INSIDE HIMALAYAS | NEPAL | TIBET | BHUTAN
INSIDE HIMALAYAS | NEPAL | TIBET | BHUTAN
Sightseeing
Tour
Kathmandu Route 1
Route: Boudhanath Stupa - Pashupatinath
Temple - Patan Durbar Square
Starting time: 10:00 AM
Reporting time: 09:45 AM
Meeting Place: RMT Office Building, Lal
Durbar Marg
Services included: English Speaking Tour
Guide, Private AC Vehicle as per group size
Guaranteed Departure: Every Saturday,
Sunday & Monday
Preparing eco-friendly leaf plates. Photo: RMT.
developing in a responsible and sustainable way, emphasizing
tradition.
Private Group Departure: Available if there is
minimum 05 pax in a group
Kathmandu Route 2
Route: Bhaktapur City - Panauti Town
Out in Patlekhet, I was there on the day the rice planting period
ended. In the evening I was in my room doing some computer work
and waiting for dinner. Jivan, the 20-year-old son of the family was
watching YouTube. The father, Keshav, told us to shut off our devices
and go visit the neighbors. Something was happening.
Starting time: 09:45 AM
Reporting time: 09:30 AM
Meeting Place: RMT Office Building, Lal
Durbar Marg
So, Jivan and I got up and walked through the back trails to the
neighbor’s house on the hillside. We met up with two other families
involved in the homestay program who had Nepali university
agriculture studies students staying with them. We ended up
participating in an elaborate ceremony, asking protection for the rice.
An elderly man blew on a conch shell and a woman drummed on a
reed shield. We all received tikkas, and finally, a bundle of wooden
sticks was set alight. We took turns chucking them in all directions,
sending any ill fortune far away, incinerated into the dark night.
Services included: English Speaking Tour
Guide, Private AC Vehicle as per group size
Guaranteed Departure: Every Saturday,
Sunday & Monday
Private Group Departure: Available if there is
minimum 05 pax in a group
The most amazement came from the 20-somethings in the group,
including Jivan, who hadn’t experienced this ritual before. The
community had decided that now was the perfect opportunity to
rekindle this practice so it didn’t die out. The young adults were wide-
eyed, smiling and surprised. It’s not every day you throw flaming
torches into the dark fertile abyss. We were all energized.
For more detail, please contact:
Royal Mountain Travel - Nepal
P.O. Box: 8720 Lal Durbar Marg,
Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977-1-4444376 / 78 / 79
Fax: +977-1-4444380
Email: [email protected]
URL: www.royalmt.com.np
Jivan and I made our way home in the dark to his mama’s meal. The
visiting students went back with their host families to dine, too. Jivan’s
parents made sure everyone was home, that everyone had a full plate
of food to eat. Tonight was dal baht with curried goat. We filled our
stomachs, and assured his mother we’d had plenty. With a satisfied
smile, she allowed us to leave the table and make our way to bed,
announcing that breakfast was scheduled for 6:30am.
Get to know local women at the Community Homstays. Photo: RMT.
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www.insidehimalayas.com | By Royal Mountain Travel
www.insidehimalayas.com | By Royal Mountain Travel
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