions. Sarki (Shoemakers), Kami (Metal workers), Damai (tailors), Hurkia (Drummers), Kusle (who play musical instruments), Sunar (Goldsmith) etc. are all considered untouchables. However, untouchability is the thing of the past according to new laws and regulations of the country. 

Joint family system is very popular among Parbatiyas and they store their earnings in a single treasure of the family. Women play a great role in their economy who participate, apart from domestic works, in cultivation, cattle breeding and other cottage industries. Parbatiyas are believers of Hinduism. They have also important role in the administration, politics and various other fields of national life. 

PARBAT

This district is one of the districts of Dhaulagiri Zone. Kusma the popular township of eastern Nepal is the headquarters of this district which is situated by the side of the Kali gandaki river. Population of this district is 155251.

PANDAVAS

Five sons of Pandu, the brother of Dhritarashtra who ruled the empire of Mahabhatat or the great Indian Empire of  ancient time were known as Pandavas. They were the central figures of the great epic of Mahabharat who were known for bravery, wisdom, justice, strength and so on.

PANCHTHAR

Panchthar is a district of the eastern most zone of Nepal, Mechi. Sandwitched between the neighbouring district of Ilam in the south and Taplejung in the north, this district is a rapidly developing tea plantation and other export crops and herbs. Its Headquarters is Phidim and the population of this district is composed of Rais and Limbus along with Bahuns, chhetris, and various other hill tribes. It is also a great mix of multiple languages and religions like Hindus, Buddhists and also Islam. The total population of this district is …

PANCHADAN

Panchadan is the day of charity for Buddhists. It takes place on the eighth day of the bright fortnight of Sharavan (August) in Patan or Lalitpur and on thirteenth of the dark fortnight of Bhadra (Sept.) in Kathmandu. Sakyas and Bajracharyas who are either descendants of Lord Buddha’s clan or the Buddhist priests are entitled to collect alms form devout Buddhists who offer alms on those days at their houses and somewhere outside near their homes. This day is, thus, dedicated to arouse feelings of mutual charity and mercifulness.

Panchadan is an important Buddhist festival which almost all the Nepalese Buddhists celebrate every year with great enthusiasm. It must be remembered here that the entire Buddhist community in Nepal except those who take to yellow robe and become the Hinyana Bhikku, are householders. So when any traditional Buddhist festivals takes place in Nepal, it is always the household Buddhists who take the most active part.

One of the main features of this festival is the giving away of alms to all those who visit for alms irrespective of high or low, rich or poor. As a very old custom would have it, on this particular day all the Buddhists, rich or poor, go door–to–door in a sizable group to beg for alms. Such a group of Buddhist beggars is generally regarded as the mission of Lord Buddha himself and treated very well when they are received in the Nepalese homes for the alms-giving ceremony. Giving away of the alms to such Buddhists on this day seems to have been widely recognized by the Nepalese people. There are several Hindus who also give away various items in charity to the Buddhist visitors who turn up for alms on this day. 

PANCHA BUDDHA

Pancha Buddha means five Buddha’s. The structure of five Buddha’s in one is explained in different ways. According to Mahayana Buddhism, all these Buddha’s embody different qualities of Buddhahood where as the ethical system of Buddhism takes them merely as the different aspects of the Buddha. The five Buddhas are the following: 

Buddha Vairochana whose position is at the center. His gesture is Dharmachakra Mudra and the element he represents is ether.

Buddha Akshobhya of the east sits with Bhumisparsa mudra and his cosmic representation is that of water.      

Buddha Amitabha of the west portrays Dhyana mudra. The cosmic element he represents is fire.      

Buddha Ratnasambhav has his position in the south seated with Barad mudra. The cosmic element he represents is earth.      

Buddha Amoghsiddhi of the north sits with Abhaya mudra. The cosmic element represented by him is air. 

All the Buddhas represent different aspects and colours and that their symbols, vehicles etc. are also different form each other. 

PALPA

A district of western Nepal, Palpa is a flourishing area, Tansen being its headquarters. It is famous for cottage industries, specially in manufacturing pots and utensils and different sorts of art works and handicrafts. This is also a historic place where charismatic kings and chieftains had ruled at various times and commanded wide areas of western Nepal. 

Palpa is an important district of Lumbini Zone. This district used to be a commanding zone of western Nepal during Rana regime and earlier than that it used to be the kindoms of power kings of the days of yore. Tansen is the capital town of this district and the total population of the district is 252316.

PADMASANA

 Padmasana is literally the lotus position with legs crossed with each other , particularly, for meditation. See Asana.  Padmasana  also means a throne or a pedestal. If the pedestal of lotus is arranged in a single petal row, it is called Padmasana. If the lotus petals are arranged in a double row it is called Biswa-padmasana.

PADMA SAMBHAV

Padma Sambhav was renowned and highly learned tantric saint of Northern India. In the middle of the eight century the Tibetan king Thi-Sron Desan sent to India inviting the learned guru to come to Tibet. Padma Sambhav was renowned for his knowledge of tantras and of their efficacious application . He remained 50 years in Tibet founding monasteries and teaching the tantra doctrine. He is said to have subdued all the malignant gods in Tibet and spared only those who were sanctified and converted to Budhism. They promised to be defenders (dharmapala) of the doctrine. Padmasambhav, in his turn promised to enroll them in the Mahayana Pantheon. He claimed to have received from the dakini the books from which he acquired his miraculous power. At the end of fifty years Padma sambhav disappeared miraculously. 

Padmansambhav is projected as seated on a lotus asana with the legs locked, the right hand holding the vajra and the left one lying in his lap, the patra. He holds his special symbol, the Khatvanga pressed against his breast with the left arm. 

PADMAPANI

 Lotus in fought hand, Padmapani symbolises compassion and is the savior of all creatures. Padmapani is an aspect of Avalokiteswar.