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Ramesh Gautam, in his early thirties, was living a fast-paced life juggling multiple responsibilities. A teacher by profession, he had recently ventured into the restaurant business using his family’s savings, all while raising his young daughter. The mounting stress from his professional and personal life soon became overwhelming, leading him to turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism. He began drinking heavily, returning home late at night, and rushing to school the next morning while still battling hangovers.

“I noticed I was becoming more irritable, struggling to sleep, and missing out on precious time with my daughter. My parents began to lose faith in my ability to manage the business, and my performance at school started to suffer,” Gautam recalled.

It was during this challenging phase that his cousin, a Pranic Healer, suggested he try Pranic Healing to address his struggles. Taking her advice, Gautam began attending sessions three times a week, each lasting about 45 minutes, for several weeks.

His cousin worked on his aura and chakras—without any physical contact or medication—using Pranic Healing techniques. After a few sessions, she introduced Pranic Distance Healing, allowing Gautam to receive healing energy even while at home.

“I started thinking more clearly and became more mindful of how my decisions impacted different aspects of my life. My business began to expand, and I made the decision to quit alcohol. One night, I was at my restaurant with friends until 2 a.m., and for the first time, I was able to say no to alcohol without feeling the urge to drink. That was a turning point for me,” Gautam shared.

Pranic Healing is an ancient science and art that utilizes Prana (life energy) to heal the body and emotions. It addresses a wide range of physical ailments, such as migraines, diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, arthritis, and even chronic conditions like cancer and heart disease. It also helps with emotional and mental challenges, including stress, addiction, phobias, depression, low self-esteem, ADHD, and autism.

The practice is based on the concept that every individual has an energy body composed of chakras, auras, and meridians. When illness occurs, certain parts of this energy body become imbalanced. A Pranic Healer works to remove diseased energy and replenish the affected areas with fresh Prana, facilitating healing. Notably, Pranic Healing is a no-touch, no-drug system and can even be applied remotely.

Modern Pranic Healing was systematized by Master Choa Kok Sui in 1987. A chemical engineer, businessman, and spiritual teacher, Master Choa authored over 20 books on the subject. Today, Pranic Healing is practiced in more than 120 countries worldwide.

In Nepal, Pranic Healing gained traction in the early 2010s. The Pranic Healing Yoga Nepal Trust now offers healing services, meditation sessions, and spiritual courses. To date, over 3,000 students have learned Pranic Healing in Nepal, with more than 50 becoming certified professionals. The country now boasts over 14 Pranic Healing centers, and practices like Twin Hearts Meditation—a powerful technique developed by Master Choa—have reached over 10,000 people in Nepal.

It’s important to note that Pranic Healing is not a replacement for modern medicine but rather a complementary practice. Pranic Healers do not interfere with medical treatments, and many doctors themselves incorporate Pranic Healing into their work.

For those facing health or mental health challenges, Pranic Healing offers a holistic approach to healing. Additionally, individuals interested in spirituality and self-improvement can explore courses like Achieving Oneness with the Higher Soul and Arhatic Yoga. Beginners can also enroll in a two-day Basic Pranic Healing course, where they can experience healing, learn to sense auras and chakras, and witness the transformative power of this practice firsthand.

Gautam’s story is a testament to the potential of Pranic Healing to bring about profound personal transformation, offering hope and healing to those seeking balance in their lives.

The Newar community, indigenous to the Kathmandu Valley, is known for their rich culture, artistic heritage, and deep-rooted traditions. Among the many aspects of Newari or Newa culture, jewelry holds a special place. Newari jewelry is more than mere ornamentation; it reflects history, craftsmanship, spirituality, and social identity.

Adorned by Newari women during festivals, ceremonies, and daily life, these intricate pieces of jewelry carry symbolic meanings that connect them to their ancestors and gods. Crafted in gold, silver, and precious stones, each piece tells a story of tradition, skill, and devotion. Beyond jewelry, Newari culture is an amalgamation of ancient customs, unique festivals, traditional attire, and architectural marvels that have stood the test of time.

This article delves into the beauty of Newari jewelry and explores the essence of Newari culture, providing insight into the traditions that define this remarkable community.

Legacy of Newari jewelry

Newari jewelry has a history dating back centuries, influenced by Hindu and Buddhist traditions. These ornaments are often handcrafted by skilled artisans, using age-old techniques passed down through generations. Newari jewelry is diverse, with different pieces worn for separate occasions. Some of the most popular types of jewelry include:

• Kantha

Kantha is a thick gold necklace, often designed with intricate patterns. It is worn by married Newari women, symbolizing prosperity, and social status.

• Tayo

Tayo is one of the most iconic pieces of Newari jewelry. This large, crescent-shaped pendant, often made of gold, features intricate designs, and is associated with wealth and good fortune. It is commonly worn by Newari women during festivals and weddings.

• Makashi

Makashi, or gold headpieces, are worn by Newari brides and young girls during special ceremonies. These ornate head ornaments enhance beauty while also signifying purity and cultural pride.

• Pata

Pata is a type of wide, gold choker necklace often worn during significant occasions. It is crafted with fine detailing, showcasing the craftsmanship of Newari artisans.

• Naugedi

Naugedi consists of multiple gold beads strung together into a necklace. It is a commonly worn ornament by Newari women, symbolizing elegance, and prosperity.

• Har

Har is a long necklace made of gold and beads, often worn with traditional attire. This piece adds to the graceful and royal appearance of Newari women.

• Bulaki

Bulaki is a small gold ornament worn on the nose. It is especially significant for elderly Newari women and carries religious importance.

• Tilhari

Tilhari is a traditional necklace worn by married women. It consists of a long string of red beads with gold cylindrical pendants, representing marital status and longevity.

Symbolism and spiritual significance

Newari jewelry is not just about adornment; each piece has a cultural and spiritual significance. Many ornaments are inspired by Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, incorporating motifs of deities, lotus flowers, and other sacred symbols. For example, Tayo represents good fortune and is believed to bring protection and blessings from the gods. Similarly, gold jewelry is often considered auspicious and plays a vital role in marriage ceremonies and religious rituals.

Artisans behind the craft

The creation of Newari jewelry is a meticulous process conducted by skilled artisans, primarily from the Shakya and Sunar castes. These craftsmen use traditional hand tools and techniques to mold gold and silver into exquisite designs. Many families have been in the jewelry-making profession for generations, preserving the craftsmanship and knowledge of this art.

Despite modern influences, the demand for handmade Newari jewelry remains high, both within Nepal and internationally. Newari jewelers continue to practice their craft, blending tradition with contemporary aesthetics to appeal to a wider audience.

Essence of Newari culture

Newari culture is one of the most vibrant and well-preserved cultures in Nepal. It encompasses unique traditions, cuisine, festivals, language, and architecture, making it a significant part of Nepal’s heritage.

• Language and literature

The Newars have their own language, Nepal Bhasa (Newar language), which has a rich literary history. It has been used in inscriptions, religious texts, and folk tales for centuries. Newari manuscripts, written in scripts such as Ranjana and Prachalit, highlight the intellectual depth of this community.

• Traditional attire

Newari clothing reflects the beauty and grace of their culture. Women traditionally wear a Haku Patasi, a black sari with a red border, accompanied by a shawl. During special occasions, they adorn themselves with elaborate jewelry. Men wear Daura Suruwal along with a traditional Newari cap, known as Topy.

Bridal attire in Newari culture is particularly elaborate, featuring luxurious fabrics, gold jewelry, and intricate headpieces. The combination of attire and ornaments creates a majestic look for Newari brides.

Newari culture is a living testament to Nepal’s rich heritage, blending spirituality, tradition, and artistic excellence. From vibrant festivals and intricate architecture to exquisite jewelry and flavorful cuisine, every aspect of Newari life reflects a deep-rooted connection to history and community. Despite modernization, the Newar people continue to preserve their unique customs, ensuring that their cultural identity remains strong for future generations. As one of the most significant cultural groups in Nepal, the Newars not only contribute to the nation’s historical legacy but also serve as a symbol of resilience, creativity, and devotion.

For years after I got married and moved into my own home, I tried to do what my mother has always done: maintain a lush beautiful garden. I didn’t have much space so I bought a lot of pots and planters and took to turning our balcony into a tiny green oasis. I also placed plants strategically around the house, in the living room and the bedroom. I bought expensive plants, considering them to be one-time investments, got cuttings from mom and some friends, and even tried my luck with some seeds.

When it was all done and in place, it looked beautiful. I had a variety of indoor and outdoor plants as well as herbs and chili growing in containers along the kitchen window sill. I thought I was sorted. Till they eventually began to droop and die, one by one. By the end of two years, my initially lush snake plant, that I had bought for an eye-watering amount, had one lone stem standing.

I didn’t give up. I bought more plants and quickly had the situation under control. The pots were looking full and luscious once again. But the same thing would happen. After a while in our apartment, the plants just didn’t look as happy and healthy as they did when I had first gotten them. They started losing their fullness, developing patches on the leaves, and turning yellow.

I did everything I could to save my plants. I searched for information online to figure out what I was doing wrong. I asked my mother and friends for advice. I downloaded an app that I could use to take and upload a photo of my plants and it would give me detailed care instructions for them.  At one point, I even tried talking to them and then eventually ignoring them wondering if it was the extra attention that was making them act up. But nothing worked. They would all wither and die and I would have to get new ones again.

I took comfort in the fact that there were many people like me out there. I have a friend who always says she’s in a short-term relationship whenever she gets a new plant. When it dies, she says she’s going through a breakup. A colleague says he and his wife have finally given in and bought some ‘real-looking’ fake plants for their living space. It doesn’t need watering and fertilizing. And they don’t have to worry it might die. All it needs, they say, is a good wipe down once in a while and it looks good. Minimal effort, maximum effect, they say.

I was tempted to buy one myself. After all, in the long run, even the most expensive one would be far cheaper than buying a real Peace Lily every few months. Some of these fake plants that look almost real (in one case, my husband even tried to tear a leaf because he thought it was real) cost upwards of Rs 8,000. I’ve considered buying one that I thought would look great in our living room and it was priced at a whopping Rs 15,000. I think there’s a market for fake plants since there are many plant murderers like me.

But my mother studied Botany and I’m her daughter. I couldn’t buy fake plants and dishonor her like that. That was my illogical reasoning. I couldn’t just give up. And so, when we shifted homes three years ago, I tried again. I pretty much vowed this would be the last time I’d buy plants as a new home had pretty much siphoned our finances. And so, I bought everything again. From the expensive Snake Plant to the hard-to-maintain Chrysanthemums, I went all out. But this time, I also bought the right gardening mix and good quality fertilizers. I repotted the plants instead of just placing them around the house in the containers they came in. Much like I did before, I started googling and learning about the different kinds of plants and their requirements. I was determined to see my plants thrive.

And so far, I’m happy to report that, with the exception of one or two, they are all thriving really well. A well-lit house helps, I’ve realized. Most indoor plants need a lot of natural light. They also don’t like to be overcrowded. Plants that are on their own or with just another one for company seem to thrive better than plants that are clustered together. There’s also really no need to water them every day or even every other day. If possible, open the windows to let in fresh air as plants seem to like that. It’s also a good idea to spray water on their leaves every now and then, apart from the usual watering.

A relative came home during our homewarning and said that he’d like to see what happened to the plants in a few months time. The scorn was evident in his voice. I think I wanted to prove him wrong so badly that this time whenever I’ve noticed a plant behaving weirdly, I’ve almost instantly replanted them or shifted them to a new place. I’ve come to realize that most plants don’t thrive because their lighting requirements aren’t met or because something is off with the soil.

Repotting or moving a withering plant to well lit or a spot that doesn’t get direct light has often done the trick and saved them from dying. Along with that, it’s also quite important to get their watering needs right. Some plants need moist soil while some have to completely dry out between watering sessions. There are good guides on various plants’ light, water, and fertilizer requirements on the internet and following it has worked to my advantage. I also find talking with a local gardener or nursery owner helps. They are able to tell you what is wrong with a plant by looking at them. I’ve often shown them pictures of my plants and the advice they have given me has worked wonders in ensuring they grow really well.

It’s disheartening when your plants wilt and don’t look lush but don’t give up. It’s quite common for them to look a little frail during winter but that doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t look healthy and lush when the season changes and it’s bright and warm. More often than not, people also tend to replace plants without giving them enough time to recover. Gardening requires patience and practice and it can be extremely rewarding to see something you have brought in and taken care of thrive and grow.

Here the stories of every trekking route are written by the feet of the trekkers and every trekking route writes the new stories of the footsloggers. There are many trekking routes in Nepal which unfold various facets of nature along with challenges in front of the trappers. And the same surviving obstacles and challenges help them become stronger and succeed in their careers.

Langtang Valley or Lamtang Valley trek is one of the popular trekking routes of Nepal which not only give you a life-time experience but also take you up close to various towering snow capped mountains in a short period of time.

This time, with a short plan and preparations, I along with my friends decided to trek to and explore Langtang Valley.

As per the plan, we reserved a Bolero jeep. As we left the bustling streets of Kathmandu behind, the city slowly gave way to lush greenery and serene landscapes.

While we were discussing the place to have lunch, our jeep faced mechanical issues and got stuck in the middle of the road at Dharapani. We had no choice but to wait for another vehicle to pick us up. The driver said that we had to wait for around three hours for the vehicle. In the meantime, we had noodles as lunch and took photos and videos of the place for memory.

After the jeep arrived, we shifted our belongings to the new vehicle. The driver was congenial. He explained to us the stories behind the popular places on the way to Syabrubesi, the first stop of our jaunt. He even booked a hotel for us in Syabrubesi, a small town that serves as the gateway to Langtang Valley.

When we reached our hotel at Syabrubesi, we ordered our dinner as we were so exhausted after a long journey and went to bed.

The next morning, we packed all our possessions, had breakfast and got ready to start the slog. The morning was bright and cheerful. The trek started with the breathtaking and tranquil views of Bhotekoshi river. We walked by the river through a dense forest in between the hills for around three hours before stopping at Bamboo for lunch. Having a perfect lunch basking in the sun in the winter season with good friends after a long hike was really a delightful experience.

We had already booked rooms at the Friendly Guest House in Lama Hotel for that day. As we had enough time, we did not rush our way up. We were walking up and down enjoying trails in the forest rich in biodiversity, cascading waterfalls and melodic sounds of birds chirping.

When we reached Lama Hotel, it was around 4 pm. We ordered our dinner and went directly to the dining hall to sit around the fire. The cold was unbearable. Some of my friends started making foreign friends, thanks to their friendly behavior.

We had to walk around 10 hours the following day. So, we went to bed early.

The next day, the morning was cold and slightly misty. We had our breakfast and started the trek. The destination for that day was Kyanjin Gumba, the last stop of Langtang Valley trek. The trail was quite steep compared to the previous day but the dramatic and scenic views of the river, mountains and forest made us reenergized.

After walking for around two hours, we reached Riverside, a popular stopper for trekkers on the way to Langtang Valley. Surrounded by pine trees, the place is on the level of the river and has two tea houses.

The distance from Riverside to Ghodatable, another stopper for the trekkers, is around two hours.

We decided to have our lunch there. The trail from Ghodatabela to Langtang Village is quite easy and passes through traditional villages and a monastery. We can see various species of rhododendron trees, small pine and juniper trees.

Upon reaching the Langtang Village, we saw a big open ground where yaks were grazing without herder and any fear. We took around half-an-hour rest there enjoying the view.

When we were heading towards Kyanjin Gumba from Langtang Village, we saw a magical view of sunset. It was glorious and eye striking. The view had left us spellbound.

When the sun was going down, it painted the sky with vibrant colors. It changed its color from creamy yellow to fiery red, light pink and glowing orange.

That beautiful sunset brightened all our moods and even helped us forget our fatigue. We were lost in the moment gazing at the sunset.

Meanwhile, many acclaimed artists, poets and musicians in the world have been inspired by the sunsets. They have even depicted sunsets in their work to evoke feelings.

It was getting dark. But we were quite far from our destination. We turned on our headlights in order to see the way clearly. On one hand it was fun waking in the dark with the support of lights, but on the other hand we were in dire need to reach the hotel as we were hit hard by the cold wave.

In the meantime, when we crossed a small hillock. We saw a village illuminated with lights. There were big and tall buildings with every kind of facility. It was like a city. We had not thought even in our dreams about that kind of developed village far from the Capital in the lap of mountains.

All of a sudden, one of our friends looked up to the sky and admonished us to glance there. Oh my god, what a view, we saw the unreal view of stars covering the sky, which stopped us in the trail for some time.

Like every day, we kept our belongings in the rooms and went directly to the dining hall to sit around the fire to keep ourselves warm. We had our dinner and went to bed.

The next day, we woke up early in the morning to leave for Kyanjin Ri. Kyanjin Ri is divided into two parts: Lower Kyanjin Ri (4,360 meters) from sea level and Upper Kyanjin Ri (4,773 meters).

Soon we began to trek, we climbed steeply on stone stairways and along the rugged trails for around three hours to reach Lower Kyanjin Ri. It was quite hard but we made it to the top. That day, we were heading to 4,700 meters from 3,800 meters.

Upon reaching there, the Langtang Himalayan Range, which had disappeared with the darkness a day before, started smiling with the ray of sunlight in the morning. We also responded with a bright smile.

The journey was not that easy. Sometimes, the feet used to hesitate to take a step ahead. There was the world of mountains. That is why, though we were tired of walking, no one was in a mood to stop. We kept on walking. When we looked down at the Kanjin Village and Kanjin Gumba, they were basking in the sun with a peaceful countenance.

We had our breakfast at Lower Kanjin Ri as we had carried all the essentials for the same. While having breakfast, Upper Kanjin Ri was also calling us to show its splendor. We rested as much as our body needed at Lower Kyanjin Ri. In spite of having difficulties in breathing, we reached Upper Kyanjin Ri, which we were proud of.

While descending, we took a different path which was less steep and much easier than the way we took to reach the view point.

This trek became a special one. Firstly, the body got good exercise. Secondly, Eyes got to see new and jaw-dropping panoramic views. Thirdly, we got to meet new people and make friends.

Trekking is not just about walking. It is a medium to explore ourselves and the country.

In conclusion, trekking through ethereal forest trails and quaint villages talking with friendly locals, watching sparkling rivers, gigantic snow capped mountains and rhododendron trees would no wonder attract travelers and trekkers from all over the world. Ancient Kyanjin Gumba is also one the attractions of the Langtang trek, where people can meditate, enjoy the art and architecture and soak in the serene beauty and ambience. Lastly, walking up to the Lower and Upper Kyanjin Ri would unquestionably offer an awe-inspiring panoramic view of Langtang Himalayan Range, that will leave anyone speechless.

So, right away, pack your bags to deep dive into nature and to discover the magic of Langtang.

Photos: Achitra Thieng