Articles
![BUDDHA JAYANTI]()
BUDDHA JAYANTI 2021: A PERSONAL MEDITATION
On 26 May 2021 the Buddhist world celebrated Vesak Day—known in Nepal as Buddha Jayanti—or the birth, death and enlightenment of Buddha Sakyamuni. However, Nepal was in the middle of its second COVID wave: the national 40% RT-PCR positive average over the previous week had unenviably put the country in the global number 1 slot, making it the centre of international media attention. Louisa recounts the atmosphere and her emotions during those difficult days.
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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE ROOFTOPS OF KATHMANDU
Most of the housing in suburban Kathmandu is high-density, with four- or five-storey concrete boxes crammed onto small plots of land. Gardens are tiny, if they exist at all. This has led to the use of the flat rooftops as an extension of the house: they are places to grow plants, sit in the sun, fly kites and much more. Louisa observes and comments on this rooftop world above the streets.
Read More![A YEAR IN NEPAL]()
A YEAR IN NEPAL
The Nepali year, with its very different calendric system and a New Year in what the West would think of as being mid-April, revolves around the seasons, the agricultural cycle…and festivals! It would not be an exaggeration to say that a festival of some sort, national or local, big or small, Hindu or Buddhist, is happening somewhere in the country on any given day in the year! As a photographer, these festivals are a delight to Louisa, whilst as a writer they lead to hours of research to unearth their origins and traditions.
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ONE LEGEND, TWO FACES ,THREE NAMES
Everyone knows the name of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Most people also know that it is in the Himalayas, on the border of Nepal and Tibet. But the full story about the discovery of the mountain, its cultural significance and its names is much less well-known. Let Louisa take you through the history of this iconic and famous peak!
Read More![4 NARAYANS]()
THE FOUR NARAYANS OF THE KATHMANDU VALLEY
In ancient times, wanting Kathmandu to prosper, the rulers ordered the positioning of Vishnu/Narayan shrines at all four cardinal points from which the god could watch and protect the valley and its inhabitants. These became collectively known as the Char Narayan or Four Narayan Temples of the Kathmandu Valley. Louisa visited them in turn to uncover more of the story.
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