Friday, March 6, 2009

Nepal's History

Nepal has seen many rulers and ruling dynasties. The earliest rulers were the Kirantis who ruled from 9th century B.C. to 1st century A.D. Legends and chronicles mention that the Indian Emperor Ashoka had come to Nepal and visited Lumbini, the place where the Buddha was born, and where he erected a huge stone pillar to commemorate his visit to that spot.
The Kirants were replaced by Licchavis who, according to the earliest evidences in inscriptions of the 5th century A.D. found in the courtyard of Changunarayan temple which is about 15 km north east of Kathmandu, ruled this country from 1st century to 9th century A.D. This period is noted for the many temples and fine sculptures built around the Kathmandu valley.
The Licchavis were followed by the Thakuris, then came the Malla dynasty. The Mallas ruled focusing mainly on the Kathmandu Valley which has been the residence for most Nepali rulers from time immemorial. No other part of Nepal is as rich in cultural heritage as Kathmandu. Thanks to the exceptionally talented crafts-men, who dedicated themselves to construct the many temples and statues, we have seven world heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley itself.
In the 14th century A.D. King Jayasthiti Malla established a rigid social order. His grandson tried in every way to protect his country from suspected enemy states. Unfortunately, all his efforts were fruitless, everything went beyond his control and the country eventually divided up into 50 small feudal states including the three major ones in the valley.
Then came the Shah dynasty. King Prithvi Narayan Shah who annexed small principalities including three states in the Kathmandy Valley and unified Nepal in a single kingdom. Recognizing the threat of the British Raj in India, he dismissed European missionaries from the country and for more than a century, Nepal remained in isolation. During the mid-19th century Jung Bahadur Rana became Nepal's first prime minister to wield absolute power. The Ranas were overthrown in a democracy movement of the early 1950s.
Nepal was declared a Federal Democratic Republic state on May 28, 2008, during the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly. It was previously a multiparty democracy since 1990.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Butwal City

Hamro Batauli
Location :
A small city of 69.28 square km in area, situated on the low-altitude flat-land (Terai) near the border side to India, is a home to one lac eight thousands seven hundred fifty five Nepalese of different religion, language, ethinicity and identity. Butwal connects Bhairahawa city, Tansen town, and Narayanghat city through different highways. Butwal is only 26KM from the Indian Border and about 22 km from Bhairahawa, and Tansen is about 36 KM away from Butwal.
What makes Butwal? Butwal is known for commerce, industries and agriculture. It has Nepal's second largest horticulture business, and has more than one thousand industries and business enterprises employing over four thousand people according count 2058. The Tinau river waters Butwal's flat land, and many farmers use under-ground water system for drinking and supplying water to their farms. Many farmers here have embraced integrated farming, and schools and universities in this region continue to grow. Rice, Wheat, Bean, and Beaten Rice are popular agriculture product. Many of such product are equally imported from India and sold to major cities such as Kathmandu, Pokhara.
Places to See in Butwal:
Birendra Park : Visit weekly open markets (now open on Wednesday and Saturday) that takes place near the Park. During the Butwal Haat (Bazaar), witness the color of grains, seeds, vegetables and kitchen utensils and a crowd of people buying and selling. The park has abundant flowers and greenery garden, and is an ideal place for picnic and a favorite hangout destination for lovers.
Hill Park : Hill Park a beautiful place to enjoy. Here you can get park and small playground for childrens. Situated at a hill side of Deepnagar. You can see a nice view of whole butwal from the top of the hill park.
Purano Butauli Bazaar : The Tinau river divides the new and old (Purano) bazaar while two suspension bridges, one located at Pulchok and the other located at Haat Bazaar, connect the new and old bazaar. Cross the river to visit Ganesh Mandir, Narayan Temple, Buddhist Monastery, and Padma Chaitya Vihar. The Monastery is busy during Buddha's Birthday known as `Buddha Jayanti', during which time, thousands of pilgrimage pouring into the Lumbini region also visit this Monastery.
Manimukunda Park : Visit Akhileshwor Mahadeva temple near the Manimukanda Park, a popular temple for praying and for holding marriage ceremonies. Today in Nepal, temples are favorite spots to get married at as it helps to prevent waste of money on show-off parties and dowry.
Siddababa Temple : The temple is located 1 Kilometer from Butwal, on the Siddhartha Highway to Tansen and Pokhara. Visit this temple to worship, and also to get an awesome view of the Tinau River.
Nuwakot Hill Top : Climb the Nuwakot Hill Top (890 meter), located at north east of Butwal. Get breathless views of Himalayan range including Macchapuchhre in North and views of the Lumbini and Terai region from Butwal to Bhairahawa.
Getting to Butwal : Fly from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa and then drive from Bhairahawa to Butwal, or drive all the way to Pokhara to Butwal or from Narayanghat to Butwal. Many tourists chose to visit Butwal after visiting Lumbini, the Birth Place of Lord Buddha.