Nepal Festival

Nepal is one of the most diverse country in the scene of Nature and culture. It enjoys more festivals and holidays than any other nations. Due to its diverse ethnic group some popular festivals are only celebrated in certain regions and ethnic groups. 

Dashain

Nepali: बिजया दशमी/Bijaya Dashami) is the 15-day-long festival and holidays of Nepal. It is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese Hindu people throughout the globe. It is not only the longest festival of the country, but also the one which is most anticipated.As one of the popular countries,Nepal has its Hindu festival as Dashain. The festival falls in September or October, starting from the shukla paksha (bright lunar fortnight) of the month of Ashvin and ending on purnima, the full moon. Among the 10 days for which it is celebrated, the most important days are the first, seventh, eighth, ninth and the tenth, but tenth day is very important. Throughout the country Shakti is worshiped in all her manifestations. This festival is also known for its emphasis on the family gatherings, as well as on a renewal of community ties. People return from all parts of the world, as well as different parts of the country, to celebrate together. All government offices, educational institutions and other private offices remain closed during the festival and holidays period.

Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth is celebrated during Tihar

In Nepal all Hindu ethnic groups celebrate this festival with their own variation . Among the Newars, it is known as Swanti. Tihar in general signifies the festival of lights, where diyas are lit both inside and outside the houses to make it illuminate at night. The five-day festival is considered to be of great importance as it shows reverence to not just the humans and the Gods, but also to the animals like crow, cow and dog, who maintain an intense relationship with the humans. 

Khicha Puja

Khicha Puja is a Nepali festival held on the 15th of Kartik in late autumn as part of the Tihar Festival. Dog, crows and cows are especially prominent during this festival and dogs are commonly seen with wreaths of flowers around their necks. Crows are worshiped by offerings of sweets and dishes. The cawing of the crows symbolizes sadness and grief in the Hindu mythology, so the devotees offer the crows food to avert grief and deaths in their homes. Cows are commonly celebrated on the third day of Tihar, as they are regarded as the mothers of the universe in Hinduism, where after weaning by the birth mother, the cow acts as the surrogate mother to humans, providing milk for the rest of the human life. 

Kija Puja (Bhai Tika)

On this day, as part of the Tihar Festival, men visit the house of their sister's, where sister put a tika or mark on his forehead and a garland around his neck. The men then touches the feet of their sisters and whereby grand meal (shelroti,sweetmeats and other eatable things to eat) is served by sisters to brothers in their house . In return she receives a gift of money, clothes or ornaments etc.

Chhath

In contex of Nepal, Chhath is a festival of the Terai and Mithila region of Nepal celebrated by the Nepalese people of Tharus, indigenous Maithils and Madhesi ethnic groups in all the major parts of Nepal including Kathmandu, the capital city of the country. In modern days, Chhath is even celebrated in hills by Pahari people. The government of Nepal declares the Public holidays all over Nepal during the Chhath festivals. It is a Hindu festival dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya and Chhathi Maiya (ancient Vedic Goddess Usha). The Chhath Puja is performed in order to thank Surya for sustaining life on earth and to request the granting of certain wishes.

The Sun, considered the god of energy and of the life-force, is worshiped during the Chhath festival to promote well-being, prosperity and progress. In Hinduism, Sun worship is believed to help cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and helps ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends, and elders. The rituals of the festival are rigorous and are observed over a period of four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water (Vratta), standing in water for long periods of time, and offering prashad (prayer offerings) and arghya to the setting and rising sun.

Biska Jatra

Biska Jatra is an annually celebrated festival of Bhaktapur celebrated in the new year of Bikram Sambar. Different idols of gods and goddesses are placed in their chariot called "khat" and are taken to different parts of Bhaktapur. It is the second biggest festival of the people of Bhaktapur after Dashain. It is celebrated for more than a week in Bhaktapur. Grand feasts are organized in different parts of Bhaktapur. Similarly, in Madhyapur Thimi (a part of Bhaktapur) people celebrate this festival by smearing colors in each others. Another part of Thimi named Bode celebrates this festival with tongue-piercing of the resident belonging to a Shrestha family.

Bajra Jogini Jatra

Bajra Jogini was originally celebrated by Buddhists but is also celebrated by Hindus on the 3rd of [Baisakh]. Her temple, Kharg Jogini, is found at Manichur mountain, near Sankhu. During the week-long festival, a fire is burned in the vicinity of the temple near an image of a human head. An image of the goddess is placed in a khat (a wooden shrine) and carried through the town by the men.

Siti Jatra

The Siti Jatra takes place on the 21st of Jeth, on the banks of the Vishnumati, between Kathmandu and Simbhunath. The people feast and afterwards divide into two teams to contest a stone throwing competition. The match was once a serious affair and anybody who was knocked down or captured by the other party was sacrificed to the goddess Kankeshwari. In modern times, however. it is a light hearted affair, mostly among the children.

Gatha Mu Ga: or Ghanta Karn

This festival refers to the celebration of the expulsion of a Rakshasa or demon from the country, held on the 14th of Sawan. The Newars make a straw figure which they beat and drag around the streets. The figures are burned at sunset.

Panjaran

The festival is celebrated twice a year, on the 8th of Sawan and the 13th of Bhadon. The Banras, priests of the Newar Buddhists visit each house and receive a small offering of grain or rice to commemorate their ancestors who were not permitted to trade. The Newars decorate their shops and houses with pictures and flowers and the women sit with large baskets of rice and grain to dispense to the Banras. it is celebrated at late night.

Janai Purnima

The Janai Purnima also known as Rakshyabandhan festival takes place on the full moon day of Shrawan i.e. Shrawan Purnima every year. It is celebrated by Hindus and other Hindu related religions like Buddhist, Jain, belonging to aumkaar (ॐ कार )family. The Buddhist bath in sacred streams and visit their temples and the Brahman priests offer an ornamental thread to the wrists of their followers and in return receive gifts. Many pilgrims visit Gosainkunda and bath at the sacred lake. Mainly the people of Brahmin and chettri community change the sacred around their neck. This festival has different names. Newars in Nepal celebrate it as Kwati Punhi Indian celebrate it as rakhi (raksha) bandhan.

Nag Panchami

Nag Panchami takes place on the 5th of Shrawan to commemorate the battle between Nag and Garur. The stone image of Garur at Changu Narayan is said to perspire during the festival and priests are sent to wipe the perspiration off with a handkerchief. They later present it to the king and water is used to make it into a snake bite remedy, despite the fact that there are few snakes inhabiting Nepal. There is a belief that nag panchami is the day of welcoming the other festivals in the Nepal.

Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated on the 8th of Bhadon, in memory of Lord Krishna. Shops and houses are adorned in celebration.

Gai Jatra/Saa: Paru

This entirely Newar festival is held on the 1st day of Bhadra. Newars who have lost loved ones during the year traditionally disguised themselves as cows and danced around the palace of the king. However, in modern times, the ceremony is performed only as a masked dance with the singing of songs. Gaijatra, the festival of cows, (gai means cow and jatra means festival in Nepali: गाईजात्रा, and Nepal Bhasa: सापारु) is celebrated in Nepal, mainly in Kathmandu valley by the Newar and Tharu community. It is also a grand festival in Jumla, celebrated by people of all caste . The festival commemorates the death of people during the year. During the festival, cows are marched in the streets and generally celebrated in the Nepalese month of Bhadra (August–September). According to Hinduism, "whatever a man does in his life is a preparation leading to a good life after death".

Indra Jatra

The Indra Jatra festival begins on the 26th of Bhadon and lasts for eight days. This festival is held in early to mid September and marks the end of the rainy season. On the first day a lofty wooden post is erected before the king's palace or at other Darbur sites and dancers from all across Nepal perform with masks. If an earthquake ever occurred on the opening day of the festival this was considered a bad omen and the festival would have to be restarted.

On the third day, young virgins are brought before the king and worshiped and then carried through Kathmandu, mounted on oars. The highlight is parading the Kumar Devi (living god) through Kathmandu on a special chariot built just this purpose. The chariots are parked outside the Kumar Devi's house at the Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Bala Chaturdasi 

This festival takes places on the 14th of Aghan, when people gather in the forest of Mrigasthali, near the temple of Pashupati to scatter an offering of rice, vegetables and sweetmeats.

Kartik Purnima

On the first day of the month of Kartik, many women go to the temple of Pashupati. There they remain for an entire month, fasting and drinking only water. Some women have died during the fasting but the majority generally survive and on the last day of the month, known as the purnima, the night is spent rejoicing the success of the fasting by singing and dancing into the night.

Ganesh Chauthi

The Ganesh Chauthi festival is held on the 4th of Magh, in honor of Lord Ganesh, the god of wisdom. The day is spent fasting and worshipping and in ended by feasting into the night.

Maghe Sankranti

Maghe sankranti is observed in the month of January on the first day of the month of Magh, bringing an end to the ill-omened month of Poush when all religious ceremonies are forbidden.On this day, the sun leaves its southernmost position and takes off for its northward journey, so Maghe Sankranti is similar to solstice festivals in many other traditions. People participate in holy bathing in this festival and auspicious foods like laddoo, ghee, sweet potatoes etc. are distributed. The mother of the house wishes good health to all family members. 

Basant or Sripanchami

This festival takes place in the month of Magh or Falgun in the honor of Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning.

Holi

The festival takes place on the last day of Fhagun. In Nepal, a wooden post, known as a chir is adorned with flags and erected in front of the palace. It is burned at night, representing the burning of the body of the old year.

Maghe Purnima

The bathing festival where Newars bathe in the Bagmati River. during Magh. On the last day of the month, bathers are carried in a procession in ornamented dolis, lying on their backs with lighted lamps (known as chirags) on their chests, arms and legs. Other bathers bear earthen water pots on their heads, perforated with straws, through which water seeps down to sprinkle passers by. Traditionally the bathers wear green spectacles to protect their eyes from the sparks of the lamps they are in contact with.

Ghoday Jatra

Traditionally on the 15th of Chait, all horses and ponies belonging to government servants were assembled at the grand parade ground and entered into a race in front of the king and top officials who are stationed around a central monument. The monument bore Sir Jung Bahadur's statue. After the event, gambling is allowed for two days and nights and the festival ends with an illumination of the monument. In 1875, Bahadur's statue and four dragon monuments were moved into a newly built temple in his honor, hence the location of the festival moved.

Jana Baha Dyah Jatra

Jana Bāhā Dyah Jātrā is the chariot procession of Jana Baha Dyah, the Bodhisattva of compassion, which is held annually in Kathmandu. During the festival, the image of Jana Bāhā Dyah is removed from his temple at Jana Baha and installed in a car built in the shape of a tower on wheels. The chariot is drawn through the center of Kathmandu for three days.

Bunga Dyah Jatra (chariot festival)

An image of Bunga Dyah (Rato Machhendranath) is placed on a tall chariot which is pulled in stages through the streets of Patan for a month in the longest chariot procession held in the country.

Lhosar

Lhosar is the celebration of the New Year various Buddhist communities in Nepal. The word meaning of ‘Lho’ is year and sar, the new. Hence, Lhosar indicates the beginning of new year and farewell to the old. Lhosar is the principle festival of the community belonging to the Tibeto-Burman language family and followers of Mahayana Buddhism like Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung, Yolmo and Bhotia. The monasteries in Kathmandu are thronged by the Buddhists during this festival.

Source: Wiki

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Nepal Fact Sheet

With an area of 147,181 square kilometers (56,827 sq mi), Nepal is small landlocked country nestled between India on three sides and Tibet Autonomous Region to the north. From low land as 59 meters (194 ft) elevation in the tropical Terai—the northern rim of the Gangetic Plain, beyond the perpetual snow line to some 90 peaks over 7,000 meters (22,966 ft) including Earth's highest 8,848 meters (29,029 ft) Mount Everest or Sagarmatha, Nepal is one of the most diverse country in the world.

The geographical coordinates are 28°00′N 84°00′E. Nepal falls in the temperate zone north of the Tropic of Cancer. Nepal’s ecological zones run east to west about 800 km along its Himalayan axis, 150 to 250 km north to south, and is vertically intersected by the river systems. The country can be divided into three main geographical regions: Himalayan region, mid hill region and Terai region. The highest point in the country is Mt. Everest (8,848 m) while the lowest point is in the Terai plains of Kechana Kalan in Jhapa (60 m). 

Nepal Fact-Sheet

संघीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल

Sanghiya Loktāntrik Ganatantra Nepāl

Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

Motto : जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी(Devnagari) / "Mother and Motherland are Greater than Heaven"

Anthem: “Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka Hami, Eutai Mala Nepali"

Capital (and largest city) : Kathmandu (Nepali: काठमांडौ)
27°42′N 85°19′E27.7°N 85.317°E
Official languages : Nepali
Recognised Regional languages Maithili, Nepal- Nepal Bhasa, Bhojpuri,
Tharu, Gurung, Tamang, Magar, Awadhi, Sherpa, Kiranti and
other 100 different indigenous languages.
Demonym : Nepali
Government : Republic
Republic declared : May 28, 2008
Total land Area : 147,181 km2 (93rd), 56,827 sq mi
Population : July 2008 – estimated : 29,519,114
2007 Census : 28,875,140
Currency : Rupee (NPR)

Season:

The most popular seasons for traveling to Nepal spring (Feb-May) and autumn (Aug-Nov). During the monsoon season (June-Aug) tours and treks are also possible depending on where you are going.

What to wear:

During most of the year light woolens and cottons are sufficient for day wear, with warmer clothes are necessary in the morning and evenings. Heavy woolen clothing is required during winter.

Communication:

Private communication centers and hotels provide ISD, STD, Fax and E-mail services. The STD code for Nepal is 977. Inquiries can be made at 197.

Electricity:

Major towns in Nepal have electricity and the voltage available is 220 volts and 50 cycles. Load shedding is sometimes experienced in Nepal. However, most of the hotels have installed their own generators.

Time difference:

Nepal is 5 hours 45 minutes a head of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) and approximately 12 hours and 12 hours and 50 minutes a head of Pacific Time.

Money and Credit Cards:

Payment can be made in foreign exchange in hotels, travel agencies and airlines. Credit cards such as American Express, Master and Visa are widely accepted at major hotels, travel agencies, shops and restaurants.

Travel Documents:

The passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended return date and tourist multiple entry visa is available upon arrival at airport and borders.

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Acute Mountain Sickness

Altitude sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness is a medical condition occur due to rapid increase in altitude with less amount of acclimatization at lower air pressure. Normally slight sigh of Altitude sickness appears on every trekkers such as headache or shortness of breath. But who are more fit tend to have less trouble with AMS. One should understand the importance of acclimatization on higher altitude and never trek too high in too short a time.

Acute Mountain Sickness may occur in some trekkers on altitude of 2400 meters or 8000 feet, but serious symptoms are quite rare below 3700 meters (12000 feet) and above 8000 meters or 26000 feet, our body cannot survive without supplementary supply of oxygen. As the altitude increases, the amount of molecules in the air decreases, such as air becomes more dense then the air comparing to sea level. Such as higher we go we start breathing deeper and faster. 

One should never neglect even the smallest symptoms of AMS and try to prevent it as much as possible with any means. AMS is really a dangerous killer out there in the mountains. Listen to your body, drink plenty of water, acclimatize enough, trek slow will really help you.  

We can categorize AMS in two stages. Primary and Severe......

Primary Symptoms: 

Mild Headaches is the primary symptom used to diagnose altitude sickness, although a headache is also a symptom of dehydration. A headache occurring at an altitude above 2,400 metres (7,900 ft) – a pressure of 76 kilopascals (0.75 atm) – combined with any one or more of the following symptoms, may indicate altitude sickness:

Severe Symptoms

Symptoms that may indicate life-threatening altitude sickness include:

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (Fluid in the lungs) or HAPE

- Symptoms similar to bronchitis

- Persistent dry cough

- Fever

- Shortness of breath even when resting

High Altitude Cerebral Edema (Swelling of the brain) or HACE

- Headache that does not respond to analgesics

- Unsteady gait

- Gradual loss of consciousness

- Increased nausea and vomiting

- Retinal hemorrhage

Prevention of AMS

Acclimatize your body to thin air and Consumption of enough liquid is the key tip. From your arrival time start drinking plenty of fluids, minimum 3 ltr a day. The clearer your urine, the better your are. Walk peacefully without any hurry and always climb high but sleep low. Note that both alcohol and caffeine increase dehydration. Limit your intake of both when hiking at high altitudes.  This particularly holds true during the first few days of your hike. 

Medications

The drug acetazolamide (trade name Diamox) may help some people making a rapid ascent to sleeping altitude above 2,700 metres (9,000 ft), and it may also be effective if started early in the course of AMS. Acetazolamide can be taken before symptoms appear as a preventive measure at a dose of 125 mg twice daily. 

If mild AMS symptoms occur:

Don’t ascend any higher.

Drink lots of water (at least 4 litres per day).

If necessary, take a couple of ibuprofen or paracetamol for headache.

Rest

Once symptoms have subsided, which could take two to three days, it should be OK to start ascending again. Do so slowly and with awareness.

In case of severe AMS symptoms:

Descend immediately (at least 500m).

Seek medical attention ASAP.

Note that if your symptoms are severe, you are beyond the point at which Diamox or or any other medication (such as Dexamethasone) can provide relief. Your only option is to descend.

Other Altitude Illnesses

Less common, but more serious forms of altitude illness occur when fluid accumulates on the lungs (High-Altitude Pulmonary oedema or HAPE) and brain (High-Altitude Cerebral Oedema or HACE). For information on these conditions and other altitude related issues, see Traveldoctor.co.uk and Base Camp MD.

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Trekking Permit

As in all the countries, in Nepal you have to obtain one or more Permits to enter certain trekking areas, National parks, restricted trekking areas or for climbing and mountaineering purpose which depends on the area you have selected for your trekking. 

1) Special Trekking Permit for Restricted Areas
2) Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS Card)

3) Conservation Area Permits

4) National Park Entrance Fee

5) Permit for Peak Climbing or Mountaineering 

6) Filming/Documentary shooting permit

TREKKING PERMIT IN NEPAL
Trekking Permit must be obtained from the Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu, to visit Restricted Areas. For more information please log on to www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/content/trekking-permit-fees.html

1) Dolpa District (Areas of Upper Dolpa)
For the first 10 days per person US $500 and After 10 days per day per person Us$50, Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. 

2) Dolpa District ( Areas of Lower Dolpa)
Per week per person US$ 10 Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. 

3) Mustang District
For the first 10 days per person US $500 and After 10 days per day per person Us$50, Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. 

4) Manaslu Region
From September to November per week per person US$ 70 and After 7 days per day per person US$ 10, and From December to August per week per person US$ 50 and After 7 days per day per person US$ 7, Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. 

5) Mugu District
For the first 7 days per person US$90 and After 7 days per day per person Us$15, Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. 

6) Manang District (Areas of Nar & Phu)
From September to November per week per person US$ 90 and December to August per week per person US$ 75, Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. 

7) Dolakha District (GauriShankar & Lamabagar)
Per week per person US$ 10 Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. 

8)  Rasuwa
Per week per person US$ 10 Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. 

9) Humla District (Simikot and Yari)
For the first 7 days per person US$ 50 and After 7 days per day per person US$ 7, Or  equivalent convertible foreign currency. 

10) Sankhuwasabha District
For the first 4 weeks per week per person US$ 10 and After 4 weeks per week per person US$ 20, Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. 

11) Taplejung District (Kanchenjanga Region)
Per week per person US$ 10 Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. 

12) Gorkha District (Chhekampar & Chunchet  Area)
From September to November per person US$ 35 for first 8 days and From December to August per person US$ 25 for first 8 days, Or equivalent convertible foreign currency.

Source: NTB 

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Travel Safety in Nepal

Nepal can be one of the most safest places to travel in the world. Despite of some political interference (sometime) you can have a wonderful holiday out here. One can face peaceful demonstrations and Seldom strikes still occurs. But normally those do not effect any tourism movements if you are pre planned for those kind of circumstances. Traffic Jams are common and it becomes worse when you face demonstrations (Julus/जुलुस). Always try to be updated with the local news portals online for upcoming strikes, demonstration if any. Avoid travelling on rented vehicle on demonstration. One can rent Tourist vehicle which have privilege to operate in such situations.

While on those situation, Nepal government normally operates vehicle transfers from Airport to major Hotels and destination in Kathmandu. Try to avoid crowds
Always carry certified copies of passport, your travel insurance copies and other necessary documents and dont forget to keep the originals safely. In case of lost or theift please contact your nearest Police Station.

While on Trekking or Mountaineering expedition please obtain TIMS card (Trekkers Information Management System) from your nearest TAAN Office. Mountaineers and high-altitude trekkers, please look up on information regarding Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS),which can develop and lead to fatal consequences while trekking above 3,000 meters.Using alcohol, trekking through non designated routes may cause severe incidents. 

Some of the major Scams you may face:

Credit Card scam: There are some examples of paying your bill for souvenirs by card and getting a lot higher bills of porn sites subscription charges and other unnecessary online transactions. Be aware before doing transactions with credit cards. It doesn't happens normally but precautions are better than cure.

Unnecessary Rescue & evacuation: Nepal is obviously paradise for adventure lovers, specially for trekking and mountaineering enthusiasts. Thousands of foreigners flock here to make their dreams come true. But lots of tourists gets in trouble after getting false rescue now a days. Normally it happens when tourists try to reduce budget which surely reduce the days of trekking. Without getting proper time for acclimatize, and fast increase of altitude makes the situation of rescue on the unnecessary conditions. Be really careful while selecting the Itineraries and trekking company.

Theft and Fake Shadus/Holy Men: The reporting of stolen tourist's belonging normally arises as in all countries. Make your bag pack safe while travelling independently. Here again i want to advice to select Travel Company decently in this case. Also be careful with the holy men offering to put Tika (Red paste) on your forehead (for good luck) and ask for significant amount to be paid to them. 

Please keep below details of responsible Unit of Nepalese Government for any emergency situation occurred in Nepal:

Tourist Police Nepal

Bhrikutimandap Kathmandu. 
Inside the premises of Nepal Tourism Board

Telephone: +977-14247041 
Email:- policetourist@nepalpolice.gov.np

Website:-www.nepalpolice.gov.np

Department of Tourism: www.tourismdepartment.gov.np/tourist-police

Nepal Tourism Board: www.welcomenepal.com 

In case of Crisis/Emergency, Tourists can contact:
Tourist Police, Bhrikutimandap 

Tel:+977-1-4247041 Tourist Police, Thamel

Tel:+977-1-4700750

Tourist Police, Basantapur

Tel:+977-1-4268969,4269452

Tourist Police, Pokhara

Tel:+977-61-521087 

Tourist Police, Belhiya

Tel:+977-71-520197 

Police Headquarter Operation, Naxal

Tel:+977-1-4412780,4411549

Metro Police Control, Ranipokhari

Tel: 100, 120, 130

Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan

Tel:+977-1-4433934,4429660

Tourism Crisis Unit

Tel:+977-9751044088 

Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikutimandap

Tel:+977-1-4256909

Nepal Tourism Board, Pokhara

Tel: +977-61-465292,463029

Himalayan Rescue Association

Tel:+977-1-4440292,4440293

Other Important Foreign Diplomatic Missions

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (www.smartraveller.gov.au)

Government of Canada (www.voyage.gc.ca)

New Zealand Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (www.safetravel.govt.nz)
UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice)
US Department of State (www.state.gov/travel)

For information and updates regarding strikes, please contact your nearest police station.

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White Water Rafting in Nepal

Nepal has earned the reputation of one of the best destinations for white water rafting. Cruising down rushing rivers of crashing waves and swirling rapids can make up excitement of a lifetime. Rafting trips for some is the highlight of their stay in Nepal. The waters in Nepal offer something for everybody: Grade 5-5+ rivers with raging white water rapids for the adventurous, to Grade 2-3 rivers with a few rapids for novices. Rafters also have a choice ranging from two to three-week trips to trips of two or three days.

The options include paddling, oaring and kayaking. Paddling requires all on boat to participate with instructions from river runner. Luxury safari-style trips with full team are available too. In an oar boat, the guide rows alone giving participants a chance to observe the surroundings. Kayaking is another way to travel downstream. A few companies offer inflatable kayaks, or fiberglass kayaks for hire while some arrange for kayaks on their own.

A typical day in the river begins early morning when participants arrive at the site. Instructions on safety and emergency situation are given to participants before the event. Life vests and helmets are worn by participants at all times during the trip. Meals are provided during the trip. Some packages also provide river equipment and camping equipment. The best time for rafting is from October through mid-December and March through early May. In winter hypothermia may be hindrance to some. During monsoons months of June through September, the white water sections are dangerous, but gentler stretches are easy to raft on. So far the government has opened sections of 10 rivers for commercial rafting.

Short Rafting trips:

Short trips take between one and four days and do not involve any trekking. Some of these trips involve less challenging white water and are ideally suited to first time rafters and families. Others attract experienced thrill-seekers with their world-class rapids.

Seti River : 2 days; Grade: 3 to 5

River Seti can be reached from Damouli roughly 160 kilometers west of Kathmandu. Rafters encounter several rapids before reaching Trishuli River. Hindu religious site Devghat marks the confluence of Kali Gandaki and Trishuli and becomes River Narayani. Rafters have a choice of either coming back to Kathmandu or continuing the journey to visit the Chitwan National Park.

Trishuli River : 1 to 3 days, Grade: 3+

River Trisuli is one of the most popular Nepali rivers for rafting. For first-time rafters it offers plenty of excitement. Due to its proximity to Kathmandu and the easy road access most rafting companies offer trips on the Trisuli. At $20 or so per dayIt is the cheapest river trip available in Nepal. A river trip on Trishuli can be combined with trips to Chitwan or Pokhara.

Bhote-Koshi River : 2 days, Grade: 4 to 5

River Bhote Koshi is a two-day run of pure adventure. The rafting site is located only three hours from Kathmandu. Twenty-six kilometers of continuous white water soaks rafters as they shoot through a veritable maze of canyons and boulders. It is the steepest river rafted in Nepal and required a lot of concentration. Starting above Barabise, you raft down to the dam at Lamosangu.

Kali-Gandaki River : 3 days, Grade: 5 to 5+

River Kali Gandaki winds through remote canyons and deep gorges of intense rapids among. Starting at Baglung, you could raft down to Ramdighat in five or six days. Trips on the Kali Gandaki begin and end in Pokhara and offer an exciting alternative to the Trisuli. The run flows 120 km and its challenges are continuous.

Long Rafting trips:

Longer trips take you into some of Nepal's most remote areas. Often they begin with short treks to the river. On these treks we employ local porters to carry our gear and supplies, so all you need to carry are your own personal belongings. Many of our long trips finish close to some of our less easily accessible National Parks and Wildlife Reserves (the Karnali trip actually finishes in the Bardia National Park). So you may wish to combine your rafting trip with a safari adventure and go in search of our native tigers, bears and rhinos!

Marshyangdi River : 5 days, Grade: 4 to 5

River Marshyangdi provides four days of uninterrupted white-water rafting. It begins from the village of Ngadi from Besishahar in Pokhara. The rapids on the river are unrelenting, and rafters are advised to consult companies with lots of experience. It runs sandwiched between 52 kilometers of boiling foam and towering peaks of Annapurna.

Arun River, Days: 6 days, Grade: 5

River Arun begins at Tumlingtar and ends at Chatara, Kartikeghat. The starting point can be approached either by flight or by road. A mini-trek is required from both the airstrip or from the bus stop. Some parts of the river are smooth while some are rough and challenging. On the sixth day Arun River meets Sun Koshi. Rafters either drive back Chatara via Biratnagar or fly from Biratnagar to Kathmandu.

Sun-Koshi River, Days: 8-10 days, Grade: 4 to 5

River Sun Koshi is Nepal's longest rafting trip. The rafting site, three hours drive from Kathmandu is more accessible than the Karnali. The run is 270 km and requires 9 to 10 days from Dolalghat to end Chatara down to the Indo-Gangetic plains. The first couple of days are relatively easy while surprises sneak up on you during the last days. The white water stays white until the very end.

Karnali River, Days: 11 days, Grade: 4 to 5

River Karnali in the far west is the longest and largest river in Nepal. It flows through steep, jagged canyons where the rapids are tightly packed, offering continuous challenging water at all flows. A bus ride to far-western Nepal or a flight to Nepalgunj can take one to rafting site. It takes about 7 days to navigate the 90 kilometers of canyons and waterfalls. During most of this trip, the wilderness is uninterrupted by human habitations.

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Walkabout Kathmandu city

Start from the Ganesh Temple close to Kasthamandap Temple, turn left and walked down the lane which was initially called Pig Alley by the hippies as butchers and swineherds used to live on this street; later the same lane was renamed Pie Alley for the bakeries and sweet shops that sprang up with the rise of tourists. Locally, it's Maru Hiti (hiti; Newari for spout). The best feature of this place is its sunken water spout (better known as Dhunge Dhara in Nepali). Said to be the invention of either Licchhavi or the Kirat dynasty, the dhunge dhara holds great cultural significance as it lies at the centre of Indra Jatra celebrations every autumn. It is said that after the locals caught god Indra, who was in his human avatar, plucking the Paarijat flower, they pilloried him to Maru Hiti and tied him to a pole on the ground. When the residents later discovered that he was a divine being, they pledged an annual week-long festival of Indra Jatra to placate his wrath.

After about 50 paces towards the main street of Pyaphal, turn left and kept going on to the long brick building to the right. This building is the Kot where Jung Bahadur Rana on Sept. 14, 1846 killed some 200 people in a coup and took charge of the country. The Kot is currently a military base. I continued straight ahead and took the first lane to the right whereby I came upon a green and white patched building. A little further was a big green steel gate.

Silent courtyard

Continue towards Yatkha Bahal which lies on the left. You can see the white Stupa in a big courtyard from the street itself. Of the four shrines, the main one is behind the Stupa. Accompanying the shrines are female Gods with beautiful Toran. Yatkha Bahal had few visitors, just some children hopping around.

Come back to the street to discover a small red building opposite the entrance of Yatkha Bahal. Dyo Chhen (God's house in Newari, but better known as Chamunda's House), is restricted for even for the priests and members of Guthi who look after Kankeshwori Temple that lies southwest. The house is cordoned off with Iron Gate. It is held that the gate will open only after a human sacrifice is performed on the spot.

Beyond the layers

Walking straight for about 30 paces just across another temple dedicated to Lord Shiva on the right. It isn't anything you haven't seen elsewhere, but still worth a visit. Just beside the temple is a tall rough stone in an iron enclosure. The lingam is the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva.

By the lingam is a tall modern brick house which has Desemaru Jhya (which can be translated as a window, which is to be found nowhere and unique). It is an amazing piece of woodwork. However, this wonderful window, like other cultural sites in the area, is ill-preserved. Keep an eye out on the east side of the street for the Desha Maru Jhyal - literally, the "Country Nowhere Window" - a window grille of staggering complexity which, even in a country abounding in outstanding woodwork, is considered unique. Carved from a single block of wood, it obviously predates the house in which it's now set.

Narsimha Temple is built the same way as Bahals or courtyard. On that day, it was again full of people. I got out on the main street. Nardevi Temple, built on three-storied pagoda style, was jam-packed too. Nardevi is said to be one of the eight powerful mother goddesses and considered a big feaster on humans. She is said to have limited her consumption only after King Gunakama Deva requested her to settle at her present location.

Itum Bahal - Beautiful Tara

Emerging from Narsimha Temple which faces the dabali I took the straight road which in less than 10 minutes took me to courtyard where temples and stupas have been home to countless gods and goddesses. Itum Bahal is the name of the largest and the oldest Buddhist courtyard in Kathmandu. The oldest building in the courtyard dates back to 14th century and the Bahal is even older. Imagine the time it was built! Even the thought made me want to learn more about its history, often laced with myths as fascinating as the diverse culture all around. There are more than three small courtyards inside Itum Bahal. The first courtyard has the temple of Saraswati. The middle one is the most prolific of the three. Better known as Tara Nani, inside it are three beautiful Taras sitting in a row, their faces painted yellow, white and green respectively. The Green Tara is said to be Princess Bhrikuti who married a seventh century Tibetan King Shrong Tsen Gampo. The third courtyard in Itum Bahal, Mul Bihar, is the main monastery built in AD 1381 . It's a beautiful site and not so crowded as well. A temple on the right serves as a school.

Akash Bhairab Temple 

Also known as Bhairab of the Sky Temple, from the balcony four metal lions rear out over the street. The temple's entrance is at the right-hand side of the building, guarded by two more metal lions, but non-Hindus cannot enter.The silver image inside is visible through the open windows from out in the street, and during important festivals, particularly Indra Jatra (September), the image is displayed in the square. A large Lingam (phallic symbol) is also erected in the center of the square at that time.

Jana Bahal – White Machendranath (The White Lord of Jambudvipa)

Jana Bahal arose from Buddha fields blessed with the power of speech. It is also referred to as white Machindhara Nath. The Itum Bahal Talking Tara: She is located in Itum Bahal. She is said to have flown there from Tibet and is called the Talking Tara.

Kilagal, A short walk east of Nardevi, Kilagal Tol is marked by a widening in the road with a handsome central Chaitya and a bas relief of Bhairab. A small passage nearby leads to the large flag stoned piazza of Itum Bahal , a remarkable sanctuary from the noise of the modern city. Though many of the buildings surrounding the square have been modernized, the neighborhood still has a villagey atmosphere, especially at harvest time when grain is spread out to dry. At the southern end of the square, a doorway surmounted by a weathered but still splendid Torana leads to the fourteenth-century Kichandra Bahal.

Bhedasingh, the next junction east of Kilagal, is the domain of fruit, vegetable and spice sellers, and a few potters who sell their wares from the steps of a squat Mahadev temple erected in memory of King Tribhuwan. The name Bhedasingh, which means "Sheep Horn", is a legacy of the days when livestock was traded here. From Bedasingh you can return to Durbar Square either via Indrachowk or by backtracking to Nardevi and heading south from there. The latter route soon re-enters atmospheric eighteenth-century neighbourhoods, with several large bahal dating back as far as the fourteenth century tucked away down dark alleys.

Thamel Street

This is a popular tourist destination in Kathmandu, Nepal. Thamel has been the centre of the tourist industry in Kathmandu for over two decades, growing up between two of the original hotels, the Kathmandu Guesthouse and Hotel Utse. Even though Thamel has been referred to as the "ghetto" by some, most low-budget travelers consider it a tourist haven.

Ason Bazaar, Durbar Square, Samakushi and Swayambhunath are a mere 10 to 30 minutes walk from Thamel. Thamel has a vibrant ethnic culture practised by its core population of the Newar people. Thamel also acts as the pre-base camp for mountaineers. It boasts a wide range of mountaineering gear shops, foreign money exchange booths, pubs, clubs and nightlife along with the innumerous travel lodges and guest houses. Gang crimes and teenage violence-crazed incidents take place quite often in some regions of greater Thamel. All in all, Thamel is home to a wide range of audience of the Nepalese population for entertainment and employment purposes.

Indra Jatra 

This festival falls on the fourteenth day of the bright moon fortnight of Bhadra (Aug/Sep): but it starts on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight: then all together it lasts for eight day. The main day of the festival is believed to be the fourteenth day of the fortnight.

On the twelfth day of the Bhadra bright fortnight a thirty-two feet’s long pole is erected at the Hanuman Dhoka palace in Basantapur. This pole has been brought always traditionally from the forest of Bhaktapur. After adjusting the long pole Lord Indra’s idol is worshiped. The lord’s idol keeps tying round by the threads. There’s an interesting anecdote regarding to this Tying Indra:

Once Lord Indra’s mother was on her religious worshiping program and she was in need of flower called Parijat. His mother then sent him to search the flower; then lord Indra went to search of that flower; and finally he saw that flower there in the garden of Hanuman Dhoka. He then thought of stealing the flower; and went to steal the flower. Suddenly a soothsayer Baidhya saw him and captivated him there and he was released only after eight day when his mother came there to request the soothsayer. So this festival lasts for eight days. The lord’s idol is kept at certain Guthiyar’s house and it’s brought only once in a year when the festival starts.

The fair starts only when lord Indra is worshiped there highly in a traditional manner. Many people crowd there to look the starting day of the festival. Since that day the Hanuman Dhoka palace looks very unusual; until the ending of the fete different kinds of mask dances from different parts of the valley are demonstrated.

On the fourteenth day of the bright fornight of the festival which is called the main day of the festival; Kumari the Living Goddess’s chariot is rounded around the main through fares of the city. Also two bachelor small boys from shakya Newari cast are kept each on the separate chariot as a fenture of God Bhairab and Ganesh; then they are also rounded along with the kumari’s chariot. The chariot procession starts only when President of Nepal worships there by offering some monetary donation (Dakchhina) and takes the Prasad (oblation) from there .The chariots are rounded altogether two days and ends on the second day.

Many kinds of traditional mask dances are shown along with the kumari Jatra Viz. Halchowk’s Aakahs Bhirab dance; Bhaktapur’s Mahakali dances; Kilagal’s Pulukishi dances are the famous ones. The Royal Sword (Khadga) also is shown along with the jatra and the army Band also parades together along with the chariot; the typical Nepali traditional band “The panchai Baja” also walks in the chariot voyage playing the music. The main through fares of the voyage are Lagantole, Bhimsenthan, Marutole, chikamangol, Jaishideval, Jyabahal, Bramantole, Kilagal, Bhotahiti, Asan, Indrachowk and etc palaces.

On the second day night, the Dangi procession is carried out which is believed to be the mother of lord Indra. Along with the Dangi the devotees scatter Sadbij (miscellanous items of a few cereals) in the name of their deceased souls; this is also called to go to see the dead soul’s path traveling towards the heaven.

On the eight day, the last day of the fete the three chariot compulsorily should travel via Kilagal because a long time back when there were many kings in the valley; a king’s queen wished to see the Nanichaya’s Jatra means the Kumari’s fair; so it’s believed that since that time, the voyage uses to travel via there compulsorily because the queen used to stay in kilagal. On this day too His Majesty the king comes to take the Tika from these living deities in Hanuman dhoka.

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