Now you can paraglide right here in Kathmandu
The adventure sport of paragliding has for many years been one of Pokhara’s major attractions. But now, paragliding has also been introduced in the Kathmandu valley in places such as Deurali Bhanjyang and Godawari, where it has been gaining in popularity among domestic and foreign tourists alike.
Shankharapura Paragliding, a company that runs the sport in Kathmandu, has been successful in breaking Pokhara’s monopoly on paragliding and creating a new market, thereby proving that commercial paragliding is viable in the national capital.
Established in 2013, Shankharapura Paragliding has already catered to hundreds of adventurers. The number of tourists enjoying paragliding in Kathmandu has almost doubled in the past couple of years—from about 400 annual fliers a few years ago to about 800 now. Not long ago, starting a paragliding business in the Kathmandu Valley seemed a waste of money. But the success story of Shankharapura Paragliding has proven that notion wrong.
Shankharapura Paragliding offers solo and tandem flights for its customers. “We have invested about 500 million in infrastructure, land acquisition and other expenses,” says Sharan Adhikari, its head of operations.
Every day, Shankharapura paragliding offers 16 flights, which last anywhere between 20 to 40 minutes. The take-off point is Deurali in Shankarpura village, at a distance of 5 km from Nagarkot and 25 km from Thamel. Deurali is situated at an altitude of 2,100 meters above sea level. The landing takes place at Patap, which is a 30-minute ride in an off-road vehicle from the take-off point.
The flight offers majestic aerial views of the mountains, hills, rivers, the lush green countryside, as well as the city’s bustling traffic, giving flyers an ‘unforgettable experience’.
The flight offers majestic aerial views of the mountains, hills, rivers and the lush green countryside
Shankharapura’s economy has been transformed too. The increase in the number of visitors means locals have more business opportunities. Hotels, homestays and eateries in the area are doing brisk business. Further, the company has trained and employed four local youths as pilots.
“We have good relations with the locals, who have been supportive since the very beginning,” says Adhikari. “We aren’t very happy with government bodies though. There is a lack of assistance and support from the government, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the National Association of Travel Agents (NATA), the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) in promoting paragliding in Kathmandu.”
Kalyan K.C., a BBS student from Maharajgunj, says that Shankharapura Paragliding has helped him fulfill his long-cherished dream of enjoying paragliding.
Imran Bashir, a Pakistani student, was thrilled to enjoy paragliding in Kathmandu. “Initially, I had planned to do it in Pokhara as I was not aware of paragliding in Kathmandu. My tour agent informed me about Shankharapura Paragliding, so I was able to experience the thrill here,” says Bashir.
Despite attaining a measure of success, the company is not fully satisfied, as it has not been able to make expected profits. Currently, it offers a package of Rs. 10,000 to foreigners, which includes two-way transport, photography/videography services and a lunch, besides the flight costs. Nepalis get the same package for half the price, and students get another 20 percent discount. Also, on the occasion of the Valentine’s Day, the company providing a 20 percent discount.
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Bound by tradition
For Nepali women, cultural and religious rituals are expected to be part of our daily lives. Major festivals like Teej, Chhath, Swasthani Brata, Gaura Parva among others, punctuate the year. This year, the recitation of Swasthani Brata Katha, which is dedicated to Goddess Swasthani, started on Poush Shukla Purnima ( Jan 21, a full moon day) and ended on Magh Shukla Purnima (Feb 19, 2019, another full moon day). The month-long Swasthani celebrations were marked by daily fasts and recitation of mythological stories.
These festivals, including Swasthani, require women to perform all sorts of rituals, including strict fasting in the name of god, our families, our husbands, and our children. I have always questioned these practices in my own life. Why don’t the men fast in the name of their wives and children? On these festivals, I choose to go out and take photographs. I talk to women and ask them questions about why they are doing what they are doing.
Baber Mahal Revisited—Again
Unfortunately, despite its amazing history, glorious good looks and interesting shops, it does seem as though Baber Mahal Revisited (BMR) needs a bit of refreshing. Even as recently as 10 years ago, it saw many more visitors. So what has gone wrong? It doesn’t appear to be the complex itself. Could it be a change in shopping habits with the opening of new, glass-fronted malls? Or the dreadful traffic that makes customers think twice about heading to somewhere that is, let’s face it, in the middle of nowhere? Whatever it is I hope this review will inspire you to visit!
Situated between Singha Durbar and Maitighar Mandala, I’m sure you have been there. But when was the last time you really paid attention to the beautiful architecture as you rushed towards your favourite shop or restaurant?
You may know that BMR was created around 1996/97. But are you also aware that BMR pays homage to the Rana palaces that were built throughout Kathmandu during the 1800s to the mid-1900s? This being the period when the Rana dynasty rose and fell; the founder being the infamous Jung Bahadur Rana (1817-1877).
What you might not know, however, is that Baber Mahal Revisited takes its name from the original Baber Mahal (later becoming the Department of Roads), built by Field-Marshal Maharaja Chandra Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana in 1910 for his son. As these Rana palaces with their European Neoclassical and Baroque architecture were built on vast expanses of landscaped grounds, it’s not hard to visualise why the original palace stables and guard house is now part of Baber Mahal Revisited.
If you really know your Rana palaces, you will know that BMR is not just simply an old cow shed and guard room with some new building constructed around about. No, it’s a complex copying and recreating some of the great Rana palaces; sculptured with a great deal of planning, research, and love.
The entrance to the complex is a small replica of the entrance to Singha Durbar. The first courtyard’s façade is a copy of the Thapathali Durbar, with its Mughal touches and pati. One side of the biggest courtyard, the Mul Chowk, is a replica of Babar Mahal Durbar. Those former cowsheds now house boutique shops in what is known as the galli. Another small courtyard is in the style of less grand townhouses of the period. The windows taken from actual shop fronts in Patan, representing both Asian and European architectural styles. The original guard house stands over by Chez Caroline restaurant, housing more shops. Still want to rush past?
One side of the biggest courtyard, the Mul Chowk, is a replica of Baber Mahal Durbar
Yes, you’ve probably eaten at the great French restaurant, running since BMR opened. I’m sure you have attended an art event at Siddhartha Gallery. But have you seen the Elephant House at the other end of the gullie that sells everything elephant? Elephant statues, elephant necklaces, elephant cuff links, elephant napkin rings, elephant mugs, elephant bottle openers, and did I mention elephants? Next door the Japanese Whisky House might have escaped your attention too. And you might wish it had stayed that way when you see the price tags!
Yamazaki single malt from the distillery near Kyoto is indeed for the (rich) connoisseur, with prices that range in the laks of rupees. Take a moment to discover the hidden terrace hidden within Bawarchi restaurant, where you can partake of a less expensive spirit. Or go upstairs (above Chez Caroline) to Pipalbot where the welcoming owner may offer a cup of Tibetan or Nepali tea while you discuss an up-coming catered gathering, surrounded by Tenzing Norbu prints, silver trinkets, rugs, and wall hangings. There is even heritage-inspired accommodation in the form of Baber Mahal Vilas, run by BMR’s owners, and the discrete, boutique, 3 Rooms by Pauline, run by a French entrepreneur.
With so much on offer, how can we not Revisit?
Rocking with the band
It is not strange to see a popular Nepali singer take the stage with a backing track, and without a band. Then there are other young singers who, accompanied by a single acoustic guitar and a loop station, perform for the audience, eliminating the need for musicians to back them up. As lucrative as this may be for individual singers, the audience may then miss out on power-packed performance of a real band onstage. Musicians will suffer. But who cares so long as the singers are making money? A singer who does is Kengal Meher Shrestha, popularly known as “Kenny” among her friends and followers. A top contestant of the first Nepal Idol, Kengal became a household name through the reality show, thanks to her energetic stage performance and powerful vocals. Her claim to fame came from her ability to recreate unforgettable versions of famous Nepali songs in her live performances, and she sure was able to cash in on the popularity by travelling the world on concert tours with her fellow contestants.
But Kengal wants the world to know that doing covers on music tracks is not her thing. She now wants to continue something she had been doing before reality TV made her popular—be part of a band again. Thus the formation of Type III with former band members and close friends Carey Maharjan on drums, Sunny Raj Shrestha on guitars and Laxu Prajapati on bass.
“I was more into performing with a band ever since I started singing, and much before Nepal Idol happened. I used to perform with Carey, Sunny and other members,” Kengal says. “I know how hard we worked together to make good music in the initial days and there is always a sentimental attachment between the members. We are like a family.” Kengal, Sunny and Carey, all in their mid-20s, go back to 2011 when they were trying to enter the music scene and looking for like-minded musicians to collaborate.
The road to band-formation has not been easy for Kengal though. “My image as a solo singer definitely doesn’t help. It has been difficult to promote the band only by its name,” says Kengal, who doesn’t want to prefix the band with her name unlike many other popular singers. Being a part of a new act without using her already popular name is obviously a challenge.
Type III is working on its original music and is ready to hit the studios with a few singles
But despite the challenges of putting together musicians from different backgrounds, petty arguments, and managing time for compositions and rehearsals, Type III members believe sheer love of music and team spirit will pull them through. Type III is just a name, the members say, and they chose it because it had a nice ring to it. They define their music as alternative rock, highly influenced by the American female-fronted band Evanescence. Type III is working on its original music and is ready to hit the studios with a few singles and eventually an album. It is also performing live at every opportunity it gets and definitely wowing the audience.
Type III also featured in The Annapurna Express Music Fest on Feb 9 at Tangalwood, Kathmandu where the band impressed one and all with its heavy sounds and tight performance. There are still only a handful of female-fronted rock bands in the country. Therein lies great potential for Type III.
