Nepal

Namaste

       Nepal is a land of unparalleled variety. Imagine a rectangle 500 by 150 mi (800 by 240 km), divided lengthwise into three stripes. The northernmost strip is Himalaya, meaning "adobe of snow." and includes eight of the ten highest mountain in the world. The Himalayan region is sparsely settled by people who speak languages of the Tibet o-Burman family and practice Tibetan Buddhism. The southernmost region, called, is an extension of the Gangetic plain of northern India, containing jungles with elephants, rhinoceroses, and tigers. These inhabitants contrast markedly with the yaks and snow leopards less than 100 mi (160 km) to the north. This area is populated by people who speak Indo-European languages and practice Hinduism. Between the two outer strips lies an inteface of hills and valleys. The inhabitants speak languages of both the Tibet o-European and Indo-Europeans families and generally practice Hinduism with many Buddhists, animistic, and shamanic influences. This "religion of the hills" defies categorization. This middle region, the hills, is the unexpected treasure of Nepal.
       Climatically, the country has subtropical, temperate, and alpine regions, determined by elevation .It contains example of most of the vegetation zones of the world.
        The country known as Nepal is a conglomeration of as many  very different ethnic groups, languages, and culture as it is bio geographic regions. This hostile terrain was settled by peoples fleeing invaders  from all directions. They found solace in remote valleys and eventually became incorporated into myraid small kingdoms, until one, Gorkha, led by Prithivi Narayan Shah, politically unified the country in the 1760s. For over a hundred years, until 1951, Nepal was ruled by a sequence of hereditary prime ministers, the Ranas. During this period Nepal was essentially cut off from outside influences. Because of its forbidding mountains to the north and deadly malaria endemic in the terai to the south, Nepal was never successfully invaded by a major power. After an attempt at democracy in 1959, which threatened the status quo, political parties were outlawed; the country was said to be ruled by a system of participatory councils, but real power was vested in the king and his personally chosen secretariat.
      In early 1990, popular support for democracy again surfaced. The movement never had grassroots support through out the country but was lead by students and educated in the large cities. Supported by the quest for democracy through out the world at that time, and the threat of more uprisings, the jana andolan was able to overthrow the monarchical rule with the loss of no more than several hundred lives. In november 1990 a new constitution was adopted, with the king as a constitutional monarch and head if the army but with real power vested in a popularly elected parliament. There have been several elections, at the national and local levels. As in many third world countries, poverty has recently increased, direct result accomplished in the first six years of democracy. One factor is that systems of patronage and corruption that date back at least to the century of Rana rule have been maintained in the political mechanism. Nepali society and politics have change little during this century. But the mood of the country has regressed from optimism to disappointment to frustration to cynicism.
       The economy is one of subsistence agriculture.Nepal has most of the statistical characteristics of the worlds poorest countries in terms of per capita gross domestic product, literacy and infant mortality. The high population growth doubling time is about 30 years- outstrips food production. Another serious problem is deforestation specially in the Terai, where after malaria was controlled forests were cut to clear land for agricultural use, to feed the increasing population. Nepal population is over 20 million, growing at over 2% a year.
       Nepal close to foreigners and foreign influence until 1951, did not officially opened its door to tourists until a few years later. But by 1995, over 3 hundred 50 thousands tourists were visiting the country, and a massive amount of foreign aid was pushing on the road to "development." Major contributors of aid have been India, Japan, Germany, France , china and the United states. Having observe this process over twenty five years, I see development along western European and north American lines as basically exploitive, but this is hidden by euphemisms. Most aid is tide; it requires purchasing products and services from the donor countries, and much funding pays expatriate salaries for work Nepalis could do themselves few projects the disadvantaged. Only 10% of development assistance is said to reach the poor. Much of the funding leaks, finding its way into the pockets of the nouveaux riches-it ha been estimated that anywhere between 10 to over 50% of flows get lost. A look at the burgeoning wealth of the middle lass of in Kathmandu ,where homes cost more than in U.S. cities, attests to this. Thanks to structural adjustments policies carried out as a condition of receiving world bank and international monetary fund loans, which resulted in devaluation of the rupee, foreigners receive values for their their hard currency in Nepal, while the poor there suffer more. One could remark that countries that have had modern "development" are worse off than countries that haven't. Look at Korea, Taiwan, Japan and China as examples of Asian miracles They escaped the development process.

        On the basis of outside advice and funding, Nepal has set aside the largest percentage of any country's land as national parks, a process begun in 1973. Although the concept supposedly creates a haven for  touristic needs, is has conflicted with resident people who have sometimes been resettled far from their homeland wit disastrous results. Discord between the needs of local peoples, with their increasing numbers, and those of business that cater to the tourism industry will continue.
   
      Nepal's greatest economic resource is said to be the hydroelectric potential of its vast rivers fed by the Himalaya. Attempts as massive international development of this treasure have been thward so far, but numerous  small projects electrify parts of the country. India would like to control this asset and use it to power the billion people sitting south. An unrecognized  major asset is the self respect of the hill peasant, who was never subjugated by an external power. He or she works hard and, if away from the development main stream, doesn't dwell on being economically poor. Only near the imbroglio of progress do you find people monetarily much wealthier talking about how poor they are. " Development " teaches poverty.

     Nepal is taken as a lovely and popular country in term of visiting. As we know, Nepal is the second richest country in water resources throughout the world  after Brazil. Nepal is divided into three geographical regions. They are    Himalaya, hilly and terai region. Terai region is taken as granary of crops of Nepal. Green forests, tranquil lakes, snow-capped mountains,etc are the resources of Nepal. it is not only rich in natural resources but also in cultural, religious and historical importance. It is a Hindu country. In Nepal there are many temples and other religious places.  Among them Pashupati nath is one of the most famous temple in the country.Nepal is also a country of villages. Most of the area of the country is occupied by villages. There are 3915 V.D.Cs, 53 municipalities, 4 sub-metropolitan cities and 1 metropolitan city. Most of the people are involved in agriculture. Nepal is said to be a lovely country because of people living here. They are found to be honest, co-operatives, hard working, tust worthy and peace-loving. Nepal also has many species of animals and birds our national bird and animal is Lophophorus and cow.

The Himalayas of Nepal

Nepal is a mountainous country. She is also known as the land of the Himalayas. The Himalayas situated in the northern part of the country must have uplifted the identity and dignity pf Nepal.
          The high mountains in Nepal is covered with snow, but the lower parts of them are covered with grass and plants. Many people live in mountains.Peoples of the Himalayan region live inall the ways that human beings have devised to survive on the earth: as hunters and gatherers, nomadic herdsmen, shifting splash and burn cultivators, settled agriculturalists, petty traders, and industrial enterprenueurs. They live in felt tents, thatched huts, brick houses, and stucco palaces. Over forty million people live across the terrain dominated by the world's highest mountain range. This fronteir region is predominately rural. Transport and communication are particularly difficult, and the ethnic groups are astoundingly diverse. Isolation and countless migrations have led to myriad forms of social and cultural adoptation. There are muslim, hindus and buddhists, but many people also retain their own separate ethnic identity and worship. This one thousand, five hundred mile long region is the homeland for what is arguaby the most diverse spectrum of people in the world. Most of the fertile lands are cultivated. The mountains are not densely populated. Life pf the people is difficult there. Most of the people are farmers. Higher mountains are also graze the cattles such as cows, yaks, goat and sheep. The snow-capped mountain peaks attract many tourists. They seem to be attractive, but they are getting populated. The main attractions of tourism in Nepal are those lofty mountains.
                   These mountains in Nepal are very important. Our tourism trade depends on them. Many tourists visit Nepal to watch the mountains. Some of them come to Nepal to climb the snowy mountains; especially they climb Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world. Many rare herbs are found in the Himalayas regions of Nepal. We can use them directly as the medicine or they can be used to make important medicines. If we sell them to foreign countries we can earn foreign currency. The snow-capped mountains are the origins of the rivers of Nepal. Therefore mountains are the permanent sources of water. The climate and environment are completely fresh and healthy in the mountains.
                 Nowadays, the life style of the people in the mountain is getting uplifted because the problem in the mountain is transportation and communication has been reduced. Most of thepeople have started growing and fruits which are more advantageous than traditional farming. If the mountain regions are properly developed, the status of the country certainly gets uplifted. It is said that the development of the mountains in Nepal supports the development of the whole country.

Poverty Ellimination in Nepal

         Nepal is a developing country. Many people are poor here. Their main problem is to find food, cloth and shelter. They work from the morning to the evening. Their income is very low. Generally. most of the people are ignorant. They adequately aware . In order to reduce and eliminate  poverty in Nepal. some measures have to be implemented.

          Education is the most important factor for the development of the society. The main causes of poverty in Nepal, is the lack of appropriate education. Most of the uneducated poor people do not posses appropriate degree of awareness. They are victimized traditions and cultures. Similarly, traditional agriculture system in rural regions is the existing cause of poverty in Nepal. Most of the farmer do not apply modern mode of farming. They do not use improved seeds of crops and vegetables. As a result, they cannot get good production. The next cause is inequality in the distribution of means of production. Few rich people have occupied most of the fertile land. Similarly, the problem of unemployment is is the next cause of poverty. Many people are unemployed. They do not have any source of income.

            Poverty is a great and challenging problem in Nepal. It results social disasters,crimes and ruins. Some poor people are compelled to be involved in crimes such as theft, robbery, smuggling and prostitution etc. The poor can be united and start destructive struggles for their survival. Such struggles certainly cause destruction. Poor people cannot compete with the rich in various opportunity. As a result, the gap between the poor and the rich. It results hospitality and hatred between the rich and the poor. Ultimately, unity among the people cannot be built up. Therefore, it can be said that poverty invites social injustice, disasters and ruins in the society.

                  Poverty can be reduced and eliminated by providing all people with appropriate education. Educated people can play the prime role in maintaining social justice. Educated farmers can apply modern farming technologies, improved seeds and suitable fertilizers in the farms. They can sell their products in the market. In order to raise the status of the poor, special programmes should be implemented by the government. New land reformation programme should be implemented to distribute the fertile land properly among the farmers. the problem of unemployment can be solved by established many factories and creating job opportunities.

                 Poverty can be reduced and eliminated by educating people, establishing factories and creating job opportunities. If all the are employed, poverty will be automatically reduced and eliminated. The government should make a concrete plan for this purpose.

NEPALESE ARCHITECTURE ( BASTUKALA )

Bastu means a place of dwelling. The art dealing with a place of dwelling is called architecture (bastukala). Just like the art of painting and sculpture, the ancient architecture of Nepal is found to be excellent even from the scientific point of view. Nepalese architecture is also considered to be very important amongst the cultural heritages of Nepal. Ancient architecture can also be divided into three categories:

A. The Pagoda Style: According to the historical facts, the pagoda style was introduced in Nepal from the beginning of the Thirteen century. It is believed that the Pagoda Style of Architecture was taken to China by Araniko and his colleagues from Nepal. Pagoda style means the style of having more than one roofs with a broader base and gradually narrowing tops. Man Griha of Man dev, temple of Changu Narayan, Kailash kut bhawan of Amshuverma Bhadradhiwas of Narendra Dev of ancient times are some excellent examples of Nepales architectures. Many Pagoda style temples, Palaces and buildings were built during the Malla period, Dattatraya and Nyatapole of Bhaktapur, Kastamandap of Kathmandu, etc are such examples.Nine storey pa;ace of Basntapur and the palace nuwakot built during Prithivi Narayan's time are also built in this style. Temples of Pashupatinath, taleju, palanchowk Bhagwati are also the examples of Pagoda style.

B. The Stupa or Chaitya Style: According to the Bouddha tradition, the style of architecture having a broad base and gradually tempering upwards is called the Stupa or Chaitya Style. Emperor Ashok is believed to have introduced this style of architecture in Nepal. Maya Devi temple of Lumbini is its fine example. This style has been in practise in Nepal since ancient times. Swayambhu Nath and Boudddha Nath are the excellent examples of the Stupa Style. Ashok Stupa of Patan is believed to be the oldest stupa of Nepal. Charumati Chaitya of Chawahil is also built in this style.

C. The Shikhar Style: The Shikhar style is also a fine traditional architecture. It si tall and looks like a pyramid. There are five to Nine perpendicular divisions or sections at the outer part of such architectures. There are Gajurs at the top of each section. They are broader at the lower portion and becomes narrower at the top. Krishna Mandir of Patan and Mahabouddha are its excellent examples.Krishna Mandir was built by Malla king, Siddhinarsingh Malla.

There are buildings and religious shrines built in Gumbaj Style, mugal style etc in Nepal. Janaki Mandir of Janakpur is its example. There are some fine Gumbaj Style architectueres especially in the Terai. The Malla period palace of 55 storey in Bhaktapur, Rana period palace of Singha Durbar, Kesar Mahal, Thapathali Durbar, Sri Mahal, Rani Mahal etc are also some fine examples of the Nepalese architectures. We can see some of the Europeans style architecture in these palaces.

Girls Trafficking In Nepal

            Girls trafficking is literally defined as the buying and selling of girls illegally. It is a major social crime in Nepal. It has been spread rapidly in remote areas where people are uneducated, ignorant and poor. Girls traffickers in Nepal sell the girls in India.
            Girls trafficker in Nepal seems to be challenging problem. Girls trafficers have made a complex network to supply the girls. Girls traffickers go to remote areas pretending to be social workers, teachers, official, etc. They try to influence the illiterate people. They lure the people in many ways. Some young girls traffickers pretend to be unmarried and propose the girl to get married. The innocent and ignorant people believe them. Similarly, some girl traffickers lure the girls by pretending that they would provide good jobs in India then they take the girl to India and sell them for prostitution. The innocent girls are compelled to accept it. If they deny, they are badly punished and tortured. Mainly illiteracy, unemployment and poverty are the main causes of girls trafficking.
           Girls trafficking in Nepal has stigmatized our dignity. This social evil invites many social disasters, crimes and ruins. Nowadays, a fatal diseases, AIDS has been spread rapidly because of girls trafficking too. The girls who are sold in prostitution houses come back to Nepal being HIV infected. They pass on HIV to other youths in Nepal. Some girls who are victimized by HIV and other fatal disease are likely to commit suicide. Our country is compelled to invest more money to cure the HIV infected youths. Girls trafficking is the entire violation of human rights. Therefore, girls trafficking adversely affects the prosperity of human civilization.
                The problem of girls trafficking can be solved by raising awareness and eliminating poverty. Some social organizations are doing something to eliminate the problem of girls trafficking. Their programmes should be made more effective to wipe out this problem.
                Girls trafficking is a stigma of our country. It can be uprooted by making people conscious. Everyone is responsible to solve this problem. Furthermore, girls traffickers should be sentenced life imprisonment or the capital punishment by law.

Mount Everest

           The nature has always amazed us with its mysterious outlooks and designs which are neither made by human or any other automatic machines.However, they seem as if they are made in time of leisure with lots of architectural procedures. They are natural wonders of the world. The world's highest peak Mount Everest is one of the natural wonders of the world. It represents the highest spot on the earth's surface.

          Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world with the summit reaching the peak of 8848 meter (29029feet) above the sea level. It is situated in Mahalangur section of the Himalayas of Nepal in Solukhumbu district of Sagarmatha zone at tyhhe latitude 27 59 N.... longitude 86 56  E. It makes the international border between Nepal and China.

         Mount Everest has got many names the highest peak of the world. The official Tibetan name for the Mount Everest is Qomolangma often spelled as Chomoluangma meaning " The holy Mother". The official Chinese name is Zhumulangma which also has the same meaning,"The Holy Mother". In 1856, when the Great Trigonometric Survey of British India first published the height of Mount Everest, then it was known as Peak XV. In 1865, Andrew Waugh, the British Survey or  General of India gave it an English name Mount Everest after his predecessor , Colonel Sir George Everest. However, the country where it is located has named it Sagarmatha "goddess of the sky".It was Sir George Everest who discovered the highest peak of the world. He was Surveyor-General in India. During the survey in the northern of India, they noticed this peak. They measured it with "trigonometry" and didscovered that it was the highest known mountain. Name of the mountain is therefore in honourr of George Everest . More accurate measurement made later has shown it is 8,848 m high. In 1987 a USexpendition obtained measurements of k2 (second highest mountain in Karakoram range, Kashmir, N India, 8,611m/28, 261 ft). This disputed Everest's "highest mountain" status, but recent satellite measurements have established Mountain Everest as the highest.

          In its geological study, it is found from the study that the rocks comprising Mount Everest has been subdivided into three units called "formations" each separated from the other by detachments. The units are:

Q o m o l a n g m a Formation: From its summit to the top of the Yellow Band, about 8600m above the sea level consists of the Qomolangma F o r m a t i o n. It consists of grayish to dark gray or whiteparallel laminated and bedded with a kind of limestone. The Qomolangma Formation is broken up by several high-angle faults that terminate at the low angle thrust faults, the Qomolangma D e t a c h m e n t.  This d e t a c h m e n t separates it from the underlying Yellow Band. The lower five metres of the Qomolangma Formation overlying this detachments are very highly deformed. North Col formation: The bulk of Everest between7000 and 8600m consists of the North Col formation, of which the Yellow Band forms its upper part between 8200 to 8600m. The part of North Col Formation exposed between 7000 to 8200m consists of inter-layered and deformed schist, Phyllite and minor marble. The base of the North Col Formation is a regional thrust fault called the "Lhotse detachment".

Rongbuk Formation: Below 7000m, the Rongbuk Formation underlies the North Col Formation and makes the base of Mount Everest. It consists of sillimanite-K-feldspar grade schist and gneiss.

            Mount Everest has become the best mountain for the climbers to achieve their desire of climbing. The first ascent to Mount Everest was made by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal through the South col Route in May 29, 1953. The first ascent by a woman was Junko Tabei from Japan on May 16, 1975. The first ascent by Nepali woman to Mount Everest was Pasan Lhamu Sherpa. Not all the climbers have safely climbed down the Everest. The highest cause of death in here is due to Avalanches. The most dangerous area on mountain is Khumbu Ice Fall where 19 deaths have occurred till date.

           Though dangerous, Mount Everest is a beautiful piece of art created by the nature. No, doubt, it is a wonder.

River Experience In Nepal(Rafting)

      The Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal is renowned as one of the most adventurous & exciting places in the world for outdoor activities. High snow capped mountains and peaks for treks & expenditions, various national parks for wildlife lovers and also some of the most challenging rivers running wild, waiting for rafters & kayakers to be explored, not only to give an experience but also to fulfill your dream of pure White water Adventure. Following are the exciting and thrilling natural river:

                                                                                                                                                          Trihuli River (Central Nepal)

This river rises from Mt.Langtang and is suitable for everybody. A class of its own where you will encounter around 20 rapids of 2-3 (+) grade. Beautiful landscapes surrounded by full of nature and following the national highway. After the trip, you can continue your journey to the Chitwan National Parks for wild life or to Pokhara for beautiful lakes & various Mt. views.





Kali Gandaki(Western Nepal)
The river named after the goddess 'Kali', rises from Mustang, close to Tibet. It is one of the best short white water rafting trips where you find around 35 rapids with 1-4 grade. During rafting & kayaking trips you will pass through the villages, remote areas & the world's deepest Gorge. Being one of the holiest river you we will pass through the cremation sites also. The exciting white water sections, and camping out at the untouched natural white sand beach makes your trip super. Recommended for rafters and Kayakers with limited experience.
Bhote Koshi(Eastern Nepal)
The main source of Bhote Koshi is Tibet and it starts from nearTibetan border, Kodari through Aranikoo Highway. This beautiful mountain river offers one of  the steepest and most challenging river rafting and Kayaking trips. Speecially recommended for advance rafters and Kayakers.

Sun koshi (eastern river)
Also known as river of gold. Sun Koshi is on of the classic river in th world. It rises from Tibet &Mt. Everest region, it has a mixture of small and big warm water , surges from 270 km passing through the jungle, remote areas and unspoiled beautiful campsites. A classic multi-day trip with around 40 rapids grade 2-5 will make you trip fantastics.Recommended for advance rafters.

Marsyangdi (wstern river)
The Marsyangdi river rises from the northern slope of Annapurna himal and Tilicho Lake, which flows through the Manang valley. This is one of the most outstanding grade 4-5(+) rivers and has been described as one of the best in the world, it contains 35-40 big rapids, continuosly exhilating white water with magnificent mountain at backdrop. Specially recommended for advance rafters.

Wild Animals in Nepal

                 The animals which live in the jungle are called wild animals. Some of them are tigers, lions, leopard, foxes, monkeys, deer, squirrels and so on. They can be categorized into various species and groups. Some of them are carnivorous, herbivorous and omnivorous. Most of them are directly or indirectly advantageous for us.

                The animals live on land are known as terrestrial animals. They are elephant, tigers, lions, etc. The other kinds are arboreal such as monkeys, squirrels, chameleon etc. They append most of the time on trees. Generally, birds are called arial animals. They can fly in the air. The animals which live in water are categorized as aquatic animals. They are fishes, crabs, frogs etc. are called amphibians such as alligators, tortoises, frogs etc are amphibian according to their living places.
     Nowadays most of the animals are declining. Some of the animals are endangered. An animal cannot survive if its habitat is destroyed. The jungle, living place of the wild animals are endangered. An animal cannot survive if its habitat is destroyed. The jungle, the living place of the wild animal, is fast being destroyed because of different activities of the wild beings. People clear the jungle for agriculture and settlement. They cut down the trees for firewood, timber and buildings materials. Furthermore, people kill the wild animals for various purposes. The main cause of their disappearance is uncontrolled and over-population growth. We can preserve wild animals by preserving the forest, running afforestation  programmes, opening wild animals reserves and national parks and making strict rules to ban the hunting of the wild animals and birds.

        Wilds animals are absolutely advantageous for us. Firstly, to preserve them, we have to preserve the jungle. If we can preserve other natural calamities such as flood, landslides, desertification natural resources too. Similarly, we can lure foreign tourists if we provide them opportunities to see the wild animals. By the result, we can earn foreign currency from them. Our ecology and environment can be kept in balance by preserving wild animals.

          Some people claim that wild animals are harmful to us. They say that our domestic animals are killed and eaten by carnivorous wild animals. Some animals such as deer, elephants etc. destroy our crops and vegetables. Some of the wild animals are dangerous for human beings too.
     

     watch more images of Nepal here
 wild animals in nepal
 

Nepalese Art Of Painting

Nepalese arts, artifacts, paintings, sculptors and architecture are quite rich and famous. Our traditions and culture are also reflected in these arts and paintings. They have deep relations with the various religions and the related Gods, Goddesses and deities. Under the Nepalese handicraft include the painting, sculpture, and architecture.

Painting (Chitrakala)

Mandala

Expression of any obbject or idea in the picture is known as art of painting. The history of the Neoalese art of painting is connected with religion. It si belived that the art of painting was introduced in Nepal during the lichchhavi period. The old book, written on copper, called pragyaparmita of the 10th or 11th century is considered as the oldest book painting of Nepal. The book has paintings of Panchabuddha and Tara on one side and are paintings of Pragyaparmita, Bajrasattva and other goddesses on the other side. The 14th and 15th centuries were they apex period of the Nepalese art of paintings. Painting is believed to have started well before the sculpture. Paintings were first made and the tradition of sculptors was developed based o1n the paintings. Nepalese paintings can be divided into three main categories-book painting(Grantha Chitra), scroll painting (paubha chitra) and wall painting(bhitte chitra).

pragyaparmita

a. Grantha Chitra (Book Painting):  Paintings found in various books are the Grantha chitra. The oldest book painting of Nepal to date, Pragyaparmita also a Grantha Chitra. Such paintings were made on Tamrapatra( copper plate ), Bhojpatra ( bark of trees), etc in the golden days. Grantha Chitras are made on paper thes days.

tanka

b. Paubha Chitra (Scroll Painting):    Paintings made on the cloths are called Paubha Chitra. This is known as " Thanka" or " Tanka". Paubha Chitra is also divided into two types- Patta and Mandala. In the Patta, the main deity is in the center surrounded by other deities. Mandala consists of an object or a symbol surrounded by deities on all sides. Paubha Chitra are generally made in square or rectangular shape. The Paubha Chitra are believed to have come to Nepal from Tibet in the 11th century. Buddhists of the Mahayana are believed to have brought this tradition. Paubha Chitra or Thanka is still very popular in Nepal. This painting is being commercialized. Foreigners like this painting very much. Such paintings are quite expensive and are exported to many countries.

mandala

c. Bhitte Chitra (Wall Painting):            The paintings which are made on walls of houses, temples, monasteries, etc. are called Bhitte Chitra. Wall paintings are mostly found in the old palaces, temples, rest houses,monasteries, and other public places. It is also a general practice of people from different communities in Nepal to draw pictures or symbols of different Gods, Goddesses, and animals on walls or to hang such paintings on walls so as to ward off devils and bad omens. No matter where they are being made, they have religious meanings. According to the Hindu culture, painting or picture of a Naag (snake) is pasted every year on the door during Naag Panchami. It is also an example of Bhitte Chitra. Mithila Chitrakala widely practised in the Terai is an excellent example of Bhitte Chitra. In some places, it is also called the Madhuwani Chitrakala as it believed to have started from Madhuwani of India. This practice is very popular in Janakpur these days. Such paintings are mostly made by women and have have Gods and Goddesses like Durga, Kali, Gauri, Ganesh, Krishna, Ram, Sita, Shiva, etc. Some paintings may have animals and birds also. Just like the Thanka, such paintings are also getting popular all over the world. It is also gradually being commercialized.