Today’s Date (three ways)

August 12, 2013   ~   Saun 28,2070   ~   Nepal Sambat1133 Gunlathwo Kasti

Nag Panchami ~ The Day of the Snake 

In Nepal we are just at the beginning of Festival Season in Kathmandu. I have not experienced this before so everything is new. I will do my best to take you along...

Sunday was Nag Panchami, the day Nepalis set aside to honor the snake. It marks the 5th day after “no moon day”. It celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna over the Nag Khaliya. 

Like many American Indian tribes in the Southwestern US, Hindus believe snakes assist in bringing rain and the life that comes with it. Besides rain, a happy snake has the power to bestow good health, wealth and and many other blessings on appreciative human beings. Offerings of cow’s milk, honey, nuts and seeds are left in the fields and near the snake holes. Colorful pictures of snakes are posted over the doorways of homes and businesses along with other small offerings to keep away evil spirits and as a sign of respect and veneration. By contrast, an unhappy snake can bring illness, poor crops or even death. It is important to keep your local snakes happy. All over Nepal, nags, statues and other representations have been doused with milk.

The beautiful photograph to the left depicting a girl pouring milk on a cobra was on the front page of Monday’s Kathmandu Post. It was taken by Manoj Poudel. The photo of the woman pouring milk on the statue above, also from The Kathmandu Post, was taken by Sampurna Manandhar.

These are Nag Offerings above a door at Northfield Cafe in Thamel. 

The statue at the right is located in the garden at NFC. It depicts Lord Krishna having subdued the Nag Khaliya.

In the market there are many different Nag posters you can buy to place over your door.

                                                                           

Your Nepali Phrase of the Day is:  Nag Panchami, Nag meaning “snake”, Panchami meaning “5th day after no moon day”. 

Kathmandu Weather: On Monday it was partly cloudy and 80ish F (around 28 C) with evening and early morning rain showers. Looking at the forecast, you can probably count on more of the same for the next ten days. Can’t complain about that!

That is it for now. This is actually Nag Panchami Take Two... I accidentally deleted the original post. I hope I have not forgotten anything important in the retelling.

For now, Pheri Bhetaula... “See you Again”!

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*Kathmandu Diary*

WOO HOO!!!  Here I go! The first entry on my first blog ever... stay with me and be gentle with your critique. It will get better...

Greetings friends! If you are reading this today I am assuming you are my friends.                                                            Please share this blog with all of your friends and help me grow. 

Four years ago today, I reluctantly left Nepal for the first time, not knowing if I would ever have the chance to return. I spent 

2 1/2 months there just living, immersing myself in the culture, making friends with Nepali people, stealing peeks at festivals, religious ceremonies and daily life. 

Now, I have found my way back to Kathmandu and I plan to make the most of it, and to share every bit with all of you. In this Kathmandu Diary, I will be posting about everything Nepali. I said before, I made friends with many Nepali people, some of whom are business owners. From time to time I will mention these and other  businesses including:

• NORTHFIELD CAFE & JESSE JAMES BAR-  A lovely true garden oasis in the heart of Thamel. Fantastic breakfasts start at 7:00 AM. The perfect place for a peaceful afternoon break from the hub-bub of KTM for lunch or a beer, and the ideal atmosphere to spend an evening dining on Mexican, American, Continental or Indian cuisine until 10:30 PM. Entertainment is provided nightly by the wonderful SAMUNDRA BAND.
• HOTEL NORTHFIELD-   Conveniently located 2 doors north of the Northfield Cafe. Comfy rooms & long term apartments are available. 
• NEPALI CHULO-  Featuring authentic Nepali and Newari Cuisine, this experience should not be missed. Traditional dancers and musicians representing  many of the different ethnic cultures in Nepal, provide an unforgettable evening in a former Rana palace.
• HIMALAYAN ESSENTIALS- Sterling silver jewelry, designed and hand-crafted in Nepal, sold at select gem shows.

Other things I hope to cover in bits and snatches on these pages:

• CURRENT WEATHER- For example, for those of us in the US it is 4:45 tomorrow morning in Kathmandu, 72ºF (22ºC), and it is raining heavily. Still monsoon season remember.
• UP-COMING EVENTS AND FESTIVALS- A calendar of what is happening in Kathmandu and around Nepal.
• HISTORY & CULTURE- 
• FOLKLORE-
• PERSONAL OBSEVATIONS AND EXPERIENCES-  
• QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS- i.e. your turn to talk. Feel free to ask questions and correct any misinformation... I am learning too!
• TREKKING, ECO-SPORT AND ADVENTURE SPORTS NEWS-
• NEPALI WORD OR PHRASE OF THE DAY- Your first Nepali phrase is PHERI (PERI) BETAULA. This means "SEE YOU AGAIN".

Please follow us on Facebook (Northfield Cafe & Jesse James Bar) or twitter, and share us with your friends by clicking the buttons below. You can also just look for my blog, TheKathmanduDiary.blogspot.com. THANK YOU