Weather to remain clear in most parts of the country
The weather is partly to generally cloudy in the hilly regions of the country including Koshi, Bagmati and Madhes provinces and clear the rest of the country.
However, light rain with thunder and lightning is occurring at one or two places in Koshi and Madhes provinces. This is because the country is currently under the partial influence of a westerly low-pressure system as well as local winds, says Meteorological Forecasting Division.
Later this afternoon, the weather will remain partly to generally cloudy in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces and clear in the remaining provinces. There is a possibility of light rain with thunder and lightning at some places in Koshi and Bagmati provinces and at one or two places in Madhes and Gandaki provinces. There is also a possibility of light snowfall at one or two places in the high hilly and mountainous parts of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces.
Tonight, the weather will remain partly cloudy in Koshi province and clear in the rest of the country. There is a possibility of light rain with thunder and lightning at one or two places in Koshi Province, as well as light snowfall at one or two places in the high hilly and mountainous regions.
World Meteorological Day being observed today
The World Meteorological Day is being observed by organising a variety of activities across the world, including in Nepal.
The day is observed at the initiative of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) commemorating the coming into force of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization on 23 March 1950. It showcases the essential contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to the safety and wellbeing of society and is celebrated with activities around the world.
The theme for World Meteorological Day 2025 is "Closing the early warning gap together".
Issuing a statement President of WMO, Dr Abdulla Al Mandous has urged all WMO Members to intensify their efforts and achieve significant progress in closing the early warning gap together. "Through enhanced collaboration, innovation, and commitment, we can build a safer and more resilient world for all," reads the statement.
Climate change is a real and undeniable threat to our entire civilization. The effects are already visible and will be catastrophic unless we act now. Early warnings for all make economic sense. On a global scale, every US dollar invested in early warnings is estimated to result in 9 US dollars in net economic benefits, says the WMO.
It may be noted that the WMO recently confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record. Changes in our environment are driving more extreme weather events. Rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones, devastating rainfall, storm surges, flooding, deadly droughts, and wildfires are on the rise. Sea levels are increasing, exposing densely populated coastal areas to coastal inundation and ocean wave impacts. The societal effects of these events continue long after the headlines fade.
Tibetan singing bowls? What are they?
If you are a neophyte, at first glance, Tibetan singing bowls look no more than plain bowls you use to store food or even eat things like your morning cereals or soups at dinner.
Tibetan singing bowls, also known as Himalayan Singing Bowls, are not just commonplace. Crafted from pure copper, they resonate like the sacred bells in temples. Their unique blend symbolizes the divine seven Chakras, the energy cores in our body. These Chakras, each associated with specific physical, mental, and spiritual aspects, are believed to be balanced by the sound and vibrations of the bowls. The composition of the bowls and spiritual beliefs has it, resonates with and balances these energy centers, promoting holistic well-being.
The unique composition of these bowls supposedly channels perceptive energy to nurture your bodily organs, mind, and intellect. Tibetan singing bowls come in various sizes. The smaller the bowls, the higher the pitch; more giant bowls produce low-pitch bass notes. There are nine kinds of bowls, each with their unique shape, size, and sound: Thadobati, Jambati, Manipuri, Mani, Lingam, Pedestal/Naga, Trapezoid, and Ultabati. These bowls, for good measure, are also available in crystal ware, producing better unbroken and sustained sound and vibrations.
How to make a Tibetan singing bowl sing
The singing bowls available in the many antique shops are either hand-hammered or others that are machine-made. Some hand-hammered bowls also carry the compassion mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum, in Tibetan script. In truth, no two bowls emit the same sound as you might expect. The difference between the hand-hammered and machine-made bowls is the slightly different notes, with the hand-hammered throwing a more resonant pitch.
Next, place the bowls flat on cotton mats or donut mats woven from straw. You can also use them by placing the bowl in the center of your palm, straightening your hand out, facing upwards. You are not supposed to touch the sides of the bowl with your fingers while playing.
Playing a Tibetan singing bowl is a specific process, a unique ritual that connects you with the instrument and its healing powers. First, place the bowl flat on a cotton or straw mat. Then, hold the wooden mallet, with one end wrapped in leather, suede, or felt (the male end) and the other plain timber (the female end). Gently strike the side of the bowl, then firmly press the mallet against the outward rim of the bowl and move it in a circular motion. This process, when done correctly, produces a continuous, soothing sound.
As you rotate the mallet around the bowl's rim, a unique, soothing, bright, clear tone fills the air, accompanied by perceptible vibrations and resonance. The friction between the mallet and the bowl’s rim creates a rich and soothing timbre that is truly one-of-a-kind, inducing a sense of calm and tranquility.
Singing bowls emit sound frequencies between 110 Hz and 900 Hz, with variations based on the bowls’ size, weight, and composition.
These bowls are played in an inverted position, with the face upwards, so they are also called standing bells, unlike the conventional bells in temples.
History of Tibetan singing bowls
Shrouded in the wisdom of antiquity, Tibetan Singing Bowls have served as a gateway to spiritual awakening and healing for time immemorial. Their history, dating back to the era of Buddha Shakyamuni (560–480 BC), adds a layer of mystique and reverence to these sacred instruments, connecting us to a rich cultural heritage. According to Buddhist legends, the great tantric mystic Padmasambhava, or the Guru Rimpoche, one of the founding fathers of Tibetan Buddhism, brought the bowls from India to Tibet, along with Buddhist teachings, in the 8th century AD. These bowls have been integral to Tibetan and Himalayan culture and used in religious ceremonies, meditation, and healing practices.
However, the true origin of the Tibetan singing bowl remains an enigma, adding to its allure and fascination. Some theories suggest that, despite their Tibetan name, these bowls originated in Mesopotamia (modern-day Syria) over 5,000 years ago before finding their way to Tibet, Nepal, and India.
The speculation about the roots of those singing bowls does not end here. Some researchers argue that they originated in the Himalayas of Nepal and India before fanning out to countries like Tibet, China, Japan, Vietnam, and even America. The craftsmanship of the bowls reflects the culture and tradition of the land to which they belong, signifying different spiritual values.
Discover the healing powers of Tibetan Singing Bowls. These ancient instruments are cultural artifacts and tools for sound therapy, offering a unique way to alleviate stress and promote relaxation.
We know about prescription medication (allopathic medicine), Ayurveda healing, therapeutic healing, and homeopathic treatment. However, in addition to these conventional practices, healing with sound therapy and vibrations has become a norm today in therapy technology. It's also called vibroacoustic sound therapy, which uses audible sound vibrations to alleviate stress and anxiety, enhance relaxation, and improve health.
Surprisingly, even science today backs the efficacy of sound healing through Tibetan singing bowls. The sounds the singing bowls produce are said to create a kind of energy that may align the frequencies of the body, mind, and soul. This scientific validation adds a layer of credibility to the ancient practice, reassuring those who may be skeptical.
The therapeutic benefits of Tibetan Singing Bowls are not mere folklore. The sound waves they emit harmonize with the body's vibrations, inducing a profound sense of relaxation and inner peace. This unique process aids in reducing stress, a significant factor in elevated blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels, offering hope for those seeking natural healing methods.
It would help if you were enthusiastic and always cheerful to maintain a healthy life and stick to a nutritious diet. Scientific studies suggest that poor mood and elevated anxiety lead to increased incidence of disease. Tibetan singing bowl meditation has also come in handy in this issue. It has also shown that it helps reduce negativity and boost positivity.
Listed below are the health benefits of listening to the ethereal note of the Tibetan singing bowl:
*Relieves stress (low self-esteem, worries, fear, anger, anxiety, and depression)
*Maintains a stable blood pressure level
*Enhances sleep (cuts down on insomnia)
*Energizes the immune system
*Improved concentration
*Relieves chronic pain
*Synchronizes inner harmony
*Stimulates your alpha and theta waves
The Tibetan singing bowl therapy
Often used, the Tibetan singing bowls also serve as tools for healing in sound therapy and guided meditation sessions. These sessions involve strategically placing bowls of various sizes around the room or on your body. A healing practitioner, often a meditation guru or a sound therapist, then performs the therapy by playing the bowls to produce a variety of notes. The practitioner’s role is to create a harmonious and healing environment through the sounds and vibrations of the bowls.
Caveat: Regarding such therapy, certain people should avoid it, such as:
*Individuals who have epilepsy.
*Those who carry metal implants or devices in their body like a pacemaker, artificial heart valves, coronary shunt, or metal pins.
The bottom line: We have five basic senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, which all make our lives meaningful. In truth, what we experience through those senses is life, offering nourishment like water and food.
Sound is energy made by vibrations creating movement in surrounding air molecules. These molecules bump into the molecules close to them, causing them to vibrate as well. The resultant sound possesses characteristics that convey emotions in various nuances and subtleties.
History stands firm as a testament to the authenticity of the charismatic Tibetan singing bowls. These bowls have an untold past and, for ages, have been used for spiritual awakening, healing, and transporting us on the emotional and spiritual planes.
Frank Perry, a leading expert in Himalayan singing bowls, a composer, performer, astrologer, artist, and healer, says:
“Listening to the singing bowls of Tibet is like taking a ‘sound- massage’, the sound swells and ebbs away again softly, like the great rhythm of the ocean, conveying the feeling that it is massaging or washing clean the listener’s soul. There is also the sense of a profound spiritual presence living in this world of ringing harmonic overtones.”
KUKL managing water supply in Kathmandu Valley from 13 ponds
The Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) has made arrangements of water supply from a new distribution network by managing ponds located at 13 different places in the Kathmandu Valley.
Chief of the Melamchi Drinking Water Project Implementation Directorate, Tika Bahadur Chaudhary, said the new arrangement was made to distribute water brought here from the Melamchi river in Sindhupalchwk in a proportional manner. Arrangement has been made for turbidity and chlorine testing of water in all the ponds as well as quality measurement.
Meanwhile, the KUKL has installed automatic electric meter at water taps in Chamati and Anamnagar areas for trial.
