Protest against funding cut off for festivals on 28th sept 08

An angry protest was staged by the Newar community(Natives of Kathmandu Valley) against the government for cutting off the budget for the religious festivals(Jatras) celebrated since years on 28th September 2008.

The protesters blocked traffic in Basantapur,Kathmandu by burning tyres.

They also demonstrated rallies in Basantapur.

The security force, to avoid any unhappy incidents.

Indra Jatra

Every September the Festival Indra Jatra takes places which continues for eight days during which there is much rejoicing, dancing and feasting.. In Hinduism, Indra is the King of heaven and also the god of rain and adequacy.One of the main events in this festival is pulling the three-tiered chariot of the Royal Kumari accompanied by Pulukishi(Lord Ganesh) and Lord Bhairav through Kathmandu on the third and fourth days.Other attractions are the Lakhes(persons wearing mask of horrific features)

devotees pulling the chariot of Royal Kumari

History :
Legend says that once Lord Indra came to earth in search of a unique flower called Parijat for his mother(Dakine Devi) to make offerings to Lord Shiva.As Indra sneaked into a garden, the gardener (who was a great Tantric) bound Indra within his spiritual powers.When Indra did not return for long his mother herself came to earth and found out that her son was caught in Tantrik's control.After tough negotiations she finally succeeded to free her son.She then promised
enough dew throughout the winter to ensure a rich crop.Since then Indra Jatra is celebrated every year.

The royal Kumari

The festival took place in Basantapur in kathmandu

The chariot of Royal kumari which is pulled through Kathmandu city

The traditional dancers.

I took this picture in the evening when the festival was about to end.

Lakhe (person wearing horrific mask who dances throughout the festival)His mask is of Lord Bhairav.

The chariot of Lord Bhairav

The army playing their religious band on the occasion

The classical and traditional music players

People were rejoicing and dancing to offer their respect to lord Indra

Thousands of devotees attended the festival with great respect and enthusiasm as well.

(There was so much crowd and was difficult to shoot with my tiny n95 camera.I really missed my camera this time but i managed to take few shots though the photos did not come out great anyways I hope these could entertain all.)

Under my Umbrella ella ella

It was a pleasant sunny day.I sat by the shore and watched people enjoy their boating and taking few shots as well.I loved the view of the green fresh pond .

These were chairs made out of trees . I found these very interesting .The trees were cut flat to make these look like one.

It suddenly started raining .I rushed upwards to this place to save myself from getting drenched though i had my umbrella along.There too I saw a beautiful wooden chair standing all alone

It was actually a tree which was cut flat to make it look like one.

In the middle there was a mini island where a crane standing on its one leg

Under my umbrella
This is my friend enjoying the magical view.The green water looked beautiful and it was indeed a treat to the eyes.

There was greenery and peace which nowadays seems to have disappeared.

The rain stopped after sometimes and I kept my umbrella under the tree to dry it up .

Exclusive Pictures of The Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath is the most sacred temple of Lord Shiva located situated on the shore of the Bagmati river on the eastern part of Kathmandu.Only the Hindus (believers of Hinduism) are allowed to enter the temple whereas the non-Hindus are only allowed to have a look from the other bank of the Bagmati river.The present temple was built by King Bhupalendra Malla in 1653.The temple is of pagoda architecture with gold plated roof, four silver doors and fine quality wood carvings on it.There is a gold plated statue of a large bull (Nandi bull) on the western door of the temple.The deity, Chaturmukhlinga (Linga with four faces) of Pashupatinath is black in color and is 6 feet tall.It is one of the most venerated Lingas in the whole world

History:
According to the legend once Lord Shiva got tired of everyone and came to Kathmandu Valley in Slesmantak Forest without telling anybody.Before other gods discovered him,he disguised himself into a one-horned stag to get rid of his duties.And when Lord Vishnu grabbed him by his horn, it broke off ,which then became the Pashupatinath Linga. As time went by, the temple was buried and forgotten for a long period.Later a cow (Kamdhenu cow) was found dropping her milk over a mound .The cow herders dug the spot and found the lost Linga and built the temple again.

The view of the whole temple from across the Bagmati River

The main entrance of the temple. Only the Hindus can enter the temple whereas the non-hindus are allowed to have a look from this entrance only.

This is the picture of the main temple.It is a square, two-tiered pagoda temple with such silver doors on all four sides of the temple.The priests of Pashupati temple are called BHATTA.

The gold plated statue of the Nandi Bull

This is a temple at another corner which is surrounded by hundreds of Shivalingams

The Arya Ghat (cremation ground) on the bank of Holy Bagmati River.

The cremation pyres on the bank of Bagmati River.The Hindus believe that to be cremated here brings salvation and releases the dead body from the cycle of rebirth and death.

The votive shrines one behind another which could be seen at once through the first arc.I find this very interesting .

The sadhu Babas. With their unique outfit like of Lord Shiva they stay around the temple area all the time.

The only old age home run by the government since many years.We do have other private old age homes too.

Children swimming in the Bagmati River.

The Pashupatinath area.The temple has quite a large area .

Cows grazing around the Pashupatinath Area

The way to the temple where people sell flowers ans every necessary items for worshiping .