nepal news and updates - Himalayan Dreams

Jet Airways to launch Kathmandu-Mumbai flights in December

NAC to fly to Lhasa in 2010

Tourist arrival up by 11 pc in Oct

Entry fee to Swoyambhunath Stupa revised

Jet Airways to launch Kathmandu-Mumbai flight in December.

India’s leading private sector airline Jet Airways is introducing daily flights from India’s commercial capital Mumbai to Kathmandu from December 2. The ariline will use Boeing 737 for Kathmandu-Mumbai flights.
Jet Airways currently operates 13 flights a week in Kathmandu-New Delhi sector. The airline will increase its flights on the Kathmandu-New Delhi sector to 14 flights a week effective from November 17.
“The Nepal-India sector is a very busy one, in terms of leisure and business air traffic. We are confident that our new daily services on the sector will be much appreciated,” Nikos Kardaiss, acting JEO, Jet Airways, stated in the company’s website.

NAC to fly to Lhasa in 2010

Nepali and Chinese officials have agreed to operate Kathmandu-Lhasa-Kathmandu flights by designated Nepali airlines. The agreement was raeached during the Third Joint Tourism Coordination Committee Meeting on November 9.
Joint secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation Murari Bahadur Karki and Deputy Director General of the Tibet Tourism Administration Wang Songping signed the agreement.
Nepal Airlines Corporation will start the direct flight to Lhasa, while China Airlines will operate Canton-Lhasa-Kathmandu flights.
The meeting also decided to promote a joint rafting industry by the private sector of both sides, develop an action plan to establish a trekking route from Lomanthang of Nepal to Mansarovar of Tibet.
Meanwhile, officials of both the countries are making preparation to resume direct bus service between Kathmandu and Lhasa. The bus service has remained defunct for the last three years.

Tourist arrival up by 11 pc in Oct

Tourist arrival to Nepal in the month of October has increased by 10.8 pc to 56,009 compared to arrival figure of same period last year. Nepal’s peak tourism season begins from October.

Growth in arrival in the month of October was contributed by robust growth in arrivals from India and China. Arrivals from India and China increased by 20.1 pc and 116.4 pc respectively. Similarly, arrivals from Asia (other than South Asia) also recorded positive growth. Arrivals from Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand increased by 10.7 pc, 55.8 pc, 127.8 pc, 4.3 pc and 3.6 pc respectively. Arrivals from the Asian segment recorded a positive growth of 41.2 pc.

In the SAARC region, arrivals from Pakistan and Sri Lanka increased by 177.4 pc and 106.3 pc respectively.

Arrival from the European market registered a growth of 9.9 pc in the period. The month saw the incrment of arrivals from UK, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands by 4.3 pc, 6.6 pc, 5.8 pc, 2.3 pc and 13.6 pc respectively. However, arrivals from Switzerland, Spain, and Belgium declined by 3.1 pc, 9.5 pc, and 15.5 pc respectively.

Travel theme and great ideas!

Enjoy the great opportunity of a lifetime! These treks will reward you with marvelous Himalayan vistas, panaromic views of the most gigantic mountains from Kalapathar, with a beautiful sunrise, through Mt Everest. Take a gentle trek through the Dudhkoshi river valley following beautiful terraces and rhododendron forests. Enjoy the culture of the Sherpas, visit ancient monasteries and learn how Lamaistic Buddhism influences Sherpa

life. Stop at any of the numerous teahouses, sip a glass of sweetened tea or Chang (millet beer), and get a taste of hospitality unique to the Sherpas.

Beautiful, multi-hued prayer flags, prayer wheels and intricately carved Mani stones line every hilltop, rock wall and trailside, singing prayers to the gods with every breeze and every passing traveler !

Entry fee to Swoyambhunath Stupa revised

The Federation of Swoyambhunath Stupa Management and Conservation has revised entry fee for foreign visitors to visit Swoyambhunath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
According to Tourist Guide Association of Nepal (TURGAN), foreign visitors will have to pay Rs 200 to enter the Swoyambhunath area as entry fee effective from November 16. Earlier, the fee was Rs 100 per person.
Swoyambhunath Stupa is one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu Valley.

SOURCE: TAAN E-News.

Maniramdu Festival

Sherpas belong to the Nying-Mapa sect of Tibetan Buddhist which is self an outgrowth of the Manayana tradition Guru Rimpoche (Padma-Sambhawa an Indian yogi) is regarded as the founder of this old sect and spirtual leader.

Legendarily born of a lotus in the middle of a lake, it is to Guru Rimpoche that the Prayers and maniwall inscriptions are address as “”OM MANI PADME HUM”, Hail to the jewel of the lotus. Religious book recount that Guru Rimpoche was a powerful Magician and sorcerer.

Sherpas celebrate many ceremonies in the region, including marriage ceremonies, Funerals, manning of a child, driving out evilspirits, obtaining Sonam (Merit) and other offerings to be made in the name of the local gods. Mani-Rimdu Festival

Mani Rimdu, a very important festival to the Sherpas, falls on the full moon day of Tibetan ninenth month (October/November/December). The three day celebrations of Mani Rimdu follow the ten-day non-stop prayer sessions addressed to the parton deities - seeking ” blessing for the good of all mainkind”. The portagoniest of all is Guru Rimpoche, the founder of Vajrayan Buddism in Tibet. Masked Lamas of Khumbu region perform various religious rituals amidts dancing and singing.

The first celebration of Mani-Rimdu at Monastery of Tyangboche (Everest region) seems to have taken place some time in 1930. It originates from Rongbukh Monastery in Tibet Mani-Rimdu is a prayer ceremony where the Monks put on masks representing divine personages and perform ritual dances.The spectators of devotion come from many village to gain Sonam (merit) from the head Lama’s blessing and making corn and grain contributions to the Monk’s community. Mani-Rimdu normally takes place every year in the month of November (full moon, it can be changed depending upon Tibetan Calender) and at-least for three days.This period coincides with the cessation of work in the village at the end of harvesting. Mani-Rimdu is the only big social event that draws together large crowds from all villagers in the Khumbu region

Bandipur village

Bandipur, a picturesque hill top town is located almost halfway through the highway linking Kathmandu to Pokhara. A steady uphill drive from the highway town of Dumre takes you to this small and lazy Newari town, which once used to be the resting stop for the Newars trading in Tibet.

This town remains preserved ever since it was built and allows the tourists to enjoy its beautiful architecture and great Mountain View. Bandipur is known for its majestic view of the Himalayan ranges covering the entire Annapurna range including Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Langtang. The view starts from the snow capped mountains spreading to the great Marshyandi River valley below.

History

Newars, the native inhabitants of Kathmandu valley also known for their business acumen found Bandipur a good resting spot between the northern hills and southern hills of the country while they traded in and out of Tibet. In the early days, the town enjoyed the hustle and bustle of these affluent Newar traders. After the downfall of the Rana era and Prithvi Highway was built, the town sidestepped as a busy trading stop. Now, it is a quiet and lazy town for travelers seeking for a relaxing vista point.

Architecture

The town is built in a blend of neo-classical and Newari architecture. Built in the 19^th century, the town’s art is influenced by neo-classical style brought in by the Ranas from Europe and Newari architecture. The buildings are spacious with big windows and beautiful woodwork.

Climate

Bandipur is a place for all seasons. Wintertime starts from November to February and goes as far low as zero centigrade. Winters are cold in the morning and evening, with sun shining all day. August to October and March & April are the autumn and spring respectively. There are moderate and perfect weather times. The summer is hot but dry and monsoon is not as harsh on the hills as the valleys and lowlands.

Community

Bandipur town/bazaar is predominantly a Newari town. Before the Newars established this place, Magars are the inhabitants of the region. The surrounding hills have Magar and Gurung settlements. These are ethnic people from the hills known for their strength and bravery in fighting.

Sightseeing areas

Ramkot: Ramkot is a Magar village which is about 2 hours of pleasant walk from Bandipur through the edges of the hills past forest and trails overlooking valleys and hills. The village has mud houses most of them round in structure which is traditional of the area and the ethnic group. Untouched, the walk and village allows travelers to explore the country side of Nepal.

Siddha Cave: Discovered in 1987, Siddha Cave is said to be the larges cave in the country and also in the South Asian Continent. Almost an hour and a half walk down hill through the forests from the Bandipur town will take you to the cave. Once equipped with lights and a stick, it is quite an adventure to explore this huge cave.

Activities

One Night

Day 1: Depart from Kathmandu and arrive in Bandipur for lunch. Rest of the day to explore the town and nearby temples. Overnight at Gaunghar, an old building of the town renovate into a hotel.

Day 2: Enjoy the relaxing town or take a short hour walk to nearby village. Depart to the next destination.

Two nights

Day 1: Depart from Kathmandu and arrive in Bandipur for lunch. Rest of the day to explore the town and nearby temples. Overnight at Gaunghar, an old building of the town renovate into a hotel.

Day 2: Day hike to Ramkot with picnic lunch. Overnight at Gaunghar.

Day 3: Depart for the next destination

Three nights

Day 1: Depart from Kathmandu and arrive in Bandipur for lunch. Rest of the day to explore the town and nearby temples. Overnight at Gaunghar, an old building of the town renovate into a hotel.

Day 2: Day hike to Ramkot with picnic lunch. Overnight at Gaunghar

Day 3: Half day hike to Siddha Cave. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Gaunghar.

Day 4: Depart for the next destination.

FOR MORE INFORMATION contact at:

HIMALAYAN DREAMS- Unleash your spirit!

Post Box 25551 Kathmandu, Nepal.
Ph +977-1-4442812/4428746/4362706 /
Email: info@himalayandreamz.com
www.himalayandreamz.com

Everest sherpa trails

Panaromic view of most gigantic mountains from Kalapathar with beautiful sunrise through Mt Everest. The treks will reward the trekker with marvellous Himalayan vistas. Gentle trek through the Dudhkoshi river valley following beautiful terraces and rhorondrodon forests.

Although this is a short trek, by Nepal standards, there will be plenty of time to enjoy the culture of the Sherpas, visit ancient monasteries and learn how Lamaistic Buddhism influences Sherpa life. Stop at any of the numerous teahouses sip a glass of sweetened tea or Chang (millet beer) and get a taste of hospitality unique to the Sherpas.

Beautiful, multi-hued prayer flags prayer wheels and intricately carved Mani stones line every hilltop, rock wall and trailside singing prayers to the gods with every breeze and every passing traveler.

more details

Bhaktapur by night

HNS -2009-11-03 9:10 PM
KATHMANDU: Live performances of customs and cultures under the full moon, bright stars and shimmering oil lamps made the passers-by almost lose their way. They seemed to be totally captivated by the fascinating hidden charms of the nightlife at Bhaktapur.

The 9th Bhaktapur Night held on November 2 at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, in fact provided a perfect time and place to get acquainted with the actual nightlife of Bhaktapur to those who are unfamiliar with it.
Students from different local schools performed traditional dances. One of them was Ghintang Kisi Dance, which is a stick dance and the students gave an attractive performance. In Dhimey dance, the performers danced to the beat of traditional drums wearing the traditional Newari attire. Jyapu-Jyaapuni dance, Astamatrika dance and Bhairav dance were some of the other dances performed during the event.
The Saki manaa Punhi Festival of Newars, a festival celebrated on full moon, was also being observed on the same evening. While the performances were being held at the Durbar Square, one could see local people making shapes of chariots and major temples of Bhaktapur out of wheat, maize, roti, and other different kinds of grains.
The event has been organised by Bhaktapur Tourism Development Committee (BTDC) on the occasion of Saki manaa Punhi Festival for the last eight years with a motive to promote night tourism of Bhaktapur.

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Published on THT- 4th Nov,