http://www.nepal.com/blog/ en 2012-02-02T07:48:17-06:00 hourly 6 2012-02-02T07:48:17-06:00 http://www.nepal.com/blog/pema-namding-monastery-in-kharikhola 2012-02-02T07:48:17-06:00 en Editor Features Opened in April 2008, the Pema Namding Monastery stands as testimony to the strong yearning of the residents of Kharikhola to have their own monastery. The project of building the Nyingma Tibetan Buddhist monastery in this remote village in the Solu Khumbu District of the Sagarmatha Zone of Nepal, was supported by Tulku Ngawang Jigdral Rinpoche, with the arduous work being carried out by local villagers as a sign of their faith and devotion. The project covered a time period of exactly three years, three months and three days, which is seen as significant as this is the traditional period for the Nyingma School of Buddhism's meditational retreats. http://www.nepal.com/blog/kalidas-shrestha-dedicated-nepali-artist 2012-01-20T01:51:56-06:00 en Editor Features Nepalese sculptor, artist and social activist, Kalidas Shrestha, has done much to bring art to the ordinary people of Nepal, while at the same time encouraging local artists to express themselves. In 1960, he began organizing art exhibitions to achieve his goals of promoting Nepalese art and artists, establishing an art gallery at his private home, and selling his paintings and displaying artworks for the general public to view. Possibly Kalidas Shrestha's single biggest achievement in Nepal's art world was to initiate the establishment of the first art college in Nepal. Upon Shrestha's request, King Mahendra agreed and the Nepal Fine Arts College was established in 1967, thriving under his direction for the first years of its existence. http://www.nepal.com/blog/chepang-people-of-nepal 2012-01-06T01:54:41-06:00 en Editor Miscellaneous The Chepang indigenous ethnic group resides in the secluded districts of Dhading, Chitwan, Gorkha and Makwanpur in Nepal. Certain tour operators offer trails that include visits to the villages inhabited by Chepangs, combining natural wonders with the discovery of cultural treasures. http://www.nepal.com/blog/new-bhanu-peace-trail-to-open-in-2012 2011-12-23T04:39:46-06:00 en Editor Features Nepal is well known for its spectacular trekking trails, with people travelling from all over the world to explore this picturesque country on foot. With this in mind, and in keeping with the tourism theme of "Visit Lumbini Year-2012", the Nepalese government will be implementing plans to link the historic pilgrimage site of Lumbini in Tarai, with the district of Manang. http://www.nepal.com/blog/kimff-2011-entertainment-and-education 2011-12-09T07:46:22-06:00 en Editor Features Taking place from the 8th through to the 12th of December in Nepal's capital city, the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF)will be showcasing fifty-two films from twenty-two countries to audiences numbering in the thousands. One of the main objectives of this annual festival is to explore both the diversity and complexities of mountain life. Some of the topics covered by the film festival include the culture and social interaction of people living in remote mountainous regions of various countries, as well as focusing on environmental issues and sustainable development. The 2011 edition of KIMFF coincides with the promotion of tourism by Nepal's authorities in a program called "Nepal Tourism Year 2011", and organizers have taken the opportunity to feature a selection of films which have made an impact on promoting Nepal's tourism opportunities to the international community. http://www.nepal.com/blog/kagyu-institute-of-buddhist-studies 2011-11-25T00:59:15-06:00 en Editor Features The ancient city of Kirtipur in the Kathmandu District of Nepal is well-known as a religious center, with many monasteries and temples located here. Individuals seeking a refuge in which to meditate and learn Buddhists teachings will find the Kagyu Institute of Buddhist Studies in Kirtipur fills their needs, providing the ideal environment for a retreat. http://www.nepal.com/blog/hariyo-ban-fighting-climate-change-in-nepal 2011-11-11T07:37:32-06:00 en Editor Features Under the name of 'Hariyo Ban' – meaning 'Green Forests' in Nepali – a USAID-funded organization in Nepal aims to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by no less than one million tons, while improving management strategies for preserving 50,000 hectares of forest. It will also implement a program of paying local communities to assist in protecting animals that are considered to be endangered in this beautiful mountainous country. http://www.nepal.com/blog/promoting-the-art-of-filmmaking-at-the-nepal-cine-symposium 2011-10-28T08:26:28-05:00 en Editor News With the stated aim of 'Promoting Nepali Cinema in the South Asian Spectrum', the Nepal Cine-Symposium will be held from November 18 to 22 in Kathmandu. Cinema enthusiasts will have the opportunity to view a selection of critically acclaimed short and full-length films, while those involved in the film industry will be able to attend discussions and workshops with a view to sharing, learning and networking with fellow filmmakers from around the world. http://www.nepal.com/blog/explore-the-region-of-charikot 2011-10-21T08:22:56-05:00 en Editor Travel With the Sun Kosi River as its border to the west, and the Khimti Khola River running along the east, the beautiful riverine valleys of Charikot open out into majestic folded volcanic mountains and spectacular scenery. Settlements along the banks of the rivers grow sub-tropical fruit, and terraced fields rising up the hillsides are cultivated with millet, wheat and rice in this verdant region of the Dolakha District of northeastern Nepal, which is a popular starting point for trekking into the Everest, or Sagarmatha, area via the village of Jiri. http://www.nepal.com/blog/visit-the-village-of-okhaldhunga 2011-10-14T09:01:51-05:00 en Editor Travel Visitors looking for an authentic village experience in Nepal will enjoy the hospitality of the agricultural community residing in Okhaldhunga. Located in Nepal's Sagarmatha Zone, Okhaldhunga serves as the capital of the district by the same name. Its situation in the rugged terrain can make it a real challenge to reach Okhaldhunga, but the unique experience will make it all worth the effort.