March 11, 2009

म्याँग्दी खोला उर्लिदा

राहुल मगर
पोर्तो,पोर्तुगल

म्याँग्दी खोला उर्लिदा,
तामे दुकुर कुर्लिदा,
मनको घाउ गैरिन्छ,
सम्झनाको तलाउमा माया तैरिन्छ,
म्याँग्दी खोला......

कामको चटारोले ऊनलाई भेट्न गा'को छैन,
कोदो रोप्दा,मकै खन्दा नसम्झेको हैन,
म्याँग्दी खोला..........
माना खाएर मूरी उमार्ने बर्षामासको महिना,
हलो जोत्दा,आली लाउदा नसम्झेको हैन,
म्याँग्दी खोला..........

कामको चापाचापले श्वास फेर्न पा'को छैन,
घाँस कात्दा,गोठ बस्दा नसम्झेको हैन,
म्याँग्दी खोला...........


March 10, 2009

तिमी सगं छुटे पछि

तिमी सगं छुटे पछि पीडा मात्र रहयो
हाँसो खुशी यो मनको कता हराई गयो

यति ठूलो ससांर पनि सून्‍य सून्‍य लाग्‍यो
आउने सबै वहार हरू उतै कतै भाग्‍यो

तिमी विना मेरो दिलमा चोट मात्र रहयो
हाँसो खुशी यो मनको कता हराई गयो

विछोडको घाऊहरू ले पोल्‍न थाल्‍यो आज
उजेलीको दिन पनि लाग्‍न थाल्‍यो साझ

तिम्‌ले छाडी जादाँ आज निराशाले छायो
हाँसो खुशी यो मनको कता हराई गयो

नरेश माङपाहाङ
फोक्‍टोन वेलायत
हाल हेल्‍मण्‍ड अफ्‍गानिस्‍तान



कुन अपराध गरे मैले

नीर्मन के एम
नांगखेल भक्तपूर (हाल हाइटी)

कुन अपराध गरे मैले, र मलाई दोषी बनायौ
कुन कुराले तर्कियौ तिमी, र मलाई इल्जाम लगायौ

निस्ठामा कुनै दाग नलगाइ, कर्म गरे भन्थे म
आफू सधैं हारी दिएर, तिमिलाई जिताउन् खोज्थे म

यो कस्तो माया हो तिम्रो, भित्रभित्रै जलाइ रहने
यो कस्तो दया हो तिम्रो, अन्यायमा न्याय नपाईने

कुन पाप गरे मैले, र मलाई सजाय दिइरह्यौ
कुन कुराले तर्कियौ तिमी, र मलाई इल्जाम लगायौ

मनमा कुनै शका नलिइ, तिमीलाई आफ्नो सम्झिरहे
पिडाको भारी बोकी रहेर, सुगम बाटो देखाइ रहे

यो कस्तो रुप हो तिम्रो, सधैं दोधारे भाषा बोल्ने
यो कस्तो जीवन हो तिम्रो, ईशारामै चलिरहने

कुन भूल गरे मैले, र नातालाई टाढा बनायौ
कुन कुराले तर्कियौ तिमी, र मलाई इल्जाम लगायौ



Caving The Manjushree Cave

नेपाल हिमालले मात्र धनी छैन ताल,निदी,गुफा आदीमा पनि उत्तीकै धनी छ। यो त तपाइ हामीले देखेको भोगेको नै हो। यस्तैमा दौतरीको मेलमा मन्जुश्री गुफाको एउटा बर्णन बारेमा आयो। हुन त यो www.visitingnepal.com भन्ने साइटमा राखिसकिएको रहेछ। तर पनि बाहिर हुनुहुने साथीहरुलाइ आफ्नो सुन्दर नेपाल सम्झन सहयोग पुगोस अथवा बिदेशी मित्रहरुलाइ नेपालको बारेमा जानकारीहोस भन्ने हेतुले दौंतरीमा राखेको छु यो मन्जुश्री गुफाको बर्णन।


Caving is a recreational sport that brings people into a world beneath ground, filled with many fascinating geological formations so unique that it seems like a whole new realm exists right beyond the entrance. Caves are an integral part of human civilization. Early Mansought shelfter from the elements and set up homes within caves, In times of war, caves have provided protection for people such as the Talivan and others during the Afgan War. Caves are also a source of mystical aor religious reverence. To the uninitiated, vavign feels like something done only by Indian Jones or Tomb Raider wannabes, With the advent of caving (or spelunking) technology, large caverns and complicated cave sstems all over the world can now be safely mapped and toured. Right here in Nepal, there are also numerous venues where caving can be done safely and with minimal fuss.

Flanking the exit point of the Bagmati River from the Kathmandu Valley, the Manjushree Cave (or Gupha) at Kirtipur-14 is located within a cliff and just 7 km from mid Kathmandu and 3 km from Ringroad, Balkhu, which together with the surrounding knoll was designated a park only a year ago. It is located along the way to Daksinkali on the south side of Kathmandu right atop the famed Chhobar Gorge. Unlike those you see in movies, the Manjushree Gupha does not have a cavernous interior filled with creepy crawlies. Ancient artifacts provably did exist within these underground spaces a long time ago as it was reputed to be a place of religious meditation for some legendary figures in Tibetan Buddhism folklore. With the passage of time, there remain only a few indications of the cave’s religious significance a neglected grotto with the characteristic soot stains on the ceiling, the indelible marks of burnt incense left by wandering sadhus, a protruding rock of a distinctive phallic shape coated with thick layers of red vermillion powder courtesy of pious worshippers of Lord Shiva.

The cave resembles more a network of tunnels, with all four entrance/exits located within the same cliff. The warren-like cave system is a result of centuries of groundwater erosion that by dissolving the minerals in rocks carved pathways through the limestone and granite interior. Caves formed gradually in this manner rarely collapse. According to kathmandu’s adventure sports professional Chandra Ale, the exploration of this system of tunnels is considered technical caving. It requires caves to be on their hands and knees as they attempt to clamber through tight spaces . In other larger caves, ropes and other specialized equipment may be needed to aid movement.

There are few places within the Manjushree Cave to stand fully upright. For most of the time, visitors are either bent over with heads almost scrapping the ceilings or bent down on their haunches, moving forward inch by inch. At some points in the tunnels, where the surrounding walls are only about a shoulder-width apart, movement slows down to a crawl, In such situations, be ready to slide along the ground like a snake, lying on your belly and hauling the body forward. At some points, the rock erosion of centuries has only managed to fashion a trapdoor size opening. With such little space to work one’s body around, it is common to suffer a few minor scratches on your stomach or bottom as well as at the elbows and knees.

Manjushree Park and Cave
Opening Hours : 7am-6pm
Cave Opening Hours: 10 am-5pm (The cave closes at 3pm in winter)
Entrance ticket includes guide, headlamp and park entrance fee.A female guide is available for all-female groups.


Certain junctions within the tunnels lead to dead ends where the only way onwards is climbing up or shuffling down 90 degrees from your current position . Though the change of direction may seem steep, the distance covered in this vertical movement is relatively short. The lack of artificial handholds, ropes or ladders, however, means having to resort to chimney climbing the use of one’s body weight to gain leverage, leaning on one’s palms or soles, to ascend or descend in a controlled manner.

Caving is not physically demanding, but do allow yourself enough time to complete the journey. Minimal strength is required as much of the route has easily discernable foot and handholds formed from the many steps and grips of others who have gone through these same caves over the centuries. The only awkward part is getting used to the low ceiling. Claustrophobics should reconsider taking up caving. In general, caving is easy so long as you do not mind getting dirty and suffering the odd minor grazes.

To get familiar with the pitch black and cramped conditions, the first few trips should be to smaller, well-explored caves that demand minimal climbing or squeezing through. Always go caving with an experienced guide; never go alone. A protective helmet and a headlamp are two vital pieces of equipment. Bring your own headgear and robust, hard hat can be used for head protection, even a biking helmet. Getting lost in a cave is probably a fear for those new to the sport. There is no need to bring along a ball of string to try and retrace our way out since the caving guides at the Manjushree Park have mapped out the cave system and are responsible for leading caving enthusiasts safely through the interior. Water droplets that seep through the rock reappear underneath along tunnel surfaces, making certain part slippery and muddy. It is advisable to wear clothes and footwear that you do not mind getting stained. To minimize abrasion and scrapes on the skin, wear long sleeved tops and long pants.

The Manjushree Cave is worth visiting to get a feel of what caving is like. If you can go through this one with little difficulty, then it will be a piece of cake when taking on the larger ones. The expanse of the cave is just right to comfortably accommodate small groups. You do not have to worry about falling from a large height, as the caves are not gaping caverns. To get to the Manjushree Cave by bus, board at Balkhu Chowk and stop in front of a big signboard that states: ‘Hearty Welcome to Manjushree Cave and Park Area’. Or, it is about an hour taxi ride from Kathmandu city centre. The cave is cool during the sweltering heat of summer and warm in the numbing chill of winter. You can cave all year round, but check ahead during the monsoon period, as a heavy downpour may resulting rainwater flooding the tunnel.

Caving as sport is still in its developmental stage in Nepal, but the potential is great, considering the endless amount of geological activity in the hills and mountains . Another famous large cave, only discovered a few decades ago, is located near Bandipur, in Tanahu District (near the Kathmandu to Pokhara highway). And, as recent as May of last year, cave in Mustang District was discovered to contain ancient Buddhist paintings of great cultural and historic value. Perhaps harboring dreams of being a real-life Indians Jones is not so far-fetched after all.
- Jalabinayak



आफ्नै पनमा

प्रबिण थापा
आफ्नै पनमा ढुकढुकिले, गीत गायो आज
उरठिलो शिशिर पछी, बहार छायो आज

धेरै पछी पत्र पाए, पटक पटक पढे
तिम्रा शब्द शब्दमा, मन रमायो आज

अनेक शंका पापी मनले, नगरेको होइन
भएभरको सबै सबै , डर हरायो आज

अचम्म लागिराछ , हर्ष को सिमा छैन
बिहानिले सुनौलो, फुल फुलायो आज

चोखो माया पाइने रहिछ, चोखो मनले गरे
मिठो अतित घुमिफिरी, फर्किएर आयो आज


March 9, 2009

गाउँखाने कथा - ६ (Nepali Gau Khane Katha)

अपडेट: जलथल र तुसारो बिच सिंगारिएको बन डुंगा हो। यसपटकको गाउँखाने कथा अली अप्ठयारो परे पनि लुना जिले मिलाउनु भएको छ। लुना जी लाइ बधाइ छ तथा उत्तर मिलाउन प्रयास गर्ने सबैलाइ धन्यबाद। अब गाउं माग्ने पालो लुना जी को। सुन्दर गाउं तातोपानि त लिइहाल्नुभयो, अब कुन सुन्दर गाउं लिने बिचार छ?
एक भाग जलथल, एक भाग तुसारो
वनै काटी वनै ताछी वनै सिंगार्यो?
के होला यस्को उत्तर??