PURE AS PARADISE

Gai Jatra, or the "Festival of Cows," is a vibrant and deeply cultural celebration held mainly in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. This unique festival, usually observed in August or September, blends mourning with joy as families honor their deceased loved ones. The festival dates back to the 17th century when King Pratap Malla initiated it to console his grieving queen. To help her cope with the loss of their son, the king organized a parade where families who had lost someone in the past year led a cow—a sacred animal in Hinduism—through the streets. This tradition continues today, with participants often substituting a cow with a young boy dressed as one, symbolizing the journey of the soul to the afterlife. During Gai Jatra, the streets of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur burst into life with processions, music, and satirical performances. The festival's unique blend of mourning and humor allows people to reflect on life and death while also addressing social and politic...

Nepal, a land nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, is not just a haven for nature enthusiasts and adventurers, but also a treasure trove of cultural heritage. The culture of Nepal is a vibrant tapestry woven from centuries of diverse ethnic, tribal, and social traditions. This multi-dimensional heritage finds expression in the nation's music and dance, art and craft, folklore and literature, languages and philosophy, festivals and celebrations, and even in its culinary traditions. Dance and Music: A Reflection of Nepal's Ancient Soul Dance and music are integral to the cultural fabric of Nepal, reflecting the country’s ancient traditions. Legends trace the origins of dance in the Indian subcontinent to the Himalayas, where Lord Shiva is said to have performed the cosmic dance, Tandava. The dances of Nepal vary in style and costume across different regions and ethnicities, but they all share a common thread of storytelling. For instance, the Dishka, a traditional dance performed...

Nag Panchami is a revered Hindu festival celebrated across Nepal, dedicated to the worship of serpents, or Nagas. Observed on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Shrawan (July/August), this festival holds deep cultural and religious significance, reflecting Nepal’s rich heritage. The festival’s origins are rooted in ancient legends, particularly the story of the Kathmandu Valley, once a vast lake inhabited by Nagas. According to myth, the lake was drained by the Bodhisattva Manjushree, and in return for their disturbed habitat, the Nagas were appeased by an annual ritual, which evolved into Nag Panchami. This tale underscores the Nagas' role as guardians of water bodies and agricultural prosperity. Nag Panchami is crucial for both religious devotion and ecological awareness. In Hinduism, serpents symbolize fertility, protection, and prosperity. Worshiping them is believed to ensure good harvests, timely rains, and protection from snakebites, making the festival p...

In a groundbreaking initiative, Nepal will deploy heavy-lifter drones to transport garbage from Ama Dablam (6,812 meters) and later from Everest. This marks the first commercial use of drones in Nepal’s high-altitude zones. The drones, manufactured by Da Jiang Innovations (DJI) of China, will take over tasks traditionally done by Sherpas, aiming to reduce casualties on Everest. A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, and Airlift Technology Pvt Ltd to implement this advanced drone technology for efficient garbage management in the Khumbu region. In April, DJI successfully tested its FlyCart 30 drone on Everest, demonstrating its capability to airlift 234 kg per hour between Camp I and Base Camp—a task that typically requires 14 porters working for six hours. Although there are concerns about potential job loss for Sherpas, officials highlight the drones' role in mitigating risks ...

Pokhara, Nepal– Balloon Nepal Pvt. Ltd is set to host an international hot air balloon festival around the source of Phewa Lake from December 29, 2024, to January 2, 2025, aiming to further promote Pokhara at the international level. The festival, a significant initiative costing an estimated Rs 6.5 million, will feature 20 to 25 balloons from various countries. Bikram Bade, Chairperson of Balloon Nepal Pvt. Ltd, emphasized the event's potential to draw global attention to Pokhara's scenic beauty and tourism potential. Supported by key stakeholders such as the Nepal Tourism Board, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and the Gandaki Province Government, the festival is expected to become a landmark event for the region. Pokhara Tourism Council Chair, Pomnarayan Shrestha, highlighted the festival's historic significance for Pokhara and the entire Gandaki province, reinforcing its status as the tourism capital of Nepal. Sabin Maharjan, proprietor of Balloon Ne...

The US Geological Survey (USGS) has named a crater at the Moon's South Pole after Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to summit Mount Everest. The crater, now officially known as "Lhamu Crater," was approved by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) on July 29. Pasang Lhamu Sherpa made history on April 22, 1993, as the first Nepalese woman to reach Everest's summit. Unfortunately, she perished during the descent due to severe weather conditions. Her husband, Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa, expressed gratitude for the honor on behalf of the family. In Nepal, Pasang Lhamu is celebrated as a National Luminary. The government has named Jasamba Mountain (7,315m) in the Mahalangur Range as Pasang Lhamu Mountain, a highway from Trishuli to Dhunche as Pasang Lhamu Highway, and has issued postage stamps in her honor.