Mero Dhangadhi

arjuna-vallabha:

Tihar festival (Deepavali/Diwali) Nepal

bramphotography:

Rainbow bindi during the Tihar festival tradition

meronepal:

Swayambhunath Temple, Nepal.

jaw8jaw:

Nepalese ritual mask formed from a large single Lingzhi fungus (ganoderma lucidum), 19th century. 

narayanmaharjan:

Daily Life in Nepal
63yrs old SUBHAS TAMANG along with his wife (not seen in picture) carrying basket of dry foods and hot drink for sell to pedestrians at Kuri Village, eastern hilly region of Nepal in Dolakha district at the altitude of 3450m.
#food #life #snow #travel #nepal #hill #adventure #struggle #lifestyle #snowfall #dailylife #kalinchowk #nepalnow #photonepal #instanepal #dolkha #maharjansphotography #photography #travel #travelling #nikon #nikonasia #iamnikon (at Kuri, Kalinchok)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuHARtfA6Er/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1buejhf8olnwg

Why Is Nepal's Flag Not Like Other Flags?

historical-nonfiction:

The flag of Nepal is in the shape of two pennants, one sewn on top of the other. They symbolize the Rana dynasty’s two branches, which ruled the country from 1846 to 1951. In the 1800s, the two red pennants were joined to represent the nation of Nepal, and in 1962 the conjoined form was officially adopted by Nepal’s constitutional government. To the Nepalese today, the flag symbolizes the country’s two religions – Hinduism and Buddhism – living side by side.

Pennants like Nepal’s flag used to be common for regional flags in Asia. But the rectangular flag, common in European countries, eventually took hold around the world, replacing regional symbols of allegiance.

narayanmaharjan:

66yrs old, Swoyambhu Bajracharya, a priest giving final touch paint on the statue of Seto Machhendranath at Nala, Kavre, Nepal.
#GodofRain #Machhendranath #Machindranath #Painting #Priest #Festival #Culture #Celebration #GoodHarvest #RainGod #Nala #Kavre #Nepal #FestivalinNepal #NepalFestival #nepalnow #photonepal #maharjansphotography #nurphoto_agency #nikon #iamnikon #nikonasia #tradition #artist #fineart (at Nala, Nepal)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvYCs4EApRu/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7g77jvbe9zdq

Nepali festivals: Dashain

nepal:

The Nepalese festival of Dashain is a few days away, so I thought I’d share some information on the festival and some traditions surrounding it. Keep in mind that I don’t live in Nepal and I’ve only fully celebrated Dashain as a little kid in Kathmandu. Also, different families have different traditions, so what I have listed below may not be something that all families do. 

Dashain in Nepal is celebrated to mark the occasion of the Hindu Goddess Durga defeating a demon (victory of good over evil). It is the biggest festival in Nepal, and lasts about 15 days in the fall. The festival begins with “Ghatasthapana” (gha-tas-tha-pa-na). An initial Puja is carried out to mark the beginning of the festival, and “jamara” (barley sprouts), used on the 10th day (main day) of the festival, is planted. On the 10th day, also called Tika day, people go to their elder relative’s houses to have Jamara and Tika put on, and receive blessings and Dakshina (you get money.. well most people do..it’s complicated). The Tika starts on the 10th day and goes on until the end of the festival. In between Tika day and Ghatasthapana (the 1st day), there is Fulpati. The only thing I know about Fulpati is that they have this huge parade/party in Tudikhel (open space for parades in the middle of Kathmandu) and they bring in horses and fire guns; it’s pretty awesome. I don’t exactly know why the Fulpati celebration is carried out, but I’m sure there’s some meaning to it. 

My family used to spend the days in between visiting various temples around the city and shopping for new clothes as it is traditional to wear new clothes on Tika day. I remember the stores in Kathmandu got ridiculously crowded around this time. Walking around the city, you can also hear traditional Dashain music known as “Mangal Dhun” playing in almost every single store. Other traditions include lots of gambling, drinking, eating goat and lamb meat (made with a special Dashain-only recipe), and for some families, animal sacrifices to Goddess Durga. My family, however, never took part in the animal sacrificing tradition. Flying kites (tradition known as: “changa chet” in Nepali) is also a major part of the festival. The main purpose of this is to have fun (obviously) and also to take down all the neighborhood kites. Whoever has taken down the most kites in the neighborhood gets to carry around the title of “badass” until the next Dashain. Huge bamboo swings are also put up all over the city and people take turns going on it. If you ever get a chance to swing on one of these things, I highly recommend you take it.         

 I’m sure there is so much more to the festival that I’ve missed. Please feel free to correct me if I’ve made any mistakes or add onto this if I’ve missed anything. 

nepal:

Happy Dashain to all you lovely people!! If you are in Nepal, please go ride the huge swing on my behalf. Play taas, eat khasi ko masu, and get lots of dakshina! May this Dashain bring truckloads of happiness to you.