Durbar Square, Kathmandu

Posted on Friday, 21 November 2008 by marissafh

There’s a Durbar Square in three of the main cities of Nepal. Durbar Square in Kathmandu is the largest, and the busiest. I enjoyed just sitting on the rooftop cafe and watching life pass by down below. Walking in Durbar Square was just as adventurous – cars, motorbikes, bicycles, and people all zooming by … the rows of tables of crafts and souvenirs for sale … children running by …

View from the roof cafe

Waiting for fares

My stay winds to a close ….

Posted on Friday, 21 November 2008 by marissafh

My stay in Nepal has been cut short, and I am suddenly in a whirlwind of packing, closing up, farewells …. too little time all of a sudden. I have to choose which sights and adventures I can squeeze in, and plan the schedule down to the last minute. It was fast, hectic and tiring, but managed to get through it all, thanks to Trishna. Had to leave some sights for the next time I’m there … if/when I make it back there…

Farewell lunch with the Personnel Section

Last evening sunset in Kathmandu

Kirtipur

Posted on Friday, 21 November 2008 by marissafh

Kirtipur is one of the four major cities in Nepal. It’s an old city, and not as busy as the other three cities. The majority of the people living here are the Newari group. The only modern thing you would see in the city were the cars and buses passing through the city. Otherwise, people lived life there as they did a century ago.

Woman separating husks from rice grains.

Old Newari houses

Men relaxing on temple steps

Swayambhunath (‘Monkey Temple’)

Posted on Sunday, 19 October 2008 by marissafh

Swayambhunath Temple, one of the oldest religious sites in Nepal. Because of the numerous (holy) monkeys living in the temple, it is also known as the ‘Monkey Temple’. The monkeys are called ‘holy’ because of the legend that Majusri, the bodhisattva of wisdom and learning was raising the hill which the Swayambhunath Temple stands on. He was supposed to leave his hair short but he made it grow long and head lice grew. It is said that the head lice had transformed into these monkeys (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath).

I climbed up the western stairs (from the back). The eastern stairs is the more commonly used entrance by the pilgrims, and is a steeper climb.

The eastern stairs, taken from the top

Kopan Monastery

Posted on Sunday, 19 October 2008 by marissafh

Kopan Monastery, a monastic school for local children. Set high up in the hills, it’s a peaceful place with beautiful gardens and views of the city and surrounding areas.

http://www.kopan-monastery.com/about.html

Bodhnath (Boudha) Temple

Posted on Sunday, 19 October 2008 by marissafh

Bodhnath is the largest Buddhist stupa, or shrine, in Nepal, and is one of the UNESCO cultural heritage sites in Nepal. It’s a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists, and one of the most important holy places in Nepal.

The all-seeing eyes of Buddha

Praying and making an offering

Walk clockwise around the stupa.

Making the rounds on the prayer wheels

Prayer flags … the five colours represent the five natural elements of earth. Depending on what you need to achieve harmony with all elements, a prayer is printed on the flag, and flown. The belief is that the winds will blow and take your prayers forward to the gods.