Festival Time

 After yesterday’s failed attempt we were assured that the festival was actually happening today.  We left the hotel early to head to Kamal Pokhara lake where the Chhat Festival was in its fourth and final day.  Women gather on the banks of the river to make offerings to the rising sun by pouring milk over food offerings.  They also get in the lake to offer prayers for their children or particular needs they might have.  Fireworks are also used during the offerings.






 When the celebration was over we drove to Swayambhnath also known as the monkey temple.  It quickly apparent where the name comes from as we took the steps up into the temple.  Monkeys were everywhere, on trees, the stupa, the ground, anywhere we could think of.  This Hindu temple sits on top of a hill which affords beautiful views of the valley.  



Our final visit for the day Patan and the The Golden Temple.  Because we had skipped breakfast so we could see the water festival we were all pretty hungry.  We walked to the Patan museum where we had lunch in the courtyard cafe.  Now that we were rejuvenated we could enjoy the museum at our leisure before going back to our hotel.  We had a few hours off in the afternoon to go through pictures and pack for our trip the next day to Paro Bhutan.

Tomorrow: Off to Bhutan


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