BANDIPUR Part 2

 Entering Siddha Guf with only a torch light and Sandals made me a strange feeling, which dissapeard after some time when i saw how our little guid was equipped with much older sandals than me. The cave is also a very holy place to the people with lots of places to pray to the gods.

This looks like God Ganesh!

On the left side that one looks like an eagle.

 This one is for Shiva. Can u find the snake?

After visiting the Siddha Guf, we walked down for another hour these are pictures while walking down. We also pass a garden with Mandarinen, where we finally could eat some of them.

 

 On the next day in the morning we left Bandipur on the top of the Bus going to Pokhara. Very exciting!

BANDIPUR NEPAL

Bandipur is a hilltop settlement about 150 km from Kathmandu on the way to Pokhara. The place has an elevation of 1030m.
Since 1998 it is connected by a 8 km access road from Dumre (Kathmandu-Pokhara highway). Until then there was only an unreliable road, in monsoon usually not accessible or only by tractors. The mountain saddle, just 200m long, is barely wide enough to accommodate the main street lined by 2 –3 storey buildings on either side. At the backsides of these houses the mountainsides steeply descend and the gardens are only accessible by stairs.

But before you can enjoy the stunning view of Bandipur, you have to make the journey on the Prithivi (name of nepals first Shah King) Highway.

 Luckily we had a car. Along the Highway you see many stunning things and people.

It looks like the main thing to do is washing. Which is understandable when your house is along the dusty highway!











When we arrive Bandipur, after the car was overheated from the 8 km up hill ride to the village, it was allready dark.
The next day in the morning, the view was wonderful and we start exploring our new environment.

The Khadga Devi Tempel  opens the doors only once a year at the hindu Festival Dashain.. A Legend is saying that the Sword, which is covered into clothes, at this tempel was given from Lord Shiva to the King of Palpa. It is covered with clothes because to stair at it will lead to your immediate death.

Michael, a friend from Kathmandu. He drove to Bandipur

While walking arround in the village I could capture these beautiful pictures!

A very typical scene in Bandipur. You can find it arround any corner!
Waiting for the tailor to come back! :-)

Don't mess with that mantis. Fhatyanra it is called in Nepal.

After Newari Style breakfast we decide to hike to the nearby cave called Siddha Gufa. First you hike like 10 minutes uphill, there u reach the point of a stunning view.

From this point the hike goes down down and down, sometimes stairs, sometimes stones and the path is slippery from time to time. But the jungle is beautiful and I enjoy a lot to walk.

When u reach the entrance of the cave, you have a nice view into the valley:

Entrance to Siddha Guf ! it is nepals biggest cave and was discovered in the 1980s. The width is about 10m and the lenght about half kilometer!

POKHARA

After Bandipur and a very tricky busride we enter in Pokhara and the view of the lake is stunning like allways. Pokhara is about 200 km away from Kathmandu and Nepals second largest city. The lakeside of Pokhara is very touristic but a nice place to stay and enjoy the sun. The weather is a little bit warmer than Kathmandu and it is also the starting point for many Trekking routs. Three of the ten highest mountains in the world are close to Pokhara.

Close to the Phewa Lake you find everything you need! Starting from your Breakfast to Nepals favourite food called Dhal Bhat!
It is also a destination for many Nepalese to make holiday there.



























Here some inspiration from around the Phewa Lake!

 And it is also a place to meet many friends! :-)

Swayambhunath Monkey Tempel

Yesterday I visit the Swayambhunath Tempel in Kathmandu. It is a very peaceful place with a big buddhist Stupa on the top of a hill.
I really enjoy walking up the stairs to end up on the top on this beautiful place. From there you have an overview of the hole city Kathmandu and many more to see. Take a look at the pictures I took up there on that lovely day!

The Swayambhunath complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period. A Tibetan monastery, museum and library are more recent additions. The stupa has Buddha's eyes and eyebrows painted on. Between them, there is something painted which looks like the nose - but is the Nepali symbol of 'unity', in the main Nepali language dialect.

 There are also shops, restaurants and hostels. The site has two access points: a long stairway, claimed to have 365 steps, leading directly to the main platform of the temple, which is from the top of the hill to the east; and a car road around the hill from the south leading to the southwest entrance. The first sight on reaching the top of the stairway is the Vajra. Tsultrim Allione describes the experience:...

..."We were breathless and sweating as we stumbled up the last steep steps and practically fell upon the biggest vajra (thunder-bolt scepter) that I have ever seen. Behind this vajra was the vast, round, white dome of the stupa, like a full solid skirt, at the top of which were two giant Buddha eyes wisely looking out over the peaceful valley which was just beginning to come alive."

"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." [Buddha]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After leaving the main place with the big stupa, you go again downstairs and u find there a well with a statue. You can buy coins and try to hit the pot on the feet of the statue. It means good luck and money to hit the pot! I couldn't!

But is really small this pot! :-)

 Swayambunath is also called monkey Tempel, see the pictures and understand!

 

 Monkey eating prasad (gift for god)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  They look very chilled on my pictures, but you better be careful. If you carry food with you, they will try to get it. The shop owners will help themselfe with sticks but also some loud words and warnings will maybe chase them away. Maybe!!!!!

Traditionally, prayer flags come in sets of five, one in each of five colors. The five colors represent the elements, and the Five Pure Lights and are arranged from left to right in specific order: blue, white, red, green, and then yellow. Different elements are associated with different colors for specific traditions, purposes and sadhana. Blue symbolizes sky/space, white symbolizes air/wind, red symbolizes fire, green symbolizes water, and yellow symbolizes earth. According to Traditional Tibetan medicine, health and harmony are produced through the balance of the five elements

 ^{The praying wheels are common in many buddhist Stupas. The Words Om Mane Padme Hum are written in Sanskrit on the outside of the wheels.}

^{Spinning such a wheel will have much the same meritorious effect as orally reciting the prayers.}

 ^{It is a datingplace for couples. To enjoy the view, and escape the noise of the city. It is very good for relaxing and drinking tea. Early in the morning people come for Yoga and Medidation.}

 Sunset Swayambhunath Monkey Tempel Subbha Ratri!