Click
HERE
to watch a short video about the work of Namaste Banepa. |
|
"About
Banepa "
Historic Banepa
… a bustling little Newar town that
was a major pit stop for weary traders between Lhasa in Tibet
and the Kathmandu Valley. The Chinese-built Araniko Highway
to Kodari has now cut the time for this journey from days
to a matter of a few hours. But the town of Banepa still continuous
to serve its traditional function as an entry port for travellers,
who now hail from all over to enjoy the natural and cultural
heritage of this magical place.
Some 25 kilometres east from capital Kathmandu,
Banepa, in the 21st century, is characterized by the peaceful
co-existence of traditional and modern influences in its people
and architecture. Sprawling with the urban activities and
facilities along the main roads by the "Chinese"
highway, the heart of this ancient town still boasts centuries
old chowks (cross roads/town squares), and private houses.
Some of the buildings even bear the scars of the 1934 earthquake,
as the damage was never fixed. In fact, the old town centre
probably does not look much different now from what it looked
like some 200 years ago when Banepa was called Banikapur,
meaning the "city inside the forest."
Unfortunately, over the years, these signature
forests have all but disappeared with significant patches
remaining only on the somewhat distant hills surrounding the
town. But in the right season, you will still find a lot of
green. Since agricultural is the main source of income for
the people, the fields are mostly covered with lush paddy
or wheat and mustard, which appear to veil the entire landscape
with a blanket of lime green and yellow green as far as the
eye can see. On bright sunny but slightly windy days, the
reflective leafs of the crops even create optical illusions
by making different patterns with its shimmering; as if the
entire phenomenon was controlled by a single mind. We know
this is science, but there certainly would not be any harm
to think of its as magic for some time. Or so it seems.
But that is hardly where the magic and mystique
of Banepa ends. The town is also home to the temple of the
mighty Chandeshwori Devi, deemed as being a very strict and
powerful goddess by her followers. The Banepalis consider
her as their all-important Ishta Deuta, or deity of the clan,
whose presence or at least representation is essential for
al rites, from birth to death and even after. A mere ten minute
walk from the town, the temple premises overlook a small patch
of nearby protected forest that adds a feeling of tranquillity
to the hearts and mind of the pilgrims and visitors there.
|
"The
Convention on the Rights of the Child
adopted by the United Nations in 1989 reaffirms
that all children have rights that must be respected,
protected and promoted. Article 28 states that
"All children have a right to education".
In some places around the world, this just does
not happen." |
|
|
As for the temple itself,
it is a massive structure with three roofs, built
in the classic "Pashupati" pagoda style.
It houses an elaborate statue of the goddess who is
taken out on a chariot every year during the day of
the new year – know as Chandi Purima. As metaphorical
as the complex itself, the struts holding up the roofs
are also carved to depict the images of gods and goddesses.
And the temple is surrounded by priceless and beautiful
statues of Lord Ganesh, Lord Shiva, God Bhairav and
Shiva's faithfully "vehicle," the Nandi
bull, and many other Hindu pantheon figures.
Click here to
see footage of the Chandeshwori festival.
|
Click
HERE
to support a child. |
|
|
|
