Abbey Int'l Treks & Expedition (P) Ltd.
G.P.O. Box: 14362, Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 977-1-4260743 | Fax: 977-1-4260084
Email : info@abbeytreks.com
Cell No: 977-9851092880 (Pancha Lal)
TAAN for lowering TIMS fee for SAARC nationals
Posted by: TAAB | Date: November 17, 2011,
Kathmandu Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal has proposed to the government to lower Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) fee for tourists from SAARC countries, considering growing attraction of tourists from the region toward adventure tourism. TAAN President Mahindra Singh Thapa said the association has $20 per person. FITs aren’t allowed to take trekking guides and porters with them. Thapa said they’ve proposed special rates for South Asian tourists, especially the Indians, because the number of Indian tourists going for short treks is growing. He further added that the new rates might be enforced from January next year. Arrivals from South Asia region constitute more than one-third of the total tourist arrivals to Nepal.
More than 120,000 Indian tourists visited Nepal over the first 10 months of 2011, a rise of 42.4 percent as compared to the figures of the same period of last year.
Dashain (Vijaya Dashami, Sept - Oct)
Throughout the month of Kartik (late September and early October), the Nepalese people are waiting for the biggest festival of the year, Dashain. Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese of all caste and creed throughout the country. It is truly the national festival of Nepal. Dashain has changed the mood which is induced psychologically by the turn of autumn season after a long spell of monsoon, introducing clear and brilliant days, an azure blue sky and a green carpet of fields, the climate is also just ideal at this time, it is neither too cold nor too warm. The Nepalese cherish their Dashain as time for eating well and dressing well.
The fifteen days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon. Thorough out the kingdom of Nepal the goddess Durga in all her manifestations are worshiped with innumerable pujas, abundant offerings and thousands of animal sacrifices for the ritual holy bathing, thus drenching the goddess for days in blood. Buffaloes, goats, chickens and ducks are killed by the thousands at the temples at military posts and in every household. One of the main centers that witnesses the animal sacrifice in a large scale at this time is the Hanuman Dhoka palace on the ninth. On the concluding day of the festival called the Tika, the elders of the family give Tika to their junior members and to other relatives who may also come to seek their blessings. The fresh shoots of the barley's are also given. Family feasting and feting of guests is a common practice at this time.All family and friends enjoy the dashain festival with in their houses and community and spread love through dashain and make deep relation between all the people.
Tihar (Deepawali, Oct - Nov)
Tihar is the festival of lights which falls between October/November.Tihar is the second biggest festival celebrated after Dashain. This Tihar festival lasts for five days and people worship Lakshmi – the Goddess of Wealth. All the houses are cleaned and decorated with the belief that Goddess Lakshmi will enter the house and give blessing to the owner of the house and the worshipper and people lit candles, oil lamps and other electronic lights and the whole place looks illuminating. During the five days, crows, dogs and cows are worshipped and honored with vermilion, garland and delicious food for what they have done in the lives of humans.
Crows are regarded as the messenger that brought news even during the times when there were no postmen and no postal services. Dogs are the most obedient animals and they guard our house as true guardians. Cow is also a symbol of wealth in Hinduism and she is also the national animal of Nepal. During Tihar, the Newari community in Nepal also observes Mha puja – a ritual of worshipping one’s own body and life. On this very day, the Newari New Year which is also known as Nepal Sambat begins. The festival ends with Bhai Tika – brothers’ day when his sisters worship him for his long and healthy life to safeguard the lives of his sisters. This is also a gambling time in Nepal as gambling is not illegal during this festival.Tihar is the festival of light, emotions.
