Thursday, May 21, 2009

Syambhu Temple





Budanilkantha



Lord Vishnu in a reclining position in a bed of coiled snakes floating in a pond. This sculpture is a created from a single stone. This popular shrine is much decorated during ‘Baisakh Purnima’

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

New Year 1129 (Nepal Sambat)

It is really great news for all Nepalese that government has recently decided to recognize Nepal sambat as National sambat. I would like to highlight some underlying and inherent importance regarding Nepal Sambat here
This sambat is based on lunar calendar that was established in the ground of our own country, by a common Nepali citizen, named after our own country, officially practiced for 889 years in the past and deeply related to religion, culture and tradition of Nepal. There was confusion that this Calendar is only calendar of Newars. ( It's true that Newars have been continuously engaged for preserving the existence of Nepal Sambat for several decades. Now all Nepali social activists, politicians and common citizen have realized its importance. Government's recent decision has opened the door to preserve the culturally, traditionally and historically important properties..). In fact, this calendar has been using by every Nepali in daily life as ekadashi, dwadashi, purnima, aushi... and for finding out subha sait/murhat for wedding, bratabandha, pashni, puja/path....
• Practically used in our daily lives.
• Most of the festivals like Dashain, Tihar, Chaite Dasain, Teej, Shivaratri, Gaijatra, Chhath, Rishi Panchami, Krishna Astami, Nag Panchami, etc. are according to lunar calendar of Nepal Sambat.
• This calendar is glory of Nepal because it is created by a common citizen of Nepal not by any foreigner like Bikram Sambat ( by Indian King).
• Nepal Sambat is a unique calendar in the sense, all other calendars are named after some rulers or religious leaders. Nepal Sambat is the only calendar which is named after a country.
• This calendar was in continuous official use in Nepal for 889 years, i.e., from 879 to 1769 AD.
• All the astrologist/jyotish are using it for making Patro.
• The founder of Nepal Sambat has already been recognized as National Hero(bivuti).


History:
Nepal's original Era Nepal Sambat was begun by Sankhadhar Sakhwah , in Malla period, when Raghab Dev was ruling in Kantipur and Anand Malla in Bhaktapur. It was started from 20th of October 879 Thursday.This calendar is said to have been introduced by a common subject Shankhadhar Sakhwa by clearing on his own all debts owing to the state by the then subjects of Nepal. This calendar was in continuous official use in city states of Kathmandu valley and Banepa for 889 years, i.e., from 879 to 1769 AD. After conquering city states of Kathmandu valley,in 1769 AD, King Prithvi Narayan Shah discontinued official use of Nepal Sambat. Instead Saka Sambat became de facto as well as de-jure calendar of whole country. In valley itself, Saka Sambat were widely used in official work alongside the Nepal Sambat. In 1903 AD, Rana prime minister Chandra Shamsher replaced the Saka Sambat with the Bikram Sambat

Monday, October 6, 2008

Hindu God and Goddess

Goddess Laxmi is known as goddess of wealth.

Goddess Saraswoti know as goddess of knowledge
Goddess Laxmi and God Ganesh

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Vijaya Dashain

Dashain, the longest and the most auspicious Hindu festival in the Nepali calendar, celebrated by the Nepalis of all caste and creed is being observed throughout the country on Tuesday.
The 15 days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon.

Dashain is celebrated with great rejoice, and Durga is worshiped throughout the country as the divine mother goddess.

Dashain commemorates a great victory of the gods over the demons.

The first nine days signify the nine days of ferocious battle between Goddess Durga and Mahisasur. The 10th day is the day when Mahisasur was slain and the last five days symbolise the celebration of the victory with the blessing of the goddess.

The first day of Dashain is called Ghatasthapana, which literally means “setting up the pot”. On this day the kalash--holy water vessel--symbolising goddess Durga often with her image embossed on the side is placed in the prayer room.

The Ghatasthapana ritual is performed at a certain auspicious moment determined by the astrologers. At that particular moment the priest intones a welcome, requesting goddess Durga to bless the vessel with her presence.