ANTAKA

Another name for Yama, the God of death and the ender of life in Hindu mythology. Antaka or the Lord Yama is also known as Yamaraj or King Yama, because he presides over the kingdom of Yamlok or the world of death. He is, therefore, also known as the king of death. Yamaraj is known to have a well managed and highly sophisticated administrative structure with such great portfolio holding ministers like Dharmapala who administers and keeps watching for promotion and preservation of noble deeds and all sorts of good things done by all the creatures and Chitragupta who maintains all records of the deeds of human being on earth, particularly their sins. All dead creatures are supposed to report to the offices of Yamaraj and are supposed to face the consequences in accordance with their deeds performed during their lifetime.

ANNAPURANA HIMAL

A popular Himalayan range of Western Nepal known as Annapurna Himal is bound by the Upper Marsyangdi river in the North, the districts of Lamjung, Kaski and Parbat to the South, the Marsyandi river on its East and the Kali Gandaki river on the West. Along with its highest peak Annapurna I (26545ft.), there are tens of peaks above 22,000 feet including Mt. Machhapuchhre or the Fishtailed Mountain, as visitors and tourists call it. This Himalayan range and the Fishtailed Mountain are viewed from Pokhara (a popular tourist destination) and other points in western Nepal.

ANIKO

Also known as Arniko, Aniko Balbahu is one of the greatest artists of Neapl of all times. In the 13th century, at the request of Emperor Kublai Khan of China, a delegation of 80 skilled artists was sent by the then king of Nepal, Jaya Bhim Dev to supervise the construction of a golden stupa in Lhasa, Tibet. Aniko, a young, talented artist, led the team of architects. He went to Lhasa in 1260 A.D. and on reaching there, he immediately set himself to the task, which he accomplished with remarkable success. Later, he went to China and stood in presence of Kublai Khan to whom he impressed by his witty conversation. Knowing him as an architect of distinction, Kublai Khan asked him to repair a copper statue of a Sung Emperor. Aniko accomplished it with such perfection that Chinese artists were astonished. His works of art, with their unchallenged perfection, led him to become the chief architect in the court of the Emperor. In course of time he was given various titles and high honours for his achievements. White Pagoda (Pai Ta Sze) in Peking, other pieces of art works made by Aniko and Nepalese architectural styles were later adopted elsewhere in China all of which still stand fixed for ever to mark closer ties between Nepal and China. 

ANCHAL

Nepal is divided into 14 zones or Anchals in local language. All of Nepal’s 78 administrative districts are clustered into 14 Anchals for coordinated and  balanced development of geographically diverse areas of the country.

Zones Headquarters Square miles 

Mechi Ilam     2799 

Koshi Dharan 3176 

Sagarmatha Tibhuja 4873 

Janakpur Sindhulimadi 3920 

Bagmati Kathmandu 3665 

Narayani Hetaunda 3192 

Gandaki Pokhara 4688 

Dhavalagiri Baglung 4612 

Lumbini Butwal 3650 

Karnali Jumla 5205 

Rapti Manpur 3913 

Bheri Surkhet 3606 

Seti Dhangadi 4861

Mahakali Patan 2753

ANANTA

Ananta literally means endless or infinite. Anybody or anything, which has no end, is Ananta. Ananta is also a permanent entity or an immortal being. According to Hindu mythology, the name Ananta is given to a serpent deity with enormous power and millions of virtues, a protector god of great importance. He is popularly known as Ananta Nag. 

ANALA

Literal meaning of Anala is fire and is also known as the Fire God. It is one of the multiple names of the fire god Agni.

ANKUSH

Ankush is a term  commonly used for anchoring or keep controlling over somebody or something. It is a kind of string for keeping control of persons or ideas or actions.  However, in religious and traditional purpose, it is the term used for some objects made of small wooden handle topped by a strong, sharp metal hook. In Buddhist tradition, the handle is sometimes made in the form of the Bajra, being the attribute of many Tantric deities. When a Bajra surmounts the Ankush, it is, then, called Bajrakush.

AMSHUVARMA

(663BS-678 BS) Renowned as a great king of ancient Nepal, Anshuvarma was also a great patron of art, science and literature. Learned and wise himself, he inspired and honoured talented people. Art and culture of Nepal flourished in his time. As a shrewd statesman, he dealt with his mighty neighbours of those days namely Tibet and India. Tibet in his time was under the reign of Tsrong Tsang Gampo, a charismatic monarch of the times who brought about remarkable developments in Tibet in many fields including economic, social and religious transformation. India was under the reign of another eminent monarch Harshavardhan who consolidated his reign and initiated reformatory performances. King Amshuvarma’s daughter Bhrikuti was given in marriage to Tsrong Tsang Gampo who at her behest spread Buddhism in Tibet and subsequently to China. Bhrikuti was later known as Harita Tara or the Green Star, a true star character in the history, politics and in the texts of Buddhism. Through her talents, behaviour and dealings, King Ansuvarma became successful in consolidating Nepal’s relationship with Tibet and China through the pages of history. 

AMOGHSIDDHI

AMOGHSIDDHI

One of the five Dhyani Buddha’s or five meditating Buddha’s, Amoghsiddhi faces the north. Harita Tara is his escort whereas his vehicle or the vahana is Garuda. The cosmic element he represents is air. Out of the five different colours of the five Buddha’s, he is projected in green

AMOGHAPASA LOKESWAR

Amoghpasa Lokeswar is also a form of Avalokiteswar.  Four-faced and eight-armed, he stands atop the lotus flower. He carries Bajra meaning a symbol of the thunderbolt, a sword, a goad and a bow in his four right hands while the four left hands carry a Ghanta or a bell, a Tridandi,, a noose and an arrow.