While in Kathmandu between trips, I happened upon a ubiquitous and yet unusual Newari ritual: marriage of young girls to a bael fruit. Yes, full marriage regalia--clothes, jewelry, ceremony--to wed a fruit. But it all makes sense... Hindus have a traditional practice...
What did you have for dinner on Sept 28, 1997? Don't you know? We obviously can't hold every experience in memory, but every experience or action leaves a residual vibration in our subconscious and continues to be a part of us and to affect who we are. These...
On the 10th day of Dasain, the bloodshed has ended. The eldest member of a family blesses everyone younger, placing a mass of red powder-uncooked rice-yoghurt-mashed banana on each forehead and invoking wishes for success and well-being in the coming year. Over...
While Hindus are engaged in the bloody worship of Kali, Buddhists turn out for their regular morning prayers. On the same morning that I filmed sacrifices across the city, hundreds of Tibetan Buddhists were serenely circling the massive white stupa of Bouddhanath,...
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While Nepal is infamous for its archaic rituals in the modern day, not everyone engages in such slaughter. Fortunately for animals and for society, many people now consider the excessive bloodshed of Dasain unnecessary. Instead of killing an animal, they will crack a...
The 9th day of Dasain is a time to bless machines or tools.This keeps them in good working order, helps avoid accidents and mishaps, and brings you success. Items commonly blessed include: Tools Knives Guns Drums Musical instruments Computers Books...
The 10-day festival of Dasain begins with the planting of barley seeds in a clay pot and ends with a blessing from elders. In between, hundreds of thousands of animals are ritually slaughtered across the country. To curry favor with Kali, to complete ancient Tantric...
The goddess Kali Durga, consort to Shiva, wears a garland of severed heads, wields an array of weapons, and stands with Shiva beneath her feet. Kali is a visage of wrath, but also a universal mother and powerful protectress. She symbolizes the triumph of good over...
How do you start a journey to Everest Base Camp? With a blessing, of course. Whether Hindu or Buddhist, no one leaves their home and embarks on a long journey without a blessing first. At the Hindu holy temple of Pashupatinath, where monkeys scamper, ascetics...