Welcome To Taste The Delicious Pujor Bhog !!! <3 <3<3 :)
The Durga Puja is celebrated with a lot of fervor and gusto. Anybody who visits the pandals for the Puja is given Bhog (bhog is food offered to God and then partaken). The major highlight of the Durga Puja Bhog is the ‘Khichuri’ (khichdi in Hindi) which is made in all pandals. Though it’s a simple dish made of rice, lentil and vegetables, it acquires a distinctive taste when offered as bhog. The Bhog is served free (in most places) to all who visit the pandal irrespective of their caste or social status. I tried making the ‘Bhoger Khichuri’ at home and it turned out pretty well. The Bhog khichuri is usually made of a special kind of rice called ‘Govind Bhog rice’ but since that wasn’t available I’ve used the rice that I usually cook. In fact you can make this often as it’s easy to make, simple and nutritious too. Here’s the recipe.
Bhoger Chichuri
Ingredients: • 1 cup rice • 2 tbsp ghee • ½ cup Moong dal (split green gram) • ¼ cup green peas (optional) • A handful of string beans (optional) • 1 tbsp ginger paste • 1 stick cinnamon
• 1 cardamom pod • 2-3 cloves • 1 tsp cumin powder • 1 tsp red chili powder • 1-2 bay leaves • 1 green chili • 2 tomatoes • Salt • 1 pinch sugar • 1 tsp turmeric powder
Method:
• Dry roast the moong dal till it emits a nice aroma and keep it aside • In a pan pour some ghee • Add cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaves, cloves and stir a bit • Add green chili, ginger paste & cumin powder, red chili powder, salt, turmeric and stir • Add peas, chopped beans, and tomatoes and stir again • Add the washed rice and moong dal to the vegetables, pour sufficient water and let cook till the rice and lentil become soft. • The Khichuri should should be of a prridge like consistency and should not be thick so add more water if required. • Serve hot with Laabra (a mixed vegetable curry)
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Serves: 2
Laabra
All through the Durga Puja, we had Bhog with Laabra, a mixed vegetable dish usually served with Khichdi but which also goes well with dal & rice. It has almost the entire gamut of vegetables cooked with basic spices and with a hint of sweetness. Since I liked it, I had to try it out at home. I’ve omitted radish in my recipe because I don’t like it, but you may add since the actual recipe calls for it. Ingredients: 2 cups of the following mixed vegetables chopped into small pieces: Pumpkin, potato, cauliflower, capsicum, green peas, and eggplant. 1 large Tomato 2 Green chilies 1 tbsp Panch phoron (mixture of equal amounts of fennel, cumin, black cumin, mustard & fenugreek seeds) 1 tsp Turmeric Powder 1 tsp Red chili powder Salt to taste 1 tsp Sugar 2 tbsp Oil A bunch of chopped coriander/cilantro leaves
Method:
Heat some oil in a pan, add panch phoron and once it splutters add all the vegetables. Add tomatoes, green chilies, salt, chili powder and turmeric and stir for a minute or two. Add enough water to cook the vegetables and cover the lid of the pan When vegetables are cooked and tender add sugar and stir again. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and laabra is ready to serve.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Serves: 2
Vhaja's
There are 5 Type's of Vegetable Fry is Compulsory For Offering in Bhog.
They Are :
1. Begun Vhaja (Brinjal Fry)
2.Alu Vhaja (Potato Fry)
3.Kumro Vhaja (Pumpkin Fry)
4.Korola Vhaja (Bitter Melon Fry)
5. Potol Vhaja
Ingredients:
1.mustard oil to fry 1 tsp turmeric powder
2.salt to taste Vegetable's How to make Vegetable's Fry :
Wash and cut the Vegetable's into half inch round slices.
Apply salt and turmeric powder.
Heat up the oil in a pot to smoking point.
Take off heat, cool slightly and then reheat.
Fry the Vegetable's pieces till crunchy and brown.
Serve hot.
Payesh (Kheer)
Ingredients:
3/4 cup Basmati Rice 1 litre milk 1/2 cup sugar 2 tbsp cardomon 12 Almonds 10-15 Raisins
1. Soak the rice in water for 15 mins.
2. Heat the milk on medium flame. Keep on adding sugar to the milk and keep stirring.
3.When the milk starts to boil, add the rice slowly to it. Remember to keep stirring the milk continously.
4. After about 20-25 mins, when the milk has thickened and the rice grains has become soft, add cardomon to it and stir gently
5. Remove the container from flame and add almonds sliced into half and raisins on top.
6. Cool the payesh and keep it in refrigerator for a couple of hours.
7. Serve chill a delightful Chaler Payesh , the taste of bengal.
Chutney
Ingredients for Bengali chutney:
7-8 medium sized tomatoes, chopped 10 pieces dates, chopped (Khajur) 2 whole red chillies 1 t-spoon mustard seeds (rai/sarson ka dana) 1 t-spoon grated ginger (adrak) 1/2 table-spoon cooking oil 1/2 cup jaggery or to taste (Gudh)
How to make Bengali chutney:
Take a small fry pan and heat 1/2 table-spoon oil in it. Then, add red chilli and mustard to it.
Add chopped tomatoes and dates to the pan and cook it with closed lid on medium-low heat till the water from tomatoes gets disappear, Stir occasionally.
Add ginger and jaggery, cook on low heat until Bengali chutney gets required thickness and everything blend together. Let bengali chutney gets cool at room temperature.
Now take a grinder, add chutney to it. Grind bengali chutney to form a smooth paste. Tasty Bengali chutney is ready to eat
I bow to You O Goddess Durga, the bestower of happiness! I bow to You O Goddess Amba, who Ends all miseries.
The radiance of your light is limitless and all pervading and all the three realms (Earth, Heaven And the Nether World) are enlightened by Thee.
Your face is like the moon and mouth very huge. Your eyes shine with a red glow and You have a Frightening frown.
O Mother! Your look is enchanting, the very sight of which ensures welfare of the devout.
All the powers of the World repose in Thee and it is You who provide food and wealth for the World's survival.
Like the feeding Mother Annapoorna, You nurture the whole universe and You are the one Who appear like the timeless Bala Sundari (young girl of extreme beauty).
At the time of dissolution, it is You, O Mother, who destroys everything. You are the beloved Consort of Lord Shiva, Gauri (Parvati).
Lord Shiva and all yogis always chant your praise Brahma, Vishnu and all other Gods ever meditate on You.
You appear in the form of Goddess Saraswati too, to grant wisdom to the sages and thus ensure their Welfare.
O Mother Amba! It was You who appeared in the form of Narsimha, sundering the pillar.
Thus You saved Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap also went to Heaven as he was killed by your Hands.
In the form of Goddess Lakshmi, O Mother, you appear in this world and repose by the side of Shree Narayan.
Dwelling in the ocean of milk, O Goddess, with Lord Vishnu, please fulfill my desires.
O Bhavani, the famous Goddess of Hingalaja is no one else but You Yourself. Illimitable is your Glory, defying description.
You are yourself Matangi and Dhoomavati Mata. It is You who appear as Bhuvaneshwari and Bagalamukhi Devi to bestow happiness to all.
It is You who redeem the wolrd, appearing in the form of Shree Bhairavi, Taradevi and Chhinnamasta Devi, and end its sorrows.
Reposing gracefully uopn your vehicle, O Goddess Bhavani, You are welcome by the brave Langour (Lord Hanuman).
When You appear in the form of Goddess Kali, with sword in one hand and a cupel in the other, Even Time flees in panic.
Beholding You, well armed, with a Trident in your hand, the enemy's heart aches with the sting Of fear.
You also repose in the form of Devi at Nagarkot in Kangara. Thus all the three realms shudder in the might of your glory.
You slayed the demons like Shumbh & Nishumb and massacred the thousand forms of the dreaded Demon Raktabeej.
When the earth was severely distressed bearing the load of the sins of the arrogant Mahishasur.
You assumed the dreadful form of Goddess Kali and massacred him along with his army.
Thus, whenever the noble saints were distressed, it is You O Mother, who came to their rescue.
All the realms including the Amarpuri (divine realm) remain sorrow-less and happy by Your Grace. O Goddess!
It is the symbol of Your glory that is burning brightly at Shree JwalaJi. All me and women Ever worship You, O Mother!
He who sings Your glory with devotion, love, and sincerity remains beyond the reach of grief And poverty.
He who meditates upon Your form with concentration goes beyond the cycle of births and deaths.
All the yogis, gods and sages openly declare that without your favour one can't establish communion with God.
Shankaracharya had performed once a special penance called Aacharaj and by virtue of which he had subdued his anger and desire.
He ever worshipped Lord Shankar and never for a moment concentrated his mind on You.
Since He did not realise your immense glory, all His powers waned and then He repented hitherto.
Then He sought refuge in You, chanted Your glory and 'victory, victory, victory to Thee, O Jagadamba Bhavani'.
Then, O Primal Goddess Jagadamba Ji, You were propitiated and in no time You bestowed Him with his lost powers.
O Mother! Severe afflictions distress me and no one except Your Honoured Self can provide relief please end my afflictions.
Hopes and longings ever torture me. All sorts of passions and lust ever torment my heart.
O Goddess Bhavani! I meditate only upon you Please kill my enemies O Queen!
O Merciful Mother! Show me your favour and make me feel happy by bestowing me with all sorts of riches and powers.
O Mother! May I be receptable of Your grace as long as I live, ever recounting the feats of Your Glory to all.
This way, whoever sings this Durga Chalisa shall ever enjoy all sorts of pleasures and shall attain the highest state in the end.
A COURTESY OF www.durga-puja.org Enjoy Every Body!!! :)
Pitru Paksha (Sanskrit: पितृ पक्ष), also spelt as Pitr paksha or Pitri paksha, (literally "fortnight of the ancestors") is a 16–lunar day period when Hinduspay homage to their ancestors (Pitrs), especially through food offerings. The period is also known as Pitru Pakshya, Pitri Pokkho, Sola Shraddha ("sixteen shraddhas"), Kanagat, Jitiya, Mahalaya Paksha and Apara paksha.
Pitru Paksha is considered by Hindus to be inauspicious, given the death rite performed during the ceremony, known as Shraddha or tarpan. In southern and western India, it falls in the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada (September–October), beginning with the full moon day (Purnima) that occurs immediately after the Ganesh festival and ending with the new moon day known as Sarvapitri amavasya, Mahalaya amavasya or simply Mahalaya. In North India and Nepal, this period corresponds to the dark fortnight of the month Ashvin, instead of Bhadrapada.
Legend
According to Hindu mythology, the souls of three preceding generations of one's ancestor reside in Pitru–loka, a realm between heaven and earth. This realm is governed by Yama, the god of death, who takes the soul of a dying man from earth to Pitru–loka.
When a person of the next generation dies, the first generation shifts
to heaven and unites with God, so Shraddha offerings are not given.
Thus, only the three generations in Pitru–loka are given Shraddha rites, in which Yama plays a significant role. According to the sacred Hindu epics (Itihasa),
at the beginning of Pitru Paksha, the sun enters the zodiac sign of
Virgo (Kanya). Coinciding with this moment, it is believed that the
spirits leave Pitru–loka and reside in their descendants' homes for a month until the sun enters the next zodiac—Scorpio (Vrichchhika)—and there is a full moon. Hindus are expected to propitiate the ancestors in the first half, during the dark fortnight.
When the legendary donor Karna died in the epic Mahabharata
war, his soul transcended to heaven, where he was offered gold and
jewels as food. However, Karna needed real food to eat and asked Indra,
the lord of heaven, the reason for serving gold as food. Indra told
Karna that he had donated gold all his life, but had never donated food
to his ancestors in Shraddha. Karna said that since he was unaware of
his ancestors, he never donated anything in their memory. To make
amends, Karna was permitted to return to earth for a 15–day period, so
that he could perform Shraddha and donate food and water in their
memory. This period is now known as Pitru Paksha. In some legends, Yama replaces Indra. Importance
Annadaana or giving food to the hungry is a central part of the
rituals during these 16 days. On all these days, offerings are made to
the departed, including those whose names or manner of death are not
known. On these days tarpan, shraaddha and pinda daan are performed
daily according to the procedures under the guidance of a priest.
Although these rites are to be carried out daily in this fortnight, it
is considered that to perform them on the last day i.e. on Mahalaya
Amavasya or Sarva Pitru Amavasya is extremely important and sacred. The
performance of Shraddha by a son during Pitru Paksha is regarded as a
compulsory by Hindus, to ensure that the soul of the ancestor goes to
heaven. In this context, the scripture Garuda Purana says, "there is no salvation for a man without a son". The scriptures preach that a householder should propitiate ancestors (Pitris), along with the gods (devas), ghosts (bhutas) and guests. The scripture Markandeya Purana
says that if the ancestors are content with the shraddhas, they will
bestow health, wealth, knowledge and longevity, and ultimately heaven
and salvation (moksha) upon the performer.
The performance of Sarvapitri amavasya rites can also compensate a
forgotten or neglected annual shraddha ceremony, which should ideally
coincide with the death anniversary of the deceased. According to
Sharma, the ceremony is central to the concept of lineages. Shraddha
involves oblations to three preceding generations—by reciting their
names—as well as to the mythical lineage ancestor (gotra).
A person thus gets to know the names of six generations (three
preceding generation, his own and two succeeding generations—his sons
and grandsons) in his life, reaffirming lineage ties. Anthropologist Usha Menon of Drexel University
presents a similar idea—that Pitru Paksha emphasises the fact that the
ancestors and the current generation and their next unborn generation
are connected by blood ties. The current generation repays their debt to
the ancestors in the Pitru Paksha. This debt is considered of utmost
importance along with a person's debt to his gurus and his parents.
Rules of Shradh
When and where
The shraddha is performed on the specific lunar day
during the Pitru Paksha, when the ancestor—usually a parent or paternal
grandparent—died. There are exceptions to the lunar day rule; special
days are allotted for people who died in a particular manner or had a
certain status in life. Chautha Bharani and Bharani Panchami, the fourth and fifth lunar day respectively, are allocated for people deceased in the past year. Avidhava navami ("Unwidowed ninth"), the ninth lunar day, is for married women who died before their husband. Widowers invite Brahmin
women as guests for their wife's shraddha. The twelfth lunar day is for
children and ascetics who had renounced the worldly pleasures. The
fourteenth day is known as Ghata chaturdashi or Ghayala chaturdashi, and is reserved for those people killed by arms, in war or suffered a violent death.
Mahalaya marks the formal beginning of the Durga Puja festival
Sarvapitri amavasya ("all fathers' new moon day") is intended
for all ancestors, irrespective of the lunar day they died. It is the
most important day of the Pitru Paksha.
Those who have forgotten to perform shraddha can do so on this day. A
shraddha ritual performed on this day is considered as fruitful as one
conducted in the holy city of Gaya, which is seen as a special place to perform the rite, and hosts a fair during the Pitru Paksha period. In Bengal, Mahalaya (Bengali: মহালয়া) marks the beginning of Durga Puja festivities. Mahalaya is the day when the goddess Durga
is believed to have descended to Earth. Bengali people traditionally
wake up early in the morning on Mahalaya to recite hymns from the Devi Mahatmyam (Chandi) scripture. Offerings to the ancestors are made in homes and at puja mandaps (temporary shrines). Matamaha ("Mother's father") or Dauhitra ("Daughter's son") also marks the first day of the month of Ashvin and beginning of the bright fortnight. It is assigned for the grandson of the deceased maternal grandfather.
The ritual is also held on the death anniversary of the ancestor. The
shraddha is performed only at noon, usually on the bank of a river or
lake or at one's own house. Families may also make a pilgrimage to places like Varanasi and Gaya to perform Shraddha.
Who and for whom
It is essential that Shraddha is performed by the son—usually the
eldest—or male relative of the paternal branch of the family, limited to
the preceding three generations. However, on Sarvapitri amavasya or matamaha, the daughter's son can offer Shraddha for the maternal side of his family if a male heir is absent in his mother's family. Some castes only perform the shraddha for one generation. Prior to performing the rite, the male should have experienced a sacred thread ceremony. Since the ceremony is considered inauspicious due to its association with death, the royal family of Kutch, the king or heirs of the throne are prohibited from conducting Shraddha. Food
The food offerings made to the ancestors are usually cooked in silver
or copper vessels and typically placed on a banana leaf or cups made of
dried leaves. The food must include Kheer (a type of sweet rice and milk), lapsi (a sweet porridge made of wheat grains), rice, dal (lentils), the vegetable of spring bean (guar) and a yellow gourd (pumpkin).
Rites of shraddha
The male who performs the shraddha should take a purifying bath beforehand and is expected to wear a dhoti. He wears a ring of kush grass.
Then the ancestors are invoked to reside in the ring. The shraddha is
usually performed bare-chested, as the position of the sacred thread
worn by him needs to be changed multiple times during the ceremony. The
shraddha involves pinda-daan, which is an offering to the ancestors of pindas (cooked rice and barley flour balls mixed with ghee and black sesame seeds), accompanying the release of water from the hand. It is followed by the worship of Vishnu in form of the darbha grass, a gold image or Shaligram
stone and Yama. The food offering is then made, cooked especially for
the ceremony on the roof. The offering is considered to be accepted if a
crow arrives and devours the food; the bird is believed to be a
messenger from Yama or the spirit of the ancestors. A cow and a dog are also fed, and Brahmin priests are also offered food. Once the ancestors (crow) and Brahmins have eaten, the family members can begin lunch. Other practices
Some families also conduct ritual recitals of scriptures such the Bhagavata Purana and the Bhagavad Gita. Others may be charitable and present gifts to the priests or pay them to recite prayers for the ancestor's well-being.
At the outset, it has to be mentioned that the history of ancient Nepal is the history of Kathmandu Valley. There are two reasons for this. One is the lack of historical records for other parts of Nepal and the other is that the colorful past of this beautiful valley easily out dazzles what is known about elsewhere. There is also the fact that the name of the country is taken from what Kathmandu used to be known in earlier times – Nepal valley.
The tale of Kathmandu dates back to the time when the Gods communed with mortals. A glimpse into that period can be found in the Buddhist chronicles that tell of the coming of the Manjushree Bodhisattva from China to worship Swayambu. As the legend goes, Swayambu, a manifestation of Adhi Buddha, the primordial Buddha was a brilliant flame emanating from a lotus flower that rested in the midst of the lake Nagarad. From atop distant Mandapgiri (now Nagarkot), Manjushree gazed at this wondrous sight and decided to worship this flame more closely.
By going to the lowest hill in the southern part of the valley and slicing a portion of it with his Sword Of Wisdom, he drained the lake, thus creating the Chobar Gorge (which till today drains the rivers of the Kathmandu Valley). The valley with its fertile soil appeared, and Manjushree proceeded on his mission to worship the Swayambhu, which had rested upon the small hillock of present-day Swayambhu.
Manjushree is then said to have founded the city of Manjupatan, which was located midway between Swayambhu and Gujeshwori (near what is today the Kathmandu airport), and proclaimed his disciple Dharmakarma as the ruler of that city. It was also during this era that Krakuchanda Buddha, Kanak Muni Buddha and Kashyapa Buddha visited the Kathmandu valley to worship Swayambhu and Gujeshwori.
Aware that Kaliyug, the Dark Age, was drawing near, Kanak Muni Buddha sent Prachanda Deva, King of Gaur (Bengal), to cover the flaming image of Swayambhu since only such an act would preserve it from the gaze of the sin-ridden world. So, Prachanda Deva built a stupa encasing the sacred flame of Swayambhu.
Later, Prachandra Deva sent his son Shakti Deva to enthrone their cousin Gunakama Deva as King of Nepal. Gunakama’s reign saw a great famine afflict the kingdom but with aid from the Goddess Shantishree, he was able to overcome that disaster. The last king of this dynasty was Singhakhetu and, in his reign, the country flourished in both trade and commerce. It is said that the kingdom even conducted trade with places as far away as Singhaladeep (Sri Lanka).
The demise of Gunakama’s dynasty saw a succession of rulers from the provinces of India such as Bengal and even from as far as Madras rule Kathmandu. The most renowned was Dharmadutta of Kanchipuram who is said to have built the Pashupatinath Temple. Boudhanath may have been built by Dharmadutta’s second successor. Then came the Ahir or Abhir Dynasty who were a race of cowherds. There were eight kings in this line, the first being Bhuktaman and the last Yaksha Gupta. Owing to pastoral disputes, this dynasty was then replaced by another Abhir dynasty of shepherds. This second Abhir dynasty had a succession of three kings and their rule ended when the Kirati invaders defeated Bhuban Simha.
The Kiratis
The Kiratis were a tribal hill people who came from the East. (The Ramayana mentions them as being dwellers of the northeastern Himalayan region.) The Kirati invasion of the Kathmandu valley occurred sometime around 700 BC. The mist famous among the Kirati rulers was Yalambar – the first of them.
Jitadassi, the seventh king, is said to have helped the Pandavas during the Great War of the Hindu epic the Mahabharata. It was also during the reign of Jitadassi that Gautama Buddha was said to have visited the Valley. The Kiratis’ rule saw a succession of 29 kings until the Licchavis at around AD 200 defeated Gasti, the last of them.
The Licchavis
The advent of the Licchavis brought in the first golden era of Nepalese art and Culture. They were also the ones who introduced the Hindu caste system into the valley. Among the 48 Licchavi rulers, Mana Deva I, who ascended the throne in AD 464, was a ruler of considerable talent and abilities. He consolidated the kingdom in all directions with his powerful army and political tact. Besides this, he was also a patron of the arts. Pagoda-roofed structures came into vogue. Sculptors fashioned exquisite images of their Gods and Kings. It was during this same period that the temples of Changunarayan, Vishabjynarayan, Sikhomanarayan and Ichabgunarayan were built.Other notable masterpieces include the Reclining Vishnu of Budhanilkantha, the gilting of the roof of Pashupatinath Temple, the struts of Hanuman Dhoka and the Basantapur Tower, the Uku Bahal in Patan, and the Indreshwar Mhadev Temple at Panauti.
The Thakuris
Amsuvarma, of the Thakuri lineage, ascended the throne in AD 605 upon the death of his father-in-law Shivadeva, a Licchavi King. According to the travelling Chinese monk Huen Tsanf, Amsuvarma had attained high military and literary glory. Of his palace at Deopatan, Huen Tsang says that it was seven stories high and ornamented with gems and pearls. Amsuvarma made matrimonial alliances with both his powerful neighbors of the north and the south. To Tsrongsten Gompo, Tibet’s powerful ruler, he offered his daughter, Bhrikuti, and to the Indian Prince, he offered the hand of his sister. (It was Bhrikuti, along with a Chinese princess, who converted the Tibetan king to Buddhism, thus heralding the advent of the religion the country was to later become famous for. Bhrikuti is considered the Green Tara of the Buddhist psntheon while the Chinese princess is known as the White Tara.)
After the death of Amsuvarma in AD 629, power reverted to the Licchavis once again for a considerable period of time. It was only in AD 879 that Raghadeva founded the real Thakuri Dynaty. To commemorate this event, Raghadeva established the Nepal Sambat Era, a calendar that is still followed by the Newars of Kathmandu Valley and is running in its 12th century.
The reign of the later Thakuris has been considered the Dark Age in the history of Kathmandu on account of much strife and turmoil during this period and that included the ravages of multiple foreign invasions. But trade and commerce still flourished and cities and settlements grew. Another King, Ganakamadeva, who ruled from AD 949 till AD 994 deserves special mention. It was he who introduced the important festivals of Indra, and Kridhna Jayanti. But more importantly, Gunakamadeva founded Kantipur, today’s Kathmandu.
The Mallas
In AD1200, King Arideva assumed the title of Malla, and the dynasty of the Mallas ruled Kathmandu Valley for a total of 568 years. At one time, during the reign of King Yakshya Malla (1428-1482), the Valley’s territorial gains had extended north as far as Digarcha in Tibet, Gorkha to the west, Morang to the east, and southwards up to Bodh Gaya in Bihar, India.
The early period of the Malla rule saw peace and tranquility with a great deal of progress in all spheres of life. Though the Mallas were Vaishnavite and Shaivite Hindus, they showed tolerance towards other religions too. Endowment monasteries, Muslims were allowed to settle in the Valley although they were forbidden to convert others. Even a Roman Catholic Mission of the Capuchin order was allowed into Kathmandu and granted land by royal decree.
The Mallas were benevolent patrons of the arts and it was during their reign that a renaissance of the arts flourished. Traditionally passed down from father to son, the skills of proficiency. Further developments evolved with new ideas being acquired from neighboring kingdoms. These craftsmen excelled in stone carving, woodcarving, brick making, metal work and painting.
The fame of Arniko
In the 13th Century, Arniko, a Newar architect and master craftsman of Bhaktapur, was invited to build a stupa in Tibet at the request of Kublai Khan. Word had reached the ears of the Mongol emperor about Arniko’s prowess as a master builder. Soon, after the initial assignment, Arniko was conscripted into the Court of China as "The Controller of Imperial Manufacture."
Other Newari craftsmen were also invited to Tibet and China. On their return, they brought back a new style, which was a fusion of their original newari style combined with Tibetan (Chinese) art. An example of this style is seen in the Golden Gate of Bhaktapur, which was built in 1754. It has Tibetan and Chinese motifs inlaid among the periodic designs.
Communes of Clay
Bricks were the main components used in construction. The Newari builders had devised a method of strengthening regular-fired bricks by mixing oil to the clay. Called Chikau Uppa (or Telia Eet in Nepali) meaning "oiled brick," this novel technique brought about stronger and longer-lasting constructions. Houses, temples, street and courtyards were all constructed with this brick.
Besides the three principle cities, other settlements grew around the Kathmandu Valley. Fortresses were set up at strategic points to serve as defense outposts which also provided protection to the farming community spread all across the Valley. Others grew up along the flourishing trade routes. Wary of attack by bandits and foreign invaders, people built their houses in close clusters, often on higher ground and high walls further fortified these.
Lalitpur
The renaissance during the Malla eras saw further development in the craft of image making. Stone carvings of the earlier times gave way to mental craft. All the spires of important temples and shrines were crowned with gold; this technique of gilding involved a chemical compounding process. Skill in metal craft reached a high degree of excellence and Patan, or Lalitpur (city of arts) became the center. The best example of that period can still be seen today in the 14th century Kwa Bahal, the Golden Temple. Tibetan pilgrims who came on pilgrimage to this site were so enraptured by the sight of it that they called it "Yerang" meaning "Eternity Itself."
Bhaktapur
While the artisans of Patan excelled in metalwork, the artisans of Bhaktapur pursued the traditional craft of stone and woodcarving. Evidence of their excellence is still visible today as one observes the 55-Windowed Palace, the Peacock Windows, and the Nyatopola Temple – all built during the reign of King Bhupatindra Malla.
It is believed that Bhupatindra Malla was brought up by a carpenter since his step-mother had ordered to have him killed to make way for her own offspring to become king. He is considered to be among the ablest rulers of Bhaktapur. He was also a contemporary of Shah Jahan, the Indian emperor who built the Taj Mahal. In all likelihood, it is possible that the Moghyl Emperor and his sense of grandiose art inspired Bhupatindra Malla.
Paubha –Newari Paintings
From the 11th century, religious manuscripts were being embellished with paintings. Buddhism inspired the earliest of these. Drawn on palm leaf strips, these simple ink sketches were accented with basic natural colors. After the 15th century, paper began to replace the leaf.
The Newars also had a miniature form of painting till the 14th century that was distantly related to the Indian Pahari School. Thereafter, that from gave way to scrolls painting. Like the craftsmen, Newar painters had also been invited to Tibet to paint murals and scrolls in the monasteries. Tibet was then a prosperous trading country. Traders travelling the Silk Route brought in merchandise from other kingdoms and this provided an opportunity for the artists from Kathmandu to study the arts of the other parts of Asia. As a result, they were able to incorporate their own and other styles into the traditional Tibetan art and evolves a whole new genre. When the Newar artists returned back to their Kingdoms once more, they used their knowledge to create splendid works of art in Kathmandu valley.
A COURTESY OF www.newatravels.com
Land of Buddha's Birth Place & World's Several Highest Peaks is Situated Here, The Ancient Country With Rich Culture & A Broad Heritage Maintained By Various Mountain Tribal & Royal Families of Nepal. Our Great Neighbour Who Once Called "KIRAT DESH " The Lord Shiva's Land, Since From Ancient Time It is Still Keeping Hunting The Mind of People with It's Landscape Beauty & Solemn Devotion :D. Love You NEPAL ! <3 <3 <3
Born on May 31, 1930 in San Francisco, California, Clint Eastwood got his big break starring on the TV western Rawhide. He then became immensely popular via a string of Sergio Leone movie westerns and the Dirty Harry franchise. In recent years, Eastwood has directed many films, including the Academy Award-winning projects Unforgiven, Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby and The Changeling. He's also known as a big supporter of the Republican Party, and made headlines when he spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2012.
Early Career
Actor, director and producer Clint Eastwood was born Clinton Eastwood Jr. on May 31, 1930, to Clinton Sr. and Ruth Eastwood. He has one older sister, Jean. After traveling and looking for work throughout California during the Depression, the family settled in Oakland, where Eastwood graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 1948.
Eastwood worked odd jobs as a hay bailer, logger, truck driver, and steel-furnace stoker. In 1950, he was called to military duty with the Army Special Services, based at Ford Ord in Monterey, California. While in the Army, Eastwood met actors David Janssen and Martin Milner, who convinced him to move to Los Angeles in 1954 after he finished his military duty. Eastwood took a screen test and signed a contract with Universal for seventy-five dollars a week. His first roles were in the science fiction films Revenge of the Creature and Tarantula, both released in 1955. Eastwood's rugged looks landed him the role of Rowdy Yates on the CBS TV series Rawhide (1959), which ran for eight seasons.
In 1964, Eastwood went to Italy to star in a trio of westerns directed by Sergio Leone. The role Eastwood took—the cool, laconic "Man with No Name"—had been turned down by James Coburn and Charles Bronson. The films included 1964's A Fistful Of Dollars (a remake of the classic Yojimbo), For a Few Dollars More (1965) and The Good the Bad and the Ugly (1966). Nicknamed "spaghetti westerns" due to their Italian production, these films gained worldwide popularity, and Eastwood became internationally known. Acclaimed Director
Back in the United States, Eastwood directed his first film, the thriller Play Misty For Me (1971), and starred in the leading role. His next important project was a series of violent action movies portraying Harry Callahan, a contentious San Francisco cop. The Dirty Harry series proved immensely popular with the public and included five films over a period of 17 years, including Dirty Harry (1971), Magnum Force (1973), The Enforcer (1976), Sudden Impact (1983) and The Dead Pool (1988).
Eastwood went on to direct the Charlie Parker biopic Bird (1988), for which he won wide critical acclaim. He also earned accolades for directing and producing the 1992 Western Unforgiven, which won an Academy Award (best picture). The following year, he directed and starred in 1993's A Perfect World, and went on to star in and direct 1994's The Bridges of Madison County (with Meryl Streep) and 1997's Absolute Power. He directed (but did not appear in) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997); and produced, directed and starred in the 1999 thriller True Crime.
August of 2000 saw the release of another directorial and acting project for Eastwood, Space Cowboys, with co-stars James Garner, Donald Sutherland and Tommy Lee Jones. He then directed the haunting and award-winning.
Mystic River, starring Sean Penn and Tim Robbins, which was released in 2003. Two years later, Eastwood won both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe (best director) for his work on the film Million Dollar Baby, starring Hilary Swank (Eastwood directed and acted in the film). The picture also won the an Oscar Award for best picture. That same year Eastwood received the Life Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild in Los Angeles. In 2006, wood directed two World War II dramas, Flags of Our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima. These companion films viewed the conflict from two distinctly different perspectives. Flags of Our Fathers explored the American side, telling the story of one man's efforts to learn more about his father's involvement in the raising of the U.S. flag at Iwo Jima—a moment captured in a Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph. The film featured a number of young Hollywood actors, including Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford and Paul Walker. Truly multitalented, Eastwood even wrote some of the music for the film.
Drawing from correspondence found on that island battlefield, Letters of Iwo Jima looks at the experiences of Japanese soldiers during World War II. While both films earned wide praise, Letters from Iwo Jima garnered four Academy Award nominations, including for best picture, and Eastwood earned his fourth nod for an Oscar (best director).
Next for Eastwood was the 2008 family dramatic thriller The Changeling, which stars Angelina Jolie as a mother of a kidnapped child. Jolie's character in the film—which is based on a true story—suspects that the child who is eventually returned to her is not, in fact, her son. Several widely acclaimed directorial projects followed, including 2008's Gran Torino (in which Eastwood also stars) 2009's Invictus and 2011's J. Edgar.Political Career and Activism
Outside of acting, Eastwood has tried his hand at politics. He was elected mayor of Carmel, California in 1986, serving two years.
Eastwood is also known for being a big supporter of the Republican Party, and made headlines when he spoke at the Republican National Convention in August 2012. His speech garnered attention for its unusual format: During his narrative, Eastwood spoke to an empty chair, which seemed to be used to represent President Barack Obama. When speaking about the president during his speech, Eastwood frequently addressed the chair: "I think it may be time for somebody else to come along and solve the problem. When someone does not do the job, you have got to let them go," said the 82-year-old Eastwood, a supporter of the Republican Party's presidential candidate for the 2012 election, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (Eastwood endorsed Romney in an ealier speech).
A COURTESY OF www.biography.com
Cowboy Image & Courageous Roles of County Action is Not Get Complete Without Mr. Clint :). Because From Smoking A cigar To Firing From a 12 Bore Pistol, He is Just Appropriate for His Charismatic Attitude & Boldness Role in Action Movie. A Sensitive Men of Heart Who Knows the Secret of Mystic River , & At the Same Time How to Prepare A Million Dollar Baby !!! :D Love You Clint <3 <3 <3 He Never Die , Before the Death. He Knows The Smell of Gun Powder, & How to Play with Death According to His Own Order !! DHHIIIIIICCCHKKAAAAOOOO
THIS IS MY MOST FAVORITE DIALOGUE OF ANY ACTION MOVIE
