New Year in Nepal

After Christmas in Hong Kong, my grandsons flew to Singapore with their Dad to visit Disney World and Lego Land. Carrie and I flew to Kathmandu, Nepal to stay at the Himalayan Yoga Hotel and Meditation Center. It was cold in Hong Kong but this was colder and doing yoga outside, looking at the most amazing mountain range on the planet almost made it okay! When we weren’t doing yoga we visited many beautiful temples and World Heritage sites with ancient structures. With 123 spoken languages in Nepal, I was happy that English was one of them!

Of course there was shopping and souvenirs at each location and being  

two blondes we were a visible and ready target for the colourfully dressed anxious vendors begging for us to buy. We bought brightly coloured prayer flags, prayer wheels, prayer beads, meditation music, sining bowls and hand carved decorated Buddhas, jewellery, small bags, purses, scarves of assorted colours and beautifully hand woven pashminas. We happily coined a new favourite phrase, ”site shopping” along with sightseeing! 

Boudhanath, or casually known as the Big Buddha Eyes Stupa, is a huge magnificent site as the crowds of locals make their pilgrimage around it praying as they walk. The name Boudhanath means lord of wisdom and It is a protective, purificatory, wish-granting stupa. It has become one of the most significant objects of worship in the Buddhist universe with pilgrims coming from all parts of the world to offer their prayers and pay respect. We too walked, feeling the spiritual energy as we spun the many embossed metal prayer wheels surrounding the Stupa. 

We also visited the city of Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square where we saw the home of ”Kumari” the Living Goddess. We were fortunate enough to see her make an appearance through the open window of her palace home. Because no photos were allowed, they sold post cards of what she looks like in her traditional dress. 

One of my favourite purchases is hanging in my living room. We even went to the art studio where the students learn the intricate and detailed art of Thangka painting. Thangka is the name for the scroll banner screen hanging in every temple monastery and family shrine in Nepal and Tibet. The picture is usually free hand painted. First appearing around the 10th century AD, apprentice painters studied under experienced Lamas. Thankgas are often hung in homes to protect inhabitants from evil spirits. I chose Tara who is regarded as the Goddess of Tenderness.  

White Tara is compassion, peace, prosperity, health, good fortune and long life…who could ask for anything more?  Blessings