Wonderful Beautiful Nepal | Nepal Travel, Culture & Food

Guest Writer: Morwenna Murray, along with Amanda's comments and pictures after Last Saturday was Nepali New Years' Eve and it was celebrated in style in the beautiful, ancient city of Bhaktapur. This small town is 14km from Kathmandu and the narrow cobbled streets and breathtaking temples makes you feel like you have just stepped back into the Medieval era.  If you come to Nepal around this time of year you don't have to actually make an effort to plan to see something special. You can just listen for the drums and other instruments and follow the sounds. Bisket Jatra is the nine-day festival celebrating the new year, starting usually four days before new years day, then carrying on for four days after it. Part of the festival involves a huge 10 metre tall rickety, wooden charriot, carrying images of the god Bhairab. On the first day of the festival locals gather around the imposing chariot in Taumadhi square and a tug of war ensues between the east and west sides of Bhak...

There is one Hindu festival I look forward to more than any other here in Nepal, Holi, or the Festival of Colors. Its history is interesting, but the experience is amazing. Although the Hindu epic that began this tradition was about the death of a demon and good triumphing over evil, like Easter’s original roots, it may be more about celebrating the birth of spring. I have to admit that it is much more fun than an Easter Egg hunt. Are you are the kind of person who will borrow a couple of children when the circus comes to town, county fairs, festivals and other ‘kid friendly’ activities? If so, plan your next visit to Nepal in late February or early March so you can celebrate Holi with us.  Here is a list of things you will need to have or do: 1. An umbrella-to keep you from getting splashed from rooftops. 2. Old clothing or dark colored clothing to wear. The colors do come out, but not if it’s something light colored and delicate. 3. Old or cheap camera-There will be random, unc...

There is always a festival going on in Nepal. In fact, they say there are more festivals in Nepal than days of the year. They are always amazing to see, too. So, when my friend, Rajani, offered to take go with me Saturday to a special festival on tourism I knew I was in for a treat. Rajani is about my daughter's age, soon to be 26 and she is a lovely young, Newari woman-kind, sweet, polite and patient. When we go out for a day together she always helps me to do a bit of shopping and I always save money with her. This day was no exception. This day I bought fabric for queen size bed sheets for only 350 NRs. ($4.00). I had bought another one a few months ago in Kathmandu for 750 NRs. Quite a bargain at either price! For another 200 NRs. I will take it to a tailor to have them made. I also bought a natural fiber shawl for around three dollars along with some felt items I will use as gifts. I just couldn't pass them up.  One of the first things we saw was dancing goddesses in a cer...