Bhutan travel note

It is considerably smaller than Nepal with an overall population of about 650,000 people. It is a monarchy with a newly elected king in November. He is Bhutan’s 5th king and his father, King Four (easier to say that then his name which I could neither spell nor pronounce!), decided to let 60% of the country remain in a natural state. This was so successful that now 80% of Bhutan is in its natural state which means that the wildlife and flora are simply outstanding!

Architecture is uniform and beautiful. All houses are of a similar style and there are NO western type buildings. Even the newest buildings retain the Bhutanese flavor. Streams are clear and the roads are paved. There is electricity 24/7, the food is good and the people are very friendly.

The main tourists attractions are religious and the great “dzongs” or monasteries, cling to hillsides or dominate the towns and cities. In Thimpu you have a wonderful art school where painting, sculpting, embroidery, sewing, metal working, and drawing are taught. This is a really remarkable place and the students learn while hundreds of tourists pass through their classrooms taking pictures and chattering. A truly remarkable place! In addition there is a great textile museum with a marvelous video and an exhibit of ancient to modern textiles, all hand woven. You can see weavers at work and also buy from their museum store (naturally). In Paro, where you land, there is not as much to see but here there is the great Takinsang Dzong which is reached after a 2 and a half hour climb. Once there you can be blessed by a monk and take remarkable pictures standing atop this high mountain aerie.

In writing this I am back in these places, but I have to add some of the drawbacks in visiting this beautiful country. The government regulates the number of tourists who enter the country and we ask that if you are going to go to Bhutan you give us and our representatives in Bhutan at least 3 to 4 weeks to obtain your Visa. You can access Bhutan from several airports. DRUK Air, Bhutan’s only airline and only airline into the country, flies daily out of Bangkok and twice a week from Delhi to Kathmandu to Paro.

The planes are new, AirBus 319, and extremely clean. Your trip into Bhutan must be paid in full at around $200USD a day or more, depending on what you choose to do.. That may seem high, but that price includes hotel, a car and driver, a guide and three meals a day, and also all entrance fees to monasteries and other places.Our representative in Bhutan provides excellent people and nice vehicles also. The other drawback is that you cannot pay with a credit card anywhere and there are no ATM machines to ease that difficulty. We spoke to the Minister of Tourism and he indicated they are working on it, but nothing yet. Lastly, immigration at the airport is slow and very frustrating. No computers and they take about 5 to 8 minutes per person. We spent 80 minutes in line and the flight from Kathmandu was only 55 minutes.

Lawrence Brown.

info(at)himalayandreamz.com

Lumbini- birth place of Buddha.

LUMBINI!

Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, is situated about 22 km. from Bhairahawa (Siddharthanagar), below the Churia range, 24 km. south from the foothills of the Himalayas, on the western bank of Telar river in Rupandehi district of Lumbini zone in Nepal. It is about 300 km. west of capital city Kathmandu. Kapilvastu, Rupandehi and Nawalparasi Terai districts of Lumbini Zone are around Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, which are fertile and densely populated.

Buddha, Known as the Lord of Asia.Prince Siddhartha (known as Buddha) took his first seven steps and uttered an epoch- making to the suffering humanity.This happened in a beautiful sal grove which is now the focal point of the Lumbini Garden area. Maya Devi the queen of Shakya King Suddhodharan of Kapilavastu while passing through the Lumbini Garden. On the day of “Vaisakha Poormina” (full Moon Day of May 623 B.C) took a bath in the Pushkanni (the Sacred Pond) and soon after she took support of a tree branch, the gave birth to the Crown Prince Siddhartha <who Became Buddha. The Lumbini garden covers an area of 256 Sq. Km and encompasses three zones each covering one square mile connected with walkways and a canal. The area has a sub tropical monsoon climate with a warm wet season.

Places of interest in and around Lumbini

The Ashokan Pillar. Discovered by the famous German archaeologist Dr. Fuhrer, the pillar is the first epigraphic evidence relating to the life history of Lord Buddha and is also the most visible landmark of the auspicious garden. The historical importance of the pillar is evidenced by the inscription engraved on the pillar (in Brahmi characters). It is said that the Hindu Indian Emperor Ashok the Great, who got converted, visited the site in the twentieth year of his accession to the throne and as homage to the pure birth place erected the pillar. The inscription on the pillar roughly translates as “King Piyadesi” the beloved of the Gods having been anointed 20 years came himself and worshipped saying Here Buddha Sakyamuni was born. He caused to make a stone capital representing a horse and he caused (this) stone pillar to be erected. Because here the worshipful one was born the village of Lumbini has been made free of taxes and recipient of wealth.”

Sanctum Sanctorum of the Birthplace. The single most important place LUMBINI (and to the entire Buddhist world for that matter ) is the stone-slab located deep Sanctum Sanctorum. Revealed after a hard and meticulous excavation under the three layers of ruins over the site of a famous Mayadevi Temple, the stone-slab foundation pinpoints the location of the original place, marking the precise spot of the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

Image of Maha Mayadevi. In additional to the Ashokan Pillar, the other shrine of importance is the bas- relief image of Maha Mayadevi, the Queen of King Suddhodan. Enshrined in a small pagoda-like structure the image shows Mayadevi, the mother of Drown Prince Siddhartha Gautam. She is seen supporting herself by holding on with her right hand to a branch of Sal tree, with the newly born infant Buddha standing upright on a lotus pedestal on an oval halo. Two other celestial figures are depicted in an act of pouring holy water and lotuses bestowed from heaven. Earlier the image was placed in the famous white temple of Mayadevi besides the pillar mow totally dismantles to make way for the excavations which revealed the Sanctum Sanctorum the exact spot where out Lord was born.

Puskarni. the Sacred Pool: South of the Ashokan Pillar, there is the famous sacred pool named “Puskarni” believed to be the same holy pool in which Mayadevi took a pious dip just before giving birth to the Lord and also where the infant Buddha was given its first purification bath. Architecturally the pool has three projecting terraces in the ascending order and is revealed with a fine brick masonry.

Arorakot. About 10 kilometers northwest of Taulihawa there is a rectangular fortified area, which is popularly known as Arorakot. The famous Indian archaeologist P. C. Mukherji as the natal town of Kanakmuni Buddha identified the fortified area. Remains of the old moat and the brick fortification around the Kot can still be clearly located. A brick lined well is seen to the south and an elevated mound towards the northwest corner.

Chaatradei: Some 5 kilometers north to Taulihawa there is a village called Chatradei situated on the right bank of the Banganga River. West of the village the habitat ional ruins extend in the form of al large triangular mound. Most of the pottery and antiquities found here belong to the Sunga- Kushana period while the virtual remains of the structures may be related to the early medieval times.

Gotihawa. About 5 kilometers southwest of Taulihawa, there is a village called Gotihawa. In the village there exists an Ashokan Pillar standing in a slab. The upper portion of the pillar is broken and lost and only the lower portion of the pillar 3.5 meters high remains still intact. Adjoining the pillar, towards its northeast there is a colossal stupa with successive rings of wedge shape Mauryan bricks.

Kudan: Roughly 2 kilometers South west of Taulihawa on the left side of the shoratgarh- Taulihawa road, stands the village of Kudan having a huge structural ruin with a cluster of four mounds and a tank. The mounds were excavated in 1962 only.

Niglihawa. About 8 kilometers north- west of Taulihawa, there is another site of archaeological importance. The site has a quadrangular tank surrounded by bushes locally known as Niglisagar. On the western bank of the tank there appear two broken pieces of the Ashokan Pillar, the longer one laying flat and the shorter one stuck unto the ground. The pillar bears 2 peacocks in the top part and Devnagri script inscription reading Om -Ma - Ni - hum Ripu Mallasya Chiran Jayut 1234. The shorter portion of the pillar which is partly buried in the ground measures 1.52 meters in length containing four lines of Ashoka inscription in the Brahmi letters which roughly translates as “King Piyadasi, believed of the Gods after 14 years of his coronation enlarged for the second tine the Stupa of Buddha Kanakmuni and after 20 years of his coronation he came himself and worshipped and he caused this stone pillar to be erected.”

Sagarhawa. About 12 kilometers north of Taulihawa there exists a forest area called Sagarhawa. In the midst of the forestation there is a huge rectangular tank, which is popularly known as Lumbusagar, or a long tank. The ancient tank ruins, which were excavated and identified by Dr. Alois A. Fuhrer as the “Place of the Massacre of the Shakyas” in 1859, can still be located on the Southwest banks of Sagar..

Kapilvastu/Tilalurakot.

Located some 27 kilometers west of Lumbini lies the ruins of the historic town of “Kapilvastu”. Believed to be the capital of Shakya republic where the Lord lived and enjoyed his life until his thirteenth year , Kapilvastu has been identified with Tilaurakot by the archaeologists. Also, the place is believed to have been associated with different important episodes. There are ruins and mounds of old stupas and monasteries made of kiln-burnt bricks and clay-mortar. The remains are surrounded by a moat and the walls of the city are made of bricks. Infant the ruins of the ancient city of Kapilvastu are in such a grand scale that it could easily be visualized as a high seat of authentic culture.

Tourism comes home to Nepal !

Tourists! For thousands of years people have travelled away from their homes to distant lands to enjoy the natural or man-made wonders of the world. The ancient Greeks traveled to holy places scattered across Greece and then moved on into the areas of new colonies to explore the environments away from the mountainous confines of their island home. The Romans carried it even farther with actual groups of citizens banding together and traversing the excellent Roman road system to the wilds of modern day Scotland and to the shores of the Mediterranean and the wonders of ancient Greece and Egypt. By the First Century AD road houses and inns lined Roman roads across the empire to take care of the adventurous Roman tourist.

With the advent of modern transportation, peoples from all over the world criss cross the globe seeking adventure, respite from the modern world and just to “see” new and different places. Retired men and women, seekers of adventure, scaling the mountains, those in search of spiritual renewal, men and women from all walks of life now become the modern “tourists”.

Nepal has become a “new” and different destination, drawing thousands to its cities and the magnificence of its varied terrain and way of life. The mountains which soar toward the heavens call to those who want adventure and the environment beckons people who are concerned for the planets preservation. Raging rivers for white water rafting, and deep gorges which beg to have the Bungee jumpers meet the challenge. By its proximity to China and Tibet on the north and east and the vast, sprawling lands of India to the south, Nepal has been in the past and is today a magnet for the modern “tourist”.

Anyone who has been in the tourist business knows that to maintain an active and loyal following and to bring on board new clients, today’s modern agency must meet even stricter demands from the travelers of today. An agency that fails to meet the demands of the modern traveler will soon fade away. One need not look very far to see the disastrous results of an agency failing as it did to XL tours out of London. 90,000 passengers stranded and the black mark on travel and tour groups will remain for a while.

Can tourists be difficult? Yes, of course they can. Anyone who deals with the public knows that there are as many different types of tourists with as many different types of problems. Agencies must be flexible and able to create new approaches to problems that arise and always keep in mind that the tourist is the staple of the business and must be handled in a professional and supportive way. New agencies that forget that simple idea will fail.

In addition, a wide variety and selection of tours should be made available as the clients in the tourist industry need to be able to select and also to alter any given tour to meet their needs. The package tour does not offer this flexibility, and although many travelers prefer to travel in this way, a great majority of the people traveling in Nepal want a more tailored and creative selection to meet their needs .

Visions n’ Vistas.

Welcome to the magnificent vistas, the wondrous pulse of ancient religious, and the over powering magic that fills the crystalline air!

Nepal is a land of rich bio and cultural diversities. Its exquisite beauty has lur ed citizens from all over the world to share her natural and cultural treasures. Nestled strategically between Tibet and India, it is presently a dynamic living classroom for sustainable development, ecological restoration and cultural preservation. Presently, micro-financing projects supporting the women are setting an example worldwide for positive development.

Upper Dolpo – A forbidden kingdom Valley.

The Himalayas, roof top of the world, is a magical place where the magnificence of the world’s highest mountains is mirrored in the rugged beauty and unique Bhatia culture of the people who live in their shadow.

Upper Mustang – a land of ancient civilizations

On the border of Tibet, this region is only recently opened to outsiders and is home to ancient tribes and contains remote Buddhist and Bon monasteries. Recent explorations have discovered century’s old Buddhist caves with paintings untouched since the 13th century.

Tibet …. a Himalayan Shangri-La.

Join us in our pilgrimage to Tibet on the ancient caravan route between Kathmandu and Lhasa through hidden valleys, ancient villages and centuries old monasteries. The Buddhist culture permeates every rock in the landscape.

Besides Lhasa, with its world famous Potala Palace and major Buddhist monasteries, we also offer group pilgrimages to Mt. Kailash and Manasarovar Lake where it is said that heaven abides on earth. The four great rivers of Asia, the Indus, Pramaputra, Ganges and Sutlej flow through this region.

A Taste of real Nepal- a cultural immersion-11 Days

This trip offers an experience of the real Nepal. After visiting seven culture world heritage sites, you will experience the reality of life in Pashupati Temple. A highlight of your experience will be riding on an elephant!

Your trip takes you to a wonderful banana palmed valley where the tropical climate ensures your pleasure. Scan the horizon and the 140 kms of majestic Himalayas staggers your imagination.

Holiday of a lifetime in the Himalayas

Anapurna Classic Treks.

Everest Base Camp treks.

Journey to Kanchanjunga.

Chitwan Jungle Safari.

Ghorepani Treks.

Royal Treks.

Jomsom Treks.

Langtang Gosaikunda Treks.

Ancient Heritage tour.

Magic of Himalaya.

Himalayan Holidays.

Himalayan Luxury holidays.

Discover ancient trail.

Discover Bhutan - the last Shangri-La

Travel with us and discover the last SHANGRI-LA, the buddhist faith and the culture where Guru Rimpoche or another Shabdrung may have stopped to meditate. The place where prayers flags are even more common, fluttering on longs poles, they maintain constant communication with the heavens. Read more

Festivals & Events

Festivals and Celebration.

The legend states dances in the Indian subcontinent originated in the abode of Lord Shiva - the Himalayas, and the Himalayan Kingdome of Nepal - where he performed the tandava dance, and this indicates that dance traditions of Nepal are of very ancient origin. With altitudes and the ethnicity, dances of Nepal slightly change, in style as well as in the costume. Accompanying music and musical instruments also change in tune with the themes, which revolve round topics like crop harvestings, marriage rites, war stories, a lonely girl’s yearning for her love, and several other themes and stories from everyday life in the villages.

April-May :

Nawabarsa and Bisket - Nepali New Year and the festival of the God Bhairab in Bhaktapur. Four days of colorful parades and processions

Aama ko Mukh Herne Din - Mother’s Day (literally Mother’s Face Looking Day)

Rato Machhendranath - the festival of Lokeswar, one of the patron Gods of Kathmandu. A 40-foot tall chariot with the God’s image installed is pushed and pulled through the streets by hundreds of worshippers.

Buddha Jyanti - Celebrating the birth of the Buddha .

May - June:

Kumar Sasthi - A celebration of the birth of the Hindu warrior God Kumar marks the beginning of the rice planting season. It’s also celebrated by groups of boys who indulge in stone throwing fights.

June-July.

No major festivals in the wettest part of the monsoon season.

July-August

Gunla - A Buddhist Lent or Ramadan-like holy month of penance and pilgrimage, climaxing in a rollicking celebration.

Naga Panchami –

A festival devoted to the snake gods, who most Nepalis believe ruled the Valley before the coming of people.

Janai Purna –

the festival of changing of the sacred thread which every Brahmin caste Hindu male wears around his torso.

August-September

Gai Jatra - A festival to the sacred cow. Among other symbolisms of the cow, cows are believed to lead the souls of the dead to the underworld; and on Gai Jatra Newar households process around an ancient path believed to mark the city walls of times past, in honor of recently deceased members of their families. It’s also a carnival celebration with practical jokes - something like Mardi Gras combined with April Fool’s day.

Krishna Jayanti –

Celebrating the birth of the Hindu God Krishna.

Gokarna Aunsi Nepali Father’s Day

Tij Brata

A womans’ festval . Worshippers undergo fasting and penance and seek good fortune and long life, and a ritual purification of self. The three (or four) day celebration ends with a great feast.

September-October

Indra Jatra - A Kathmandu festival celebrating the legendary capture of the King of Gods, Indra, in the Kathmandu Valley. This week-long festival is marked with many processions, street dancers, and the annual blessing of the King by the Living Goddess of Kathmandu.

Dasain –

Two weeks of happy celebration and gift-giving, interwoven with bloody animal sacrifice to appease the mother goddess Durga.

October-November

Diwali - A festival of lights, when homes and offices are strung with colored lights and illuminated by candles. This is also the festival of the Goddess Laxmi, goddess of wealth, and is celebrated by much good-natured gambling.

November-December

Indriani Puja - Festival of the Goddess Indriani and of the various mother goddesses which protect each village in Nepal.

Sita Bibaha Panchami - Celebrating the wedding of the Goddess Sita and the God Ram with mock wedding processions

Dhanya Purnima - A full moon festival celebrating the end of the rice harvest.

December-January

Seto Machhendranath - A cleansing ritual for the White (seto) Machhendranath, a counterpart god to the Red (rato) Machhendranath who’s chariot procession is in April-May.

January-February

Lhosar - the Tibetan and Sherpa New Year, celebrated by thousands at Bodhnath Stupa and monasteries throughout the country.

February-March

Shiva Ratri - The all day and all night festival of the great God Shiva.

Holi - a rowdy festival of “colors”, in which participants douse themselves (and sometimes unwary onlookers) with colored powder and liquid, and generally have a great time.

March-April

Ghora Jatra - a horse festival, celebrated with coach processions and races and displays on the main parade ground in Kathmandu.