Uma Maheswara is another name of Parvati and Shiva. When Shiva is represented with his consort Parvati or Uma, in composition called Uma Maheswara. In this position Shiva, Maheswara is shown sitting in a relaxed posture (Lalitasana) in his home Mount Kailash with his wife Uma as she sits on his left thigh and resting in the body of Nandi his mount at his right side. He has four arms, the top right holding a string of beads (Akshyamala) and the top left a trident (trisula). The front right hand is turned downwards in the gesture of bestowing (Varada mudra) while the left is under the left shoulder of Uma. His hair is shaped in Jata, theat is braided and piled high in the characteristic left thigh with her right hand. Her left leg raised on the seat . The part of her body is turned gracefully outwards with her right foot hanging down and resting on the back or her tiny mount, the lion. Uma is holding a flower in her left hand. The Uma Maheswara composition became a prototype representation of peaceful aspects of Shiva and Parvati.
UDAYAPUR
This is a district in Sagarmatha zone. Trijuga river and Udayapurgadi the historic command area of this district are quite famous. Gaaighat is the headquarters of this district.
TRISULI RIVER
Trisuli river has its source at Gosain Kunda of Dhunche, but the popularly known Trisuli River to be seen in the district of Nuwakot is in combinations with other two rivers namely Bhote Kosi and Langtang Khola Nepal through Rasuwa pass where as Langtang Khola originates from Langtang Himal. These two rivers meet at Syabrubensi and later it falls into the Trisuli river. It is one of the seven rivers of Gandaki River System.
TRISUL
Trisul is the trident often carried with him by Lord Shiva. The ascetic followers of Lord Shiva who are found wandering almost naked with their hair and body covered with ashes often carry with them the Trisul with three pointers. Although it looks like a triple pointed sharp weapon used for various purposes, the philosophical interpretation of Trisul is to convey the message of the Trinity of gods and the triple worded norms of an ideal person, namely thoughts, words and action. It is the all reminder of suzerainty and direct linkage of thoughts, words and actions.
In Buddhist iconography, it is regarded as a representation of Tri Ratna, the three fold jewels-Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Trisul is also handy with and carried by Agni, Mahakala and Padma Sambhav.
TRI RATNA
Translated as Triple Jewels, Tri-Ratna Symbolises three basic tenets of Buddhistic organisation and method. The Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha are considered as the triple jewels. Buddhahood, the stage of enlightenment is the ultimate aim of a man which may be attained by the practice of Dhamma or the doctrines of the Buddha and that such a practice is made easy and practical by being a member of the Sangha, the community or the organisation and strictly abiding by its rules and regulations. A Buddhist Sangha is a democratic orgainsation where every emphasis is given to free discussions and harmonious decisions or the decision of the majority. Putting it in other way, Buddhist Trinity or the three fold jewel, namely, Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, is known as the Three –Refuges. On entering a Buddhist order, a recruit s required to pronounce it as a sort of the formula: “I take refuge in the Buddha; I take refuge in the Dharma (Doctrine); I take refuge in the Sangha (Order or Community).” The celibate monks wandered from place to Place, meditating, teaching and seeking alms. However handling of money is prohibited for monks. Based the basic concepts of Tri Ratna, Buddhist institutions developed in various forms including monasteries and nunneries. The acceptance of women into the monastic orders and the recruit¬ment of monks from all strata of society were revolutionary approaches for breaking the ice and making great changes in the social systems and the thought processes of those days when Brah-manic orthodoxy was severely restricting participa¬tion of women in extra domestic roles and that the religious practices were the exclusive monopoly of the Brahmins.
TRI-MURTI
Trimurti means three images or the combination of three personalities. It is the term used for the great Hindu Trinity, the common expression for Bramha, the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Maheswar the destroyer and the regenerator. See Hindu Trinity
Tilicho Lake
Situated in an almost inaccessible region near Manang district at an altitude of 16,140 feet comparatively less familiar tilicho lake is a much bigger lake than the famous Fewa lake of Pokhara. It is 2 ½ miles long and 6 furlongs wide.
TIHAR
Tihar or Deepawali are the popular terms used to denote the festival Yama Panchak. It is also called festival of lights which is nearly the translation of Deepawali. As the name, Deepawali suggests, all the houses and important places are lit with butter-led lamps and illuminated with bright and colourful electric bulbs during the festival. The five-days long festival commences on the 13th of the dark fortnight of Kartik (Nov.). The legend concerning the observance of this festival says that Yama Panchak is observed as dedication to and also to express gratitude to some important factors of our social life by worshipping them in different days. Yama Panchak days are dedicated to the dog, the crow, goddess Luxmi, The Gobardhan mountain and the brother particularly by a sister for for various justifiable reasons cited in all those cases. In Newar communities, they have the place of worshiping the self instead of Gobardhan pooja.
In other words, the five days are celebrated as follows: First day is the ‘Kag Tihar’ when the crow is worshipped. Crow is also known as the messenger of Yama. Second day is ‘Kukur Tihar’ or the day of the dogs when they are fed and worshipped. Third day is ‘Luxmi Puja’ or the day of worshipping goddess Luxmi. The fourth day is Govardhan Puja for a section of people when they worship Lord Krishna and the bullock. For Newars, it is the day of Mha Puja or worshipping oneself for the realisation of the self and enhancing self-confidence. This is also the New Year’s day according to Nepal Sambat started by Sankhadhar Sakhwal. Bhai Tika or the day of worshipping brothers by sisters is the fifth and the last day of the festival. This day is meant to strengthen fraternal bonds between brothers and sisters.
A legend says that a sister had once saved the life of his brother from the clutches of Yama Raj by cleverly persuading the latter to hold on till she finishes worshipping her brother. Her terms were that the walnut should be saturated with water, gomferna flower should be faded away and the circle made of oil should get dried. All these items were ingredients of her worshipping. Deceived but not displeased, Yama had to go back alone on that day. During this festival people spend much in delicious dishes and various enjoyment programmes.
TIBETAN
There are Tibetan communities in various parts of Nepal, mostly in Northern parts of Nepal. Nearly 100,000 people are ethnically Tibetan where are there are various other communities like Sherpas speak Tibetan language or Tibeto- Burmese group of languages. Tibetan language is also known as Bhotia.
THYANGBOCHE
This bowl shaped valley at an altitude of 12,715 feet from sea level is encircled by lofty Himalayas and enriched by the full view of the majestic peak of Mt. Everest flanked by Nuptse and Lhotse. Everest trekkers must pass through this valley which is only at a distance of 15 air miles from Mt. Everest. Thyangoboche is also famous for a Buddhist monastery presided over by a Reincarnate Lama.