Poem and Article

  As Nepal is diverse culturally, foods in this country have different tastes and flavours. Yet, there are some food items that are common to all and hence unify the country. Of them, sel roti (or, simply, sel) is one. Shape-wise, sel roti is a Nepali doughnut. It is a traditional Nepali ring-shaped sweet bread that is deep-fried in oil or ghee and made with granulated rice or rice flour. This authentic Nepali sweet is loved by most Nepalis and is considered mandatory during Hindu  festivals  and ceremonies like Dashain, Tihar, Teej, weddings, bratabandhas, and others. Not only in Nepal, but sel roti is also made and enjoyed by many Nepali-speaking communities in  Sikkim ,  Darjeeling , and of late, wherever Nepalis are there .   Additionally, this delicacy is also available in many local restaurants in Nepal. And, sel roti is also sent as a gift (koseli) or as a prasad to family members and friends living away from home during any puja or ceremony or fes...

Women's education is a crucial and transformative aspect of societal development. It refers to the formal and informal education and training that women receive throughout their lives, from childhood through adulthood. Here are some key points about women's education: 1. Historical Context: Historically, women have been denied equal educational opportunities in many societies. In the past, they were often excluded from formal education, limiting their access to knowledge and skills. 2. Importance: Women's education is important for various reasons: Gender Equality: It is a fundamental right and essential for achieving gender equality. Economic Empowerment: Education equips women with skills and knowledge, improving their employability and income-earning potential. Health and Well-being: Educated women tend to make better healthcare decisions for themselves and their families. Empowerment: Education empowers women to participate in decision-making processes, poli...

Navaratri, also spelled as Navratri, is a Hindu festival celebrated over nine nights and ten days. It typically falls in the Hindu month of Ashwin, which corresponds to September or October in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion across India and in many other parts of the world with Hindu communities. One of the central stories associated with Navaratri is the legend of the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. The Story of Goddess Durga and Mahishasura: Long ago, there was a powerful demon named Mahishasura. He was blessed with a boon from Lord Brahma, which made him almost invincible. According to the boon, he could not be defeated by any man, god, or demon. This made Mahishasura arrogant, and he started terrorizing the heavens and Earth. He defeated the gods and took overtheir realms. The gods, helpless and unable to defeat Mahishasura, decided to create a powerful g...

Ghata Sthapana: Day 1 of Vijaya Dashami "Ghata Sthapana" is a Hindu ritual that is part of the Navratri festival, which is a nine-night festival celebrated in Nepal, India and other countries with significant Hindu populations. Navratri is dedicated to the worship of the Goddess Durga and involves various rituals and festivities. "Ghata Sthapana" refers to the ritual of establishing or installing a clay pot or "ghata" as a symbol of the Goddess Durga in the household. This pot is typically decorated with various symbols and colors associated with the goddess and is filled with water. It is an important part of the Navratri celebrations and is believed to invite the divine energy of the goddess into the home. The Ghata Sthapana ritual is performed with great devotion and usually marks the beginning of the Navratri festival. It is followed by daily prayers, fasting, singing of devotional songs, and dance, especially the Garba and Dandiya Raas dances, dur...

She prays to the moon wishing her husband good health and long life. Karva Chauth is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated by married women in North India, particularly in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. It falls on the fourth day of the Kartik month in the Hindu calendar, typically in October or November, depending on the lunar calendar. During Karva Chauth, married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the well-being, longevity, and prosperity of their husbands. The word "Karva" means clay pot, and "Chauth" refers to the fourth day of the lunar fortnight. On this day, women wake up early, perform rituals, and observe a strict fast without consuming food or water until they see the moon in the evening. The key customs and rituals of Karva Chauth include: Sargi: Before sunrise, a woman's mother-in-law traditionally prepares a pre-dawn meal called "Sargi." It usually consists of various food items, sweets...

Teej is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by women in various parts of India and Nepal. It falls on the third day of the bright half of the lunar month of Bhadrapada, which usually occurs in August or September. The festival holds great significance, especially for married women, as it is dedicated to the goddess Parvati and her union with Lord Shiva. 1.First Day This day is called as Dar Khane Din which means feast day. It is the day before Teej. It is probably the only day in the whole year where women are allowed full freedom of expression. For a whole year, they devote themselves to their family, and on this particular, they have a freedom to have a day to just by her. The women come together in one place dressed up in a best look and clothing using full makeup, and they sing and dance in Teej songs. They also have a grand feast with several varieties of food and sweets. Women also get invited by their parents or brothers, where they have a feast in the eve of the Teej. Th...

Once, there was a prosperous kingdom ruled by a virtuous king named Harishchandra. King Harishchandra was known for his honesty, integrity, and dedication to truth and justice. However, his life took a turn for the worse when he faced a series of challenges and trials. One day, the sage Vishwamitra arrived in King Harishchandra's kingdom and requested a favor. The sage asked the king to give him the entire kingdom as dakshina (a form of donation). King Harishchandra, being committed to truth and keeping his promises, agreed to fulfill the sage's request. As a result, the king and his family were left with nothing, and they had to lead a life of extreme poverty. To make ends meet, King Harishchandra and his wife, Queen Chandramati, had to work as servants in a cremation ground, where they performed the last rites for the deceased. Amidst these difficult circumstances, Queen Chandramati gave birth to a son named Rohitashva. The family's trials continued, and they strugg...

Shree Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Krishnashtami or Gokulashtami, is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, who is considered the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The story of Krishna's birth is a significant part of Hindu mythology and is often recounted on this auspicious day. Here's a brief summary of the Krishna Janmashtami katha (story): The Birth of LordKrishna : The story of Lord Krishna's birth is primarily associated with Mathura and Vrindavan. It is believed that Lord Krishna was born in Mathura to King Vasudeva and Queen Devaki. However, his divine birth was surrounded by a seriesof miraculous events. The Prophecy: The Prior to Krishna's birth, a prophecy had foretold that the eighth child of Queen Devaki and King Vasudeva would be the cause of their wicked cousin, King Kansa's, downfall. Kansa was a cruel and tyrannical ruler of Mathura. Imprisonment: Kansa imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva because he feared the prophecy. He decid...

Shree Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Janmashtami or simply Janmashtami, is a Hindu festival celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna, who is considered one of the most revered and beloved deities in Hinduism. This festival typically falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, which usually corresponds to August or September in the Gregorian calendar. Lord Krishna in a forest with cow Key aspects of the Janmashtami celebration include: Midnight Birth Celebration: Lord Krishna is believed to have been born at midnight, so devotees fast and engage in various forms of worship and celebration during the late hours leading up to midnight. Shree Krishna Birth Ceremony Krishna was the son of Vasudeva and Devaki but , when his maternal uncle Kamsa the wicked king of Mathura, tried to kill him he was smuggled across the Yamuna river to Gookul dham and raised by the leader of the cowherds, Nanda and his wif...