Kirtipur's Hathu Hyakegu ritual revives after generations

Chhyang (rice beer) flowed from the mouth of Bhairav – for the first time in generations – in Kirtipur on Tuesday. The tradition, often solely associated with Basantapur and Indra Jatra, was performed for the first time in decades in the ancient city of Kirtipur on the occasion of Shivaratri. Called Hathu Hyakegu, it was performed following the consecration of what is possibly the largest wooden mask of Bhairav at the Phalcha (rest house) at Chithu, Kirtipur Municipality–10.

Kathmandu Triennale 2077: Redefining what we consider art

The celebration of art and artists working with and from within multiple aesthetic and cosmological perspectives and manifesting the multiplicities that construct our global reality have opened in the form of Kathmandu Triennale 2077.

Exercise At Home

Many of us know that we lead a sedentary life. We know that simply walking or jogging may not be enough. Yet, we cannot do anything about it because we do not have the time or money or both to join a gym or enrol ourselves in fitness courses. But that should not be the reason we don’t exercise.

They hate MCC and destroy public property

Nepal is no stranger to protests. The country has seen numerous protests over the years, some to topple autocratic regimes, some to oppose government policies and others to demand rights. But while the causes may have varied, one thing has remained constant – every generation in every agitation has pelted bricks. This past week’s protests over the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) have been no different.

As Life Is

Amazon has listed this book as an action-packed Nepali novel on the duality of love, life and the relationship between two continents, leading to meditation and resolution. While quite a mouthful and a tad bit exaggerated, this summary does reflect the medley that is the book ‘Mochan’ by Tulasi Acharya.

Ward office construction plan in dispute

Concealed by the narrow alley leading to Jyatha, Kathmandu Metropolitan City–27, 400 metres north of the Rastriya Nachghar, is the historic Gunakar Mahavihar built in the 17th century. To the north of this Mahavihar is a blacktopped road and across the road is a raised brick platform. Up until a few weeks ago, people going through the area would only see a few holy idols on the platform. However, these days, they can also see a hole in the ground and a signboard informing them of the building...

Democracy Fosters With Freedom Of The Press

It may not seem like it but the news we get, whether through the newspaper, radio, television or online media, are crucial to our democracy. They allow us to get complete and accurate information about the society we live in and then form and transmit opinions about the things we like and the things we do not like. They facilitate a dialogue between the citizens and those in power and in doing so, nurture a strong democracy. That is why it is so important that the media have the freedom to report...

Eminence Of Ramkrishna Baje

Many people do not know of the existence of Beni Madhav Ghat at Sankhamul in Lalitpur. In fact, many do not know the existence of any ghats at Sankhamul. Even those living in the area often think Sankhamul is just one single ghat. But that is not so.

Bus rumbles around Nepal carrying books to make kids creative

Since November 2013, a bus has been travelling the country with books of various genres from around the world, aiming to provide a creative learning platform for young learners of urban and rural areas alike. Over the last nine years, this ‘library on wheels,’ sponsored by the American Embassy in Kathmandu and managed by the Satori Centre for the Arts, has travelled over 41,000 kilometres in Nepal and has visited over 550 schools, colleges and community centres and directly worked with over 280,000...

Call Out The Past

It is beyond encouraging seeing the space issues of culture get in the media these days. Newspapers routinely publish news of festivals on their front pages, televisions produce hour-long programmes about traditions and rituals and online portals put out informative series and multimedia packages about history and archaeology. “Culture and Arts” is no longer considered a “soft beat” to report on when nothing else is happening.