The pictures on these pages are the result of the combined efforts of the photographers who agreed to share their pictures. 
Their contributions are very much appreciated since we each captured our own unique view of the trip.
My sincere thanks to Don Fischer, Dorota Kotowska, Patricia McCleaf, and Don Sledz.

We drove past this small Buddhist Stupa. 
Because it was a holy time offerings were being made. 
This one in the form of a white powder mixed with water and pored over the dome.


Bodhnath is much larger stupa. 
The flags and scarves fluttering in the breeze offered wishes for health and good luck for members of families who had brought them.
The elephant sculpture was covered with scarves and at it's base was a fire burning offerings of herbs or incense. 

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And around the city
   

Along the river we saw these makeshift tents.


In the city any space that wasn't built on was put to use growing wheat, mustard or vegetables.


Further out we saw these terraced fields.


There were lots of brick yards.

These aren't bonfires, they are funeral pyres at the temple of Pashupatinath. 
Bodies are brought to these platforms on the stairs (ghat) along the Bagmati river and burned on piles of wood and straw. 
After three to five hours what little is left is swept into the river.  
There were a few people in the river trying to find gold from jewelry or dental work. 
There was a cornea excision center available for those who wanted to donate.  
It seemed to us that this should have been a private time for the families but here this is the way one moves on to the next life.
       

We visited an art school and saw some of their work.



Everywhere we went in Nepal we saw people playing games. 
You probably recognize backgammon, parcheesi, and cards.


The girls playing hopscotch, boys are practicing cricket and badminton.
The blurry picture is of a soccer player we saw as we drove past a field.


The board with the black and white disks is carrom.
The final picture is of a game that seemed to be a cross between tag and hopscotch with added elements I didn't understand.
 

Gods of the Hindu faith.
As I understand it those depicted with blue skin are vishnu or one of his incarnations.
The monkey faced god is Hanuman, one of the most popular of the gods, a symbol of strength.
The gold figures represent Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver), Shiva (Destroyer). Three aspects of the ultimate reality.
Ganesh has the head of an elephant and is the God of wisdom and good fortune.
Submaniain is the son of Shiva and usually shown on his vehicle, a peacock.
The black god is the most fierce form of Shiva, Bhairab.
Three more images of incarnations of Vishnu were near to Bodhnath.
The last figure represents Yama who keeps the Great Book of Destiny where ones allotted time of life on earth is recorded.
If you know these guys better than I do please send e-mail with corrections.


This is the home/temple of the Kumari the living goddess.
She is selected at age 4 or 5 from among physically perfect candidates.
She serves as the vessel of the goddess Durga until she is no longer a child when a new vessel is chosen.
We weren't surprised when we didn't see her since she rarely appears at these windows.

Go to our page about Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Kathmandu, Khokana,  Mount Everest, saris

See other places we have visited here.

E-mail Nancy and Alan