“Gateway to Tibet”- Nepal, after all, manages to regain this reputation; return of the Golden Days is flourishing entrepreneurs from the both sides

Tibetan market

When Tibet opened up its door for eager tourists in 1984, that verdict relocated Nepal into a demanding transit hub – a Gateway – to the Tibet. Nepal, which was, then, 20 years older in terms of tourism development, acknowledged potential opportunities to keep hotels of Kathmandu busy in business during monsoon season. Ever since the “Roof of the World” commenced welcoming tourists, many Tibet operators in Nepal were offering wide range of designed tour packages depending upon individual taste, resources, and schedule with guaranteed departure Continue reading

Saga Dawa Festival

saga-dawa-festivalSaga Dawa, which celebrates the Sakyamuni’s conception, enlightenment, and passage to nirvana, is held every year on the 15th day of the 4th lunar month (this year 01st June 2015) of the Tibetan calendar. Mount Kailash, a huge mass of black rock soaring up to 6714 meters in far western Tibet, is the main site for this festival, while, in Lhasa, a walk around the Linghkor pilgrim circuit (3-4 km) is the order of the day. Continue reading

Tibetan Losar – Celebrating Life with Festivals Galore

tibet-horse-festival

Tibet horse festival. Image: flickr/Wen Yan King

Tibetan Losar, the Tibetan New Year is one of the most important festivals, which is held on the 1st to 3rd days of the first lunar month in the Tibetan calendar. Accordingly, in 2015, it will be observed on February 18. Continue reading

Sonam Losar

NEPALSonam Losar is one of the central festivals among 125 ethnicities living in Nepal, of which some are of Indian origin, and some of Tibetan origin. Therefore, it is natural that many of the country’s festivals are similar to those of the neighboring regions. As far as the latter is concerned, Losar is the festival that comes to mind uppermost. In Tibet, Losar (Lo: year sar: new) is the most important festival among its numerous other festivals. So too is it for many communities in Nepal, such as the Tamu (Gurungs), the Tamangs, and the Sherpas, Bhutiyas, and Yolmos. Continue reading

Palden Lhamo Festival

Palden_LhamoPalden Lhamo Festival is to celebrate on December 6 this year at Barkhor Square in Lhasa honoring one of the most intriguing deity figures of Tibetan Buddhism—Palden Lhamo. If you come across any Thangkas (traditional religious paintings) with a blue-colored female figure whose hair is a fiery red, you can conclude that it is that of Palden Lhamo. Well, what but fiery red hair to portray so wrathful a deity? But, that is only a small giveaway, you just can’t miss her because she will have three eyes and will be holding a human skull from which she will be shown drinking blood. What’s more, Continue reading

Lhabab Duchen, Festival of the Buddha’s Descent from Heaven

Lhabab Duchen is a festival celebrated to observe the descent of Buddha from heaven to earth. That would be his second visit on earth from heaven. First, when he was born and second, when he returned to earth after preaching gods and his mother in heaven. He was exhorted by his followers to return, and it was only possible after long debate.

Buddha

Like all religions, Buddhism, too, has its share of fantastic tales. Indeed, Lord Gautam Buddha’s birth itself is a miraculous one. His mother, Queen Maya, while on the way to her maternal home, suddenly developed labor pains at Lumbini. She grabbed hold of a tree branch, and even while standing up, delivered a bonny baby boy. This, by itself, was a wondrous event, but what was more amazing was that the infant started to walk straightaway. And, at every spot where he took a step, sprang forth a lotus flower. Continue reading

Eastern Tibet and its Wonders

Draksum-tso Eastern Tibet.

Draksum-tso Eastern Tibet. Photo: tak.wing

Your travel to Tibet is not complete without a visit to the vast region known as Kham, home to the legendary Khampa warriors of yore.They have often been likened to the cowboys of America, and this likeness is all the more pronounced by their fondness for wearing flamboyant cowboy hats and hardy leather boots, in addition to the fact that they are skilled horse riders. Continue reading