Thursday, July 28, 2011

World Heritage Sites and Nepal

There are some gifted items either man-made or naturally endowed which are so beautiful/important not only to some particular people or nation but to the world. The legacy of  our forefathers are both culture and natural heritage. These global entities are designated as the World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO. Till date there are 936 in the list. Followings are the breakdown:  
Cultural World Heritage Sites-725 
Natural World Heritage Sites-183
Mixed World Heritage Sites-28.

These world heritage sites are indicators of  global importance of site so it is a matter of pride for each country to have as many sites as possible in the list. Protecting and nurturing of designated site is duty of each country and person in the world so it is good for the developing nations to be enlisted as this will enhance their chance to get international support for the cultural and natural heritage conservation.

Regarding Nepal, there are 10 world heritage sites. 7 sites are located in the Kathmandu valley (in hilly region), 1 in Himalayan region and 2 in plain region. Details is as follows:

  1. Kathmandu Valley (7 heritage sites)
  2. Sagarmatha National Park
  3. Royal Chitwan National Park
  4. Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha

Sites in Kathmandu valley are Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu), Patan and Bhaktapur, the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhu and Bauddhanath and the Hindu temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan. Sagarmatha (Nepali name of Mt. Everest) houses the highest peak in the world and is rich in flora and fauna. Royal Chitwan National Park is famous for one horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal tiger and crocodile. Lumbini, being the   Birthplace of the Lord Buddha, is sacred not only to Buddhist but also to all peace loving people.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Red Sun and Moon (Rato Chandra Ra Surya)

Government of Nepal has decided to honour the creators of very popular national song Rato ra chhandra surya (Red Sun and Moon). Writer late Gopal Prasad Rimal and musician/singer Amber Gurung  will be honored with  Mahasenani post (Colonel) of Nepal Army along with cash reward while  side singer Fatehman will be honored with cash reward.

The song is like this 

Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro 
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro

Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro 
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro 
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya

 
Himal jhain aatal yo, jhukena ko kahile
Latrana yo kahile, jungi nishan hamro
Yo janmadai jagat ma kayoun prahara aaye
Samrajya dubi hare, harena shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro 
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya
 


Jaba samma chhandra surya aakash ma rahanchha
Taba samma hunchha aafnai rato ragar yo hamro
Gai sari chhan sankhu jo jo yahan jagat ma
Sabako saran baljhiyo jungi nishan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro 
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro 
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya


It is to be noted that this song is used as Nepal Army as the army song.