Strolling along the ancient streets

Today is exactly one year since the big earthquake here in Nepal...We still experience aftershocks now and then, there are still not demolished buildings here and there, there are still thousands of people living in tents. The death toll from the quake has reached 9053 and 255 persons are still considered missing, 111 of them foreigners from 25 countries.
On Saturday we decided to visit Bhaktapur, one of the towns of the Kathmandu valley that was damaged the most. This ancient town has always been famous for its unique architecture, temples, stculptures and works of wood carving. It was nice to see that though wounded, the town is still alive and  hasn't lost its charm and beauty.

Court dress in Burma, Nepal and Sri Lanka

Throughout history there has always been significant difference between the costume of nobles and that of ordinary people. In many countries there were special laws that dictated what could or could not be worn by who. For those who appeared at court requiries were even more specific and more strict. My today's post is about interesting examples of court dress in the 19th century Burma, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Fashion photography from Nepal

Can't help but sharing with you these wondeful photographs taken in Nepal by Erik Almas for a Norwegian clothing designer Leila Hafzi (and she is the model on all the photos). These are the most beautiful fashion photographs taken in this country that I have seen so far. Please visit Erik Almas's blog to see more amazing photos as well as Behind the Scenes video.

Jewelry for Hindu deities

Adorned image of Khadga Jogini Goddess of Sankhu, Nepal

In Hinduism images of deities are traditionally decorated with jewelry. According to Hindu belief all precious metals and gem stones are believed to be ritually pure and any pollution or contamination they may catch is removed simply by washing. So such adornments are suitable for deities decoration.
The purpose of adorning the deity image with jewelry is to impress the mind of the viewer to whom such a show of wealth is awe inspiring.

You never know with nature

Just a few days ago I read a scientific article that said that possibility of major earthquake (7 and higher) in Nepal in the coming week was just 0.1%. And today, when I was about to do a new post on my blog, it hit the country again, the major one, 7.3. The odds were so small and still it happened. It is really nerve-racking. People had just started to calm down and now this...
Again there is a chaos in the streets, again all the shops are closed, again everybody is scared, again there is no electricity. At least, internet and phone network still work.
Just yesterday we went to a small town on the outskirts of Kathmandu, to give some relief material to people in need. Every family in our neighbourhood as well as my husband's organisation donated some money and we bought rice, lentils, oil, sugar, salt, mattresses, blankets and zing sheets. This used to be a charming medieval town, I had visited it before one time during a local festival. And this is how it looks now. So heart breaking...

Anarkali maxi dress and post-quake wedding

On Sunday we attended a first post-quake festive event: a wedding at our neighbourhood. The party was cancelled but they decided to go ahead with the ceremony after all. Of course, there was no music and dancing, no fancy food. Everything was organised in a quiet, homely manner. I still had not felt like dressing up but for the ceremony I simply had to. And I am glad I did, it really cheered me up. And though there was still tension on the faces and in the eyes of those who came for the event, it was really nice to get together, to forget for a while about what everybody has been through recently. I think people needed it.