MITHILA DIARIES

To give a shape to an age-old pending task, we started from Koteshwor at 8:25 on a chilly rainy Saturday morning. Watching the Sindhuli greeneries, eating fruits and carrots in the bus was a different experience.

Janakpur had a cool weather which was least expected and it was because of the rainfall too. We reached at Ramananda Chowk at 3:30 p.m. A hotel by the name of Sita Palace had been waiting for us. We rested and had a hot lemon drink to beat the chill.

We were fortunate to meet some locals and went to the Janaki Mandir straightaway with them, highly excited as we were. The temple was reachable within 15-20 minutes’ walk from the Chowk. We could see crowd everywhere. A quick view of the temple was enough to tell us that it was very beautiful. It had a magical look. We were spellbound at the first sight of it. The white artistic and unique designed marble monument full of its worshippers at night didn’t let us leave her sight. We went inside the temple and did darshan, received the marigold garlands and got a chance to click some photos with the pujari. Also, we went to a room inside the temple and observed the MINAPA drama actors receive gifts for their hard work in the drama performed for a few days at that time. We left the temple promising to look at its beauty in detail the next day.

On the way, we planned for the next day’s puja and bought the required things. We had dinner at hotel of which mine contained plain rice with green leafy vegetable soup, an experience again. After dinner, we started dipping the cotton wicks in the oil. Too tired as we were, we could not finish it till midnight. In the hope of finishing it after getting up the next morning, we were soon in the slumber land.  

We could hear the heavy downpour and lightning and thunder throughout the night. When we got up in the morning, the rain continued and our work seemed impossible to be completed at the right time. As Monday happened to be Buddhajayanti, and also looking at our circumstances, the puja was postponed for the next day. We got our energy back after this decision, and relieved as we were, we slowed down the process a bit.  

We had some apples and decided to have something in the local shops as a breakfast. The rain had subsided; however, the weather was hot and warm. We left our work and roamed around the area, left and right. A Hanuman temple was nearby. We went inside and felt the peace of the temple within us too. Not much people came there but the place was neat and clean and well decorated.

However, the locality seemed a bit dirty and too crowded. The drainage system was not proper and people didn’t bother much about hygiene. We could see them washing and bathing in dirty ponds.   

We could also see locals eating pani puri, samosa, laddoo, pakauda, sweets, tea etc. as a breakfast in the shops—all too oily and spicy. We had a hard time figuring out what to eat. Finally, in a sweet shop, I relished aloo chana gravy which had some potato pieces in it. Thanks to those pieces. Some bananas in a cart sold just outside the shop worked as our proper breakfast.  

The second visit to the temple allowed us to have its look in detail. We could also see the shopkeepers selling items for the Sunday special puja. We clicked the beauty the temple bore and visited the Museum inside. The museum walls were decorated with Mithila Arts which told the story of Goddess Sita (Janaki).

Walking in the midday heat made us tired again. On reaching the hotel and having our food, after a short rest, our battle continued for the cotton wicks for the next day.

Leaving aside our work, the eve took us towards the unexplored areas. The bus park remained at a distance of about 30 minutes’ walk. A five-star hotel could be seen nearby. However, nothing much was seen as far as the markets or shopping was concerned. Our returning back was in an auto, after which we had our food and were back to the wicks again. We finished it at around 10 p.m.

Although it had rained throughout the night, we were able to proceed towards the Janaki Mandir at about 8 a.m. the next morning after guru came to our place and readied everything for puja. We went in an auto for Rs. 100 and the Mandir opened at 8 a.m. Our puja began in front of the main temple near the entrance and it took about 3 hours. All went well. As it was a public holiday, many holy functions took place inside the temple premises along with cultural dancing and singing with loud sounds and the crowd again unbelievable.

After the puja, we visited the nearby popular areas such as Ram Mandir, Janak Mandir, Dhanush Sagar, Ganga Sagar. All looked beautiful. There were too many worshippers seen everywhere. We could see a large number of houses being demolished and the debris lay all over the roads causing discomfort to the public. Moreover, when the rainfall had hit it, the situation could be well imagined. Also, we found out that the main market in the area was behind the Janaki Mandir, most of which were jewelry shops and readymade garments.

On reaching back to the temple in the heat, we could see the increased crowd. Our wicks were still in progress and some people were working on it. We joined and made sure it was all burnt properly. Happy as we were, we took an auto and returned to the Chowk enjoying the cool air hitting us in the heat. We also booked the tickets for Kathmandu for 7 a.m. for the next day.

The hotel served with rice and vegetarian thali at 2 p.m. After resting for a bit, sorting out our things and packing began. Roaming in the area one last time started in the evening. Some leftover cotton wicks were offered in the Hanuman Mandir and a few things were bought as gifts for Kathmandu. A try of local silver necklace of 1 kg in a jewelry shop was a sweet experience. After having our dinner, our packing continued and we slept early.

I started scribbling down the points of our travel in a diary so that I could write on it on reaching Kathmandu. Clicking the last few shots from the hotel terrace, we didn’t waste any moment to enjoy of whatsoever was remaining. While checking out of the hotel, a misunderstanding created a tense moment for a while which resolved soon and we thanked the Goddess Janaki for that.

So, at last, we left the divine area at 7 a.m. with a euphoric feeling. With our young speedy driver, we expected to reach Kathmandu sooner than planned. However, to our utter disappointment, he stopped on the way at Sindhuli for more time than was necessary just to be in the company of his friends. Once he started the journey, the speed continued. Despite several jerks, my sleep remained undisturbed while my sister kept on enjoying the green landscapes. Kathmandu welcomed us at about 3 o’clock. 

This is how our 4-day journey ended. All thanks to the Lord, God, and the Almighty for making it possible. All is well that ends well.   

THE DIET

Q: What? Dieting? Vegan? That too limited diet? Are you serious?

A: Oh, yes, I am. And I feel much better. (With a smile)

Q: But why do you need to lose weight? You are already so thin.

A: I want to be healthy.

This has been the conversation between me and my known ones for the past 2 months. Seriously, I am on a diet.

I used to consider myself a health-conscious person and used to avoid many things easily consumed by the majority. However, I had been ignoring some of my health aspects and this time I wanted to address them. They are medical.

So I ended up in Nature Lovers’ Group. They advised on my diet and doing exercise daily. My diet chart said that I had to be vegan (no meat, no dairy products). This would be easy had I not been restricted also on protein-based plant food. Now I had only grains, sweet fruits and some green vegetables to survive with for a couple of months.

For someone who considered oneself health conscious, the first response was to take some of their advice and add some from my side. As I had to cut off on milk and milk products, to save myself from having calcium deficiency, I decided to go on calcium supplements. So I bought soya seeds (completely forgetting the fact that this has the highest protein) and ajwain seeds and started consuming some spoonfuls of them every day. I stopped after a few days after realizing what I was doing. Also, researching on the internet and finding out about the things related to the disease, its causes, symptoms and treatment became the topmost priority. This went on for a number of days.    

The main focus was treatment. I left no stones unturned on the research. Starting with the diet, exercise, yoga and meditation took most of my time. Internet is an infinite source. The contradictions that I found on my diet and exercise had to be discussed, which I did on my follow-up with NLG after 2 weeks.

As my doubts were clarified, I started following their plan very seriously but ended up overdoing the physical activities, especially yoga and exercise (no one had asked me to overdo). The result was muscle spasm, inability to move or bend or do almost anything. This took me to the medical doctor and I got some pain relieving medicines.

So no exercise for 2 weeks, but only rest. Meanwhile, the net research went on trying to convince myself why vegan was not the option for me no matter what people said. Also, I found many quotes satisfying my thought which said something like ‘Vegan diet is not for me,’ ‘I can’t be vegan or I don’t want to be vegan because that is not me.’ The same had been my belief at that time and it continued for a few more weeks. I had decided to be on that diet for a limited time frame as my condition had demanded. So, once the deadline was over, I would eat good healthy foods but definitely not vegan. I felt the diet was killing me.

Yes, I would continue with grains, vegetables and salad and fruits; however, side by side, I won’t deny the meat and poultry, dairy products, sweets, seeds, plant-based proteins, processed food and all that exists. I would do so because that is me. I have to be me. I am who I am; otherwise, I would go crazy. I would eat those because my body needs it. Once, I even gave an example to a friend about a cigarette, trying to convince her and myself. People know cigarette is harmful to health; it is a bad thing to take but they still take it. And they take it because they need it, their body needs it. And obviously, needs have to be fulfilled if we want to maintain ourselves. Yes, this was the logic.

For someone who was so fond of eating anything outside, in restaurants, hotels or anywhere and especially the delicious food, suppressing the taste buds was almost impossible in the beginning. It was hard to convince oneself. Every time I went out, I could see people relishing all the tasty stuffs and its aroma, hard to ignore. Many a time, I have pleased myself with a deep inhalation of its aroma. But one thing kept me away from it—the fact that it is bad for me. I used to convince myself “I will take it after some time, not now.”

Since the last few weeks, things have become different. I have resumed with my daily exercise and I know my limit not to overstrain myself. I can see and feel the transformation going on within me on a whole level—physical, mental and social—a complete peaceful and blissful moment. My body seems to function well. No blockages are felt inside. It has become very light because of weight loss (although this was not necessary in the plan, neither it is harmful). When I breathe in, I feel the oxygen all within my body as if it is hollow inside. Many old physical and psychological problems have disappeared. And all the credit goes to the diet and exercise and thinking—the change in lifestyle.  

I seem to have less social exchanges after being on a diet. This cannot be called positive. Our culture has developed in such a way that almost all of our social gatherings are about eating and dining out. Unfortunately, we are more interested in following our taste buds than thinking about hygienic food. And this seems to be the trouble. Wherever I go, either I have to carry something with me to eat or refrain from eating. Can’t we have some better options?

At last, I am half way through with the current regimen. Looking at the miracle, I have decided to make it a priority throughout my life. After all, is it not what we want—a healthy body and a healthy mind? What do you say?

TRAVEL DIARY TOWARDS THE WESTERN SIDE

Every Dashain vacation, I prefer to travel out of the Kathmandu valley. This year the institution I work in chose me as one of its travelers. The destination was Nainital of India. I was excited about visiting Nainital on the first day of Dashain. It was raining nonstop from early morning. However, it subsided as day passed by. Along with more than 100 students and a few colleagues, we left from Chobhar in 4 buses on 21^st September at 1 p.m.

Travelling in autumn season is pleasant, and moreover, we could enjoy the green hills and the serpentine roads from Thankot onwards. Unfortunately, we got stuck in a few hours’ jam near Narayanghat which delayed our schedule. The road was under construction and heavy rainfall took place.

After having our dinner there, we travelled all the night in the bus to reach Kohalpur at 11 a.m. Tired as we were, we relaxed before having our breakfast in the hotel rooms for some time. Driving through the straight terai roads, viewing the green paddy fields, in the morning or evening is bliss. Within 5 hours, we were in Opera Hotel of Mahendranagar for our lunch.     

As expected, we had to carry our heavy luggage in the border area and it was already 7 p.m. when we started for Nainital. The Indian highway was well maintained, swift, well lit, with huge trees on both sides of the highway. I felt as if I was going inside an unknown cave. Our destination welcomed us at midnight and Hotel Ashok served us with warm dinner in the rainy chilly night.

The morning of 23^rd September got worse. Our schedule got disturbed due to this. The heavy downpour, wind and the fog continued till the evening. We finally decided to go to the nearby shops ignoring the weather. Mall road, as it is called, stood at 5 minutes’ walk from the hotel, and for the first time, we could get a glimpse of Naini Lake. Ducks were swimming in it and tourists were clicking themselves at the bank. Market was a simple one like any other places. Big departmental stores were not seen till the walk of about 30 minutes. Mostly, food shops could be seen with varieties of items, starting with local chana fry to Domino's Pizzas. The latter became very popular among our students.

After some light shopping, it got dark and we returned back. We had our dinner and decided to go for a night-show movie at the Mall Road, the same way that we had walked through in the evening. The movie was Kingsman. The hills nearby the lake looked magnificent with lights at night. Once seated inside the hall, many of us were seen to be dozing off initially until the plot got interesting. By the time we slept at the hotel, it was 2:30 a.m.

I was glad to find out in the morning that there was no rainfall. It turned out to be a better day. The day happened to be my colleague’s birthday, one of the travelers. So we appreciated the way the weather had decided to turn out. After having our breakfast and packing our luggage, we started for sightseeing at 9:30 a.m. It consisted of viewing Suicide point, the Naini Lake, Khurpa Lake and a fountain. By the time we reached boating zone of Naini Lake, it was already noon. The lake was similar to Phewa Lake of Pokhara where I had been a few years ago. Scared though I was of water, I was bound to boat as everyone else started getting into it one after another. While boating, we could see houses in the hills nearby the lake. The experience was pleasant setting a meditative mood. But it passed by very quickly and we were already towards the end of our boating. The clouds and the mist reappeared.

We rushed towards the hotel, had lunch, grabbed our stuffs, boarded the bus and headed towards our homeland in the afternoon through Kath Godam, Haldwani and Banbasa. We went through the same process in the border area as before and reached the hotel in Mahendranagar at about 9 p.m. After having our dinner and enjoying the birthday cake, we slept at around 1 a.m. to get up in the next morning at 6 a.m. As our Nainital plan had been disrupted by the weather conditions, it was decided that we visit some places of Nepal.

So, we started by observing the suspension bridge of Mahendranagar called Jhulunge (Dodhara Chandani bridge) over Mahakali River. It looked awesome, first one that type I had ever seen. For some time, I felt it was no less than the Eiffel Tower. It is the second longest suspension bridge in Asia and is nearly 1.5 km long. After breakfast, we left Mahendranagar in the noon. On the way, we came across a lake called Ghodaghodi Tal, a simsar area. However, the students seemed to enjoy chana-chatpat sold in front of it more than the lake itself.

Tikapur Park was next destination but due to shortage of time, we had to satisfy ourselves with lunch and a group photograph in the garden of one of the hotels there and continue with our journey.

The bus stopped in Chisapani, Karnali Bridge where we had more group photographs. Karnali fish is very popular there and we tasted some. A big empty land next to the bridge attracted us all there. Continuing our drive through Bardiya, Kohalpur, Butwal, Kawasoti, Narayanghat, we reached Benighat the next afternoon. We were able to beat the midday heat looking at the cool Trishuli flowing beside the restaurant. Such a nice respite for travelers!

Luckily, the road was jam-free and we reached to the point from where we had started in the evening.

While driving to and from Nainital, the driver had taken a break once for about 30 minutes in 36 hours’ journey both times. I then realized that being a driver was not that easy. In the first journey, he had slept for about 30 minutes and in the second journey, he just had a cup of tea along with other drivers for the same duration but did not even sleep. I wondered how he could do his duty without a proper sleep.

Despite the change of daily routine, unusual dining and sleeping hours, tiredness, the visit turned out to be an experience worth remembering teaching me one week is too less for India tour. 

TRAVEL DIARY TOWARDS THE EASTERN SIDE

Utilizing my summer vacation of a week, I wanted to escape to a cool destination through domestic tourism. After much brainstorming, the placed happened to be towards the farthest possible side—Ilam. As I had never been there before, I was excited to travel. Bought a hiace ticket for Rs. 1600/one way and booked a room in a hotel on 5^th June.

In the very next morning, I got up at 3 a.m. and reached Koteshwor at 5:15 am. The bus was supposed to leave at 5:30 a.m.; however, it left at 6:15 a.m. It travelled through Sanga and Dhulikhel. I was enjoying my travel through the banks of Sunkoshi River along with the soothing evergreen hit Hindi songs in the bus. Along with 9 other passengers in a 15-seated bus, I reached Dumja of Sindhuli district at 8:30 a.m. I had roti-tarkari in a hotel on the way.

After breakfast, the terai heat slowly began to reach us. The bus again stopped in Bardibas at Lalgadh at 11:45 a.m. for lunch (rice) for Rs. 150/plate, Rs. 100/half plate).

After boarding, I enjoyed the terai landscapes from the window seat—the houses, fertile land without hills, wide lands with vegetation, grazing cattle, ripe mango and jackfruit in the trees. As we reached Jhapa, no green trees could be seen and the way was straight.

On reaching Morang, I could see many gravestones nearby the roadside. The East Highway, i.e. Mahendra Highway ran through the middle of the terai districts. I was happy to see and reach Damak, Jhumka, Birtamod, and Itahari as they brought back some fond memories related to my closed ones.

As the bus took a north turn on reaching Ilam district, a sudden change in weather could be felt. It was evening and Ilam hills were welcoming us with the fog through their serpentine roads. After about three hours, I finally reached Ilam bazaar.

It was 7:15 p.m. and was completely dark. It took about 15 minutes to locate and get into the hotel. I had a shower. Also had to change the booked room because of the musty smell and seemed like an unused one since ages. However, the adjoined room for a price of Rs. 700/night was comfortable and without complaints. Hungry as I was, I had roti, curry and dahi which had a unique taste.

On the second day, after I finished with my usual routine, I had a heavy parautha and chutney at the hotel lounge at around 8 a.m. There were some tourists in the lounge area. I could see this hotel as one of the best ones in the bazaar. From there, I headed towards the Ilam bazaar.

The market was similar to the markets anywhere in Nepal. But the houses and the shops had the trend of growing flowers and keeping flower pots even within a small space. Even outside their stone-walled compounds, they would plant some vegetable plants or flowers.

The morning was sunny. I went to the Ilam tea estate. Although I had been excited in the beginning, the Ilam tea estate was not as per my expectation. Later, I came to know that Kanyam tea estate was the best place to visit if we wanted to look at a tea estate in Nepal. However, the Ilam tea estate was just above the bus stop and that excited me. The range of the tea garden was huge. It expanded to several nearby hills and the way towards tower view had been constructed through the tea garden. On reaching the tower top in the scorching heat at around 11 o’clock, I forgot all the hardships I had taken during the climb. The cool breeze of the tower was unexplainable.

From the bazaar shops, I bought lollipop packets, chhurpi, pustakari, tea packets as gifts for my friends and relatives. It was 11:30 a.m. by then. I went to my hotel, had shower and ate a packet of raw Rara noodles. There was a problem with wi-fi connection in my room. So I went to the main hotel. Tired as I was from the previous day’s travel and as I had nothing much to do in Ilam bazaar and as there were not much places to visit, I had no options other than to remain in the bazaar on that day. It was raining heavily outside the hotel and my umbrella was in my room.

So I chatted with my relatives sitting in the comfy lounge enjoying tea of Ilam twice (milk and black). Planned for the next day, i.e., decided to go to Mirik and other Indian areas as they were quite nearby. It had already been three hours’ stay in the lounge.    

After the raining stopped, I went to the shops and bought some more gifts for my closed ones—bambaisan, peda, tea packets, and chhurpi. Kept those items in my room and went for an evening walk around Chiyabari. By 5:30 p.m., I was back in the room. Rested and had dinner of local chicken at around 9 p.m. As the wi-fi connection had been working, I slept at around 11:30 p.m. after surfing the net for a few hours.

On 8^th June, I got up and went to the hotel after my daily routine. Checked out and had a farewell tea. I left the hotel at 7 a.m. and reached Fikkal bazaar in a microbus for Rs. 150 in about one and a half hours. I could see the haat bazaar of this place from the window of the bus. They were selling varieties of vegetables. Then I took a microbus to Pashupatinagar.

Sandwiching myself among three people, I reached Pashupatinagar. I went to Monica Tamu Hotel in order to exchange Nepali rupees for Indian currency. The couple travelling with me in the bus, who had been heading towards Darjeeling for a medical checkup, had gone to that hotel for INR and I had followed them. After exchanging the currency, I had a plate of vegetable momo with a bowl of soup for Rs. 50. It is the cheapest momo I have ever had. In the same shop, I came to know about the taxi services for people wanting to tour in India. After a bargain, it was fixed that I would be visiting Mirik and Darjeeling in a private taxi for NRs. 5000.

As I had not carried any of my IDs with me, there was no chance of lodging in India. So it was decided that after 4-5 hours of sightseeing, I would be brought back by the driver in the same hotel. My bus ticket towards Kathmandu also was booked then and I was glad to know that the bus would come to pick me up from right in front of the hotel. So, I kept my luggage in the hotel and set towards India with a carrying bag, purse and umbrella. Mirik looked extremely beautiful amidst the green tea estates. The lake had many visitors. I did not miss the chance to click myself in the Mirik tea estate and bridge. Few places of Mirik such as gumba, Swiss cottage were visited.

As I was eager to see Darjeeling, I did not want to waste any minute. Unfortunately, the weather had changed and had turned chilly as we were heading towards Darjeeling. However, we kept on moving ahead amidst the tall green pine forests separated by the main road. The driver stopped the taxi in a place called Simana from where a panoramic view of mountains could be seen. A mini-mela had been set up there. The driver also was a guide to me who told me that the mela place had been a cemetery before. That seemed true as I could see the bulged cemented portions on the ground. From there, we went towards Jorepokhari which was a pond and a park. Nice place to be but the horrible condition of the toilets there is something worth mentioning. I have never ever seen such a sorry state of toilets in my life. This area could either be cleaned or blocked for visitors.

A Shiva temple was also the part of the pokhari. The entrance charge was INR 10. By this time, the drizzle had already begun. The idea of sightseeing seemed to be a bad idea. However, we kept on travelling. Also, I came to know only then that Darjeeling bazaar remained closed on Thursdays, like Saturdays in Nepal. So the desire of shopping in Darjeeling had to be kept aside. We were heading towards Batase Dada. On the way, we saw many vehicles that had gone towards Darjeeling returning back. The saddest part of this day was to know that a strike had been called upon due to political reasons. We had no options but to return back from half the way.

So we returned back to the hotel with a heavy heart. I paid the discounted amount for the taxi which came to be NRs. 3800. I had chowmein and rested a while. There was no hot water service in the hotel. I wanted to see Pashupatinagar. So I took about one and half hour’s time to walk around the market at 5 p.m. The chilly weather in this part in the month of July was something new to me. The shops selling warm clothes and people wrapping themselves in warm clothes seemed interesting. I could see tongba vessels in most of the shops. The road was graveled but it seemed like an uphill. Shops were similar to Kathmandu shops and mostly had Chinese goods. I had planned to go to a cheese factory nearby but as it was getting dark, I returned back from half the way. Through the net surfing, I had come to know that this place was a meeting point for businessmen from India and Nepal. However, I could not see any foreigners the way I had seen in Ilam bazaar.

Returned back to the hotel in the evening, turned the wi-fi on and talked to the dear ones. Delicious warm food was served in charesh ko thaal (plate) which I relished and slept looking forward to the next day.

On the fourth day, I got up early and finished my daily routine. After clicking this place from my camera and breathing in the fresh morning air of Pashupatinagar, I boarded the hiace microbus and bade farewell to the hotel owners.

While leaving Ilam, I remembered a Nepali song “Badaluko ghumtole…” by Yam Baral and realized how he had popularized his place through one song. I then wished I could do something similar to make my birthplace popular.

The hilly and cool areas of Ilam could not be seen once we reached Jhapa. The fertile lands and heat was slowly showing up. The terai looked similar to how it looked a few days ago. After having lunch in Lalgadh, we headed towards Sindhuli in the midday heat. Dead stinking cocks inside the bus and road dust outside the bus accompanied the heat. However, the greenery of Sindhuli would relieve us at times. A hotel seems to be opening in the area soon. There was a jam due to the dry landslide in Khurkot and the road had been diverted. Another jam hit us in Sanga. We reached Koteshwor late i.e., at around 7:30 p.m. However, I was happy to see my hair remain silky for 4 days as a result of travelling to the dust-free zone.

THE ADVENTUROUS HIKING

The bus moved at 8:15 a.m. from Satdobato on 11^th March, 2017. At 8:45 a.m., we started to walk from Kirtipur. Our plan changed because of rainfall. The previous plan had been to go to Champa Devi hill. But now we decided to go to Bagh Bhairab and Uma Maheshwor temples, then go nearby Mata tirtha and return back the same way—limiting ourselves to less uphill and downhill.

So we visited the temples and continued walking through Kirtipur. Suddenly, we could see a ray of sunshine over the sky. We kept walking and reached to a point where the ways separated.  After discussing with the group, it was decided that the first destination be followed although we were unsure of the weather. Locals said it would take about 3 hours to reach there.

We headed upwards through the wide road, pausing at times for long deep breaths, turning behind to look at the distance we had covered and resumed with our walking. Soon after, we were surrounded by trees. Climbing was difficult. At times, we were confronted by big stones and had to put a good effort to pass through them. There were a few times we walked on both hands and legs, very carefully. Due to the morning rainfall, the dried leaves’ way had become slippery.

We reached Bhasmeshwor hill at about 12:45 p.m. In about 20 minutes, we reached Champa Devi Temple. It had been the highest altitude of our travel that day (2236 m). I visited the temple for darshan and then had the healthy Nirogdham lunch.

While having my lunch, I could feel my hands go cold and the fingers all numb. I could hardly hold the spoon to eat. Amazingly, the fingers went pale. After some time, they turned blue. It was the first ever experience I had. I rubbed my hands together to generate some heat but in vain. I asked others what I was supposed to do. They just told me not to worry and that it would be fine after sometime.

We were uncertain how the day would turn out to be. The weather was cloudy and chilly too. As we could see the rainfall approaching, we collected our belongings quickly and left the place.  

We then headed downhill from a different way. This way was far better than the one we came through. However, we had to carry an umbrella because of rainfall and hailstones. While heading down, all the fingers now had got a tingling sensation. Unusual feelings again, because of the cold and heat fluctuations, I guessed.

The hailstones had stopped and we could see the sceneries of Kathmandu valley and Taudaha. A rainbow was visible and the hills looked amazing in the sunshine after the rainfall.

We walked for about 30 minutes and took a water break and a short interaction program followed. The regular interaction program during the lunch had been cancelled due to the weather. Then we resumed our walk, and after about 2 hours, we reached the bottom, Boson, Chalnakhel. The downhill had again become slippery because of the rain. We boarded our buses from Chalnakhel at about 5:30 p.m.

This has been the most adventurous hiking till date. A mixture in a day of rainfall, sunshine, hailstones, steep and slippery hills—muddy at times due to rainfall –and the bodily responses to them—AMAZING!   

A NATURE'S DAY

18th February, 2017

With 1 liter water bottle in my backpack and wearing comfortable dress and shoes, I headed towards Satdobato at 7 a.m. on Saturday, 4^th February to take part in hiking organized by Nature Lovers Group. A large number of people wearing blue caps had already gathered in front of the office premises. After collecting our breakfast and lunch in our bags, we boarded our buses which started at 8 a.m. There were 5 of them carrying 220 hikers. Through the ways of Kalanki and Balaju bypass, we reached at the gate of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park.

As hiking was supposed to begin from this very point, the staffs started working out the entry process in the counter. The condition of the free of cost public toilet there was pathetic. However, there was no other option.

After the completion of the entry procedure, we headed upwards through the jungle following the office staffs. Walking through the stone staircases, at times, we also remembered to view the jungle right and left.  

We took an apple break at around 9:30 a.m. I had already taken two apples while walking not realizing it was an improper way of eating. Then we continued with our walk. Reached at around 10:30 a.m. to an open area from where our destination Jamacho gumba at the top was visible. Drenched with sweat as we were, we took our water break there and clicked photographs. The landscape was magnificent. We headed uphill for one more hour and finally reached the gumba.

It was a small gumba and a stupa stood nearby, the top of which had been slightly hit by the earthquake last year. On the other side was a long house where reconstruction was going on. There also was a tower from where I clicked the Himalayan ranges and the surrounding views. By that time, the healthy lunch was ready. Healthy because it had a proper combination of all the minerals, vitamins, fat and proteins—beaten rice mixed with roasted soya beans, raisins, dried dates, groundnuts, two different varieties of green vegetables and a potato salad.

After interaction programme and dancing and singing, we decided to head down through the same way at 2:30 p.m. We walked downhill passing through the shades chitchatting to whosoever we met on the way. In one and half hour, we had reached the bottom of the park from where we had begun in the morning. We waited at the bus stop and rested until all the hikers had arrived.

After their arrival, we boarded the buses. They moved at about 4:30 p.m. towards the office at Satdobato. Thank you NLG.

DOMESTIC TOUR TOWARDS THE EAST

28^th December, 2016

Taking some time out from our busy life and utilizing the summer vacation, I and my friend decided to explore the nature. To escape the heat of the city, our choice this time was Switzerland of Nepal—Jiri and the vicinities.

At 7:30 a.m. on 8^th June 2016, we headed towards Jiri in a micro van from Ratnapark. Passing through Bhaktapur, Kavrepalanchowk and Sindhupalchowk of Arniko Highway, we came across the untraveled land. We reached Khadichour. Here, the way was blocked at several places due to fresh landslides. The road was cleared after a while and we continued travelling. We crossed Khari Dhunga (Slate hills) and Mude (dried cheese hung in the shops) and reached Charikot at 1:30 p.m. Then we had our lunch (rice, gundruk, dal, chicken curry, saag, achaar, ghiraula curry and fried potato) in a nearby hotel.

After lunch, we travelled through Namdu, Kabre, Mainapokhari and finally reached Jiri at 4 p.m. We paid Rs. 700/person for the bus fare.

On reaching Jiri bazaar, we kept our luggage in Annapurna Hotel and Lodge which was located just in front of the bus stop and had been recommended by the driver of our microbus. The room charge per night was Rs. 400. After having a cup of milk tea, we came outside the hotel to look at different places in the evening. In the walking distance remained Jiri Hospital and Jiri Animal Development Farm. We clicked snaps and noticed that the green trees seemed somewhat different from the trees we had seen till now. We inquired in a few hotels about the accommodation and the facilities, went to Bouddha Stupa and bought cheese of Chounri.

After about an hour of roaming around, we returned back to the hotel. We could feel the chilly weather of Jiri then. We could not believe we were wrapping ourselves in warm clothes in the month of June. Our warm dinner was ready at 8:30 p.m. It had rice, toriko saag, kauli curry, dal and achaar. Food was delicious. There was no TV or wi-fi facility. Tired as we were, we slept early.

Next day was a Nepal bandh. As we could not travel to Charikot, our plan towards Kalinchowk was cancelled. The only option was to enjoy Jiri for one more day. It had rained the previous night. So the weather could be well imagined. After a cup of black tea, we headed towards Jireswor Mahadev Temple at 7:45 a.m. It was an adventure. We had difficulty locating the place and had climbed through the wrong route instead. However, on inquiring the locals, we found out that the correct way was through the very quiet forest. With our hearts in our mouths, we moved ahead. No passers-by could be seen. On reaching closer, we could hear some human voices. Scared to death, still we moved ahead. Finally, on reaching the destination at 8:30 a.m., we could see the temple in the cave of the hill. Some visitors had reached before us. After a brief conversation, we found them polite people who, like us, had come from Kathmandu to visit Jiri.

The temple resembled Siddha Gufa of Bandipur, Tanahun. We clicked photographs and enjoyed the beauty of the environment. We walked back slowly and met the visitors again. Conversing with them, we came to know that the trees in Jiri were different. They had been brought from Switzerland by Swiss a long time ago. We kept on walking together. They were kind enough to offer us a lift in their car till the hotel. Morning meal was ready when we reached there. Rice, Swiss saag, dal, lapsi and karela pickles—all were very tasty. We were thinking to rest for a while but suddenly fell asleep. It was 2 p.m. when we woke up.

As there was not much we could do on that day, we went to the Gumba behind our hotel. On reaching there climbing the steps, we came to know that the Gumba had been destroyed by the earthquake one year ago. However, we spent some time there and observed the bazaar from the height and headed down. With sel and tea of the bazaar shop, we watched the world passing by. As it was already late evening, we returned back to the hotel. Rested a bit and had dinner. Food in this hotel was awesome and the family showed good hospitality. Looking forward to the next morning, we slept.

On 10^th June, we packed, had oats and milk, and caught the 4^th bus for Charikot at around 8 a.m. We let go other 3 buses because we wanted seats. Bidding farewell to Jiri, we enjoyed the landscapes from the bus—especially the trees which beautified and separated those hills from the other hills. Local people and some school children boarded the bus. People used to get in and get off the bus. It was more like a local bus. The kids seemed very sweet but they were slightly different from the kids I had seen in the city. They showed maturity in the way they spoke. The bus speed was quite high and not child-friendly. However, the bus kept on moving in the same speed.

The bus stopped at Tama Koshi for some time. It headed Charikot and reached there at 11:15 a.m. Bus fare was Rs. 180/person. The weather was warm. We got into Laxmi Hotel at the heart of Charikot bazaar as recommended by our friend and kept our stuffs there. Then we went to Charighyang Gumba at 10 minutes’ walking distance which again had fallen prey to the quake. Nothing remained there. We returned back to the hotel and had our meal (rice, dal and curry) and became fresh. Also, we were somewhat relieved to get a better room as compared to the room in Jiri. The rate was, however, double.

It was time to explore the old city. We headed towards the northern end of Charikot bazaar. We found many offices there, also a Pashupati temple and a big open ground where Bhimeshwor Mela takes place. The local said that a song from an old Nepali movie ‘Ke Ghar Ke Dera’ had been shot there. We had two cups of tea and a doughnut at a roadside cafe as we watched the world of Charikot bazaar from the terrace. As our friend had been waiting for us, we returned back to the hotel and had a nice thukpa. After having an extra sweet coffee in another roadside cafe, our friend left for Dolakha and we returned back to the hotel and rested for a while. 

After about an hour, we planned to go to the other side of the bazaar. Heading downwards through the slope, we enjoyed the view of lovely village and clicked ourselves until the dusk. Then we returned back to the bazaar and walked eastwards slowly. We were looking at the vegetable market when suddenly the marvelous view of mountain ranges caught our eyes. As we did not want to miss this chance, we hurried towards the terrace of the hotel in the 6^th floor. The sun setting over the Himalayan range was spellbinding. The golden sparkle over the white mountains was a breathtaking scene. After enjoying this stunning beauty for some time along with photographs, we headed back to the room and rested. We had roti, dal and dahi for dinner. Watched TV and slept.

After checkout in the hotel, we set out for Dolakha Bhimsen at 6 a.m. Morning at Charikot was warmer than morning at Jiri. We reached the temple after walking for about an hour through the well-paved road. A lot of damage had occurred to the place due to the quake. Our local friend informed us ‘do’ meant stone and ‘lakha’ meant town. As the name suggested, the town—the houses and the pavements—were made up of stones. The friend took us for a jungle walk, spoke about the history and myths of the town, and showed us different tourist spots which included cafe, cave, children’s park and love park (all under construction). There were other picnic spots, ponds, temples undergoing reconstruction due to the quake damage. A cozy cafe, also called ‘Friends’ Cafe’ was a lovely place to be at. The place was a tiny cottage but provided all types of cuisine any tourist wanted. It was owned by a local but a trained cook who spoke like an Englishman. We had waffle and coffee, awesome.

Our lunch was in Dolakha bus stop. Rice, dal and local chicken curry—very delicious. We saw a local hospital too which was nearby. The bus towards Kathmandu was already at the stop. Thanking our friend for the hospitality, we occupied our seats in the bus.  The bus fare was Rs. 400/person. It moved at 1:30 p.m. The bus reached at Charikot. We got off to pick up our luggage from the hotel and the bus moved from there at 2 p.m.

Enjoying the sightseeing through the way, bidding farewell to the lovely Dolakha, we reached Lamosanghu and Bahrabise which welcomed us with a warm weather towards Kathmandu where we reached at 7 in the evening.

Note: As both Jiri and Dolakha had been badly affected quake-hit areas, we could see people busy most of the time with reconstruction.

We travelled in the budget of Rs. 3000/person and also our expenses had lessened due to the local friend. 

ONCE IN 365 DAYS !!!!

3^rd April, 2016

This was an unusual gathering of about hundred staffs of the place where I work in. Unusual in the sense, it was informal which is rare in case of this institution. Informality is about being free, with discipline. This aspect is marvelous in itself. So most of us decided to participate and it turned out to be a worthy decision.

Although not common these days, the morning was lovely and sunny when we set out. Squeezing ourselves in 4 buses, we headed towards Sukute, Sindhupalchowk on 31^st March at 8 am from Koteshwor. The first bus consisting of catering crew and sportspersons had started early than the rest. The lovely potato saplings over the fields could be seen from the window. The greenery of the spring season took our breaths away. While reaching closer to the beach, the magnificent view of the smooth green Koshi below the green hills from the bus took us closer to the lap of nature. It took 2 and ½ hours to reach Bhotekoshi. Those hours passed in a blink of an eye because of dancing fun inside the bus. The bus only stopped twice for breaks and fresh air.

Once we reached, we could see that tents had been fastened and the breakfast was being readied.  All started dancing, clicking photographs in and beside the river. After relishing our sandwich, momo, achaar and tea, we were again back to the dance and clicks. Next savory items were fried prawn and spicy peanuts. However, they could not stop us long from going to the dancing floor again.

While most people were busy dancing, we could see the catering crew making their best effort to satisfy us and the sports people were arranging games. Some were helping them fix things. Some had begun playing volleyball already. The drinks were served too and everyone enjoyed on their own way.   

Hitting the cans was one of the games where many tried to hit the target but missed. Proud to say that a female energy won here. ‘Tug of War’ was the next one where most participated including me. The rope was tugged thrice –male energy versus female energy. I pulled the rope with all energy I had along with the group and fell down on the beach. The male energy won. I did not give up and put all my effort once again. This time not only did I fall down, but also ended up with a cut and a swollen elbow. Women power lost again. I could not try then after due to pain. Obviously, the male energy proved victorious.  

I grabbed a piece of water melon and quenched my thirst. Somebody suggested putting some water on my bruise which I did by running to the river and soaking my elbow in it. Not sure how it helped. I had some old dancing numbers in my mobile which I could hear being played while returning back to the dance floor. ‘Boom!…boom!…boom!…boom!…!!!!’ I joined the floor and moved on my own way. Dancing and the fun moods of all were on the way to boom too. ‘Brazil!!!....’ was the next one.

The boss of the institution who had been quiet all these hours was requested to dance too to which he agreed. We were too pleased and glad that he did not deny. I was excited about this scenario and was dancing till sweaty. (I would like to call it the peak of the day.) I needed some rest. So left the floor and grabbed a chair.

After about a minute or two, all of a sudden, an unexpected storm blew. The wind was so strong that the tent, chairs, polls and speaker had fallen down. Beach sand hit us on our faces and we dropped down scared. It kept going on for about 5 minutes. Not sure what to do, we just waited and tried to sort out the damaged things. But to worsen the matter further, it began to rain heavily. We had to be safe now. Some of us ran to the shelter of bus and some to the tent still in place where food was being prepared. The rain lasted for about 15 minutes.

On returning back to the beach, we could see things getting back to normal and the dances had resumed. It must have been around 2 o’clock then. It was time for the main course of the day. Relished the heavy lunch, not to mention the juju dhau (special yogurt of Bhaktapur) which I grabbed extra. Clicking again the final moments in the surroundings of Sukute beach, enjoying the beauty of Bhotekoshi River and Sindhu district, we left the place at 4 pm.    

Recollecting the event, the informal disciplined gathering was an awesome experience. Having to deal with the emotional complications and having to choose between them and the expressions through dance was another part, which was quite challenging. However, the fun had been great. Once in 365 days! Once in a lifetime!

अभिव्यक्ति

मेरो प्रेम

मेरो अधीनमा रहेन अब

यो हाम्रो भयो ।

स्वतन्त्रता मेरै थियो 

अभिव्यक्ति मेरै थियो

निर्णय त्यो मेरै थियो

फगत मेरै थियो

अनायासै त्यसमा तिमी

मुछिन पुग्यौ ।

यो विचारविहिन अवस्था

मस्तिष्कशून्यता

र बेजोड भावनाका भेल

यो सन्चो नभएको क्षण 

वा धेरै सन्चो भएको पल

अभिव्यक्तिका उपजहरु ।

सहि थियो वा गलत

सहि थिएँ कि गलत

मायाको अदालतकै जिम्मा भो

कुनै दिन

सायद छिट्टै 

वा कालान्तरमा 

न्यायको ढोका

कसो नखुल्ला .