Mani Rimdu – Vanquishing the Demons
Based on the Tibetan lunar calendar, the festival of Mani Rimdu in Nepal will commence at the time of the full moon in the middle of October – with the last three days of the festival open to the general public.
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Based on the Tibetan lunar calendar, the festival of Mani Rimdu in Nepal will commence at the time of the full moon in the middle of October – with the last three days of the festival open to the general public.
The Damai musicians have a long and distinguished history, and are known for their dramatic and rhythmic performances during festivals. It is believed that the name, Damai, is derived from one of their most prominent instruments, a kettledrum that is known as a Damaha. Damai musicians are divided into specifically named groups, depending on the instruments and the ritual or festival that is related to the performance.
The traditional customs and practices of the Newar community that live in Nepal are often interesting to learn about. Most of their practices and beliefs are things that can never really be fully understood by questioning westerners, but still, it is worthwhile taking at least a brief look at these various customs.
The Caste System in Nepal seems to be fading very rapidly, especially with the increase of tourism, contact with other countries and the influence foreigners have on local communities. By law, the caste system does not exist in Nepal, but changing a law is easier than changing an entire country’s perspective. Some people still abide by the system, some only adhere to it in certain aspects, and in some cases it does not affect locals at all. The caste system in Nepal is only in operation socially and even though the law states that there is to be no discrimination, it does still flow strongly through the veins of some communities.
There are a number of annual festive events in Nepal which curious travelers enjoy watching each year. The festivals in Nepal are colorful affairs filled with meaning for those who participate in them. One example of this is the Red Machchhendranath Rath Jatra festival.
Every year certain cultures celebrate the heralding of the New Year according to their own calendars which they have been using for centuries. In Tibet, the New Year is known as ‘Losar’ and it is celebrated for a period of fifteen days. However, Tibet is not the only place where these celebrations are enjoyed. Many people also celebrate Losar in Nepal.
There are a number of Vipassana Meditation Centers in Nepal and around the world. The courses offered at these Meditation Centers are based on the teachings of Sayagyi U Ba Khin. Over the centuries the teaching of Vipassana meditation has been handed down faithfully and is now in the possession of its present teacher, S.N. Goenka.
If you plan to climb Mount Everest or visit any of its majestic sister peaks, odds are you'll be paying a visit to Namche Bazaar first. Namche Bazaar is a small but bustling village located on the side of a hill in Nepal's Khumbu region. From Namche Bazaar, a network of roads, trails and hiking paths fan out across the Khumbu region. Trekkers, tourists and travelers in the area know that most any type of supplies can be found in Namche Bazaar, making it an essential stopover whether you're coming into the region or leaving.