Thursday, October 1, 2009
0
Gautam Buddha - The Originator of Buddhism
The word 'Buddha' is a title and not a name in itself. It means 'one who is awake' (in the sense of having 'woken up to reality'). The title was given to Siddhartha Gautama, who was born in Lumbini (Nepal), approximately 2,500 years ago. He did not claim to be a God and he has never been regarded as such by Buddhists. He was a human being who became Enlightened, understanding life in the deepest way possible. Siddhartha was born into the royal family of a small kingdom, on the Indian-Nepalese border. According to the traditional story, he had a cloistered upbringing, but was jolted out of complacency when he encountered the harsh realities of life, such as old age, sickness and death. He left His home in search of the real meaning of life. He practiced meditation under various teachers and then took to asceticism. The rigorous asceticism that He followed virtually led Him to the verge of death. But, true understanding seemed as far away to Him as ever and eventually, He abandoned this path. He sat down beneath a pipal tree and vowed that "flesh may wither, blood may dry up, but I shall not rise from this spot until Enlightenment has been won". After forty days, the Buddha finally attained Enlightenment. Buddhists believe that He attained a state of being that goes beyond anything else in the world. If normal experience is based on conditions - upbringing, psychology, opinions, perceptions, and so on - Enlightenment is Unconditioned. It was a state in which the Buddha gained insight into the deepest workings of life and therefore, into the cause of human suffering, the problem that had set Him on His spiritual quest in the first place. During the remaining 45 years of His life, he traveled through much of northern India, teaching the way to Enlightenment to others. The teaching is known as the Buddha-dharma - 'the teaching of the Enlightened One', in the East. Traveling from place to place, the Buddha taught numerous disciples, who gained Enlightenment in their own right. They, in turn, taught others and in this way, an unbroken chain of teaching has continued, right down to the present day. The Buddha was not God and neither did He make any claim to divinity. He was a human being who, through tremendous efforts, transformed Himself. Buddhists see him as an ideal and a guide, who can lead them to Enlightenment.
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Gautam Buddha - The Originator of BuddhismThe word 'Buddha' is a title and not a name in itself. It means 'one who is awake' (in the sense of having 'woken up to reality'). The title was given to Siddhartha Gautama, who was born in Lumbini (Nepal), approximately 2,500 years ago. He did not claim to be a God and he has never been regarded as such by Buddhists. He was a human being who became Enlightened, understanding life in the deepest way possible. Siddhartha was born into the royal family of a small kingdom, on the Indian-Nepalese border. According to the traditional story, he had a cloistered upbringing, but was jolted out of complacency when he encountered the harsh realities of life, such as old age, sickness and death. He left His home in search of the real meaning of life. He practiced meditation under various teachers and then took to asceticism. The rigorous asceticism that He followed virtually led Him to the verge of death. But, true understanding seemed as far away to Him as ever and eventually, He abandoned this path. He sat down beneath a pipal tree and vowed that "flesh may wither, blood may dry up, but I shall not rise from this spot until Enlightenment has been won". After forty days, the Buddha finally attained Enlightenment. Buddhists believe that He attained a state of being that goes beyond anything else in the world. If normal experience is based on conditions - upbringing, psychology, opinions, perceptions, and so on - Enlightenment is Unconditioned. It was a state in which the Buddha gained insight into the deepest workings of life and therefore, into the cause of human suffering, the problem that had set Him on His spiritual quest in the first place. During the remaining 45 years of His life, he traveled through much of northern India, teaching the way to Enlightenment to others. The teaching is known as the Buddha-dharma - 'the teaching of the Enlightened One', in the East. Traveling from place to place, the Buddha taught numerous disciples, who gained Enlightenment in their own right. They, in turn, taught others and in this way, an unbroken chain of teaching has continued, right down to the present day. The Buddha was not God and neither did He make any claim to divinity. He was a human being who, through tremendous efforts, transformed Himself. Buddhists see him as an ideal and a guide, who can lead them to Enlightenment.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
0
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Gambhir
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Nepal's Visit Area
Lumbini
Lumbini is situated 300 kilometers from Kathmandu and 190 kilometers south of Pokhara. This is a holy place because it is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. This is also known as the pilgrimage destination of the world's millions of Buddhists as well as other researchers and visitors. This is one of the World Heritage site listed by UNESCO.
Nagarkot
Nagarkot is also a popular tourist destination of Nepal. It is situated 32 kilometers east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2,175 meters. The panoramic view of the major peaks including Mt. Everest can be seen from here. This place is also famous for viewing sunrise and sunset.
Pokhara
The beauty, they say, lies in the eyes of a beholder. That might be true to something beautiful, but what you want to tell about something sublime. If there is something that challenges Biblical Garden of Eden in its splendor and magnificence, it’s Pokhara – the ultimate destination for the wanderlusts and those who appreciate, of course, beauty in its pristine glory.
The enchanting valley of Pokhara valley is situated at an altitude of 827 meters from sea level. An incarnation of the religious heaven, this celestial city is also known as the “city of seven lakes”. Just 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu, it is linked by Air and by road from Kathmandu and the Indian border Sunauli. Pokhara offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, Manaslu, five peaks of Annapurna and others. This is one of the few places in the world to provide such a dramatic view in a sub-tropical setting. The nearest snow-capped mountain, Fishtail, is less then 30 kilometers from Pokhara. Pokhara's numerous lakes offer fishing, boating and swimming.
Climate of Pokhara
Pokhara has a pleasent invigorating climate and can be visited any time of the year. Even during summer, the temperature does not riseabove 30-32 degree celcius. After the onset of monsoon, the temperature goes down considerably, cooling the valley.
Access to Pokhara
Pokhara is situated 200 kilometers west from Kathmandu and is well connected by road and also by air. Pokhara can be reached in 6 hours via bus and just 30 minutes by Airplane from Kathmandu. And it is also connected with Indo-Nepal border. There are daily bus services from Pokhara to Indian border of Kakarvitta in the east, Birjung, Biratnagar and Sunauli in the middle part, Nepaljung and Mahendra Nagar in the west.
Caves and Water Falls in Pokhara
Pokhara is famous for limestone caves such as Mahendra Cave, Gupteshwar Mahadev and others. Davis Fall is the most famous water-fall in Pokhara, which comes to its gushing best just before disappearing underground.
Mountains and Hills in Pokhara
Like a divine painting from east to west, the breathtaking views of the world famous Himalayan ranges of Annapurna. Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre and other appear so close as to make you feel that you can almost touch them. Sarankot, Kaskikot, Kalikasthan, Bharat Pokhari and the Pumdi Bhumdi Hills commands beautiful views of the valley and the mountains. The places are also vantage points to view sunrise and sunsets over the majestic Himalayan peaks
Lakes and Rivers in Pokhara
Pokhara is also known as lake city. There are seven famous lakes - Phewa or Fewa, Begnas and Rupa being the most well known ones. the glacial river Seti, flows right through the heart of the Pokhara valley and goes completely underground at certain places.Which is also called seti or white Gandaki because of the limestones sediments that give the water a milky tint. This river cuts the deepest gorge in Nepal.
Temples and Monasteries in Pokhara
The Bindabasini temple is the center of religious activity in the old bazaar area. Located right in the middle of the Fewa Lake, Barahi Temple attracts many tourists and Hindu pilgrims from Nepal and abroad. Another Hindu shrine is the Bhadrakali temple, which is situated on a small but beautiful hill with pleasant surroundings. Some other temples in Pokhara are Narayan Than, Ram Mandir, Krishna Mandir, Kedareswor Mahadav Mindir Lamakhor Lakeside.World Peace Pagoda , a massive Buddhist stupa, is situated on the top of a hill on the southern shores of Fewa Lake. Besides being an impressive sight, this shrine, built by Japanese, is a great vantage point offering spectacular views of the Lake as well as Pokhara city.
Museums and Heritage sites in Pokhara
The Annapurna museum displays a large variety of butterflies, moths and insects and also cement-models depicting Nepal's wildlife. The Annapurna museum is located inside the Prithivi Narayan Campus. The Pokhara regional museum exhibits a variety of items that captures the culture and customs of different tribes and races of Nepal. The regional museum is located at Naya Sadak. The Mountaineering Museum provides detailed information on mountaineering expeditions in Nepal. The Mountaineering Museum is very new and it is located in Ghari Patan which is close to Pokhara Eye Hospital
Boating and Fishing in Pokhara
Boating and fishing are the most popular attractions of the Phewa lake. hiring a boat for a couple of hours and heading out to the other side of the lake bordering the forested hill and taking a swim can be the highlight of a warm day.
Adventure and trekking in Pokhara
Paragliding, Golfing, Boating, Swimming, Fishing, Micro-light aircraft, Bi-cycling and hiking in the hills are the most adventure activities in Pokhara. The valley is the starting point of some of the most popular treks in the country.
Culture of Pokhara
Pokhara - a dazzling mountains landmark in the west of Nepal is a melting pot of various ethnic groups comprising Brahmins, Chhetri, Newars, Magars, Gurungs etc vibrant in their respective cultures and in pure harmony.
The enchanting valley of Pokhara valley is situated at an altitude of 827 meters from sea level. An incarnation of the religious heaven, this celestial city is also known as the “city of seven lakes”. Just 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu, it is linked by Air and by road from Kathmandu and the Indian border Sunauli. Pokhara offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, Manaslu, five peaks of Annapurna and others. This is one of the few places in the world to provide such a dramatic view in a sub-tropical setting. The nearest snow-capped mountain, Fishtail, is less then 30 kilometers from Pokhara. Pokhara's numerous lakes offer fishing, boating and swimming.
Climate of Pokhara
Pokhara has a pleasent invigorating climate and can be visited any time of the year. Even during summer, the temperature does not riseabove 30-32 degree celcius. After the onset of monsoon, the temperature goes down considerably, cooling the valley.
Access to Pokhara
Pokhara is situated 200 kilometers west from Kathmandu and is well connected by road and also by air. Pokhara can be reached in 6 hours via bus and just 30 minutes by Airplane from Kathmandu. And it is also connected with Indo-Nepal border. There are daily bus services from Pokhara to Indian border of Kakarvitta in the east, Birjung, Biratnagar and Sunauli in the middle part, Nepaljung and Mahendra Nagar in the west.
Caves and Water Falls in Pokhara
Pokhara is famous for limestone caves such as Mahendra Cave, Gupteshwar Mahadev and others. Davis Fall is the most famous water-fall in Pokhara, which comes to its gushing best just before disappearing underground.
Mountains and Hills in Pokhara
Like a divine painting from east to west, the breathtaking views of the world famous Himalayan ranges of Annapurna. Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre and other appear so close as to make you feel that you can almost touch them. Sarankot, Kaskikot, Kalikasthan, Bharat Pokhari and the Pumdi Bhumdi Hills commands beautiful views of the valley and the mountains. The places are also vantage points to view sunrise and sunsets over the majestic Himalayan peaks
Lakes and Rivers in Pokhara
Pokhara is also known as lake city. There are seven famous lakes - Phewa or Fewa, Begnas and Rupa being the most well known ones. the glacial river Seti, flows right through the heart of the Pokhara valley and goes completely underground at certain places.Which is also called seti or white Gandaki because of the limestones sediments that give the water a milky tint. This river cuts the deepest gorge in Nepal.
Temples and Monasteries in Pokhara
The Bindabasini temple is the center of religious activity in the old bazaar area. Located right in the middle of the Fewa Lake, Barahi Temple attracts many tourists and Hindu pilgrims from Nepal and abroad. Another Hindu shrine is the Bhadrakali temple, which is situated on a small but beautiful hill with pleasant surroundings. Some other temples in Pokhara are Narayan Than, Ram Mandir, Krishna Mandir, Kedareswor Mahadav Mindir Lamakhor Lakeside.World Peace Pagoda , a massive Buddhist stupa, is situated on the top of a hill on the southern shores of Fewa Lake. Besides being an impressive sight, this shrine, built by Japanese, is a great vantage point offering spectacular views of the Lake as well as Pokhara city.
Museums and Heritage sites in Pokhara
The Annapurna museum displays a large variety of butterflies, moths and insects and also cement-models depicting Nepal's wildlife. The Annapurna museum is located inside the Prithivi Narayan Campus. The Pokhara regional museum exhibits a variety of items that captures the culture and customs of different tribes and races of Nepal. The regional museum is located at Naya Sadak. The Mountaineering Museum provides detailed information on mountaineering expeditions in Nepal. The Mountaineering Museum is very new and it is located in Ghari Patan which is close to Pokhara Eye Hospital
Boating and Fishing in Pokhara
Boating and fishing are the most popular attractions of the Phewa lake. hiring a boat for a couple of hours and heading out to the other side of the lake bordering the forested hill and taking a swim can be the highlight of a warm day.
Adventure and trekking in Pokhara
Paragliding, Golfing, Boating, Swimming, Fishing, Micro-light aircraft, Bi-cycling and hiking in the hills are the most adventure activities in Pokhara. The valley is the starting point of some of the most popular treks in the country.
Culture of Pokhara
Pokhara - a dazzling mountains landmark in the west of Nepal is a melting pot of various ethnic groups comprising Brahmins, Chhetri, Newars, Magars, Gurungs etc vibrant in their respective cultures and in pure harmony.
Dhulikhel
Dhulikhel Lodge :- Dhulikhel Lodge has a tradition of providing hospitality and comfortable accommodation going back 25 years. The restaurant serves Nepali and the la carte menu. Its conference hall seats 30. Dhulikhel Lodge provides free information and a map of Namobuddha.
Dhulikhel Lodge Resorts:- Charming traditional architecture complemented by all modern facilities for a relaxing and comfortable stay. All rooms offer stunning views of the mountains and the Panchkhal Valley. restaurant serve Nepali, Continental and Tibetan cuisine.
Dhulikhel Mountain Resorts:- Nestled on a mountainside the resort's 42 comfortable rooms in bungalows, all with attached bath, are equipped with modern amenities and offer a breath-taking view of the northeastern Himalaya.
Himalaya Shangrila Resorts:- Hotel Sun-n-Snow:- Located in the pristine hill resort of Dhulikhel , where the picks speaks, some 30 kilometers to the east of Kathmandu, Hotel Sun-N-snow offers 16 deluxe and 12 standard rooms, each equipped with all modern amenities.
Mirable Resort Hotel:- Enjoy the breathtaking view of Dhulikhel from Mirable where the scenic bliss is enhanced by luxuries rooms and great food.
Hotel Ravine Sunrise:- Set amidest an exquisite landscape with abundant greenery and far from the din and noise of city life, Hotel Ravine Sunrise offer a combination of comfort, hospitality and nature at its best. Situated at high point, its 12 well-appointed rooms with modern facilities open to the sensational panoramic view of the himalaya.
High View Resorts Dhulikhel:- Located atop a peaceful height, High view resort offers a panoramic view of the himalaya as well as the terraced landscape of surrounding villages. Our 17 spacious rooms in five exclusive bungalows in traditional Nepali style have attached bath with hot and cold water provided by solar panels.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
0
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Gambhir
Often termed as the 'epitome of nature' and the "divine artist's key-sketch", Nepal is a country lavishly and sumptuously blessed by the Mother Nature. She boasts the white majestic mountains, including the world's highest mountain Mount Everest, variegated hills clad in colorful attires of pines and rhododendrons, crystal clear lakes, whistling rivers, deep gorges, verdant plains and hinterlands. Moreover, she is a sanctuary of umpteen species of flora and fauna, a melting pot of diverse ethnic groups and their unique cultures, and, above all, a country of gods and temples etc. Owing to its natural beauty and cultural diversity, Nepal has been regarded as one of the very bests holiday destination around the globe.
Enchantment is everywhere in Nepal; be it in the cool and invigorating shade of the high mountains, or on terraced farmlands carved like stairways out of hill ridges, or still across waterfalls, creeks, rushing mountain rivers amidst gorges, valleys and forests teeming with a cornucopia of flora and fauna. There are lakes amidst breathtaking settings, strong-current rivers for rafting, Wildlife Safaris, the tallest mountains to climb, trekking across vales and dales, and, above all, warm, friendly, welcoming people. In this respect, Nepal becomes a perfect holiday destination for tourists, trekkers, mountaineers, writers, honeymooners, lovers, retired people and people interested in research.
Get in
You may need a tourist Visa to enter the country. A propspective visitor can apply for the visa from several embassies and consulates in most countries in the world. Nepal has diplomatic missions in
Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Burma, Canada, China, Denmark, Finaland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Myanmar, The Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Phillipines, Spain , Sweeden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tibet, the United Kingdom and the United States of America that issue visas to the propective visitors.
2. Cell Phones
Mobiles are widely used, but due to the geoprphical constraints , some rural areas have only analog service, or no service at all. Nepal Telecom and UTL operate operate CDMA networks; Mero Mobile, a private mobile company, operates the only GPRS network. Travellers planning to bring their GPRS phones with them might do well to check that their handset supports the appropriate frequencies.
3. Internet
There are cyber cafes in almost most of the tourist areas all over the country. A trekker can surf the net in Solukhumbu, the entry point of Mount Everest Region. Nomal rate is Rs 20 to 30 per hours in the main cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. New Pokhara Lodge Lakeside Pokhara offer free internet to hotel's customers.
4. Mail
The snail mail system is there but, as a rule, it is not always speedy. Also, international parcel postal services can be costly. Furthermore, internationally acclaimed courier service providers like DHL and Fedex also have their branches in most parts of the country.
Read more...
Welcome to Nepal !
Often termed as the 'epitome of nature' and the "divine artist's key-sketch", Nepal is a country lavishly and sumptuously blessed by the Mother Nature. She boasts the white majestic mountains, including the world's highest mountain Mount Everest, variegated hills clad in colorful attires of pines and rhododendrons, crystal clear lakes, whistling rivers, deep gorges, verdant plains and hinterlands. Moreover, she is a sanctuary of umpteen species of flora and fauna, a melting pot of diverse ethnic groups and their unique cultures, and, above all, a country of gods and temples etc. Owing to its natural beauty and cultural diversity, Nepal has been regarded as one of the very bests holiday destination around the globe.Enchantment is everywhere in Nepal; be it in the cool and invigorating shade of the high mountains, or on terraced farmlands carved like stairways out of hill ridges, or still across waterfalls, creeks, rushing mountain rivers amidst gorges, valleys and forests teeming with a cornucopia of flora and fauna. There are lakes amidst breathtaking settings, strong-current rivers for rafting, Wildlife Safaris, the tallest mountains to climb, trekking across vales and dales, and, above all, warm, friendly, welcoming people. In this respect, Nepal becomes a perfect holiday destination for tourists, trekkers, mountaineers, writers, honeymooners, lovers, retired people and people interested in research.
Nepal Geography
As Nepal is sandwiched between two economic and geographical Leviathans, it is rightfully regarded as “ A Yam between Two Boulders” as While Nepal abuts on Indian border in the east, the west and the South, Tibetan Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China shares the vast Himalayan frontier with Nepal. The length of the county is 885 kilometers from east to west, and its breath varies from 145 kilometers to 241 kilometers from north to south. The total area is 147,181 sq. kilometers.
As Nepal is sandwiched between two economic and geographical Leviathans, it is rightfully regarded as “ A Yam between Two Boulders” as While Nepal abuts on Indian border in the east, the west and the South, Tibetan Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China shares the vast Himalayan frontier with Nepal. The length of the county is 885 kilometers from east to west, and its breath varies from 145 kilometers to 241 kilometers from north to south. The total area is 147,181 sq. kilometers.
Climate
Nepal isn’t only the home of mysterious Yeti and elusive Snow Leopard, but also a constant cause of wonder for meteorologists for her simply amazing variations in climatic conditions. Divided into three different geographical regions, Nepal houses the snow-capped Himalayas in the north, a vast stretch of plains in the south and two chains of hills, known as Mahabharata and Churiya range, acting as a geological bridge between the northern and southern region.
The most astonishing thing about the geography of Nepal is that the distance between the tropical lowlands and the snow-capped mountainous region is very less. While the distance between the tropical and alpine regions in most of the countries around the globe is more than 1000 km, it is just less than 100 km in some places in Nepal.. The temperature varies between zero in the mountains to over 30 degrees Celsius in the valleys, and to mercury plummeting up to 38 degrees during summer in the lowlands.
Nepal isn’t only the home of mysterious Yeti and elusive Snow Leopard, but also a constant cause of wonder for meteorologists for her simply amazing variations in climatic conditions. Divided into three different geographical regions, Nepal houses the snow-capped Himalayas in the north, a vast stretch of plains in the south and two chains of hills, known as Mahabharata and Churiya range, acting as a geological bridge between the northern and southern region.
The most astonishing thing about the geography of Nepal is that the distance between the tropical lowlands and the snow-capped mountainous region is very less. While the distance between the tropical and alpine regions in most of the countries around the globe is more than 1000 km, it is just less than 100 km in some places in Nepal.. The temperature varies between zero in the mountains to over 30 degrees Celsius in the valleys, and to mercury plummeting up to 38 degrees during summer in the lowlands.
Population
‘Unity in diversity’ is really the mot just for a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multilingual country like Nepal. It had a population of 18,462,081 at the time of the 1991 census. The average population density at the time was 125 persons per sq km (329 per sq mi), although nearly half the people were concentrated in the narrow Terai region. In contrast, the 2003 population estimate was 26,469,569. The population has grown rapidly since 1950 when there were only 9 million people. In 2003 the population was increasing at an annual rate of 2.3 percent. Only 12 percent of the population lived in urban areas. The rate of population in the urban areas, however, has grown significantly thanks to a number of social, political and economic reasons.
‘Unity in diversity’ is really the mot just for a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multilingual country like Nepal. It had a population of 18,462,081 at the time of the 1991 census. The average population density at the time was 125 persons per sq km (329 per sq mi), although nearly half the people were concentrated in the narrow Terai region. In contrast, the 2003 population estimate was 26,469,569. The population has grown rapidly since 1950 when there were only 9 million people. In 2003 the population was increasing at an annual rate of 2.3 percent. Only 12 percent of the population lived in urban areas. The rate of population in the urban areas, however, has grown significantly thanks to a number of social, political and economic reasons.
Get in
You may need a tourist Visa to enter the country. A propspective visitor can apply for the visa from several embassies and consulates in most countries in the world. Nepal has diplomatic missions in
Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Burma, Canada, China, Denmark, Finaland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Myanmar, The Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Phillipines, Spain , Sweeden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tibet, the United Kingdom and the United States of America that issue visas to the propective visitors.
Entrance/Egress
The following entery/exit points have been set by the government of Nepal for the foreign visitors:
1. Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
2. Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (North)
3. Karkarvitta, Jhapa (East)
4. Belahia,Bhairhawa (West)
5. Birgunj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
6. Jamunaha, Nepalgunj (Mid-East)
7. Mohana, Dhangadi (Far-West)
8. Gadda Chauki, Mahendranagar (Far-West)
Via Air
Since there is only one international airport, Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, in Nepal, it is the Hobson’s choice for vistors to start their Himalayan voyage from the capital city itself. The following airlines company operate their services from/to Kathmandu:
1. Nepal Airlines (Run by the Nepalese government, it operates its service to/from Bangkok, Banglore, Calcutta, Delhi, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Osaka, Paris, London, Shanghai, Singapore)
2. Korean Air (Seoul)
3. Biman Bangladesh Airlines (Dhaka)
4. Air China (Lhasa)
5. Condor (Munich)
6. Druk Air (Paro)
7. Gulf Air (Abu Dhabi)
8. Indian Airlines (Delhi, Calcutta, Varanasi)
9. Qatar Airways ( Doha)
10. Thai International (Bangkok)
11. Martin Air (Amsterdam via Sharjah)
Via Land
Although Indo/Nepal border is a porous one, you must enter the country by road from India through one of the border crossing points ( as described under the heading Entrance/Egress). If you are coming from Tibet, the route is Kodari, Sindhupalchowk. There is no national passenger rail service in Nepal, but there is a rail service operating from Calcutta, India. A train by the name Mithila Express plies regularly between Howrah Station, Calcutta, to Birgunj, one of the chief entry points to Nepal.
Contact
Although the comminication infrastructure of Nepal is not to the world’s standard, still the pincipal cities across the countries entertain almost all forms of sophisticated communication systems. These include:
1. Telephone:
The following entery/exit points have been set by the government of Nepal for the foreign visitors:
1. Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
2. Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (North)
3. Karkarvitta, Jhapa (East)
4. Belahia,Bhairhawa (West)
5. Birgunj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
6. Jamunaha, Nepalgunj (Mid-East)
7. Mohana, Dhangadi (Far-West)
8. Gadda Chauki, Mahendranagar (Far-West)
Via Air
Since there is only one international airport, Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, in Nepal, it is the Hobson’s choice for vistors to start their Himalayan voyage from the capital city itself. The following airlines company operate their services from/to Kathmandu:
1. Nepal Airlines (Run by the Nepalese government, it operates its service to/from Bangkok, Banglore, Calcutta, Delhi, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Osaka, Paris, London, Shanghai, Singapore)
2. Korean Air (Seoul)
3. Biman Bangladesh Airlines (Dhaka)
4. Air China (Lhasa)
5. Condor (Munich)
6. Druk Air (Paro)
7. Gulf Air (Abu Dhabi)
8. Indian Airlines (Delhi, Calcutta, Varanasi)
9. Qatar Airways ( Doha)
10. Thai International (Bangkok)
11. Martin Air (Amsterdam via Sharjah)
Via Land
Although Indo/Nepal border is a porous one, you must enter the country by road from India through one of the border crossing points ( as described under the heading Entrance/Egress). If you are coming from Tibet, the route is Kodari, Sindhupalchowk. There is no national passenger rail service in Nepal, but there is a rail service operating from Calcutta, India. A train by the name Mithila Express plies regularly between Howrah Station, Calcutta, to Birgunj, one of the chief entry points to Nepal.
Contact
Although the comminication infrastructure of Nepal is not to the world’s standard, still the pincipal cities across the countries entertain almost all forms of sophisticated communication systems. These include:
1. Telephone:
The international country code for Nepal is 977. There are two to three digit area code and six-digit local phone numbers. The communication system, operated by Nepal Telecom, a quasi-governmental organization, caters its service in almost all the seventy-five district of the country. But some off-the-map villages don’t have telephone facilities. However, the East-West optical fibre project, which is on the verge of its completion, is expected to cover all the villages and hamlets of the country within two to three years time. Besides Nepal Telecom, United Tele Communication Limited (UTL), a privately owned company, is providing its services in Kathmandu Valley.
2. Cell Phones
Mobiles are widely used, but due to the geoprphical constraints , some rural areas have only analog service, or no service at all. Nepal Telecom and UTL operate operate CDMA networks; Mero Mobile, a private mobile company, operates the only GPRS network. Travellers planning to bring their GPRS phones with them might do well to check that their handset supports the appropriate frequencies.
3. Internet
There are cyber cafes in almost most of the tourist areas all over the country. A trekker can surf the net in Solukhumbu, the entry point of Mount Everest Region. Nomal rate is Rs 20 to 30 per hours in the main cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. New Pokhara Lodge Lakeside Pokhara offer free internet to hotel's customers.
4. Mail
The snail mail system is there but, as a rule, it is not always speedy. Also, international parcel postal services can be costly. Furthermore, internationally acclaimed courier service providers like DHL and Fedex also have their branches in most parts of the country.
Friday, October 24, 2008
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