Entertainment & Sports

With the thrills of outdoor activities Nepal also offers city fun for its visitors. While visitors enjoy the rustic by simply beholding spectacular sights and partaking in the activities of exotic cultures, in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara some entertainment is on par with western world.

Visitors have a choice from a potpourri of amusements. They can: partake in cultural shows that include theater and local art; wine and dine at premier hotels that provide excellent service; enjoy music and dance at newly-opened discotheques; try a luck at rummy or blackjack at one of our casinos; enjoy a game of golf in our Himalyan serenity; or just watch a movie as cozy twosome in one of our movie theaters.

A taste of Nepali culture is still sought by tourists. Visitors are fascinated by ethnic ambience in local restaurants that serve authentic Nepali food. Art galleries and museums of the Valley exhibiting cultural treasures are also among preferred tourist choices. Health clubs and gymnasiums are available for sports lovers. While latest Nepali and Hindi movies run in most movie theaters, a theatre in Kathmandu also runs good English movies. Video and DVD stores offer wider range of choices.

Casino Nepal
Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Tahachal, Kathmandu
Open : 24 hours
Tel : +977 -1-427 0244, 427 1011
Fax : +977-1-427 1244
Email : rdt@mos.com.np

Casino Anna
Hotel de'L Annapurna, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Open : 24 hours
Tel : +977 -1-422 8650
Fax : +977-1-422 5228
Email : casanna@mos.com.np

Casino Everest
Hotel Everest, New Baneswore, Kathmandu
Open : 24 hours
Fax : +977-1-449 0288
Email : everest@_mos.com.np

Casino Royale
Hotel Yak & Yeti, Dubar Marg, Kathmandu
Open : 24 hours
Tel : + 977 -1-422 8481, 441 0007
Fax : +977-1-422 3933
Email : royal@mos.com.np

Casino Rad
Hotel Radisson, Lazimpat, Kathmandu
Open : 24 hours
Tel : +977 -1-441 1818
Email : casinorad@mos.com.np

Casino Tara
Hyatt Regency, Boudha, Kathmandu
Open : 24 hours
Tel : +977 -1-449 1234 Ext. 5924
Email : casinotara@mos.com.np

One of the most expensive sports of the world, golf was started in Nepal by the families. The history of golf in Nepal goes back to the time when a delegation of Rana ministers returned home with golf clubs from a visit to Scotland. They started playing golf in what is today's Gaucharan. The first real golf tournament Lava Cup was started in 1920.

Gokarna Forest Golf Resort (18 holes), Kathmandu The Gokarna Forest Golf Resort, is one of the finest in South Asia. It is a 72-course golf area with 18 holes. The course is set in an old forest area of the Valley. Near the resort is Harmony Spa, for soothing golf senses. Email : golf@lemeridien-kathmandu.com Address : Le Meridien Kathmandu, Gokarna Forest Golf Resort, Rajnikunj Gokarna, Thali P.O. Box: 20498, Kathmandu, Nepal Phone : +977 -1-445 1212, 445 0444 Fax :+977-1-445 0002 View website

Nepal Golf Club (9 holes), Kathmandu Established in 1829, Nepal Golf Course in Kathmandu's Til Ganga is one of the oldest of Nepal and of Asia. The course was conferred the title of '' in 1911. Email : rngc@mail.com.np Address : Nepal Golf Club, Tilganga, Kathmandu, Nepal. Phone :+ 977-1-449 4247

Army Golf Course (9 holes - private), Kathmandu Email : ghanagolf@yahoo.com Address : Army Golf Club, Gujeshwori, Kathmandu, Nepal. Phone : +977-1-449 1761 Fax :+ 977-1-448 0246

Himalayan Golf Course (9 holes), Pokhara The Himalayan Golf Club in Pokhara situated about 6 kilometers away from the city is a recently completed pro-championship designed 9 holes golf course which is located in a beautiful amphitheater like setting of a river canyon scene with a panoramic view of the Annapurna Himalayan range. Email : himgolf@fewanet.com.np Address : Himalayan Golf Course, PO BOX 208, Majeri Patan, Pokhara, Nepal. Phone : +97 -1-61-521 882, 527 204 Fax :+977-1-61-521 882 View website

Yeti Golf Club (9 holes, par 3, Fulbari Hotel), Pokhara Email : sales@fulbari.com.np Address : Fulbari Resort & Spa, Yeti Golf Club, P.O. Box 334, Pokhara, Nepal. Phone : +977-61-523 451 (Pokhara), +977-1-478 1462,478 0882 (Kathmandu) Fax : +977-61-528 482 (Pokhara),+977-1-478 0306(Kathmandu) View website

Nirvana Country Club (9 holes), Dharan. Email : nirvanaresort@hotmail.com Address : Nirvana Country Club, Health & Golf Resort, Ghapa Camp, Dharan, Nepal. Phone : +977-1-25-526 801, 526 802, 525 555 (Dharan), +977-1-424 2021, 424 7071 (Kathmandu) View website

Chaudhary Group Golf Club, private (9 hole), Nawalparasi.

Email : cug@chaudharygroup.com
Address : Ganga Devi Choudhary Udyog Gram, Dumkauli, Nawalparasi, Nepal.
Phone : +977-1-78-529 508, 529 522 (Nawalparasi),+977-1-552 5039, 552 5041 (Kathmandu
Fax : +977-1- 78-545 122 (Nawalparasi),+977-1-552 3818 (Kathmandu)

Kathmandu, which is generally a quiet city after twilight bustles with life till the wee hours of morning in the narrow alleys of Thamel and other selected places. Bars and pubs, many of which feature live music stay open till late night while discotheques function to keep boredom at bay for the young Nepali crowd and tourists out for the night.

Some popular nightlife hubs are Galaxy in Hotel Everest, Rox Bar at the Hyatt Regency, Disco in Durbarmarg, Fire Club in Thamel and Platinum in Hotel Yak and Yeti. Frequent private parties are also organized at various places especially during weekends and public holidays.

Kathmandu offers dining varieties that range from the exotica of five-star menus to roadside café experience. The best part about it is that the price range is easily affordable for most tourists. Restaurants in Kathmandu and around the Valley have improved a great deal in the last several years.

Indian, Chinese, continental and enough other varieties are available to satisfy the palate of a food connoisseur. Visitors, also enjoy authentic taste of indigenous cuisines in the ethnic ambience of Nepali restaurants. Restaurants and food joints in the nooks and corners of Thamel are very popular among Western visitors. In some restaurants of Kathmandu and Pokhara, traditional songs and dances are performed by local artists during meals.

Fetes & Festives

Everything festive in Nepal traditionally begins with something religious and moves with spontaneous spirit into a pleasant family feast. This is because, for Nepali's, relegion has always influenced and has been the core of Nepali culture.

Most of the festivals celebrated in Nepal are religious. However, they can be generally divided into four sections keeping in mind the main aspects of the festival emphasized:

1. Religious: These festivals are specially designed to honor a certain god or goddess. For instance, Bada Dashain, the festival of Devi Durga, the universal mother goddess also known as Kali.
   
   
2. Historical: The historical festivals are celebrated to keep alive memories of events of importance. Gaijatra, was introduced by Jaya Prakash Malla.
   
   
3. Agricultural: Since Nepal is an agricultural country there are different festivals like Laxmi Puja which mark the different seasons of harvesting, planting etc.
   
   
4. Seasonal: The different seasonal festivals are celebrated in order to mark the beginning of special seasons. Holi or Fagu is the festival inspired by spring, the season of colours.
   
   
5. Legendary: These festivals are based on legends than on any reliable historical record. Ghantakarna is a festival, which is also based on a legend. It is celebrated as a great relief from the death of a most dreaded legendary monster-Ghantakarna.

One of the interesting ways to understand the beauty and richness of Nepali culture is through its festivals. During festivals in Nepal, cultural dances, songs and performances are practiced. These cultural treasures make the festivals interesting and entertaining. People find more joy participating in performances and watching others perform and so, no festivals are idle gatherings. Instead, they are lively and purposeful

::	Nawa Varsa
::	Mother's Day
::	Mani Rimdu
::	The Teechi
::	Rato Machendranath Rath Jatra s
::	Sithi
::	Ghantakarna
::	Naga Panchami
::	Janai Poornima
::	Gaura Parba
::	Mataya
::	Krishnastami
::	Gokarna Aunshi (Father's Day)
::	Teej
::	Dashain
::	Deepawali or Tihar
::	Chhath Parva
::	Yomari Punhi
::	Basanta-Panchami (Shree-Panchami)
::	Lhosar
::	Maha-Shivaratri
::	Fagu Poornima (Holi)
::	Ghodejatra
::	Janbaha Deo Jatra
::	Chaite Dashain
::	Ram Nawami

Nawa Varsa Nepali New Year (Bisket) Venue : Bhaktapur Date : The 1 st day of the 1 st month of the year Baishakh (mid Apr)

Mother's Day
Mother's Day symbolizes love, affection for living mother and memory for dead mother. It is also the day of 'Looking at Mother's Face'. For the living, it is a reminder to pray for their souls. In this day, a special Mela is organized at Mata Tirtha. There are two pools at Mata Tirtha, the lower one is bigger and used for bathing. The smaller, upper one is called the pond f "Looking at Mother's Face", for it is believed, or was believed, one could see the face of one's mother in the pool's reflection.

Venue : Mata Tirtha, Kathmandu.
Date : Apr/May


Mani Rimdu
3 days long festival

Venue : The monastery of Thame, one day walk to the west of Namche Bazaar the main hub-bub of the highest Sherpaland. Tengboche Monastery.
Date : Apr/May

The Teechi
The Teechi (oftern pronounced "Teeji") festival is an annual event indigenous to Lo-Manthang (Upper Mustang). The name is an abbreviation of the word "Tempa Chirim" which translates as "Prayer for World Peace". This festival commemorates the victory of Lord Buddha's incarnation "Dorjee Sonnu" over a demon called Man Tam Ru a vicious creature feeding on human beings and causing storms and droughts. The Teeji festival usually takes place during the last week of May and lasts fro 3 days. Dances performed by the monks of Lo Manthang's "choedhe" monastery during the celebration display. The harassment of Ma Tam Ru Ta (in a dance called "Tsa Chham" on the first day), the birth of Dorjee Sonnu as the demon's son (on the second day called "Nga Chham"), the attempt to return the demon tolord Buddha's realm (on the third and final day). The Teeji festival dances are all organized by the Choedhe Monastery, which is that of the Sakya sect of Lo Manthang. The monastery abbot is Khempo Tasi Tenzing Rimpoche. Altogether about 65 monks from Lo Manthang, Nhenyul and Chhosyer live in the monastery.

Venue : Mustang Region
Date : May

Rato Machendranath Rath Jatra About a month long festival of Buddhist rain god. Until a few decades ago, before the Kathmandu Valley became a purely commercial hub, it was an agricultural land, which depended upon the rainy monsoon for its important rice crop. Today, though traditional farming practices have reduced, the premonsoon season still sees great worship made to Red Machhendranath-the rain god. Patan's streets and palace complexes are made even more evocative by warering lamp and candle lights, women busily cooking feasts, and men gathering strength to pull the chariot of their red deity. As Lord Machhendranath views his followers from the high seat of his chariot, its four wheels-representing the powerful Bhairab-receive rice and vermilion powder, the king of serpents is aksed for blessing, and his jeweled vest is shown to the public. Venue : Patan City, the old section, Bungmati Date : Begins on 1 st day of bright fortnight of Baishakh (May/Jun)

Sithi
A day choosen for cleaning ponds and wells combined with the worship of the mother earth and Kumara, the six headed god of warfare.

Venue : Jaisideval in down town Kathmandu
Date : The 6th day of dark Jestha (Jun)

Ghantakarna It is a festival designed to celebrate the death of a demon. Gathan-muga signals the end of the riceplanting season and the beginning of the autumn festival season. The festival itself (known varioulsy as Gathemangal and Ghantakarna) represents a ritual detoxification of the city. Evil sprits that might have sneaked in during the rice-planting season on the farmers or on their tools are banished outside the urban limits to preserve the city's harmony. Effigies of the Ghantakarna demons are ereected at street intersections in the morning. Girls hang dolls

on them and people wear iron rings on their fingers to ward off evil sprits. A man wearing war paint all over this body goes about begging for money. At the end of the day, the effigy is taken down. The painted man is made to sit on it holding a fire torch and the neighborhood kids drag it away to the riverbank. Householders then place pots of cooked rice at the crossroads as food for the evil sprits. Iron nails are also hammered into the door lintels to keep them out, because the spooks are terrified of iron.

Venue : The crossroads more colourful in the countryside.
Date : The 14 th day of dark Shrawan. (Jul/Aug)

Naga Panchami It is a day chosen to worship the naga (sacred snakes) and pray for the protection from the flood and other water related fears. This day honors the Nagas, the snake-gods, who in Nepal are associated with rain. The festival honors an ancient victory of a king, who was also a Tantric master, over the nagas, who had been withholding the rain. The king forced their submission by casting magic spells over them. Worship of the Nagas on this day, a compromise the conqueror graciously bestowed, insures there will be no drought. Nepalese purchase Naga portraits from the street

stalls the day before and on the morning of Naga Panchami attach these over their doorways. They then perform a small puja and leave a food offering in the yards and paddies for the snakes.

Venue : Taudaha & Pashupati
Date : The 5th day of bright Shrawan. (Jul/Aug)


Janai Poornima
A festival to change the sacred thread with the worship of Lord Shiva. Janai Poornima is the day when Hindus change the janai, the sacred thread the men wear on their chests. This full moon day sees flocks of Brahmina (Hindu priests) at the holy riverbanks. They take ritual dips in the water and offer ablution to the gods. They then change their sacred threads and also tie yellow sacred threads around the wrists of the faithful. Newars of the Kathmandu valley call this festival Gunhi Punhi, a soup of different sprouted beans known as kwati, is prepared as the special menu of the day. At Kumbheswar in Patan, a richly deocrated Lingam, the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva, is placed on a raised platform in the middle of the Kumbheswar (Knownti) pond to receive homage from devotees. Another ceremony that takes place here is Byan-ja Nakegu, in which rice is offered to frogs in gratitude for a good rain. In Bhaktapur, as a preclude to Saparu the next day, a Jujuya Ghintan-ghishi (king's carnival) goes around town. The participants dress in outlandish costumes and gambol to the tune of traditional music.

Venue : Throughout Nepal, Specially Pashupati Area and Kumbheswor, Patan
Date : The full moon day of Shrawan (Aug)


Gaura Parba
Towards the end of rainy season far-westerners of Nepal start gathering for Gaura. Gaura festival generally falls onBhadra Astami. Married women play the main role and worship Shiva-Parvati for the longevity of their husband and peace, prosperity and happiness of their family. It is a group of women working together whose collective efforts not only make this festival service for centuries but also serves an example of unity to the young generation.

Venue : Far Western Development Region Date : Aug


Mataya
The Buddhist festival of lights commemorating the victory of Buddha over Mara (vice)

Venue : Patan
Date : The 2 nd day of dark Bhadra (Mid. Aug.)

Krishnastami
The birthday of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna, the dark god who taught warrior Arjuna the value of Kama in the Bhagwad Gita, was born at midnight on the eight day of the dark moon of August. To celebrate the birthday of this much-loved Hindu god, devotees flock to the Drishna Mandir in Patan on the preceding day. There, men and women from far away gather around the 17th century temple and sit in vigil waiting for the midnight hour. Euphoric prayers and incantations fill the air, and small oil lmaps are lit as a mark of felicitation and devotion to the deity. Images of Lord Krishna are also carried around the city in a procession accompanied by joyous crowds of followers and musical bands.

Venue : Patan Durbar Square and Krishna temples in the country
Date : The 8 th of dark Bhadra (Aug)


Gokarna Aunshi (Father's Day)
The celebration of a fathers day with the worship of Shivalinga at Gokarna. Gokarna Aunsi is a special day set apart for the venteration of one's fathers alive or dead. On this auspicious day, son and daughters offer ritual food, sweets, meat and other gifts to their fathers. The streets are a happy scene with married daughters with loads of goodies making their way to their parents' houses. Ceremony is also known as 'Looking upon father's face'. Those whose fathers are no more mark this day by visiting Gokarna and other sacred spots and worshiping the deities. There they perform anniversary rituals in honor of their departed fathers and offer aims of rice, pulses and coins to the priests.

Venue : Gokarna temple on Bagmati
Date : The last day of dark Bhadra (Aug)

Teej The three day long festival of women. Dancing, folk songs, and the red color of women's wedding sarees dominate the day of Teej, a Hindu festival of womanhood. The day recals the heavenly occassion when Parbati, daughter of the Himalay, won the hand of Lord Shiva after severe meditation and fasting. On the first day, mothers send gifts of food and sarees to their daughters' houses, and groups of women gather together to feast. At midnight, the women begin a fast in emulation of Parbati. The

second day is for worship, in the early morning of the third day, women in red flock to the Pashupatinath temple, the great temple of Lord Shiva. The married ones ask for a happy and productive marriage and a long life for the their husbands, and those yet to tie the nuptial knot ask for an ideal husband.

Venue : Pashupati , Patan - Krishna temple & Sankhu
Date : From 2 nd to the 5th of bright Bhadra (Aug)

Dashain The longest Hindu festival of Nepal, Traditionally celebrated for two full weeks with the animal sacrifice to Durga the Universal Mother Goddess. The great harvest festival of Nepal, Dasain is a time of family reunion, the exchange of gifts and blessings, profuse pujas, ritual bathing and animal sacrifices. Dasain honors the goddess Durga, who was created out of the shakti energy of all the gods, armed with weapons from each of them. Goddess Durga, sumbolizing valor and prowess, is worshipped and offered animal sacrifices for

the devotees' progress prosperity. During the first 10 days, pilgrims throng various river confluences early in the morning and sacred shrines in the evening. Ghatasthapana, Phool Pati, Mahaastami, Nawami and Vijaya Dashami are the series of the events under Dasain.On Dashami, men and women in their fineries visit their elders to seek tika (a dab of red vermilion mixed with yogurt and rice). Sword precessions (Paayaa) are also held in various part of the Kathmandu Valley. The last day, known as Kojagrat Purnima, is the full moon. From this day onwards, Hindu women begin a month-long fast, many in residence at Pashupatinath. New clothes, home visits, grand feasts, kite flying and village swings are the highlights of Dasain. Venue : Important Hindu temples all over Nepal, Kathmandu Durbar Square Date : It begins on the first day of bright Aswin (Sep/Oct)

Deepawali or Tihar The 5 day long festival of lights, honoring Yama, God of Death. 1 st day is to worship a crow informant of Yama. 2 nd day is dogs day, dog is the agent of Yama. 3 rd day is the day to worship Laxmi the goddess of wealth. 4 th day is the self-respect day also a day for draught animal, oxen. 5 th day is the brothers day. This festival is a time of lights and tinsel decorations, fancy sweets and juicy fruits. The celebrations begin with the adoration of crows and dogs. Leaf dishes of rice, incense and light are set out for the dark messenger,

while dogs areworshiped and offered goodies. In the period of Tihar Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth is worshipped. Rows of lamps are placed on windows and doors, with the strong hope that Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth, is worshipped. Rows of lamps are placed on windows and doors, with the strong hope that Laxmi pleased to reside in light. The following day belongs to the cow, representative of Laxmi. Laxmi Puja, Gobardhan Puja and BhaiTika are the series of event under Tihar. In the day of Bhai Tika sisters and brothers get together and accept Tika from each other. This day is called as Brothers' Day. Brothers and sisters honor each other on this day and sisters pray to Yama, the God ofDeath, for their brothers' progress, prosperity and longevity.

Venue : The family houses
Date : It begins on 2 nd day of dark Kartik and continues until the 3 rd of bright Kartik (Oct./Nov.)

Chhath Parva The worship of Surya, the Sun God, attracts thousands of pilgrims to the holy town of Janakpur in southeastern Nepal. Devotees from Nepal and India throng the ancient city to worship at the Janaki temple and take ritual baths in the rivers and ponds. Devotees light lamps, sing songs and spend the night before Chhath Parva at the banks of rivers and ponds to greet the coming of the god. As the fiscal rays of the sun blaze from the sky, devotees scramble to offer prayers, holy water, fruits, coconuts and sacred threads. They pray to the sun for protection fromskin diseases. Venue : Terai Regions Date : Oct/Nov

Yomari Punhi
As the new rice is brought in, the farmers of theValley prepare for Yomari Punhi, an offering to the gods in thanks for the abundant harvest.The yomari is a special cake made from the flour of new rice. A shell of dough is filled with melted raw sugar and sealed. After the cake is steamed, it is present-ed to the gods as offering. Later it is eaten as blessed food. Thus each year, when the storerooms are full and the farmer's toil has been rewarded, the gods are thanked for their benevolence and generosity.
Venue : Newar Houses
Date : December


Basanta-Panchami (Shree-Panchami)
Basanta Panchami or Shree Panchami Honors the deities of knowledge and learning. Hindus honor the goddess Saraswati, and Buddhists the god Manjushree. Basanta Panchami announces the advent of spring, with official ceremonies at Hanuman Dhoka. The day is also considered one of the auspicous in the a year to get married. On this day upper caste Hindu boys are given their first initiation as it is dedicated to learning. Most popular is the especially school children, line up from sunrise. People aslo flock to Saraswati Kunda in Patan. Ceremonies assoicated with the instruments of art and learning-books, pens, brushes, etc. take place at home. Traditionally, children are given their first alphabet lesson this day.

Venue : Kathmandu Valley and other parts of the country.
Date : Feb

Lhosar Sherpas and Tibetans welcome their New Year with feasts, family visits and dancing. Families put on their finest clothes and jewellery and exchange gifts. Buddhist monks offer prayers for good health and prosperity, and perform dances at the monasteries. Colorful prayer flags decorate streets and rooftops; and the colors seem especially brilliant at the Bouddha and Swayambhu stupas. Crowds of celebrants at Bouddha bring in the New Year by throwing tsampa (roasted barley flour) into the air

Venue : Boudha Nath, Swyambhunath and Nothern Himalayan Regions. Date : Feb

Maha-Shivaratri All year Pashupatinath attracts pilgrims, sadhus, devotees and mendicants, but on this day the visitors are in the tens of thousands. Many are from India or the Terai and begin arriving a few days before, some camping out in the vicinity of the temple. Shiva's sacred day begins at midnight but devotees don't really begin to crowd the ghats till sunrise. Then the populace begin streaming in, past a tremendous variety of sadhus, mendicants of various types and deformities, devotees performing roadside penances (standing with a small trident thrust through the tongue,

being buried up to the neck, etc.) and merchants hawking everything from puja kits to kitchenware. Hindus pay homage to the scared lingam inside the temple and then bathe, or at least splash a little, in the river. The family takes part in afternoon rites at Tundikhel parade ground, receiving a 31- gun salute at the end. The King and his entourage pay homage to Shiva in the evening, when the whole tempo of the activity there has picked up, especially the musical side. Hundreds of sadhus reside in attendance camps in the courtyards of the temples situated at the opposite bank, where non-Hindus are also free to wander. The curious can witness some rather interesting yogic demonstrations there. It gets chilly in the evening, but there are usually several fires and lively scenes going at least till midnight, when the consecrated time elapses. In Bhaktapur, devotees honor Shiva by paying a visit to the Dattatreya Temple in Tachapal and people in other towns and villages of the valley. Venue : Pashupatinath. Date : March

Fagu Poornima (Holi)
Holi celebrates the death of the demoness Holika. This wicked woman, who was supposed to be invulnerable to fire, tried many times to kill her nephew, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. In the end she put the boy on her lap and set fire beneath them, thinking he would be burned up and she would escape. But instead the boy remained unharmed and Holika, to her surprise, immolated herself. The rites of this festival celebrate her end. Fagu Poornima begins the first day with the raising of the Chir pole about noon in front of Kumari house in Basantapur. Holi is known as 'playing with color' festival. Young and old, especially the children throw bags of water or handful of colored powder at each other and make it pleasure. In Terai region, they celebrate it the next day when people of valley celebrate it.

Venue : All over Nepal
Date : March

Ghodejatra Festival of horse, Army Day. Venue : Tundikhel Date : 14th of dark fort night of Chaitra (Mar)

Janbaha Deo Jatra
A week long chariot festival of white Machhendranath, the Buddhist god of compassion

Venue : The old section of Kathmandu
Date : 8 th of bright forth night of Chaitra (Mar)


Chaite Dashain
Hindus celebrate Dasain twice a year in Nepal. Chaite Dasain is one of these. The most public of the ceremonies are the ritual animal sacrifices performed by the army in the courtyard of the police station at Hanuman Dhoka. This commence from 8:00 a.m. and is performed before the banners and insignia of various military units. Goats and buffaloes are the victims, beheaded by a single stroke of the sword. In previous years anyone in the audience could volunteer to dispatch one of the animals, but this custom has lapsed. Western visitors are allowed to view from a balcony overlooking the courtyard, with a splendid view of all the gore. The rites last about two hours and are concluded after the military commander smears each of the banners with the sacrificial blood.

Venue : Important Hindu temples dedicated to Durga.
Date : 11 th of bright forth night of Chaitra


Ram Nawami
Hindus worship God Ram as a victorious person. In memory of the victory day, all Hindus worship Ram at various temples, especially in Ram Janaki Temple in Janakpur. Sacrificing of roosters, goats, and buffaloes at temples are main activities of this day.

Venue : Ram Janaki Temple in Janakpur and other Ram Temples
Date : 12 th of bright forth night of Chaitra

Shopping in Nepal

Shopping in Nepal is easy. With a little money and some time one can obtain the best buys this little kingdom has to offer. It will be helpful to have a Nepali for company if a huge shopping project is at hand. Common tourist shopping items include souvenirs and trinkets like gems and jewelry. However, one should be careful while buying jewelry as assessing their quality is difficult. Hand-weaved cotton fabric is a popular buy among visitors. Some buy pashmina that this Himalayan region is famous for and some also buy fresh tea and spices.

Popular buys among visitors are local craft and artwork. Among these are the Tibetan and Newar Thangka and Paubha paintings that belong to the time when these cultures were at their peak. Visitors buy Newari woodcrafts of picture frames, windows, statues and carvings. Carpets that represent the age-old folk art of the Tibetans are also very popular. Shops have rugs on display, however, carpets can be custom made by contacting the manufacturer. Traditional Nepali paper is popular as writing pads and bound journals, calendars and lampshades.

There are government restrictions that visitors should be aware of before purchasing items to take home. Antiques are not permitted to be taken out of the country. Hence inspection by the Department of Archeology is required for export of antiques. To be on the safe side, visitors should have all material examined by the Department of Archeology and obtain a certificate from the office before leaving Nepal.

Woodcraft is the speciality of the Newar artisans of the Kathmandu Valley. Among the items that you may wish to purchase while in Kathmano its making, and the details that have been worked into it.

However, windows and frames are not the only items on sale. Statues of gods, erotic carvings, traditional fig ures, and carvings with modern motifs are also available. The wooden images are made by using tools that were used a thousand years ago.

he metal work is also exceptional. Statues of high quality are available for prices ranging from a few thousand rupees to gold inlaid life-sized works. The lost was method is used to create these works of art. The wax figure is covered with clay and put in the sun to dry. Once ready, the wax is melted out and molten metal poured into the clay hollow. When the metal cools down and sets, the clay covering is destroyed and careful work with hammer, chisel and sanding material follows. The metal statue is then painted as per the specifications of reli gion or as per the request of the client.

Gurkha Khukuri is one of its kind of knives found only in Nepal. Price ranges according to the hardness of the blade and the origin of its make. Nepal are excellent and ornate knives for decor are also available.

Tibetan carpets are popular floor coverings in Europe and much af Nepal's foreign exchange earnings have come from the sale of carpets in the past two decades. The designs are traditional as well as modern. The modern designs have been created by some of the best artists working today in Europe and the products of the better manufacturers have graced many a Tibetan rug collection. Today, special effort is being made to break into the American and Japanese markets with special designs and quality rugs.

Nepal has some of the best goldsmiths and silver smiths in the worid, i.e. the Newar craftsmen, who have been delighting collectors and patrons with their exquisite creations for more than 600 years. So if you've ever wanted to own the finest jewellry, at a fractian of the cost you'd pay at home, Nepal is the place.

Nepal's most distinctive gems are the exquisite tourmalines from the eastern ranges, in pink, sunset rose, peach, golden, amber and green. There are very rare lime-green tourmalines that are found novdhere else, and some with more than one color in a single stone. The newly-discovered lemon-yellow tourmalines are especially fine.

For hundreds of years, scroll paintings have decorated the walls of monasteries, temples, and homes in East Asia. Especially, the Tibetan and Newar styles come from a time when these cultures were at their peak. Most of the older surviving scroll paintings are reminders of a period when the rulers and the public were concentrating upon the arts as offerings to the deities.

The Mithila paintings, known as Madhubani paint ings in India and Janakpur paintings in Nepal, are a common practice among the women of southern Nepal. The wind, sun, and rain very easily discolor these wall paintings, but they were not designed to withstand climate and time. The paintings, in fact, are usually painted over with clay when the women house clean for the next festival.

Many weavers in the Valley produce handwoven cot ton cloth of many colors and patterns. Visitors will find beautifully designed clothing and fabrics in Kathmandu's shops. The Magars of western Nepal also weave fabrics for readymade gar ments. Tussar which is the best Nepalese silk is not shiny but has a nat ural glow. It is made from an undomes ticated forest worm found in the south ern jungle regions. The Newars of the Kathmandu Valley and the Rai people of eastern Nepal have passed on the tradition of making blockprinted paper and cloth to modern producers.

Traditional Nepalese paper, popularly known as "rice paper" is actually made of lokta bark found in remote areas of the coun try. Because of its strength, govern ment offices use it for official docu ments. Many stores in Thamel and Patan sell writing pads and bound jour nals, as well as calendars and lamp shades of lokta paper.

Baskets

In the Terai region, bas kets used for household and decorative purposes are made from grass. The baskets come in different shapes and sizes according to their application. Raw jute which is one of Nepal's largest exports is grown in the southern Terai region and made into baskets and other materials.

Tea

The eastern districts of Nepal, notably llam, are where excellent varieties of Himalayan tea are grown and produced. Though most of it is exported, shops in Kathmandu and elsewere in Nepal of fer a wide selection of the fine tea, packaged attractively as suitable gifts, and guaranteed as a great brew.

Spices

Asia is an ancient spice stronghold. Therefore, Kathmandu, in the middle of Asia, is no exception. Kathmandu is, in fact, the entrepot of spices-those exotica to flavor curries and other dishes. Nutmeg, ginger, saffron, mace, green anise, fenugreek, peppers, and coriander seeds are just some of the spicy names.