Contributed articles by a group of students from the Institute for the Comparative Study of Religions of the University of Bern, Switzerland, after a trip to Nepal in 1994.
Kathmandu is the greatest city of the Himalayas—a unique survival of cultural practices that died out in India 1000 years ago. It is a carnival of sexual licence and hypocrisy, a jewel of world art, a hotbed of communist revolution, a paradigm of failed democracy, a case study in bungled Western intervention and an environmental catastrophe. Closed to the outside world until 1951 and trapped in a medieval time warp, Kathmandu’s rapid modernization is an extreme version of what is happening elsewhere in many traditional societies. The many layers of the city’s developments are reflected in the successive generations of its gods and goddesses, witches and ghosts, the comforts of caste, the ethos of aristocracy and kingship and, of late, the destabilizing spirits of consumer aspiration, individuality, egalitarianism, communism and democracy. Kathmandu follows the author’s story over a decade in the city and unravels the city’s history through successive reinventions of itself. Erudite, entertaining and accessible, this is the distinctive chronicle of a fascinating city.
The town of Deopatan, three kilometers northeast of Kathmandu, is above all famous for its main sanctum, the temple of Paśupati, the "lord of the animals," a form of 'Siva and the tutelary deity of the kings of Nepal since ancient times. By its name alone, the temple attracts thousands of pilgrims each year and has made itself known far beyond the Kathamndu Valley. However, for the dominant Newar population the town is by no means merely the seat of 'Siva or Paśupati. It is also a city of wild goddesses and other deities. Due to this tension between two strands of Hinduism -- the pure, vegetarian Smarta Hinduism and the Newar Hinduism which implies alcohol and blood sacrifices -- 'Siva/Paśupati has more than once been in trouble, as the many festivals and rituals descripbed and analyzed in this book reveal. Deopatan is a contested field. Different deities, agents social groups, ritual specialists, and institutions are constantly seeking dominance, challenging and even fighting each other, thus contributing to social and political dynamics and tensions that are indeed distinct in South Asia. It is these aspects on which Axel Michaels concentrates in this book.
The Resource for the Independent Traveler For over forty years Let's Go Travel Guides have brought budget-savvy travelers closer to the world and its diverse cultures by providing the most up-to-date information. Includes: · Entries at all price levels for lodging, food, attractions, and more · Must-have tips for planning your trip, getting around, and staying safe · Expanded coverage of trekking with day-to-day trail descriptions · In-depth cultural information that offers an insider's look at life in the region · The scoop on India's swankest nightlife · Detailed maps of cities, towns, and the outdoors Featuring not-to-be-missed Experiences Cultural Connections: Master the art of Nepali cooking near Kathmandu Inside Scoops & Hidden Deals: Gather your own chai in the fields of Darjeeling Off the Beaten Path: Traverse the Himalayas on Karnali's white water Get advice, read up, and book tickets at www.letsgo.com
Bringing together scholarship from several South Asian countries, this volume understands conflict resolution and cooperation building in the region. The essays cover three inter-related issues-security; political economy-domestic politics; and the construction of identities and normative frameworks. They employ broader social-science theorizing, particularly in relation to political economy, to go beyond conceptualizations based on international relations theory. The volume takes a fresh look at the inter-relationships between issues and their analyses and eschews stand-alone topics such as Kashmir, nuclear policies, or regional cooperation. Combining theory with fieldwork, it provides diverse perspectives and arguments for a more nuanced picture of international relations in South Asia.
The Rough Guide to Nepal offers an insider's guide to Nepal, from its 'Tantric' temples to its lively bars. It details all the finest Himalayan treks, with practical, up-to-date and expert advice on where to go when and what to take. It covers all the National Parks, offering advice and information on everything from tracking wildlife to hiring elephants. Dedicated chapters are devoted to mountain biking, white water rafting and other adventure sports, and there is unrivaled detail on Buddhism, Hinduism and the numerous ethnic groups that make Nepal a unique destination. The Rough Guide to Nepal also contains scores of detailed maps, covering everything from Pokhara and the Chitwan National Park to the Everest Base Camp trek. Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Nepal.