April 30, 2022 at 12:34PM

Day 3513 : Mountains, Mardi and Me.

I can’t swim, so, I can’t show my love for water to ocean. However, when I tried to show my love for mountains about 12 years ago we had to terminate the trek after 5 minutes because of the unpreferable weather and leeches running up our legs.

This time though, I was lucky to be able to successfully complete the Mardi trek with bunch of special friends. I name them in code; Jhallu, Gadha, Swanth and Saandhe - it’s for you to figure out who is who.

The adventure was surreal. I loved every bit of it. I gathered my fitness was better than I expected but my lungs wasn’t as strong at the high altitude.

There are several tales to tell which I will try and unfold as I go along.

For now, I pretend to sip #daanfetea from a cup for a promotional material.

April 29, 2022 at 12:35PM

Patan Durwar Square

April 28, 2022 at 12:35PM

Day 3511: Aashish-cha weds Jagrity!

With the wishing that they fall in love with each other all through their lives, I attend the wedding reception of Ashish and Jagrity, feeling extremely privileged.

‘Please look after my little cousin well and don’t trouble him too much,’ I say. Jagrity gives a very warm smile and Aashish-cha nods in agreement.

Best wishes to the newly-weds!

Aashish-cha Weds Jagrity.

2022

April 19, 2022 at 12:36PM

BungDyo Rath Building in Nepal

April 19, 2022 at 3:07AM

Day 3504: Creating Memories

‘I remember being extremely hot and mosquitoes’, said Oneek when I asked what he remembered about his last visit to Nepal. It broke my heart. So, this time I was determined to give him better memories than the last one.

A re-visit to Swoyambhu and Basantapur Darwar square did wonders. Both Ojaswi and Oneek enjoyed our evening trip. They loved watching the monkeys, running around the temples, spinning prayer wheels, jumping up and down the stairs and the Dega:s.

Both these monuments hold very special place in my heart. I have so many beautiful memories with these places. Seeing my kids playing and enjoying in these places overwhelmed me. I was reliving my childhood. When the memories came flooding, I could feel my eyes water and my heart being buoyant with happiness and satisfaction. It was moment of ecstasy. Totally surreal. Absolutely priceless.

I don’t know whether I was able to create good memories for Oneek and Ojaswi but I created a lots of memories for myself that would last life time.

Nepal visit 2022

April 17, 2022 at 1:13PM

Day 3502 - Open Letter on Ojaswi’s 6th Birthday

Dear Ojaswi,

Today my sweet daughter, you are 6 years old. I can barely believe it.

We celebrated your 6th Birthday in Nepal for two days. One was the religious process and the other was a mini MoMo party with few friends and family members. We had a little singing session where your baa Bhupendra Man Shakya, Mohan Maane uncle, Rabin Sanu uncle and Ze Suis Razun paju sang songs and Oneek dada performed piano and sang songs with your mummy.

Somehow it feels like just yesterday that I woke up in the middle of the night, on the hospital bed by the noise of doctors swarming into the room to attend your mother in her labour. It was the first night in my life when I experienced the bout of anxiety. Because that was the point of no return. I had to lock myself in the toilet for more than 15 minutes to calm myself down. Flash forward six years and I am in awe of who you have grown into.

You still have the beautiful round eyes and the fine hair you were born with, but now you show this perfect, little girl smile when you laugh. Your smile makes everyone around you smile too and you smile all the time.

You would play with whatever you can find, cars, Lego, building blocks, unicorn, slime, sand, play dough etc but you don’t like dolls. And you are a queen never a princess.

You sometimes prove to me that your sweet side is evened out by your sassy side. You show this side mostly when we are trying to dress you, feed you or when you want your own way or want to determine your own bedtime. You are also very particular about how your bed is made or how your clothes are folded. You always tell me off if I don’t place my shoes on the shoe rack or if I don’t take them off in the living room.

You love annoying and caring your bother at the same time. You like copying him even if you don’t understand what it means. Your favourite joke that you share with your brother at the moment is about ‘flatulence’. You love your crazy ‘Pwan Pwan Pwan’ dance with brother and mother which even I joined in once. You love being silly with him and you become even more silly if you realise we are laughing at your activities.

You are small but you are a determined wee thing. You stand up to your brother and you like to boss me around in our home around.

You love talking to me in lengths and creating different types of kisses with me. Out of which ‘coconut kiss’ is my favourite as it makes the pop sound.

Your love for junk for food amazes me. You know they are not healthy but you also can’t help yourself keeping away from them.

I cant believe you are six and going into year 2. My little darling who is turning into a little lady.

I, sometimes, miss your chubby baby cheeks and your rolly polly baby legs but I love that you have grown into this little lean lady-girl who is mastering gymnastic moves and who loves climbing on to Daddy-frame. You don’t care about whether your hair is brushed or whether your shirt matches your skirt but you do care how glittery, colourful and frilly your outfits are. I love your priorites.

You are always a tad bit better when you are with your mum but as soon as I enter the scene, your tantrums starts; while eating your tummy starts hurting and while driving your need to ‘pretend-sleep’ grows.

You are only girl that belongs to me and I love that you are teaching our boy filled Singh-family how to treat a lady.

Please though, my sweet girl, if you can take anything to heart that I tell you, please remember that you are perfect the way you are now. I love my glitter wearing, bossy acting, crazy hair sporting, craft making, squeaky voice speaking, love giving, tantrum throwing little girl.

You were the perfect addition to our family 6 years ago and you continue to be the right amount of passion to help me with our testosterone filled house. Your eyes are still one of my favorite things to get lost in. And I get lost just looking at your natural innocent activities to the point you ask me; ‘Daddy why are you staring at me’. But I cherish those moments where you allow me to stare at you long enough to put my daddy heart at ease before you wiggle free from your spot on my lap and into this big world.

I am forever grateful that we have been given these years with you. This front row spot that allows us to fall in love with you every single day. When you speak matter-of-factly, when you proudly wave a new drawing in front of us, when you twirl in your new skirt, when you try to play piano, when you get as silly as your brother, when you reassure us with your loving ways and when you remind us that every day with you is an absolute blessing.

Your brother, mother and I love you to bits. Our love for you grows everyday; if that’s even possible.

I wish I can stop time right here!

Daddy piglet!

April 15, 2022 at 1:17PM

Day 3501 - Sindure Jatra

Sindure Jatra is celebrated as part of Biskaa Jatra, to welcome the new year with colors and joy on the 1st and 2nd day of solar new year in Madhyapur Thimi. During the event, people from all across Thimi and the surrounding villages parade 32 palanquins (Khats) bearing images of various gods with sindoor hurled at them. People throw sindur (orange colour) and dance to the beats of drums, cymbals, and dhimes. The crowd parade to the town with khats, sindur, musical instruments, and dances.

The main attraction of the festival is the Siddhi Ganesh (Its Ganesh not Binayak, Mohan Maane corrects me) khat arriving from the village of Nagadesh. The festival lasts as long as the Ganesh Khat can be kept from moving, and it concludes when the Ganesh Khat departs for Taleju Temple. The crowds then swarm to Bode to witness the tongue-boring festival.

--

This year we could witness the Sindure Jatra at NagaDesh with Ojaswi and Oneek. Nikki and in-laws; Bhupendra Man Shakya and Annapurna Shakya also accompanied. We had to leave tongue-boring festival for next visit.

Ojaswi managed to find a new friend in Yushree while Oneek struggle a bit in the extreme sun. But we all enjoyed a delicious Jatra Bhwoye by Susie and sweet Thwon.

Thank you for beautiful pictures Yomesh Dangol.

#sindurejatra
#biskaajatra
#bhaktapur
#thimi

April 14, 2022 at 1:22PM

Day 3500: YasinDyo

The erection of the Yasi(n) Dyo is one of the foci of the Bisket Jatra festival.

Yasi(n)Dyo is a part of a very tall tree, perhaps forty feet in height, which has been divested of all its limbs, except for the branches at the summit, which represent the god's hair. A straight segment of another tree is attached at right angles some feet below the top of the trunk, giving it a cruciate form. This is said to be the yasi(n)'s arms, some small branches and leaves are attached to the ends of the crosspiece to represent the god's hands and fingers.

Toward the juncture of the cross branch and the main trunk two long strips of cloth are tied, one at each side. These are pata, banners, of the sort that are sometimes tied to the pinnacles of religious structures. These patas have more than one story. One story about them is that they are said to represent Siva and Sakti, and when they move in the wind, this represents their sexual intercourse. Sometimes the banners are said to represent the snakes; sometimes the Tantric Acaju and his wife

A bundle of eight ropes is also tied onto the upper part of the trunk. The eight ropes represent the eight Matrkas at Bhaktapur's borders, and the yasi(n) represents Bhairava. When the ropes flutter in the wind, this represents the intercourse between Bhairava and the Matrka.

The yasi(n) is erected is as the indication of end of Solar year. On the next day, the erect yasi(n) is rocked back and forth as a sign of the beginning of the new solar year, it is said that the god is being rocked to sleep, as he is very tired from having stood up all year.

--

For our London Biska Jatra we built our own Yasi(n) which is nowhere near as tall as the original Yasi(n) of Bhaktapur. We used whatever resources we could find around us, and made it as tall as possible, keeping health and safety in mind. The Pata we used are also not that long. This was just the representation of real Biska Jatra, this is ‘London Biska Jatra’.

Here is the video of Yasi(n) thanigu in London.

#HappyNewYear #Yasin #biskajatra #londonbiskajatra #pasapuchahguthi #pasapuchahguthi #newahmuna2022

April 12, 2022 at 1:50PM

April 12, 2022 at 12:51PM

AP1 News!

Kudos Kushal Shrestha

April 12, 2022 at 11:27AM

Day 3498: Creating Nepali History in London

PASA PUCHAH GUTHI, UK was able to write a piece of newah history in the UK by celebrating Biskaa Jatra in London at Shaheed Uddham Singh Asian Community Centre, Plumbstead.

Two Raths, Bhairav and Bhadrakali, were built; Bhairav by Pasa Puchah Guthi UK, South East London Chapter and Bhadrakali was built by Pasa Puchah Guthi, UK - London.

The Jatra was started by erecting YosinDyo. The masks of BhailaaDyo, Bhadrakali and Betaadyo were paraded to the Raths before being installed and worshiped.

BhailaaDyo Rath was pulled first, the Haapaa was done by Sushil Prajapati and Bhakdrakali Rath was pulled only by ladies, the Hapaa was done by myself and Satya Pd Prajapati.

After pulling both the Raths to the designated area the first part of tbe Jatra was concluded.

About 800 people witnessed this history being unfolded who were served with Samay Baji.

The second part of the event was in the event where the Chief Guest was the Ambassador of Nepal to the U.K. Mr Gyan Chandra Acharya from Embassy of Nepal, London and the special guest was Bishnu Prasad Prajapati. The cultural program followed the formal part consisting of various Newah songs and dances from kids and the adults.

An achievement awards were also distributed to the high performing members of Pasa Puchah Guthi. Token of appreciation was also awarded to all the volunteers and supporters of Pasa Puchah Guthi U.K. for their support, hardwork and dedication.

The third and final part of the Jatra took place in the evening, where YosinDyo was collapsed to initiate the end of the Jatra. And, BhailaaDyo and Bhadrakali, the two Raths were crashed head on to each other to indicate the intercourse between the deities.

A delicious dinner was served by Manish Shrestha and Gurkha Club Team.

The headline sponsor of the event was A Star Financial solutions UK.

We thank all the volunteer, supporters, organisers, participants, journalists and well wishers for the unprecedented show of love and support. We promise to bring in bigger and better event in the future.

I share some of the videos of the event here.

#NewahMuna2022 #pasapuchahguthi #biskajatra

April 10, 2022 at 1:55PM

Ojesh Singh was live.

April 10, 2022 at 12:57PM

Bhadrakali Rath ready!

April 10, 2022 at 11:58AM

Bhailaa Rath Getting ready!

April 10, 2022 at 9:02AM

Day 3496 - Sneak Peek

The day is finally here. We have made two amazing Raths (Chariot) in London. One in West London for Bhadrakali and another in South-East London for BhailaaDyo.

Bhadrakali traveled to South East yesterday to meet Bhailaa Dyo.

Bhailaa Dyo, Bhadrakali, and Beta: Dyo was worshiped today before the Rath procession tomorrow.

Both Bhailaa and Bhadrakali are now resting at Sahid Uddham Singh Asian Community Centre in Plumstead.

We will start our ‘London Biskaa Jatra’ at 12.300PM tomorrow.

See you all tomorrow.

London Rath, Bhadrakali, was built by the sheer hard work and perseverance of Sanjeev Shrestha with the help of Dipak Shrestha and Sujan 'n Reema Shakya

South-East London Rath, BhailaaDyo, was built by the expertise of Sohan Suwal, Subin Amatya, @Nir Maharjan, Ahilya Sohansuwal, Nagendra Shrestha, Shrestha Madhav, Satya Pd Prajapati, Sanyukta Shrestha, Bishnu Prasad Prajapati, Sachin Shrestha, Marilena Frisone, Ishwor Maharjan lots of other passionate people (whose names I must add….)

#LondonBiskaJatra

April 4, 2022 at 2:08PM

Day 3491: Newah Muna: Biska Jatra

बेलयातमा रहेका समस्त नेपालीहरूलाई नेवा संस्कृति र तजीलजीको प्रवर्दन गर्न २००९ मा पासा पुचः गुथीले पहिलो नेवाः मुनाको आयोजना गरेको थियो।

नेवा भेषभुशा, नेवाः खाना, नेवाखाना को उत्कृष्ट प्रदर्शन भएको सो मुना लाई धेरैले मन पराएका थिए। त्यस पस्चात पासा पुचः गुथीले प्रत्यक दुई वर्षमा नेवा मुनाको आयोजना गर्दै आएको छ। बिश्वोभरिका महत्वपूर्ण नेवा बयक्तित्वहरूलाई निमंत्रण गरेने यस मुनामा गएको दुई वर्षमा उत्कृष्ट उपाधि हाशील गरेका गूथीका सदस्यहरूलाई सम्मान गर्ने पनि चलन छ।

कोरोना वाइरसका कारण स्थगित भएको २०२१ MA हुनु पर्ने नेवा मुना, पासा पुचः गुथीको साउथ ईस्ट ब्रांचले यसपाली आइतवार, १० अप्रिल २०२२ मा मानाउने घोषणा गरेको छ।

यही नेवा मुनाको अवसर पारी नेपाल बहिर, बेलयातमा पहिलो पटक भक्तपुरको महत्वपूर्ण जात्रा, बिस्का मानाउने निर्णय गरिएको छ।

April 3, 2022 at 2:10PM

Ojesh Singh is with Robin Dix.

A very Happy birthday to you!