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Getting people to take Covid-19 seriously has been tough right around the world, and it’s no different in Nepal. Even during the four months of rather strict lockdown from March to June 2020, you could spot plenty of people milling about as if things were perfectly fine. Not only did they abjure masks, they crowded public places and spat with impunity.

Things have only gotten worse following the end of the official lockdown. Most government, business and education establishments have reopened, as have public transport services. With every passing day, fewer and fewer people can be seen in masks, even as our public buses and microbuses are again brimful with passengers.

Perhaps the availability of vaccines makes them doubly complacent. But then as of this writing under five percent of the country’s population had gotten the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, of around 500,000 registered vehicles in Kathmandu valley, most are back on the road. Social distancing and masks are mandatory on public transport and yet hardly anyone seems to be following these anti-corona norms.
In this photo story, we try to capture the unruly and crowded state of Kathmandu valley’s public transport, which is perhaps the biggest spreader of the virus.

If you could do just one thing for the whole day, what would it be?
I would spend my whole day under water. I love the underwater world.

What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
Cricket.

What’s one thing you’re excited about that’s coming up in 2021?
Getting back to normal life and performing in front of live audiences.

If you could spend a day in someone else’s shoes, whose would they be? Why?
I would love to spend a day as a monk to get a feel of how they cope with the chaos around them.

If you could instantly become an expert at something, what would it be?
Music, of course.

First celebrity crush?
Melina Manandhar :)

Facebook or Twitter?
Twitter.

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever eaten?
Weed Curry

If you were the ruler of your country what would be the first law you would introduce?
Death sentence for corrupt bureaucrats and politicians.

If you could join any past or current music group?
It would be Mekaal Hasan Band.

Although the Tokha Urban Farm is yet to officially open and there is still work to be done, the place is already filling up with customers, especially at weekends. Located at Chandeshwari, Tokha, the farm started becoming popular during the lockdown period, as soon as it began posting on social media about its ongoing construction. Now, the business seems to be thriving with more and more Kathmanduites coming for a mini-getaway at the beautiful location, without having to travel much.

The most appealing thing about the Tokha Urban Farm is its outdoor seating arrangement amid the lush fields of Chandeshwari and the organic food it offers. Also, the menu is different from what one would get at a typical city restaurant. You don’t see turkey and quail on the menu at every other venue!

Designed and conceptualized by Samel Shahi, who is also one of the owners, the farm was established mainly to farm vegetables and livestock. But the management wants to develop the place as a hub for Kathmandu residents, who will also get to learn farming and livestock-keeping at the farm. “We will be mixing hi-tech with a local touch,” Shahi says. “We are currently building 11 individual traditional-looking huts but with all modern amenities.” The concept is rather new in Nepal, Shahi says, adding that he has seen similar farms abroad.

Besides the outdoor dining and organic restaurant menu, the family-friendly farm currently offers horse-riding on weekends as well as an open playground for children. Also planned are a Newari restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, two-bedroom huts and a mini-zip line for children.

Contact: 9849290542

If you have been to Naxal chowk, which is also known as Bhagawati Bahal, you must have seen a pagoda-style temple situated right at the four-way junction.

This is the temple of Goddess Naxal Bhagawati, one of the four Bhagawati sisters. The three other sisters are Shova Bhagawati (whose temple is located at Chamati, bank of Bishnumati river), Nala Bhagawati (Nala Village, Kavre), and Palanchowk Bhagawati (Panchkhal, Kavre). All these temples house an idol of Goddess Bhagawati.

The history of these temples can be traced back to the fifth century AD and the reign of Lichchhavis. According to a legend, Mandev, a famous Lichchhavi ruler, decided to meditate at a monastery in Sankhu, leaving the responsibility of administration to his mother Nawa Sagar. The religious mother found it to be an opportune moment to establish the four Bhagawatis.

Apparently, Nawa Sagar got the craftsmen to first build Palanchowk Bhagawati with their right hands. Then, so that they could not replicate its design, she had their right hands chopped off. The artists then built Nala Bhagawati with their left hands. After this, their left hands were cut off too, and they then built Naxal Bhagawati with their right legs and, finally, when even their right legs were severed from their bodies, they built the Shova Bhagawati with their left legs.

Since its inauguration a Karmacharya priest has always presided over the Naxal Bhagawati. Following the demise nine years ago of their father, also a former priest, 40-year-old Dinesh Karmacharya has been working there as a priest alongside his brother Rabindra.

Unlike the vedic rites performed at most other temples, the pooja performed by Karmacharyas at Naxal Bhagawati follows the tantric method of worship. This method of praying and appeasing Goddess Bhagawati has been passed down generations in the Karmacharya family since the fifth century.

Devotees throng to Naxal Bhagawati during the Navaratri period of the annual Dashain festival. According to Hindu scriptures, Goddess Bhagawati came to be known as Goddess Durga after defeating demons in a fierce battle. “During Navaratri, which marks the victory of the Goddess Durga over demons, a special pooja is performed here in the presence of big crowds,” says Karmacharya. 

Similarly, Ghode Jatra and Chaite Dashain are other two popular occasions when devotees visit Naxal Bhagawati temple.

Kunti Subedi, 45, who has been taking care of the temple for past 17 years, informs that in normal course the temple is more crowded on Saturdays. But the tantric pooja is performed every day, and devotees sacrifice different animals to please the goddess and fulfil their wishes.

It is also believed that doing pooja and worship at Naxal Bhagawati protects you from bad spirits.

The temple premises also houses the Shree Naxal Bhagawati Bhajan Mandal, a musical group. Established in 1991, the group conducts bhajans on special occasions.

Also inside the same premises are a small temple of Lord Shiva, another one of Radha Krishna, and a third one built with idols brought from Rajasthan, India.

According to Dinesh Karmacharaya, the priest, the number of devotees at the temple has dwindled in recent times.

Prakash Pokharel, 54, a Baluwatar resident, has been regularly visiting the temple on his way to office, for over 20 years. He says worshipping Goddess Bhagawati keeps him on the right track. Pokharel says he has also noticed the number of devotees at the temple shrinking. “Two decades ago, people had strong religious beliefs but now their faith is not as strong which is perhaps why fewer people visit this place now,” he says.  

Sabina Shrestha, 24, currently lives in Basundhara, Kathmandu, and visits the temple whenever she passes Naxal. Shrestha says although she is relatively young religious faith is still important for her.

Taking care of this religious and cultural site is the Naxal Bhagawati Samudayik Sadan, a 13-member committee appointed every three years. Says Ashok Rajkarnikar, its president, the group's main responsibility is to renovate and repair what is damaged inside temple premises and to maintain overall cleanliness.

But how does the committee put together the needed expenses? “We rent out two shutters and a hall inside temple premises for different occasions and ceremonies,” replies Rajkarnikar. “The collected funds are used for temple preservation and other expenses.”

The 2015 earthquakes had slightly damaged the temple. But it has now been fully renovated and strengthened.

The temple opens at 6 am and closes at 7 pm. It is also closed from 2-5 pm.