Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category

After about 35 minutes of flight from Kathmandu to Lukla on a DHC Twin Otter, the pilot was getting ready for the final approach. We could see through cluttered clouds nothing but hills all around us. Negotiating through several layers of clouds, the pilot cleared a high ridge, immediately banked lefts and started descending steeply. Few of us began praying; some were holding the seat ... Full story

The Yeti, the mystical creature sometimes referred to as the Abominable snowman in western countries, is said to have a body like an Ape, hair as long as that of a yak, roars like a lion and as powerful as Hercules, that lurks in the Himalayan region of Nepal and Tibet and haunts the locals in dreams if not in reality. The locals believe that ... Full story

Festival of water and colors that falls between February/March is also known as “Phagu” in Nepal. An important festival of the Nepalis, Holi begins on the eighth day of the new moon in the month of Falgun and ends with the burning of the ‘Chir’, which is installed earlier, on the full moon day. This day is observed to rejoice the extermination of female ... Full story

Yoga = Unity Oneness. Derived from the Sanskrit word yog which means to join. The science of life, the integration of mind and body, the union of the spirit to the divine, via tools left behind from rishis, ascetics and yogis of ages past. Full story

Vipassana is one of the most ancient meditation techniques. Long lost to humanity, it was rediscovered by Gautum Buddha more than 2500 years ago. Vipassana means 'to see things as they really are'; it is the process of self purification by self observation. One starts by observing the natural breath to concentrate the mind. Full story

Wrapped in innumerable myths and legends, Nepal is a land of magic and mystery. The confrontation between its millions of gods and goddesses on the one hand and the most powerful demons on the other, at various points gives a meaningful perspective to this magic and mystery. The former represents positive spirits, and the latter negative ones. Somewhere between the two stands the faith-healer, almost like a catalyst, who, with his invocation and possession of positive spirits (white magic) manages to drive away the negative spirits (black magic) inflicted on his clients. Full story

Based on historical evidence Ayurveda has been practised in Nepal since the beginning of time. The Himalaya stand for purity, clarity and harmony, which is the goal and aspiration of every living creature. Nepal is one of the richest countries with diverse flora ranging from tropical to alpine within a small geographical area. Much of the flora is used for medicinal purposes. Nepal has a great tradition of Ayurveda, and it is considered to be part of the cultural and scientific heritage of the country. Full story

Nepal is not only the land of mountains; it is also the land of festivals. There are more than 50 festivals celebrated in Nepal every year. While the national festivals have fixed dates, religious festivals are set by astrologers following the lunar calendar. The best part about the festivals in Nepal is that all the events are celebrated with the same enthusiasm and galore the way it used to be hundreds of years ago when people had no other means of entertainment. Full story