About Nepal, Narayanhity Durbar, Royal Palace It is a hard earned poverty: Let everyone know! Prithvi Narayan Shah, in his lessons for his fellowmen once said “It isn't an easily earned nation, let everyone know”. we've neither forgotten his teachings nor rested on our laurels, although what we've added to our list of achievements may be a far more formidable and unique thing that we believe the planet should appropriately envy us for―abject poverty and backwardness. Any citizen of the planet on a mean earns about $11,640 and other people round the world are reeling under the pressure caused by increasing wealth and prosperity. Whereas, it seems, we've laboriously worked to stay our income under $1300 and also keep any shreds of prosperity cornered . The world may wonder, how have we managed to realize such poverty despite all the pressures but there aren't many secrets for our success― although it does take an incredibly hard effort to try to ...

Festivals of Nepal : Indra Jatra (God of Rain) This festival is celebrated to honor Lord Indra, the God of rain. It is celebrated for 8 days, mainly in the Kathmandu Durbar Square, and was started by King Gunakamdev after setting the city of Kathmandu in the 10th century. Kumari Rath Yatra was later added to the celebration in the 18th century. The history behind the Indra Jatra festival states that when Lord Indra was fetching night jasmine from Kathmandu for his mother, he was captured and held captive by the locals. Once they realized they had captured Lord Indra, they were scared and immediately released him. Indra’s mother blessed the city for releasing her son. It is believed that Kathmandu receives enough dew even in winter months for cultivation because of the blessing. The different parts of the procession are the reenactment of this story like Dagin (Indra’s mother frantically searching for her son around the city) and Pulu Kisi (a dance depicting Indra’s e...

One of the Festivals of Nepal : Chhath Parva Chhath Parva is a four-day festival celebrated in October or November by the natives of the Mithila region. It is the biggest festival of Terai people. The festival is celebrated by worshiping Sun God and thanking him for nourishing life on earth. The worshipers fast during the day for longevity and prosperity of the family members and worship the setting Sun.  Devotees sum up the festival by offering water to the rising sun the next morning after day-long fast. Other rituals observed during this festival are holy bathing, diving in water for a long time, offering foods to the Sun God, etc. Thekuwa and Anarsa are two unique sweet dishes prepared during Chhath. Please share this post: Festivals of Nepal : Chhath Parva

Pokhara Rock climbing and mountaineering Pokhara is a preferable destination as the departure point for rock climbers and mountaineers. It is also a place of rock climbing and ridge line climbing related competitions.  At present Nepal , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, Mountaineering Association, Annapurna Chapter organizes rock climbing practice course and competition on June 3rd of each year on the occasion of Mt. Annapurna day.  Empowering Women of Nepal , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, (EWN) has been organizing rock climbing events in the winter season in most of the years when such rock climbing instructors are available on demand. A total of 69 persons have got one week long basic rock climbing training offered by EWN in the last si...

Information about  Laakhamari (Newari Ceremonial Sweet Bread) - लाखामरी Laakhamari is described as a crunchy-flaky texture bread, prepared for special ceremonial occasions.  The sweet bread resembles a coiled, round, large twisted-rope shaped (like wreath) and is prepared from rice, wheat flour, and black gram lentils. A kind of bread,  Laakhamari   is prepared on special occasions, especially wedding. Sweet in taste, this crunchy bread is made with rice, wheat flour, and black gram lentils. When in Nepal, do binge on this one-of-its-kind bread. The special bread comes from the Newar community, one of the oldest ethnic groups in the capital valley of Kathmandu, who have an important cultural tie in the country.  Although laakhamari is typical Newari sweet bread, it has gained popularity with many other Nepalese ethnic group over the years. Photo of unglazed  laakhamari  bread The ingredients and preparation techniques of laak...

Garden Fresh Pumpkin Vine Shoots (Pharsi ko Munta) Fresh  Pumpkin Shoots are the young, uppermost tender shoots, tendrils, leaves, and delicate stems from pumpkin plants. Pumpkin Shoots are considered a delicacy in Nepal. The shoots are harvested from the growing end of the vine (the top 3 to 4 inches) by pinching off the tender ends. The plants will put out a new shoot or growth after the vine has been harvested. Pumpkin shoots have a distinct light flavor that can be described as a cross between squash and spinach.  Pumpkin Shoots should be cooked within a day of picking or they will lose their freshness and flavor. Like any leafy green, the volume of this vegetable reduces by half after cooking. My husband is growing a small patch of pumpkin vine in the corner of our home garden along with other vegetables.  This summer the vine was growing in abundance and we have been eating munta once a week. Once you taste these delicious vegetable, you w...

Fennel Plant and Seeds - Saunp or Saunf - (सौंप) The strong-smelling fennel plant has bright green stalks, lacy, dark green leaves, and mustard-yellow flowers, which turn into seed-heads when ripe.  Funnel Seeds are collected before they mature and dried.   Funnel Seeds slightly curved seeds are oval shaped with ridges, greenish-yellow; look somewhat like plump cumin seeds.  Funnel Seeds are aromatic spice with a mild licorice flavor.  All parts of the fennel plants are edible, including the young tender shoots, leaves, and stalks, as well as seeds.   Close-up look of Fennel Seeds Introduction to Funnel Seeds:  Foeniculum vulgare, commonly referred to as fennel, may be a flavorful culinary herb and medicinal plant. Fennel plants are green and white, with feathery leaves and yellow flowers. Both the crunchy bulb and therefore the seeds of the fennel plant have a light , licorice-like flavor. Yet, the flavour of the seeds is...