11.2.11

Then bank of Bagmati, sewage and Lord SHIVA !


Bagmati river behind the holy Pashupatinath Temple !

According to a popular legend that is recorded in local texts, especially the Nepalamahatmya and the Himavatkhanda, the Hindu god Shiva once fled from the other gods in Varanasi(a holy pilgrimage site in India) to Mrigasthali(the forest on the opposite bank of the Bagmati River from the temple). There, in the form of a gazelle, he slept with his consort Parvati. When the gods discovered him there and tried to bring him back to Varanasi, he leapt across the river to the opposite bank, where one of his horns broke into four pieces. After this, Shiva became manifest as Pashupati (Lord of Animals) in a four-face (chaturmukha) linga.


SHIVARATRI is next door, Sadhus have started gearing up for one of the craziest days of the year yet the bank of Bagmati river is still the same. The smell of POT is lovely but how can you handle the smell of sewage LORD SHIVA ? 

More on Shiva and Nepal



  




6.2.11

The boats, the wait and the river Rapti.

Lined up and ready to row !

Boats wait there and that's what they do. They wait so that they can fulfill the adventurous quest of people who come in a hope for a memorable ride. Sauraha and the boat rides over Rapti river is something you wouldn't want to ignore if you are around. The crocodiles, the elephants and the rhinos definitely makes your ride a memorable one while you swing through that calm Rapti.