Swoyambhunath renovated after 100 years
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
“The real and lasting victories are those of peace, and not of war.”
“The real and lasting victories are those of peace, and not of war.”, originally uploaded by Anumâ : Bee-Zee.
Nepal ...... in need of PEACE........
Buddha Statue In Front Of Syambhunath, Nepal ...
Who knows doesn't speak..
It was a very intense moment, very spiritual. Those priors were reading books and singing some prayers. It was magical !
Buddha Jayanti
It is said that one of the greatest spiritual teachers of mankind the world has ever seen is Gautam Buddha. It is his teachings and message that has traveled far and wide. It is believed that the origin and practice of Buddhist religion dates back to the time when Lord Buddha was born around 543 BC. Siddhartha, the only son of Shuddhodana, the King of Kapilavastu is believed to have lived a very sheltered and protected life till the age of 29. He was completely ignorant of what miseries and sorrows were all about. He did not know the tragedies of everyday life. One day the prince desired to see the city. The King ordered that the city should be all gay and grand, so that everywhere his son would meet with only pleasing sights. He was shocked to see the harsh realities of life when he viewed an old man, a sick and disabled person and a dead body for the first time in his life. The fourth vision was of an ascetic who looked at peace with himself, which led Siddharth to search for the true meaning of life, renounce the luxury and worldly pleasures and look for enlightenment. He wandered to many places and ultimately attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya under a 'pipal' tree. Since then he was known as Gautam Buddha or the 'Enlightened One'.
Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti is the birth anniversary of the Lord Buddha. It is widely celebrated on a full moon night in Vaisakha (according to the Hindu calendar that usually falls in April or May). Buddha Purinma is important festival to Buddhists. Buddha was born in B.C. 560 and died at the age of eighty in B.C. 480. Buddhism went on to become a very popular religion in the subsequent centuries and even went abroad. It was on Buddha Poornima that he attained enlightenment and ultimately after preaching the five principles of life and the path of eight-fold truth for long, he attained 'Nirvana' or left the mortal world on this day itself. Thus, Buddha Jayanti celebrates the three most important events in Gautam Buddha's life. Pilgrims from all over the world come to Bodh Gaya in India to participate in the Buddha Poornima celebrations that highlight prayer meets, sermons and religious discourses, recitation of Buddhist scriptures, group meditation, processions and worship of the statue of Buddha.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monk lighting candles on a stupa
Monk lighting candles on a stupa east side of Boudha, Kathmandu, Nepal, originally uploaded by Wonderlane.
Monk lighting candles on a stupa east side of Boudha, Kathmandu, Nepal
Sacred Sky
Swayambhu enjoying the full moon on Buddha Jayanti. This day commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha.The nine days long Kirat’s main festival Sakela also commences from this day. The festival is celebrated in the worship of mother earth.
Monk spinning the prayer wheels located around the Stupa
Monk spinning the prayer wheels located around the Stupa.
Buddha Jayanti
Two monks try to talk to a begging girl whose language they cannot understand. The monk reapeated says "Nam" asking her for her name in Nepali.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
boaters on Phewa Lake
boating on calm lake at the evening really gave experience of blissful moments.
life at Langmale Kharka 4100m
highest inhabited Sherpa home on the trek. lots of goats and a few dzo to keep busy. not much gardening going on, these people relied on porters to bring goods from the lower valley.
Makalu base camp trekking cafe
fancy table and chairs at base camp. why did we bring so much food? dal bhat was very good and lots of vegis. guess it helps to have helicopter deliveries.
Culture.Burden.
In nepali culture, the women are burdened with responsibilities and (sometimes) meaningless traditions. BUT, the awesome thing about this whole thing is that the Nepalese women are taught to take up these responsibilities and duties gracefully. Nepalese women will always have my respect. :)
Nepal, Himalayas. Woman on the road in the Everest region.
Nepal, Himalayas. Woman on the road in the Everest region., originally uploaded by Ania Blazejewska.
Nepal, Himalayas. Woman on the road in the Everest region.
Celebrating new year 2067
People gathering at Bhaktapur in preparation for a procession celebrating the arrival of new year.
Nepali Sarangi (Nepali:सारंगी), a classical musical instrument of Nepal
Nepali Sarangi (Nepali:सारंगी), a classical musical instrument of Nepal, originally uploaded by Bishwo Ghimire.
Sarangi (Nepali: सारंगी) is a traditional musical instrument of Nepal with 4 strings. In the past Sarangi has been played by Gandarvas only in 'Gahine' songs, but its spell-bounding music is so tempting that many people are on to it nowadays. Its melodious music has been mentioned in many literature works and folk/modern songs. Its sound is very close to sorrowful human voice.
It is believed that it had been originated from Central Hilly region, more particularly Gandaki Region (Mainly Lamjung and Tanahu). The majority of Gandarvas are found in this region. Because of modernization new Gandarva generations are not continuing their traditional expertise. There was a time we were much worried and concerned about its extinction, but its powerful musical melody attracted many young Nepali artists. Its influence can be seen in modern Nepali songs.
Sarangi is made from a light wooded tree locally called Khirro (Nepali: खिर्रो). It has two openings as in the photo. Traditionally the string were used to be of sheep's dried intestine. Intestinal nerves were separated and woven into string. Nowadays, nylon strings has replaced traditional ones. These 4 strings are played with a bow. The bow strings used to be of horse-tail hairs, but they are also been replaced with nylon strings nowadays.
In the early days when there were no good means of communication, Gahine Geet were very famous for conveying message and some incident that occurs in the villages of Nepal. Many forms of news from many villages used to travel across hills in the form of Gahine Geet.
Elegant Nepali
The costume of Nepali man..is often seen wearing in daily life.
Behind is the beautiful wood carving, the famous Nepal art in this UNESCO World Heritage site " Kathmandu Durbar Square"
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
After the rain with boats
After a fine day spent eating doughnuts in the rain, it stopped raining and I was able to shoot this.
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