Gaijatra (festival of cows)

Box of Bangles #1

Box of Bangles #2

Box of Bangles #3

Banana leaf bowls for offerings

Cotton Candy!

Kumari Ghar (Palace in the middle of the city)

Royal Kumari is a living child goddess chosen when she is about five years old and worshipped by Nepali Hindus and Nepali Buddhists. Kumari is the incarnation of goddess Taleju until she hits puberty, then she loses her goddess status and reverts back to 'common' status. If she has a serious illness or loses a significant amount of blood from an injury she also reverts to common status. The legend is that the last Nepalese King used to play dice in his chambers with the Goddess Taleju on the condition that she never tell anyone about their meetings. One night the King's wife followed him and saw them playing dice. Taleju was angry and said if he ever wanted to see her again or have her protect his country, he would have to search for her among the Newari community incarnated as a young girl. Another story says the king made sexual advances towards her and the goddess angrily left the palace. The king pleaded for her return and she agreed to see him but only if he searched for her in the form of a virgin in the Newari community. The selection process is intense! The girl has to have never lost any teeth, without blemishes, in excellent health, never had any major disease and then must pass the '32 perfections' of a goddess. A few are eyelashes like a cow, neck like a conch shell, thighs like a deer, very black hair and dainty hands and feet. She must also be fearless and calm. Last but not least, she must remain fearless when she spends the night sleeping among the heads of many sacrificed buffalo and goats and pick out objects that used to belong to the last Kumari. Once she is chosen, she never wears shoes, never walks on the ground, is carried everywhere on a pallet, can only leave the palace once a year and has her every action interpreted. After they menstruate the Kumari is sent out of the palace to live a normal life, marry and have children. I find this VERY interesting and look forward to reading more about it!

Street person missing a leg...it looked really sore...

Popcorn and treats for sale!

Cute little dancers at Durbar Square

Gaijatra in Durbar Square

The old palace

Voodoo puppets!

Candles available to burn in Durbar Square for gaijatra

Kali

Part of the crowd watching the festivities in Durbar Square

Today was the festival of cows in Nepal. We went to Durbar Square in Kathmandu (there are three Durbar Squares in Nepal) and watched some of the festivities. It was incredibly busy but the beautiful buildings, fantastic people watching and festival dancing was well worth it. The pictures really don't do it justice, there are few words to describe the sensation of being surrounded by such rich culture and kind people.

Tomorrow, back to Helping Hands Community Hospital! Here is a little video of Durbar Square during the festivities, enjoy!