Snow Lion Homestay

Dasai in detail 2-Phulpati

by mantru

Of the nine days of Navaratra, the first day of Ghatasthapana, the seventh day of Phulpati, the eight day Maha Astami and the ninth day Maha Nawami are of special significance in the 10 day Nepali Hindu festivals of Dashain. The worshippers do navapatrika puja, also known more popularly as phulpati, on the seventh day to ask the goddess for forgiveness for the sins committed by the family members and put an end to their difficulties and misfortunes and to bless the family with peace and well-being.Preparation for the Phulpati puja begins from the sixth day of the Navaratra. On this day, a pair of bel (wood apple) hanging from the bel tree itself is consecrated. If a tree is not available, then pair of bel is kept in the southern corner of one's household and worshiped. Bel fruit represdents goddess Shree or prosperity, one of the many manifestations of goddess Laxmi. On the seventh day or Phulpati, the above- mentioned pair of bel along with eight other plants is taken inside the Dashain Ghar or the allocated room where the Navaratra Puja is solemnized.The nine plants- banana, dadim, dhanko bala, haledo, manabriksha, kachuki, belpatra, ashok, and jayanti are collective called navapatrika.Each of the plants represents a specific manifestation of Goddess Shakti. Banana plant represents Goddess Brahmande, who bestows peace. Pomegranate (dadim) represents Goddess Rakta Dantika who helps and blesses the worshipper. In rich stalk (dhanko bala) lives Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Goddess Durga is supposed to grace the turmeric plant (haledo) and put and end to bighna-s or obstacles. Ginger plant (aduwa) represents Goddess Kalika who blesses the mortals. In bel plant lives shiva, and is the favourite fruit of Lords Bishnu and Shiva. Similarly, in the ashok plant resides Goddess shokaha Jayanti represents Goddess Kartikeya whi is revered by all Gods.In darjeeling you can see a procession which goes thru the town with cultural dances .

Darjeeling, Observatory Hill

by sachara

Observatory Hill is a holy place for Hindus and Buddhists. There are small temples and many prayerflags.
The view from the Obsevatory Hill at the tea gardens and the city with always the Himalayan mountains at the background is fantastic.

Ava art gallery

by mantru

When you talk about darjeeling very few people will inform you about Ava Art Gallery,I have passed that way umpteen times but was fortunate to see the dispaly only once.Ava Devi was an artist who has made some of the finest embroidery on cloth its amazing to see those pieces.You hardly get to see it otherwise.

About 2 km from town on the way to Ghoom. It houses fine art and embroidery work of Mrs. Ava Devi.
Timing 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

darjeeling-queen of hills

by mantru

"Darjeeling town"

Its the queen of the hills and my hometown so its the most beautiful place for me.....though it is crowded its nice to spend your holidays lazying around.......
Darjeeling produces the famous darjeeling teas,one of the worlds finest.......we people dont get to see the fimest teas in india(ha ha).It is also home to himalayan railway ,a world heritage site.You can try trekking,and rafting as well....alittle info on darjeeling......
The name "Darjeeling" is a combination of the Tibetan words Dorje ("thunderbolt") and ling ("place"), translating to "The land of the thunderbolt."[1] During the British Raj in India, Darjeeling's temperate climate led to its development as a hill station (hill town) for British residents to escape the heat of the plains during the summers.

Darjeeling is internationally famous for its tea industry and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tea plantations date back to the mid 19th century as part of a British development of the area. The tea growers of the area developed distinctive hybrids of black tea and fermenting techniques, with many blends considered among the world's finest.[2] The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway connecting the town with the plains was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 and is one of the few steam engines still in service in India.

Darjeeling has several British-style public schools, which attract students from many parts of India and neighbouring countries

"My village"

This is my village as it is in the slope you can see the number of houses increasing day by day..............but luckly we still see clear blue sky...which i miss alot while in delhi..........

"Tree tomato"

I guess this fruit is typically of the hills..its called rukh tamatar rukh means tree tamatar of course is tomato.......its delicious.......how i used to steal it when i was a kid and my grandfather would chase me for picking the fruit still unripe...ha ha those days were so good.............