Oct. 20, 2014. Tihar Festival. I am thinking you, "Sis", Donna.

Sis,

Please just send me money, as it describes in the text, below:

Tihar (Dipawali) Festival – October 17 – 24, 2009 

 

About Tihar : The Nepali festival Tihar is also known by many names such as Dipawali or Bhai Tika or Laxmi Puja or as a festival of lights. It is a five-days festival, which comes soon after the Dashain Festival, and Tihar is all about worshiping of different animals such as crow, dog, cow, and worshiping of the Hindu Goddess of Fortune or Wealth (Goddess Laxmi), and cooking great meals at home, brothers and sisters shopping for gifts, flying kites, decorating homes and streets, playing cards with friends, resting and relaxing, and finally ending the festival with an exchange of a special temporary mark on forehead (tika in Nepali). 

The last day of the festival is known as Tika day or popularly known as Bhai Tika day (Bhai in Nepali means Brother). To sum up Tihar festival, Tihar is the festival when sisters wish a long life to their brothers (Bhai)!

Tihar is a festival for brothers and sisters, but what if you are a brother without a sister or a sister without a brother?  Well, you can make one by accepting someone close to you in your relatives. 

If nothing works, you find one among your friends and neighbors, it becomes almost as if it was real. Whom ever you made your sister or brother remains so for life, and each year this festival makes your bond stronger. Tihar is a festival of sisters wishing a long life to their brothers, and Tihar is the most popular festival in Nepal. So hold on to your topi (hat), loads of excitement and fun are coming at you now!

 

Days of Tihar :

Tihar and Crows (1st Tihar Day) - Here comes Tihar to teach you a lesson! Early in the morning of the first day of Tihar, family prepares a good meal. Each member of the family takes the first portion of the meal outside on a platter. The crows come down in large numbers and partake of the feast, they will call others before beginning to eat : Share, Share what you have with all! Crows (Kag in Nepali) are considered as the messenger of the Lord of Death, Yama. There is a popular Nepali superstition of crows too: When the crows caw, sadness is coming.) On this day crows are worshiped and are kept happy. Where there are no crows, any winged animal of the heavens (bird) will enjoy the feast. So Tihar is also about appreciating animals around us.

 

Tihar and Dogs (2nd Tihar Day) - On the second day of Tihar, Kukur (Dogs) are adorned with flower garland around their necks, red tika on their forehead, and are offered great meals, they are the king of the day! On this day, people pray to the Kukur to guard their homes. Call someone "Kukur", he/she will bash you instantly! There are lots of Kukur running around in search of a loving home. You can find them on streets and in your backyards, but on this day, even the most unsightly Kukkur will be treated like a king, everyone has a day. Tihar is also about breaking the boundaries only men created, "The Good", "The Bad", "The Ugly", and all but same to the mother nature! In Hinduism it is believed that Kukur guard's the underworld empire just like it guards our everyday homes!. Tihar is about loving Kukurs too!

 

Tihar and Cows (3rd Tihar Day) - The 3rd day of Tihar is about worshiping the mother of the universe - cow. According to Hinduism, the human infant is fed breast milk by its human mother for under three years. After weaning, the cow acts as the surrogate mother providing milk for the rest of the human life - through childhood, adult age and old age. Cows are the mothers of the universe, the sacred animal. The cow puja is performed by giving a tika to a cow on her forehead, and a flower garland (Flower Leis) on the neck, and offering good meals. Those performing Cow puja place her manure in different parts of the home, drink a drop or two of the cow's urine, as a part of a purification process. Also dip a blade of grass into the urine and lightly sprinkle it on each other's body to become closer to the mother of the universe - cow.  Tihar and Laxmi Puja (3rd Tihar Day) - One of the most important day of the festival is Laxmi Puja on which day the Goddess of wealth (Laxmi) is worshiped in every household in the entire Nepali Kingdom by means of Puja, decoration, candle lights, and oil lamps. In this 3rd day of the Tihar Festival, the entire nation becomes an illumination of lights. Pictures and icons of Laxmi Devi (Goddess) are placed and worshiped in a Puja room (or a place in a living room or a dedicated room for worshiping Gods) Puja is performed using flowers, incense, oil lamps, color-powders, bell and money (both notes and coins). Laxmi puja is performed at dusk using red mud, and puja is often done by a female in the family. She uses her hand covered with red mud to make a symbolic foot-print on the floor entering the home and makes a trail leading to the Puja room.  Laxmi puja is not only for households but is equally done by Companies. Business-Laxmi-Puja is done exactly the same way as is done in home. Usually company's cashier performs the puja during which time the entire office including office compounds are lit with various lights including electrical, candle lights, and oil lamps and usually staffs are invited to participate in the puja procession. "Tihar and Songs : Bhailini Songs (3rd Day) : The eve of Laxmi Puja Day is made spectacular not only by lights but also by echos of a special song known as Bhailo or Bhailini that's played only on this day in the entire year! A group of girls get together and sing Bhailo door to door, giving blessings to the family in return for money or homemade treats.

 

Tihar and Songs : Deusi Songs (4th Day) Male members sing what is called Deusi or Deusuray in Nepali. You can write just about any Deusi song as long as each line ends with the word `Deusi' or `Deosuray'. A group of males get together, carry what-ever musical instruments they have or can play, and sing Deusi door to door blessing the home and family in return for money and/or refreshments. Teenagers perform various Deosi songs to collect money for their picnic! Some may play Deusi to collect money to build a new trail in a far away village in Nepal! During the Tihar festival the only kind of songs you are most likely to hear from local Radio stations are nothing but Tihar Songs, Bhailo, Deusi and folk songs about sisters or brothers unable to see each other during the festival due to various reasons. A poor sister, now a daughter-in-law may not get even a day's break to visit her brother on this special day, and she might sing a song to make your tears flow!  Tihar and Myself! (4th Day) - The fourth day of the Tihar is also about worshiping yourself. This puja (worshiping) is known as as Mahapuja. This is also the first day of the special annual calendar of an ethnic group known as Newar residing in Nepal. The coming of a new year is also celebrated in Tihar. Also a popular ritual of the day is the Govardhan puja or Goru Tihar (Oxen Worshiping). Oxen are worshiped on this day as they till lands and help grow crops to sustain life.

 

Tihar and Tika (5th and Final Tihar Day / Bhai Tika Day) : On the final day also known as Bhai Tika Day, sisters give tika (a colored powder placed on once's forehead), and mala (a necklace of flowers or also known as as flower leis, similar to that's used elsewhere like in Hawaii!) to brothers along with wishes for long life and prosperity. To sisters, Tihar is also the time to re-call their continued wish for a long and a happy life for their brothers. Brothers sit on a floor while sisters perform their puja. Puja involves following a traditional ritual in which sisters circle brothers three times dripping oil on the floor from a copper pitcher. Afterwards, sisters put oil in brother's ears and hairs, then give Tika. Also breaking of walnuts by sisters prior to giving Tika to brothers is also a common practice. Tika starts with placing a banana leave already cut into a line shape placed on brothers forehead held by one of the sisters hand, then applying tika base (made from rice paste) in the open space. Then sister dabs seven colors on top of the base using her fingers. Some may give tika with the help of a small stick or a brush without the using banana leaves. In this case, small stick is dipped into the tika base, then brushed vertically on the forehead, then using a different stick, the seven colors are applied on top of the base. After tika, flower garland is put around brother's neck. Then brothers give tika to sisters in the same fashion. Sisters also receive flower garland around their neck. Brothers give gifts such as clothes or money to sisters while sisters give a special gift known as Sagun (which is made of dried fruits and nuts, and candies), and a fantastic Tihar feast takes place. Those without a sister or brother, join relatives or friends for tika. Sisters pray for their brother's long life to the Hindu God of Death (Yam Raj).

 

 

More on Tihar...

Description of the Tihar Tika: : The Tihar Tika is of seven colors Yellow, Orange, Blue, White, Green, Red and Black. A tika of seven colors is called Sapta Rangi Tika in Nepali, where Sapta means seven, Rangi means colors. The Horizontal lines dividing sections of this page have seven colors, which is a sample of Tihar Tika, so observe those colors as well! The order of the colors in the tika pattern or even the choice of colors will vary due to family traditions. Usually some colors are purchased while others are made at home. The three colors that are usually made at home are, green, white and black. Green is the crushed blades of grass, white is rice paste (raw rice crushed into powder and mixed with water), and black is charcoal powder or also soot from oil lamps. Traditionally, to create a perfect Tika pattern and to make it easier for the tika giver to give tika, leaves of Banana were used, and this tradition still follows in many households. You take a portion of Banana leave, tear a small portion from the center, hold it against the forehead, use the rice paste as a base then dab colors in desired pattern, then remove the banana leave. Tika symbolizes the bond between brothers and sisters.

Tihar and Flower Garland - Flower Garland (also known as necklace of Flowers or flower leis) is called Malla in Nepali, which is widely used in Tihar festival for home decoration and also to put around brothers and sisters neck. During Tihar, open markets are literally gardens packed with sensational flowers and aroma. Visiting Asan Toll, a central open market in Kathmandu is worth-it during this time! Flower growers make a lot of profit during this time. Tihar is a time to see Nepali homes and Nepali streets with flower garlands all around! Brothers and Sisters often save their flower garland as a souvenir.

Tihar and Lights and Candles - Tihar is a time of candlelight, tinsel decoration and festive colored sweets, and more often this festival is also known by the name `Festival of Lights'. Tihar is probably the best festival of all due to its short holiday period yet packed with much excitement unlike other Nepali festivals!

Tihar and Rani Pokharai (Pond) - Rani Pokhara is located at the center of Kathmandu. This famous pond has a small holy temple located at the center. The compound's door is locked all year around except on the day of Bhai Tika. Those who do not have sisters enter the temple to receive tika from priets.

Tihar and Holidays - Although Tihar is of five days festival, only 3 days are the official holidays except for schools and colleges. The official holidays are 3rd day of Tihar (Laxmi Puja), Fourth Day of Tihar(Govardha Puja) and the Final Day: 5th Day of Tihar(Tika Day)

Tihar and Cooking - Sisters prepare unique Nepali meal at home for brothers. This includes making of the famous Nepali bread known as Nepali Roti or Sel or Sel Roti (as two words together). This kind of bread is also known as Funnel Cakes in southern parts of the Unites States and are lively exhibited by country folks during annual fairs. It's made by deep frying a mixture of fine rice flour, sugar, and water. The mixture is placed in the frying oil in circle by hand or by the help of a funnel. Nepali Sel Roti is popular for its crispy and crunchy taste, and is the number one treat in any festivals in Nepal. Bunches and Bunches of Sel Roti are made during Tihar by loving hands of sisters, and Sel Rotis travel from villages to villages in the bags of brothers!

Tihar and Shopping (Tihar and Sagun!) - What do Nepalese shop for during the period? Shopping of cooking items such as oil, butter, clothes for brothers and sisters, and sweets. In city, sisters shop for dried fruit products such as cashew, almonds, and fresh fruits in large amount while in villages sisters prepare home-made sweets and breads. The mixture of dried fruits along with sweets and candies are packed usually in a plastic bag, this package is known as `Sagun', This single brand is the most popular shopping item of the season, and you can see it everywhere in open markets! Sagun is given to brothers by sisters on the Tika Day, and in return, brothers give sisters gifts such as new clothes and/or money.

Tihar vs Diwali : Nepali Tihar and Indian Diwali festival are similar in many ways. For example, worshiping of Laxmi Goddess, and celebrating of the festival with candle lights, oil lamps and fireworks are common to both the festivals. Both the festivals are called as Festivals of Lights. Diwali (Dipavali) is also about celebrating the coming of the new year. Tihar also celebrates the coming of the new year. Celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters are also common to both the festivals.

 

Oct. 19, 2014. Durbar Square, Dattatraya Square in Bhaktapur, Nepal.

Over the last few days I have been looking very closely at paper.  Nepali handmade paper.  

It is the coolest paper I have seen (similar to Luang Prabang's elephant dung paper).

The stationary, cards, etc. are absolutely the neatest damned things for sale here.  

Next to the Thonka paintings, that is.

Having tea with the owner of Peacock Paper.

Having tea and talking about life, money, family.....and paper.

Toured his paper factory - pulping, drying, screen printing, cutting, binding, etc.  All work done by hand and on equipment that looked like it was from the 1800's.

Namaste...

Oct. 18, 2014. Bhaktapur Information.

I am staying in the heart of Bhaktapur, 150 feet from Durbar Square.......

Bhaktapur is the 'City of Devotees'.

BHAKTAPUR.com Tourism, Travel, & Information Guide to the  Royal City of Bhaktapur in Nepal.

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QUICK LINKS: Introduction Trivia & Quick Points Particulars Facts & Information:         History         Culture Travel & Tourism:        City Highlights        What to Do & See        Where to Stay        Getting There & Away        Getting Around                  Nepal Travel Guides Related & Relevant Links  Image Copyright Note Advertise on this Site Particulars: - Official Language: NepalBhasa - Area of municipality: 6.88 sq. km  - Latitude/ Longitude: 27° 36' to 27° 44' N, 85 ° 21' to 85 ° 21' E - Altitude: 1400 m  - Calling codes: Nepal country code: 977, City code: 1  - Time Zone: NPT (UTC+5:45) - Currency: Nepali Rupee (NRS) - Climate: Dry season: October - May; Wet (Monsoon) season: June - September. - Temperature Ranges:  -2 - 32 deg C  - Entry fee for foreign tourists: US $15, or Rs. $1500 for Non SAARC tourists. -Electricity: 220 V    Nepal Travel Guides > Tourism Association of Nepal  > Nepal Tourism Ministry website Related & Relevant Links >Customs of Nepal  > Festivals of Nepal  > Nepal Tour Operator  > Nepal Adventure Tour Operator Visit More  BASECAMP INTERNATIONAL  Travel Guides > Tahiti Sun Travel Network: Comprehensive Tourism and Travel Guides to the Fantastic Vacation Islands of Tahiti Polynesia > Patan, Nepal Another one of 3 of Nepals "Royal cities" and a center of fine art and culture.  > Gustavus, Alaska Your gateway to Gustavus and magnificent Glacier Bay Park.  > Burkina, Africa Guide to the fascinating Country of Burkina Faso. > Piura, Peru South America's oldest Spanish city and the Piura region.  > Puno, Peru The folklore capital of Peru lies on the shore of Lake Titicaca.  > Chiclayo, Peru Peru's fourth largest city is an archeological treasure chest.  > Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands The famous island known for its pivotal role in WW2- the Battle of Guadalcanal. > Mildura, Australia This region is known for its wineries & river-centered recreational opportunities. > Krumlov, Czech Republic Traveler's info for the UNESCO world heritage site Cesky Krumlov. > Tokelau, New Zealand A non-self-governing territory consisting of three coral atolls in the South Pacific. > Tulcea, Romania One of the larger cities in Romania- located at the mouth of the famous Danube River.

Introduction to Bhaktapur: Located about 20 km east of Kathmandu in the Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur is known as the 'City of Devotees', the 'City of Culture', the 'Living Heritage', and 'Nepal's Cultural Gem'. It is one of the 3 royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley. The others are Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and Patan. Bhaktapur is filled with monuments, most terra-cotta with carved wood columns, palaces and temples with elaborate carvings, gilded roofs, open courtyards. The city is dotted with pagodas and religious shrines.  Lying along the ancient trade route between India and Tibet, Bhaktapur is surrounded by mountains and provides a magnificent view of the Himalayas. Trivia & Quick Points:  Also called Bhadgaon and Khwopa (in the native tongue).  Religions: Hindu 92%, Buddhist 7%   Castes: Newar 63%, Brahman 10%, Chettri 18%, Tamang 5%   Bhaktapur's population is approximately 225,000. Main agricultural production: paddy, wheat, corn, pulse, millet, citrus, guava, pears, junar, haluwabed, cauliflower, peas, beans, cucumber, and pumpkin.   Bhaktapur depends on tourism for about 60% of its revenues.   No cars are allowed in Durbar Square; no heavy vehicles in central Bhaktapur. Facts & Information: History: Founded in the 12th century by King Ananda Malla (according to various chronicles), Bhaktapur was the capital city of the Greater Malla Kingdom until the 15th century and was an independent kingdom from then until the 18th century.  The last three Malla rulers of Bhaktapur were Jitamitra Malla, Bhupatindra Malla, and Ranjit Malla. These rulers played key roles in building the palaces and temples of Durbar Square. In 1744, Prithvi Narayan Shah, descendent of Dravya Shah, who was the founder of the Gorkha dynasty, began a conquest march in the Kathmandu Valley, capturing and unifying Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, and the smaller towns of the Valley under one rule.  After a period of instability and a bloody coup in 1846, Jang Bahadur Kunwar Ranaji took control of Nepal. His Rana dynasty ruled Nepal until 1951, when the Congress Party formed a new government. In 1960, King Mahendra took control, banned political parties, and instituted land reforms. Political turmoil continued throughout the late 20th century. In 1934, a major earthquake destroyed over 2,000 houses and severely damaged over 2,000 more homes. Over 1,000 people died in this quake. Restoration of many buildings was undertaken over the years, including efforts funded by West Germany in the late 1980's and by the U.S. in the 1990's. Visit Patan.com for more information on the history of Nepal.  Culture Bhaktapur is filled with Hindu and Buddhist religious sites and art. Although the population is primarily Hindu, there are nineteen Buddhist monasteries (Vihars). At Indra Varna Madavihar, built in 1671 and located between Durbar Square and Dattatraya Square, visitors can see two lion statues, a Patinga Hiti (water spout), Tantric wood-carved windows, and prayer wheels.  There are also many Buddhist monuments and shrines, including Lokeswor Mahavihar, Prasannasheel Mahavihar, Chatu Brahma Mahavihar, Jaya Kirti Mahavihar, Sukra-varna Mahavihar, Dipanker Mahavihar. Many festivals are celebrated throughout the year to mark the seasons, pay tribute to gods, and remember historical and legendary events. A few of these are: * Dashain, the longest festival of the year, lasting 15 days. This festival honors the goddess Devi Durga, who is said to have slain the demon Durga, son of Ruru. Celebrants perform many pujas (offerings) during this festival, including thousands of animal sacrifices. (September/October) * Gai-Jatra, the Cow Festival. This festival focuses on families in bereavement. Every family who lost a relative in the past year participates in a procession with a cow or a young boy dressed as a cow. The cow, it is believed, helps the deceased reach heaven. (July/August) * Bisket Jatra, the Nepalese New Year celebration, in which chariots are pulled through the streets and ultimately a tug of war over them determines who will be blessed with good fortune in the coming year. This celebration is also observed with picnics and other private get-togethers. (April) * Tihar, the festival of lights, honors Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. The Nepalese light up their homes with candles, oil lamps, and other lights to invite the goddess Laxmi in.  They also worship crows, dogs, and cows during this festival and set aside one day to honor brothers. The Mha puja, a day of revering one's own body and life, is celebrated on one day of this festival. (October) * Handicrafts - Tourists can watch potters create works of art in the Pottery Squares. Indigenous (Newar) handicrafts include paubha scroll paintings, papier-mâché masks, cotton cloth, woodcarvings, metalwork, jewelry and ceramic products, haku-patasi (black sari), black caps and Juju-dhau (yogurt).  Travel & Tourism: Bhaktapur is rich in architectural beauty, filled with ancient Hindu and Buddhist religious sites, and palaces and courtyards where tourists can easily spend days absorbing the traditions and culture of the Newars.  Bhaktapur's Durbar ('Royal') Square was added to the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1979.  Highlights & Features of the City and Surroundings: Durbar Square Almost 1/3 of the ancient temples, monasteries, and other ornate buildings were destroyed in the earthquake of 1934. Yet many gems remain.   In Durbar Square, tourists will find the 55-Window Palace, which served as the seat of royalty prior to 1769. The palace has elaborately carved windows and doors and houses the National Art Gallery, with Buddhist Paubha scroll paintings, palm leaf manuscripts, and stone carvings. Just outside the palace, at the entrance to the Taleju Temple Complex is the Golden Gate, built in 1756, a splendid example of Repoussé metalwork. There also lies the Royal Bath, with its Golden Faucet. Durbar Square is also home to the Big Bell, built by the last Malla king of Bhaktapur, Ranajit Malla in the 18th century. It was rung to pay homage to the Goddess Taleju and to harken the public to town meetings.  Today it is rung twice a day as a tribute to the Goddess Taleju. Next to this bell is the Barking Bell, so named because dogs bark to its ring. Also in the Square lies the Yaksheswor Mahadev Temple, built by Yaksha Malla in the 15th century. It was modeled after the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu and was designed with ornate wooden struts decorated with erotic carvings. Other sites in and around the square include the octagonal Chyasin Mandap, Siddhi Laxmi Temple, Shiva Temple (Fasi-dega), Vatsala Temple, Bhandarkhal Complex, Chatu Brahma Mahavihar, Indrayani Temple, Balakhu Ganesh Temple, Tripura-sundari Temple and the Char Dham symbolizing the four greatest Hindu pilgrimage sites. The Phasi Dega Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, affords expansive views of the entire city. Taumadhi Square The Nyatpol (or Nyatapola) Temple, dedicated to the Goddess Lakshmi, lies in this square. Built in 1702 with 5 stories, this is Nepal's tallest pagoda temple. It's struts, doors, windows, and tympanums are decorated with carvings of divine figures, including a pair of 2 m high stone statues of the legendary Rajput wresters-Jaimal and Pata; a pair of elephants, a pair of lions, a pair of griffons and a pair of tantric goddesses known as Singhini and Toyahagrini. The Bhairavnath Temple, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1934 and subsequently rebuilt, houses a gilded bust of the terrifying Bhairav, considered either a manifestation of Lord Shiva or a deity that guards his home. Also here are a Pottery Square and the Temple of Jeth Ganesh, dating back to the 14th century. Dattatreya Square In this square, lie many of Bhaktapur's Hindu monasteries, called maths, as well as temples and museums. The three-story pagoda-style Dattatreya Temple, with statues of the Hindu trinity, was built by King Yaksha Malla in 1428. It is claimed that the building was constructed from a single piece of wood from one tree.  At the entrance are two large sculptures of the Jaiput wrestlers, Jaimala and Pata (as in the Nyatapola Temple), a “Chakra”, and a gilded metal statue of Garuda, a bird-like divinity. Around the temple are wood carved panels with erotic decorations. During the Mohani (Dashain) festival, in the Wane Layaku complex, which lies just southwest of the Dattatreya Temple, a rare Ghau-batacha (water clock) is displayed. The Pujari Math, which houses the Woodcarving Museum and dates back to the early 15th century, is adorned with the intricately carved Peacock Window. The Chikanpha Math, across the street, houses the Brass and Bronze Museum, with its collection of ancient Malla housewares and ritual metalware. In Dattatreya Square, lies a Pottery Square, where potters work and display their handicrafts. What to Do & See Around Bhaktapur  Nagarkot - The second-highest point on the Kathmandu Valley rim, Nagarkot, at an altitude of 2,175, offers panoramic views of the Himalayas and Mt. Everest. It lies 20 km northeast of Bhaktapur. The area offers hiking trails that lead into Tamang villages. Changu Narayan - The oldest temple in the valley, build in 464 AD by Kind Mandev, the Changu Narayan lies 6 km north of Bhaktapur. A popular hiking trail leads from here to Nagarkot. Thimi - Thimi is a traditional Newar city noted for its a vegetable garden and handicrafts. It lies about 5 km west of Bhaktapur. Bode - This town, about a 20-minute walk from Thimi, hosts the the river-side shrine of Nil Barahi. Each year on the second day of the Nepalese New Year, the town celebrates the tongue-boring festival, in which a villager has a thin metal spike thrust through his tongue by the temple’s priest. After parading around town carrying a bamboo rack of oil lamps, the spike is removed and packed with mud from the temple floor. If no blood flows, the villager earns great respect for himself and the town; however, if blood flows it is considered a bad omen for the coming year. Surya Vinayak Shrine - The Surya Vinayak is just a 10 to 20 minute walk from Bhaktapur and attracts visitors and locals praying for good luck to the god Ganesh. The shrine is located in a forest at the top of a hill.  Where to Stay Bhaktapur has no deluxe hotels but can accomodate tourists in a total of 130 standard rooms throughout the city. Information on where to stay in Bhaktapur is coming soon...  Getting There & Away Tourists arrive in the Kathmandu Valley via Tribhuvan International Airport. Airlines flying into this airport include Royal Nepal Airlines, Aeroflot, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, China South-West Airlines, Druk Air, lndian Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai lnternational. Bhaktapur.com recommends comparing various airlines and ticketing agents with our Travel partner Booking Wiz. (see widget on top right of page) From the airport, which lies 5.5 km east of Kathmandu, one can take taxis or buses or rent a car with a driver. One can take them back to Kathmandu from just outside Bhaktapur as well.  Getting Around Inside the city limits of Bhaktapur, motor vehicles are not allowed. Outside the city limits, buses and taxis are available.

TRAVEL to Bhaktapur! Use KATHMANDU as your destination city and compare the travel services. Visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square  See the ancient pagodas, palaces, stone carvings, and statues. Advertise on this website Do you have a business related to Bhaktapur or Nepal that you would like to advertise on this website?  Contact us for information, rates, ideas, and examples.  Passguide.com VMware HP.com Selftestengine.com Oakland.edu Image Copyright Note Bhaktapur.com is currently seeking royalty-free images of the city, region, and people of Bhaktapur, Nepal for use on this website.  If you can provide an image or 2, or have any questions regarding an image on this site, please click here to read more about our images & copyright policies

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Oct. 18, 2014. Kathmandu, Thamel, Kathmandu Guest House.

Departed Bhaktapur at 8:30 AM with Andy for the tourist area of Kathmandu, Thamel.  Lots of Westeners....everywhere in Thamel.

We met one of his clients - also from Portland - and had a western style buffet breakfast at the Kathmandu Guesthouse.  The client had just finished a trek to Everest base camp and was heading home this afternoon.  He worked in product development for Intel.

Walked around some, then had a half-assed cab ride home - I opened my door and acted like I was getting out of the cab - while it was moving - while Andy dickered with the driver over $2.00 of the fare.

I could have cared less about a buck..........

There was a demonstration - peaceful - that blocked the road to Bhaktapur.  We got out of the cab, paid 80% of the agreed fare ($6.00) and then walked past the protesters and the caught a bus that cost $0.20, then walked 1/2 mile into Bhaktapur.

The Kathmandu Guest House is famous because there was a visit by the Beatles in the 1960's.  I walked down the hallway where they stayed.

A very nice place, by any standard.

We were back in Bhaktur by noon.

Namaste.

Oct 17, 2014. Namaste.

Copied from the web:

‘Namaste’ or ‘namaskar’ is the Hindu way of greeting one another. Wherever they are – on the street, in the house, in public transport, on vacation or on the phone – when Hindus meet people they know or strangers with whom they want to initiate a conversation, namaste is the customary courtesy greeting to begin with and often to end with. It is not a superficial gesture or a mere word, and is for all people - young and old, friends and strangers.

Namaste According to the Scriptures:

Namaste and its common variants ‘namaskar,’ ‘namaskaara’ or ‘namaskaram’, is one of the five forms of formal traditional greeting mentioned in the Vedas. This is normally understood as prostration but it actually refers to paying homage or showing respect to one another, as is the practice today, when we greet each other.

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The Meaning of Namaste:

In Sanskrit the word is namah + te = namaste which means “I bow to you” - my greetings, salutations or prostration to you. The word ‘namaha’ can also be literally interpreted as "na ma" (not mine). It has a spiritual significance of negating or reducing one's ego in the presence of another.

How to Namaste:

Bend the arms from the elbow upwards and face the two palms of the hands. Place the two palms together and keep the folded palms in front of the chest. Utter the word namaste and while saying the word bow the head slightly.

Why Namaste:

Namaste could be just a casual or formal greeting, a cultural convention or an act of worship. However, there is much more to it than meets the eye. The real meeting between people is the meeting of their minds. When we greet one another with namaste, it means, ‘may our minds meet’, indicated by the folded palms placed before the chest. The bowing down of the head is a gracious form of extending friendship in love, respect and humility.

Spiritual Significance of Namaste:

The reason why we do namaste has a deeper spiritual significance. It recognizes the belief that the life force, the divinity, the Self or the God in me is the same in all. Acknowledging this oneness with the meeting of the palms, we honor the god in the person we meet.

Namaste in Prayers:

During prayers, Hindus not only do namaste but also bow and close their eyes, as it were, to look into the inner spirit. This physical gesture is sometimes accompanied by names of gods like ‘Ram Ram’, ‘Jai Shri Krishna’, ‘Namo Narayana’, ‘Jai Siya Ram’ or just ‘Om Shanti’ – the common refrain in Hindu chants. This is also quite common when two devout Hindus meet - indicating the recognition of the divinity within ourselves and extending a warm welcome to each other.

Oct. 17, 2014. Bhaktapur, Cultural City, World Heritage Site, Nepal.

It may sound odd, but I must look at my iPhone every time I start a blog......

What is the date?  What day of the week is it?

I get pleasure from not knowing.  Pure pleasure.  Walkabout pleasure.

Changed my lodging today to a guest house just around the corner from the room I had the last 3 nights after my arrival in Bhaktapur.  The new room is larger, has a single bed AND a twin bed, a private bathroom, but no TV.  It has inet service.  Inet connections are ubitquitious throughout most of the world, even in third nation countries like Nepal.  I don't need no stinkin' TV anyway - it is mostly garbage, war, death and disaster anyway.  I would rather do a web search and see how the St. Louis Cardinals or the KC Royals games ended.  Or listen to my favorite music on my iPod through my Jambox, like I am now doing.  

Or listening to the night street noise of Bhaktapur, just below my open window.

The new room is $10.00, + 10% tax.  $11.00 a night.  Perfect.

Met Andy and some of his treking clients at 5:30 - Dan, 34, the Tech Recruiter (a Partner in the recruiting firm) from Singapore - again - we did the 6 mile hike together with Andy yesterday -  the couple from Pittsburg, and a pair of Aussies - Rod Farmer from Sydney and his female companion.  Rod and I talked Apple - he had his first Apple at 6 years old and had a tech PhD.  He manages an advertising agency.  It was an interesting conversation.  I asked hiim "What technology stock would you buy?  What is the next big thing"?

He said "Vaping", and then went into an extended explanation of the benefits of vaping and why he thinks it is the next big thing.  

Nicotine vaping, that is.  Considering that there are about 2 billion smokers in the world.........

I was thinking more about how nice it would be to be vaping some THC!!

Will meet Andy in the AM and head to Kathmandu for a Saturday walkabout.  Not sure exactly what we are going to do...there is a jazz festival going on this weekend in Kathmandu........

My new room is nice - and quite colorful - considing the price...

More pics from today.....

I had seen a note similar to the one below Posted on the bulletin board at the first guest house, but the days of the week were in Nepali.  I thought it was a bus schedule.

Turns out these are the times of day that there is no electricity.  A schedule for the daily power outage!! I thought the outages were due some type of system failure, but they are a planned, scheduled event. Many places in town have 12 volt systems that are charged by solar, so even when the power is off, you can still turn on a light or two.