PURANAS

 Puranas are very important treatises of ancient times which reveal the thoughts and actions of old ages. The span of time when all the Puranas are made, is very long, probably 2,000 years. Some of the old Puranas are supposed to have been written several centuries before Christian era while the newer ones went on adding in succeeding centuries. A Purana is something  blending of history, legends and tales which may reveal lots of factual situations and thoughts of the ages concerned. Written in verses, Puranas have explained, remoulded and elaborated the contents of  the Vedas. There are 18 Puranas and 18 Upa Purans dealing with various subjects of Hindu Philosophy. It was at the time of Puranas that the “Bramhah”, the eternal universal entity for which Hindu trinity consisting of Bramha, Vishnu and Maheswar were created, was explained elaborately. They speak of the immortality of Atma, the essence of life which rotates from one life to another, but the ultimate aim of it being to get reunited with the Bramhah. Generally speaking, Puranas deal with the creation of the universe, its destruction and regeneration, genealogy of gods and patriarchs, history of solar and lunar races etc. The list of 18 Puranas under 3 broad categories developed under the names of the trinity gods vishnsu, Shiva and Bramha is as follows:  

Vaishnav Puranas in which Vishnu holds prominence and quality of Sattwa or purity prevails are: 1. Vishnu Purana 2. Naradiya Purana 3. Bhagwat Purana 4. Garuda Purana 5. Padma Purana 6. Varaha Purana. 

Shaiva Purnas devoted to Shiva in which Tama or darkness or ignorance prevails are: 1. Matsya Purana 2. Kurma Purana 3. Linga Purana 4. Shiva Purana 5. Skanda Purana 6. Agni Purana. 

Bramha Puranas having importance of Bramha in which Raja or passion prevails are: 1. Bramha Purana 2. Bramhanda Purana 3. Bramha Vaivarta Purana 4. Markandeya Purana 5. Bhavisya Purana 6. Vamana Purana. 

PRITHIVI

 The earth is worshipped as an important deity since vedic ages. Personified as the mother of all beings, it has been the centre of many myths. It is a belief that one Vena was the first monarch installed to rule the world who turned to be very cruel. He was, therefore, beaten to death by the sages. But, as, in absence of a king, anarchy prevailed throughout the world, the sages rubbed the thighs of Vena. From the left thigh came a dwarf and ugly person at first who had all disqualities of Vena and, later, from the right thigh Prithvi, a handsome, bright and virtuous person sprang forth to rule the world, it was he who provided desired cow-milk and other food materials for all creatures of the world. So the earth is named after him as Prithvi. 

PRAYER WHEEL

 It is exclusively Buddhist praying instrument which always bears the mystical words “OM MANI PADME HUM”. This group of words consisting of six syllables is the mantra of Avalokiteswara. The syllables are carved repeatedly all over outside the wheel whereas roles and roles of  paper printed with the same mantra is stuffed inside it. Every time we turn the wheel the total contents of the wheel is considered read. 

PRAJNAPARMITA

 Prajnaparmita or the perfectness of wisdom or transcendental  knowledge is a great holy text of Buddhists so much so that it is personified as the consort of the Buddhas, specially that of Buddha Vairchana and Buddha Aksyobhaya. When personified Prajnaparmita assumes the image of its own and is thus considered as goddess of superior wisdom and transcendental intuition, a goddess who has thorough and complete knowledge of Bodhijnana or enlightening knowledge. She is one of the most popular goddess among the Bajrayana deiteies. She is usually shown seated on top of lotus flower. She has four arms, left upper hand holding a book and right upper hand hording rosary. Lower hands are projected in Dharma Chakra Mudra or positions of demonstrating religious wheel. 

PRAJNA

 Prajna is the the term used to denote true and in-depth understanding of thoughts and materials and the transcendental knowledge about the universe. See Prajnaparmita. 

POUSH

 Poush, commonly used as Push, is the ninth month in Nepalese calendar begins by the middle of December. See Months on Nepal. 

POUDYAL, LEKH NATH

 (1892-1965). Poet laureate of Nepal, born in Archale, eastern village of Pokhara, Lekhnath is known for rhythmic sweetness, patriotic call and philosophical depth of his poems collected in many volumes. His poems are committed by heart by children and adults alike. One of the best works by him is Pijadako Suga (parrot of a cage)

POKHARA

 Headquarter of Kaski district of Gandaki zone, Pokhara is more famous for its supernatural surrounding, beautiful snow peaks specially that of Fishtailed mountain locally known as Machhapuchhre, and Annapurna peaks as well as lakes, specially beautiful Fewa Lake than for its many attractions of the town area. Seti River, its deep gorge piercing middle parts of the city, Kaligandaki river, Begnas Lake, Dipang Lake, Davis’ Fall and Mahadev and Mahendra caves, the shrine of goddess Bindhyavasini, Shanti Stupa, Pokhara view tower in Kahun Danda as well as Sarangkot mountain view among others. are all worth seeing places in Pokhara. 

PHULCHOWKI

 This familiar peak of the east being one of the surrounding mountains of the Kathmandu Valley has an altitude of 9,720 feet. This mountain aptly named as such (Flowertop), it is no less than a natural garden of Rhododendrons, wild roses, yellow jasmine Iris and other native flowers. A Buddhist shrine is on the top which, according to chronicles, is supposed to be a place from where Bipasway Buddha had offered flowers to Lord Swayambhu Nath when the whole of Kathmandu valley was a lake. The name Phulochcha or Phulchowki is, thus, after this floral offering. 

PHOKSUMDO LAKE

 Situated in the district of Dolpa of Dhaulagiri zone, Phoksumdo lake is situated at an altitude of 11,873 ft. This lake is 3 miles in length, half a mile in breadth and 2,000 ft. in depth. No aquatic animal is found in it because of icy cold water.