Peace Pagoda in Pokhara

While I was in Pokhara for the second time we went to the Peace Pagoda or Shanti Stupa on a hill next to Phewa Lake. These pictures are from that hike.

Water buffalo.

The Peace Pagoda.

The view of Pokhara.

Manakamana

Manakamana is a town with a very important temple at the top of a mountain. Pilgrims use to walk for hours to get to the temple, but now they take the cable car as we did. Newly weds go to the temple to pray for sons. It is believed that if an animal sacrifice is mad at the temple then ones prayers are sure to be answered. There are special cars on the cable car just for goats. We saw many people with chickens under their arms going to the temple.

I don't know what this is but I thought it looked neat...

Millet

"huh, you talkin' to me?"

There are terraced rice fields all over the mountain.

Durbar Square Kathmandu

Durbar square is full of old buildings. Many of them are Newari style.




























This is where the Kumari lives. She is said to be the living incarnation of the goddess. We were not allowed to take pictures of her.

Swayambhunath

Swyambunath is called the monkey temple in english, but it is so much more than just a hang out place for monkeys. The stupa is in Kathmandu at the top of a very long flight of stairs. There are many small buildins surounding the stupa with statues and carvings and a monistary. There were many people there doing pujas and making offerings.















Butter lamps at the base of the temple.

A monkey eating a banana in front of a Buddha statue.
I looked one of the monkeys in the eye and he chased me. Eeeek!
















The view of Kathmandu.

The stupa.

Dasain

Dasai is the biggest festival in Nepal. It is the celebration of good triumphing over evil. The tradition is that older people give tika and money and blessings to younger people. Tika is a mixture of red powder, yogurt and rice. They also put strands of yellow rice shoots and flowers in the hair for blessings.

Parvati's family. We are all dressed up for Dasai.

Parvati with her parent's and and her nephew.



































Parvati receiving tika from her mother.

Parvati's Dad giving her tika.

Parvati's Dad giving me Tika.

Parvati giving her nephew Tika.

Parvati's Sister-in-law's father giving me tika. After receiving tika at Parvati's house we went to her sister-in-law's family's house.

Swinging is a big part of Dasai. This swing

was on a big tree in a park filled with many people gambling, swinging and talking.