Author: Nikki Thapa

Tika Tika is a forehead mark, put on one another’s forehead for blessings by Nepalese. Generally, it is red vermillion paste but can also be yellow, pink, sandalwood, or ashes. But when it comes to the Dashain festival, auspicious occasion, or religious activities, there is a special Tika. This Tika is made by mixing rice, … Continue reading “Tika”

Sorha Laxmi Puja of Newars (The Worship of Sixteen Laxmi) What is wealth? What is wealth? How much wealth is required for someone to be represented as wealthy? Money was not considered wealth rather various everyday commodities were collected and used in barter system in earlier times. Such items were preserved for as long as … Continue reading “Sorah Laxmi Puja”

Nepal Transport Service launched the first commercial bus service from private transport in Nepal. The fare from Amalekhgunj to Kathmandu and from Kathmandu to Amalekhgunj was only Rs. 10 per passenger. But the rent for each item was Rs 4. The Tata Mercedes bus no. 98 and the bus service ticket was like this is … Continue reading “Nepal Transport Service”

Nepal is the land of festivities, and this is not an understatement. A country of days and deities; various religious days and religious deities are as if the life and blood of the people living here. Not a single month passes without the observance of a festivity of one sort or the other, nor a … Continue reading “Festival Calendar BS 2078”

Taal Barahi Temple is a two-story pagoda style temple that has white stone outer walls and a thatched roof topped with gold gilded Gajur. The temple centres the colossal Fewa Lake in Pokhara and is dedicated to Goddess Bhagawati in a boar form. Barahi means a female boar and Bhagawati is a word of Sanskrit … Continue reading “Taal Barahi Temple”

Bala Chaturdashi is an occasion for Nepalese to observe a ritual remembering the deceased family members. As the name says, Bala Chaturdashi falls on Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi, the fourteenth day of the waning moon fortnight in the month Mangshir (Nov/Dec). It is also called sattbij chharne din, a day to offer seven varieties of grains–paddy, … Continue reading “Bala Chaturdashi”

Batuk Bhairabh Temple is a one storey pagoda style temple topped with a brass roof at the crossroad in Lagankhel, the heart of Patan district. Unlike other temples, this one doesn’t have an idol rather a stone-shrine is worshipped as Bhairabh accompanied by Lord Ganesh, Lord Kumar and Goddess Kumari in the inner sanctum. Many … Continue reading “Batuk Bhairabh”

  Malamas formerly known as Adhikmas is technically an extra month that occurs every three years falling between the months of February and October. According to astrology, the Solar calendar has 365 days, 15 hours, 31 times and 30 cyclones and the Lunar one has 354 days, 22 hours, 1 time and 23 cyclones in … Continue reading “Malamas”

Bishwakarma is a white-bearded lord, in his hands, he holds a water pot, book, craftsman’s tools, and a noose. This Divine Architect in Hindu Mythology, the son of Lord Brahma, is often seen sitting astride an elephant.

Lord Rato Macchendranath’s towering and massive chariot, rath, is hauled through the streets of Patan in April or early May and these days it is celebrated by everyone regardless of caste or creed. The Newars of the Kathmandu Valley have religiously preserved all the old traditions and ceremonies of Macchendranath’s gala procession since it’s inception … Continue reading “Rato Macchendranath Festival”