Colors & Smiles of Nepal
“I choose to collect memories instead of things” – Elena Levon
This one is long due.
We went to Nepal in 2018 during the Dushain festival; ie in the month of October. We knew most of the establishments would be closed as Dushain is the most auspicious festival there and everyone would be on vacation and would spend time with family rather than tending to guests. However, that is what we wanted to witness and experience.
The trip was filled with a splash of red color, beautiful smiles, worshipping people and high swings.
I will do an entire post to show all the beautiful places we visited, this one is dedicated to the beautiful people we saw and met during our journey and the color RED 🙂 . Red was the color of the season, people in red dresses, red ornaments, red tilak(vermillion) on foreheads, on statues, on walls….
Dashain the greatest festival for Hindus, honors a great conquest of the gods over the evil demons.
The faces are covered until the 8th day, however from day 1, there is night long prayers and bhajans.
Durbar Square – where people enjoyed feeding the pigeons, running among pigeons and a saint trying to find peace among all the chaos.
Just some random clicks of happy people
Sadhu’s at Pashupatinath temple in their exotic appearances
Sadhus are almost entirely dependent on the alms of others for survival. But, many of them also support themselves by begging, singing, serving as spiritual mentors, interpreting dreams, telling fortunes and reading palms, making amulets, tattooing, performing exorcisms, casting spells, conjuring, or selling medicinal herbs and potions.
Evening bhajan and aarti at Pashupatinath
The famous Sel Roti of Nepal – made of rice flour. it is sweet and deep fried and mostly sought after snack during festivals. The vibrant market place. People finding their future in stars. The royal guard at the Durbar Square. And finally the funky musician selling music in all forms.
Amongst all the craziness, this topped it all. You get to see a web of entangled wire all across Kathmandu. I wonder how they fix it when there is a problem!!!
Prayers to Buddha in his birth place – Lumbini
Lighting a butter lamp in one of the largest stupas – UNESCO world Heritage site – Boudhanath Stupa
Bhanjans(musical prayers) and recitation of the holy text Rama Charith Manas @ Janakpur, the birth place of Sita.
Dashain is, in fact, a festival in Nepal which reunites the families and is the ceremony of reunion and joy. Every house is filled with happiness and delicious foods. The sky is filled with the Kites, the grounds are filled with swings and the people are filled with joy and memories and so was I.
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The trip was filled with long rides across valleys and river side, hot Nepali food, visit to the many durbars of Nepal, meeting and greeting smiling Nepalis, paying oblations in the various religious places, breath taking views, taking walks in the festive filled busy streets and shopping, of course… 🙂
This is my favorite pic among all !!!
Somewhere out there is Mount Everest which we couldn’t see due to fog … some other time maybe 🙂
Happy Travelling !!!
Stay Safe n Stay Happy !
