Nepalese Cuisine Festivals of Nepal  
   

Nepal is a place to visit once for that lifetime of experience and must be included in anyone's itinerary. With breathtaking sceneries and a friendly, hospitable people it is a must see and one for a stopover.

Bookings and reservations can be made and all one need to do is drop in at the local travel agent. The guidebooks, brochures and travel magazines do not give a complete picture and one must explore first hand. Geographically speaking, it is situated between two giant neighbours to quote a phrase like a yam between two boulders. Thus it has its own unique culture, a babble of tongues and a mix of people. Even though it is landlocked it is criss-crossed with snow-fed rivers. The land has a range of glittering, snowy mountains to the north and lush, green-forested belt to the south. Cataracts thunder down deep gorges and slopes are terraced in neat even rows. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy where even today indigenous methods of farming and tilling the soil are used.
   
The people are of two types; those having Mongoloid features with straight black hair and sturdy frames and the other with aquiline faces spotting dark skin. A host of languages are spoken but the official one is Devanagiri. Used for all and every occasion it is this lingua franca that has united adiverse race of people. All documents, records are in this script and are acceptable to the majority. There are two great religions; Hinduism and Buddhism; practised and followed and is widely prevalent. The two beliefs have flourished and grown side by side with no murmur of dissent. On the contrary both have contributed to a code of conduct and modes of behaviour. There is no act to suppress the other and both religions have been accepted as the norm. Temples and pagodas built ages ago by master craftsmen still dot the landscape. With renovations going ahead aided and funded by foreign agencies these have been preserved in all its glory. The various gods and goddesses are enshrined and worshipped by their followers and offerings of fruits, flowers and incense and animal sacrifices duly made. Festivals mark the passage of days and are celebrated with zeal, enthusiasm and even fanfare. Each and every festive occasion is given over to a frenzy of music, dance and the lighting of wicks. There is more to it than just a show of ardour and devotion for it unites every Nepali.




Adventure Sports attract many enthusiasts round the year. There are treks either to the Annapurna Circuit or the Everest Base Camp for the hardy souls and enterprising spirits. And there is no looking back once everything is arranged and the down payment made. Rafting down the frothing rivers is not to be missed for it provides thrills and spills, as nothing will. Of course everything is done to ensure against accidents and unforeseen emergencies.
Bungee jumping is a newly developed sport and has its own share of takers. There are any numbers of heights from which to jump secured only by a thin elastic rope to the ankle. Whilst paragliding has come into its own and makes the use of ultra light planes or thermals to rise and float above the ground. No exertion is required since one is at the mercy of the elements.Mountain biking for the physically fit can be done on any number of trials that snake up and down and in and around bends. Needless it taxes ones endurance, stamina and muscle power. Canoeing down the rapids can be fun but it must be remembered it is a solo effort and there is also a back up team. For all that the adventurer can take pride in negotiating the whirlpools and in making a safe journey.
  
   
Bird watching is an activity, which can be engaged by anyone with a certainamount of enthusiasm. Armed with a pair of binoculars birds of different hues can be spotted amongst the branches and bushes or sighted in a flash of colours as it takes flight. Elephant safari on the backs of four legged pachyderms takes one through tall swathes of grasses. Wild animals are best observed in their habitats and in all their naturalness.
  
For the less adventuresome there are organised tours to the countryside with exotic names and even more exotic surroundings. Including mountain flights chartered by one of the many private airlines that afford a view of the Himalayan peaks. Sight seeing by professional guides can also be included to get a glimpse of ancient monuments and artifacts and a feel of the cityscape. For those who would like to stay closer to home there are plenty of lodges, guesthouses and five star hotels that provide prompt and efficient service. Accommodations are available to suit every pocket from the client with money to splurge on a deluxe suit to a backpacker who rents out a room with an attached bathroom.
Organised gambling is legal and the casinos cater to every type of play roulette, baccarat, blackjack and so on. The croupier flicks a card or sets the wheel into motion and if luck holds then one is certain to make a tidy sum. Whilst for the gastronome restaurants and bars abound round every corner. They are only a walk away and for a reasonable price serve dishes and drinks to tickle the taste buds and make for a heady experience. Whether it's for a quick trip or a planned vacation come and visit this land.The hospitality industry is ready to welcome those good enough to venture into this terra firma with garlands of flowers and folded hands at chest level. All guaranteed to shake off the jet lag and the fatigue of travel. The smells, sounds and sights once captured by the senses can only serve to leave behind an indelible impression; one to tug at the heartstrings.
 
Nepalese Cuisine

The cuisine of the Himalayas is unique in flavour and variation. In combining the two great culinary traditions of the region, Indian and Tibetan, into a mainstream culinary culture of its own. There are many regional variations in Nepalese cuisine, but the main staple food consists of rice, wheat, corn, lentils, fresh vegetables and meats. A typical Nepali meal can be characterited by Dal (lentil soup), Bhat (steamed rice) and Tarkari (generic name for curry vegetables), or meat curry. Further towards the north, we can see Tibetan influence, which are now spreading in the lower regions. Momo (stuffed vegetables or meat dumplings, fried or steamed), Thukpa (noodle soup with vegetable or meat), Thalumein soup (soup mixed with different meats and vegetables), and Syakpa( typical mountain stew), are some of the Tibetan flavours. Where as in the south, we find many varieties of curries, bread and rice dishes.

Traditionally, Nepalese eats with hand and do not use cutlery. But all the hotels and restaurants use cutleries to cater western visitors. The basic techniques for cooking Nepali food are currying, stir-frying, grilling, smoking, deep-frying, braising, marinating, tempering and steaming.

Nepali food is simple and subtle in flavour, which is prepared by using unique blend of common ingredients and spices. Ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, turmeric, black pepper, chillies, onions, cilantro, scallions and bay leafs. Himalayan spices Timur (Schewan pepper- used in pickles), and Jimbu (Himalayan herb-used in soup, dry or fresh), can only be found in the Himalayas. Dried meat (sukuti) and fermented vegetables (Gundruk) are preserved in the higher elevation due to harsh conditions.
   
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Festivals of Nepal
   
Nepal is a land of festivals, as there are more than 40 different ethnic groups, with their own festivals, celebrating in temples, public places and homes. Nepalese have festivals related to different Hindu and Buddhist God and Goddesses, some are observed in honor of personal relatives such as Gaijatra. Nepalese also celebrate the beginning and the end of agriculture cycle, while some celebrate only within few villages. Festivals like Dashain and Tihar is of national significance, and is celebrated throughout Nepal. For Nepalese, festivals are a living part of rich cultural heritage that brings all the people of diverse culture backgrounds and beliefs in harmony. Listed below are some of the major festivals of Nepal.
   
Saraswati Puja
3rd Feb
Maha-Shivaratri
 26th Feb
Losar-Tibetan New Year
 28th feb
Holi-Fagu purnima
 14th March
Ghode Jatra-Horse festival
 29th March
Nepali New Year
 14th april
Buddha's Birthday
 13th May
Teej
 26th August
Indra Jatra
 6th September
Dashain
 2nd October
Tihar
 24th October
Mani Rimdu
 Oct/Nov
   
Saraswati Puja: On this day people worship Saraswati- the Goddess of learning, by offering unbroken rice, flowers, sweets, fruits and other gifts. Small children are taught to read and write and people write on the stones and slabs with chalks and pencils, so they become wise and knowledgeable. It is also regarded a very auspicious day for marriages, and it is believed that Goddess Saraswati herself blesses the couples.
   
Maha Shivaratri: Shivaratri-the night of Lord Shiva is one of the major festivals of Nepal, which is dedicated to the Lord of the Lords. The followers of Shiva come to Pashupati temple to worship him. Lord Shiva is also the most worshipped God in Hindu religion, where more than 100,000 Hindu devotees from Southeast Asia and India gather in and around one of the holiest shrines of the Hindus in Kathmandu. Colourful Sadhus (holi man) rub ashes over their bodies, practice yoga, give lectures to disciples and meditate. Celebration continues late into the night with bonfires, music, singing and dancing.
   
Losar (Tibetan new year): On this day many people visit Swayambhunath and Boudhanath monastery, which are decorated with colourful prayer flags. This is the New Year of the Tibetans and Sherpas of Nepal. It is celebrated with people performing traditional dances and welcome their New Year with feasts and family gatherings.
   
Holi (Fagu Purnima): It is no doubt one of the colourful and playful festivals of Nepal. It is announced formally after the Chir pole is erected at Kathmandu Durbar square. Chir- a long pole, upper part is wooden frame decorated with strips of colourful cloths, which is believed to carry special power to ward off the evil. People celebrate by splashing water to each other, various colours smeared over them and water ballons thrown, specially young ones from the roof top.
   
Ghode jatra (Horse Festival): A grand display of horse show, motorcycling feats, show jumping, gymnastics and other exciting sports activities are preformed by the Nepal Army at Tundikhel. A large number of people from all over come to witness this performance.
   
Nepali New Year: The first day of Baisakh (Nepali calendar) begins the New Year, which falls in the second week of April. As it is a national holiday, people celebrate by socializing, having parties, going to picnics and organizing various functions and events.
   
Buddha’s Birthday (Buddha Jayanti): Buddha jayanti, which falls in the month of May on a full moon night, is widely celebrated in Nepal. People visit Boudhanath and Swayambhunath to pay homage to Lord Buddha, chanting prayers and burning butter lamps. Monasteries are cleaned, statues are polished and colourful prayer flags decorate the vicinity. Buddha’s birthplace Lumbini is also well visited on this day.
   
Teej: The festival is auspicious for Hindu married woman in Nepal. Women observe fasting and worship Lord Shiva for healthy and prosperous life of their husbands and their families. Women clad in beautiful red saris offer their prayers to Lord Shiva in Pashupatinath. Unmarried women also fast on this day with the hope of finding good husbands. Singing and dancing is the sight almost everywhere in Nepal during Teej festival, which last until late at night.
   
Indra Jatra: The festival celebrated with great enthusiasm by both Buddhist and Hindus last for eight days in Kathmandu valley. Lord Indra-the God of Rain also known as the King of Heaven has once again blessed the Valley. Eight days of singing, mask dancing and rejoicing, the chariot of Living Goddess (Kumari) is taken through the main streets of Kathmandu with much fanfare. During this time the King also pays homage to Goddess Kumari. Excited performers and spectators engulf the streets of Kathmandu. It is indeed a very popular festival and people enjoy various mask and classical dances staged on the plinth of Narayan temple, just opposite the Kumari temple.
   
Dashain: Dashain is the most auspicious festival of the year for Nepalese of all cast and creed, throughout Nepal. It is celebrated with great rejoice and Goddess Durga is worshipped as the divine mother Goddess. Many animal sacrifices for the ritual holy bathing is preformed. Kathmandu skies are filled with colourful kites and the bazaars are crowded for festival shopping. On the day of Dashain, everyone puts on new clothes and receive blessings from family elders, followed by feasting, singing and dancing. Dashain commemorates a great victory of good over evil.
   
Tihar: This festival last for five days and it is the second biggest after Dashain. During the five days, crows, dogs and cows are worshipped and honoured with vermilion, garland and food. Crows are regarded as messanger, dogs are the most obedient animals, and cow is also a symbol of wealth in Hinduism. Tihar, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a time of candlelight, tinsel decorations and festive coloured sweets. On the night of Lakshmi Puja, garlands are hung and lamps are lighted to invite Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, into the home.
   
Mani Rimdu: Manii Rimdu festival depicts the victory of Buddhism over the ancient ‘Bon’ religion. Every year, in Everest region, the monks of Tengboche Monastery enact this Buddhist dance. It consists nine days cycle of meditation and ends with a public blessing ceremony and the world renowned Mask Dance at Tengboche Monastery
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