सुन्दर जीवन

सुन्दर जीवन

हाम्रो सुन्दर जीवन अनि हाम्रा हरेक प्रयास जीवनलाई सुन्दर बनाउने तर्फ लागि परेका हुन्छौ l हाम्रा हरेक कदम अनि जीवन यात्रामा भेटिने साथी l जीवनका अनेकौ चरण कहिले सुख त कहिले दुखलाई अंगाल्दै जिवनरुपी समय सम्झना अनि यादगार जुन दिगो होस् l

मान्छेको मन पनि अनौठो कहिले त्यहि सम्बन्धमा जीवन देख्ने त त्यहि सम्बन्धमा मरण पनि l  कति निठुर हुन्छन मान्छेहरु सम्बन्धलाई समय व्यतित गर्न मात्र खोज्ने l

देखिने र हुने कुरा फरक मान्छेको मनोवृति भित्र केके कुरा खेल्छन अवस्था र समय त्यो स्वाभाविक नै हो तर ति मनोवृति मा आएका कुराले क्षणिक निर्णय लिन्छन l

Read More

Chhath - Festival of praying sun

Chhath, the festival in which devotees worship the Sun God. During the four-day festival, celebrated especially by people from Mithila region, devotees worship and make offerings to the rising and setting sun wishing for prosperity, happiness and longevity of their family members.

During this festival, various delicacies are prepared. Likewise, purity and cleanliness are strictly maintained. The festival begins on Sunday marked by Nahai Khai,  Kharna, Sandhya Argha and Bihani Argha rituals respectively on the four following days before the festival concludes on Wednesday. The name of the festival symbolises its day of occurrence, as ‘Chhath’ refers to ‘sixth’.

There exist different myths as to how Chhath began, People started celebrating Chhath since ancient times, showing gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth. Each activity of this festival represents a relationship between human life and nature. During Chhath, the sun is worshipped as the protector of life. Devotees worship first the setting sun and then the rising sun. Water has a special place in nature as well as in Chhath celebrations.

Cleaning up water sources also contribute to nature conservation and sustenance of healthy life. The festival also attempts to end caste discrimination and envisages bringing social harmony among peoples of different caste groups.

Likewise,Chhath gives priority to sand and bamboo-made materials, which reflect the main occupation of people with low economic status.

Read More

Tihar- Festival of light

Tihar is one of the most important festivals for Hindus in Nepal. The festival of Tihar takes place in late autumn and lasts for five days. This festival is also called the festival of lights. It is a time when all the houses light oil lamps, and the city is full of lights and decorations. This festival is about worshipping different animals such as the crow, the dog, and the cow. During Tihar, the people also worship their brothers and sisters and the goddess of wealth, Laxmi.

On the first day of the festival, people worship crows. Every family cooks a delicious meal in the morning. Before they eat, each member of the family puts some food on a plate of leaves and places it outside for the crows to eat. People believe crows are the messenger of the Lord of Death. They worship crows to keep sadness away.

The second day, people worship dogs. They decorate dogs with garlands of flowers around their necks. They give dog’s delicious food and put a red tika (a special powder) on their foreheads. They even do this to stray dogs. It is a day to respect all dogs. They pray for the dogs to guard their homes. Dogs with garlands of flowers can be seen everywhere.

The third day is the most important day of the festival. Early in the morning, people start to worship the cow. The cow is the symbol of wealth and is the most holy animal for Hindus. They put tika on the cows’ foreheads and a garland of flowers around their necks. They give the cows nice things to eat. People place the cows’ manure in different parts of their houses. Later, in the evening, they worship the goddess Laxmi. If people please the goddess, she will give them wealth. People clean and decorate their houses. They put oil lamps in every door and window. A female member of the family performs a special ceremony or puja. She then puts a red mud footprint on the floor entering the home and makes a trail to the room where the family worships the goddess. In this room, there are pictures and an icon of the goddess. There is also a money box where each year the family puts money away for the goddess. In the evening, group of people go from door to door of their neighbors’ homes and sing songs of the goddess. They receive gifts in return.

The fourth day is a little different. The things people worship on this day depend on their cultural background. Most people worship the ox. They put tika on the oxen and a garland around their necks. They also give them delicious food. Other people make a small hill out of cow manure, put some grass on it, and perform a special ceremony, or puja, on it. Yet other people worship themselves.

The fifth day is the day of brothers and sisters. Sisters wish their brothers long life and prosperity. If you do not have a brother or sister, you can make one of your relatives or friends a brother or a sister. On this day, sisters will perform a puja and apply a special tika on their brothers. Then they put garlands around their brothers and give them special gifts of food. Brothers in return honor their sisters; they put garlands around their necks and give them gifts of clothes and money. This festival finally ends after five days of cooking, decorating, eating, singing, dancing, shopping, relaxing, gift giving, and worshipping. There is no doubt that Tihar is the most popular festival in Nepal.

Source: National Geographic learning

Read More

Kukur (Dog) Tihar- Second day of Tihar

Tihar, one of the great celebrations in the Hindu calendar, is a five-day autumn festival generally known as the festival of lights. Each day has its own focus, and specific observances vary from one denomination of Hinduism to another. Regardless of regional and denominational differences, Tihar is a period of gift-giving, storytelling, and recognition of the relationships humans have with all things.

In Nepalese Hinduism, Kukur Tihar is a day devoted to the celebration of dogs. Similar to other Tihar observances, lamps are lit at night during Tihar. The festival of lights celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of knowledge over ignorance, and the dissolution of barriers that separate humans from authentic experience of the world. Nepalese Hinduism is unique in dedicating the second day of Tihar, Kukur Tihar, to the worship of dogs.

Kukur Tihar, or Kukur Puja, is the second day of Tihar, during which dogs are honored. Dogs are especially important to Nepal’s Hindu practitioners. During day two of Tihar, Kukur Tihar, the role of dogs in human life and throughout history is celebrated. In the Rigveda, one of Hinduism’s most ancient texts, Samara — the mother of dogs — assists Indra, the ruler of heaven, in retrieving stolen cattle. Hindu tradition holds that a dog is the guardian and messenger of Yama, the lord and judge of the dead. A dog is also said to guard the gates of the afterlife.

Indra refuses to allow Yudhishthira's dog into heaven. Yudhishthira refuses to enter heaven without his dog. At the close of the Mahabharata, the king of righteousness, Yudhishthira, refuses to enter heaven without his devoted dog. The dog is revealed to represent the concept of dharma, the path of righteousness. During Tihar, each day is devoted to a honoring a different concept or entity: crows, dogs, cows, oxen, and fraternal relationships, respectively. On the second day, Kukur Tihar, all dogs are recognized, honored, and worshiped.

Tihar for dogs: the garland

During Kukur Tihar, the mythological and real relationships between humans and dogs constitute the day’s major focus. A garland of flowers is draped around the neck of every dog; not only those with homes, but strays as well. This beautiful dog wears a mala, or flower garland, around the neck during Kukur Tihar. This floral necklace, called a mala, is a mark of respect and dignity. It announces the wearer as important, and symbolizes the prayers that go with the dog.

Tihar for dogs: the tika

On Kukur Tihar, a red mark is applied to the forehead of each dog. In Nepal, this mark is called the tika, a paste made from abir — a red dye powder — along with rice and yogurt. The tika is applied in a single stroke on the forehead upward from the eyes. A dog in Nepal makes his way down the street with a tika on his forehead. Like the mala that garlands the neck, the red tika marks the dog as both a devotee of the righteous path and as an object of devotion. The tika imbues the dog with an air of sacredness and acts as a blessing to those who encounter the dog during Kukur Tihar.

Tihar for dogs: food offerings

Prayers and flowers are certainly nice, but as far as dogs are concerned, their favorite part of Kukur Tihar must be the food. On the first day of Tihar, Kaag Tihar, food is arrayed on the roofs of homes as offerings to crows. On the second day, food offerings are put out for dogs in the home, as well as for strays in the streets. These food offerings take a variety of forms. Depending on the celebrant, the dog’s treats may include milk, eggs, meat, or high-quality dog food. Some may even offer dogs a bit of sel roti, a deep-fried confection similar to a donut. This is a day when dogs have the best of everything.

This is a very general overview of Kukur Tihar. While its origins are traced to Nepalese Hinduism, variants of the day of the dog are celebrated by denominations of Hinduism and Buddhism across the world. Kukur Tihar honors dogs in all of their aspects: as guardians, companions, and friends.

Source: Dogster.com

Read More

Kaag Tihar- First day of Tihar

The first day of Tihar is Kaag (crow) . Hindus believe crows to be messengers of good or bad news. With its croaking, it conveys messages like visitor coming to the house. It is also believed to be a messenger of Yamaraj, the God of death.

To avert grief and death in the family, Hindus worship crows during Kag Tihar offering it sweets and various dishes. In Nepal, once you leave offerings on the balcony, crow will come and eat the food.

Read More

उज्यालो को पर्व दिपावलीका पाच दिन

प्रत्येक वर्ष कार्तिक कृष्ण त्रयोदशीदेखि कार्तिक शुक्ल द्वितीयासम्म मनाइने नेपालीको दोस्रो ठूलो चाड यमपञ्चक अर्थात् तिहार हो  । 

चान्द्रमासअनुसार कार्तिक कृष्ण त्रयोदशीदेखि शुक्ल द्वितीयासम्म पाँच दिन झिलीमिलीको पर्व तिहार मनाइन्छ । यस अवधिमा यमराजसमेत आफ्नी बहिनी यमुनाको निमन्त्रणामा बिदा लिएर बस्ने विश्वास गरिन्छ । यसैले यो पाँच दिनको अवधिलाई यमपञ्चक पनि भनिन्छ । 

यम यातनाबाट मुक्ति पाउन आजैदेखि घरघरमा परिवार सङ्ख्याका आधारमा यमदीप दान गर्ने विधि छ । यमदीप दान बेलुकी गर्ने प्रचलन रहेको छ । 

यमपञ्चकको पहिलो दिन कार्तिक कृष्ण त्रयोदशीमा काग तिहार मनाइन्छ । यस दिन कागलाई मीठा खानेकुरा दिएमा राम्रो समाचार लगिदिने विश्वास गरिन्छ । कागलाई यमदूतका रुपमा मान्ने शास्त्रीय परम्परा छ ।

तिहारको दोश्रो दिन  कुकुर तिहार र नरक चतुर्दशी मनाइन्छ । बिहानै उठेर तिलको तेल घसेर स्नान गरेमा यमराज प्रसन्न हुने जनविश्वास छ । स्नानपछि कुकुरलाई मीठा खानेकुरा खान दिइन्छ । काग र कुकुरलाई यमदूतका रुपमा मानिन्छ । 

तिहारको तेश्रो दिन  कार्तिक कृष्ण औँशीका दिन लक्ष्मी पूजा गरिन्छ । यसदिन बेलुकी दीपमालिका गरेपछि धनधान्यकी देवी लक्ष्मीको विधिपूर्वक आराधना गरिन्छ । यसैले तिहारलाई उज्यालोको पर्व पनि भनिन्छ । यसैदिन भलो होस् भनी भैलो खेल्ने चलन छ । 

कूल परम्पराअनुसार कसैले लक्ष्मीपूजाको दिन बिहान पनि गाईपूजा गर्ने गरेका छन् । गाईपूजा नगरी लक्ष्मीपूजा नगर्नेले कात्तिक कृष्ण औँशीकै दिन बिहान गाई पूजा गर्ने गरेका हुन् ।

कात्तिक शुक्ल प्रतिपदा तिहारको चौथो दिन गाई, गोरु तिहार, कृषक र गोवद्र्धन पूजा हुन्छ । यस दिन वर्षभर हलो जोत्ने हलीको समेत पूजा गर्ने संस्कृति छ । हलतिहारसमेत भनिने यसदिन बेलुकी देउसी खेलिन्छ । 

कात्तिक शुक्ल द्वितीयाका दिन भाइटीका वा तिहारको पाचौ तथा अन्तिम दिन हो । तिहारको मुख्य दिन दिदीबहिनीले दाजुभाइको दीर्घायु, सुख शान्तिको कामना गरी अष्ट चिरञ्जीवी, यमराज, यमुना एवं बलि राजाको पूजा गरी त्यसको प्रसाद लगाइदिने चलन छ । 

कात्तिक कृष्ण त्रयोदशीदेखि शुक्ल द्वितीयासम्म हिन्दूको दोस्रो ठूलो पर्वका रुपमा दीपावलीअर्थात् तिहार मनाउने गर्छन् । यी पाँच दिन पृथ्वीको शासन बलि राजाले गर्नुहुने पौराणिक मान्यता छ । बलि दानशील राजा थिए । वामन रुप लिई भगवान् विष्णुले तीन पाइला जमीन माग्दा पातालमा भासिनुपरेको कथा विभिन्न पुराणमा वर्णन गरिएको छ । 

 श्रोत : उज्यालो अनलाइन

Read More

Dashain- Festival of reunion and joy

Dashain is one of the most important Hindu festival in Nepal which falls in the month of September or October and is actually celebrated for 15 days. It starts from bright lunar fortnight (Shukla Paksha) and ends on the day of full moon (Poornima) according to Nepalese annual calendar. Hindus greatest festival, Dashain honors a great conquest of the gods over the evil demons. The symbol of power, Goddess Durga is worshiped during this festival. One of the victory stories according to the Hindu myths reveals that a demon named ‘Mahisasur’ who spread horror was killed by Goddess Durga. And, the first nine day of Dashain represents the constant battle between vice and virtue. And, the tenth day signifies the triumph of good over evil. Another Hindu legend ‘Ramayana’ discloses that Dashain symbolizing as the triumph of Ram (vice) over Ravan (virtue) with the blessings of Goddess Durga.

The first day of Dashain is Ghatasthapana, on this day, people fill a vessel with soil and sow maize, wheat and barley seeds and is covered in the area with low light and watered daily till tenth day of Dashain. On the seventh day, Phulpati is celebrated which is also known as ‘Saptami’. The eight day is regarded as Maha Aastami. On this day, animals like buffaloes, ducks, goats, hens are sacrificed to Goddess Kali and the meat is taken as ‘Prasad’ (holy food). The night of this day is called the dark night- ‘Kal Ratri’. Maha Navami is the ninth day of Dashain. On this day, craftsman, mechanics, traders etc worship their equipment and tools by sacrificing different animals and offering it to equipment. The tenth day is named as Vijaya Dashami which is the most important day of this festival. On the tenth day, younger ones in a family receive Tika (a mixture of yogurt, rice and vermilion), Jamara (planted on the first day of Dashain) and blessings from elders as well as respected people.

This festival is in fact the ceremony of reunion and fun. People living far away from home or homeland, revisit their home and get together with their families. Similarly, parents buy new clothes to their children. People enjoy eating mouth-watering foods and playing a lot of games including cards. People invite guests, organize feast, visit their relatives’ houses, fly kites, build bamboo swings and get involved in various entertaining activities.

After Dashain everyone settles back to normal. After receiving the blessing of goddess Durga, people are ready to work and acquire virtue, power and wealth. Dashain thus is not only the longest festival but also the most anticipated one among all the festivals of Nepal.

Read More

Nag Panchami celebration in Nepal

अनन्तं वासुकिं शेषं पद्मनाभं च कम्बलम् |

शंखपालं धार्तराष्ट्रं तक्षकं कालियं तथा ||

Nag Pachami is the day of snakes observed on the fifth day of the bright half of the Nepali month of Shrawan as per the lunar calendar. In this day, Nepali traditionally post pictures of Nags above the doors of their homes to keep off evil spirits. They worship the nag by offering a symbol of milk (the white color liquid from the paste of rice). People keep milk for snakes near snake holes.

Hindu devotees throughout the nation are thronging temples of Nags since early morning. On this day digging the earth is taboo as it could kill or harm snakes which reside in the earth. There are many myths prevailing in the Nepali society regarding the Nag Panchami festival. Nags are deity snakes or special snakes. Those snakes have especial roles in Hindu Mythologies. 

People make cottons garland, use cow dung and rice flour’s serpent’s from and worship it with cow’s milk, lava, barley, sesame, nuts and with some other religious items. It is believed that if Nag-Panchami is observed properly every year the Nags provide us good health wealth and blessing during our life. If Nags are angry they make us sick and no medicine can heal.

There are various mythological beliefs about Nagpanchami and its celebration.  Mahabharata tells that Lord Krishna conquered Nag Kalia and put an end to his evil deeds on the day of Shrawan Panchami. People believe that is the reason why people started celebrating this panchami as Nag Panchami. Puran says the earth is lifted by Shesh Nag on his head. Lord Vishnu is sleeping on its coil inside the Ocean. Kali Nag, Bashuki Nag, Astha Nag, Padma Nag; and the Karkot Nags are the very powerful Nags.  Scripture explains that without Nags’ help there will be no rain.So people worship Nags for the cause of water, offer prayers to Nags, and place food items such as milk and honey in their fields for Nags. Few men wearing demon masks dance in the streets as a part of a Nag Panchami ritual. We have our own myths and legends surrounding Nags, which lead us to celebrate Nag Panchami on a large scale.

Read More

NEPALI FESTIVAL KHEER KHANE DIN ( RICE PUDDING DAY)

Khir (Rice Pudding) is one of favorite foods in Nepal. Usually it is celebrated in every year 15^th of Sharwan (Nepalese calendar).   Khir is one of the integral parts of parties and ceremonies. From marriage parties to funeral, khir is served and eaten to observe the occasion. Khir is regarded as pure food in Nepal, as it is rice cooked in milk. It is mainly eaten as desert or side dish with puri or sel.  

“Kheer” is a common, yet an auspicious delicacy in Nepali cuisine. Although being just a sweet rice pudding, it is considered a pure and holy treat. Kheer Khane Din (literally translated as day for eating Kheer) marks the achievement of farmers in Nepal.

The Nepali month of Asadh and Shrawan marks the rice harvesting period for the farmers. Paddy farming in Nepal is a joyous occasion in Nepal. Whether it be men, women or people from different social backgrounds, they work in unity to plant the saplings and ensure a good harvest. Since, Shrawan marks the end of the harvest period, they offer Kheer as Prasad (holy offering) to the deities and enjoy themselves as well.

Read More

Hindus celebrate Ekadashi planting Tulsi plant

Hindus across Nepal are celebrating the Harishayani Ekadashi festival, the first day of the four-month holy period of Chaturmas with fasting and worship and prayer to Lord Vishnu.

On the day of Harishayani Ekadashi, Hindus plant Tulasi/basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) on their yards, which they worship as a form of Lord Vishnu for next four months till the day of Haribodhini Ekadashi, the concluding day of the Chaturmas.

The Chaturmas, a period from the 11th day of waxing moon of the month of Ashadh (Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi) to the 11th day of waxing moon of the month of Kartik (Kartik Shukla Ekadashi) is considered a holy period for the worship of Lord Vishnu.

Popularly, the two Ekadashis are also called Thuli (Great) Ekadashis. Observing the Chaturmas Brata or fasting is regarded as very auspicious, which should be done after planting the saplings of Tulasi on Ekadhashi. 

The holy plant Tulsi is regarded as the plant to give the oxygen all the time with its religious, medicinal importance in Nepal

Tulsi or Tulasi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) or Holy Basil is a sacred plant in Hindu belief. Hindus regard it as an earthly manifestation of the goddess Tulsi; she is regarded as a great worshipper of the god Vishnu. The offering of its leaves is mandatory in ritualistic worship of Vishnu and his forms like Krishna and Vithoba.

Many Hindus have tulsi plants growing in front of or near their home, often in special pots or a special masonry structure known as Tulsi Vrindavan as this is related to their culture. Traditionally, Tulsi is planted in the center of the central courtyard of Hindu houses. The plant is cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes, and for its essential oil. It has many health benefits as well.

Read More

15 th National Rice Day celebrated

The 15th National Rice Day was marked throughout the country today, organizing various programs with the theme  ' Increased Rice Production, Prosperous Nation'.

The 15th of Asadh is the day when traditionally Nepali farmers finished planting paddy in their fields and enjoyed in its celebration. National Rice Day in Nepal is celebrated every 15th of Asadh according to Nepalese calendar. This day holds a big importance in the lives of farmers and also of the general people in Nepal. Rice being the staple crop of most of the people living in Nepal, this crop is the major crop and is also considered as good and tasty food. So, in a way rice symbolizes good economy and a well maintained lifestyle in Nepal.

Rice day celebration organised by Devdaha municipality

Generally, National Rice Day in Nepal is celebrated by planting rice in the fields and eating dahi-chiura (beaten rice and curd).

Nepal is the first country to celebrate Rice Day after the UN declared 2004 as the International Year of Rice.

According to the data Nepal export rice to other countries till 1980s but now Nepal import rice in huge amount from India

Data show Nepal export rice valued around NRs 25 billion in 2017

Read More

हराउदै गएको असारे गीत

रोप न रोप रोपारै रानी म पँज्याईदिउँला बीऊ

हलीलाई दिउँला एकराते दही बाउसेलाई दिउँला घीउ

असार मास छिप छिपे हिलो खै लाग्यो फालीमा

बुवालाई भनि भुरुल्ली काटेँ ओइलायो आलिमा

नेपालमा धान रोप्दा गाइने गीतलाई असारे गीत भनिन्छ। नेपालमा खासगरी असार महिनामा धान रोप्ने गरिन्छ। रोपाईंका बेला कृषकहरूलाई कामको भ्याईनभ्याई हुन्छ। तैपनि रोपाईंमा दिनभर थाकेका बाउसे र रोपारहरू एक अर्कामा हिलो छ्यापाछ्याप गरी असारे गीत गाउँदै दुःख कष्ट र थकाई विर्सन खोज्छन।जसले थकाइ, परिश्रम बिर्साउँदै बढी आनन्द प्रदान गरेको हुन्छ। खेतका गह्रा, खोलानाला र खहरेहरूबाट झरेको पानीको छङछङ आवाजसँगै असारे भाका खुल्दछ।

असारे भाकाले भौगोलिक विविधता पनि समेटेको छ। असारेलाई पूर्वी भेगमा 'रसिया' भनिन्छ भनि पश्चिमाञ्चलतिर 'काँठेभाका' भनिन्छ। लेग्रो तानेर गीतको पहिलो फाँकी झिकेपछि बीचमा अनुप्रासका टुक्काहरू मिलाई अनिमात्र अन्तिम फाँकी वा टुप्पो गीत भन्ने चलन छ। यस भाकाका फाँकीहरू १६/१६ अक्षरका हुन्छन् र हरेक पाउका १० अक्षरमा विश्रान्ति लिई लामो स्वरमा लेग्रो तानी यो भाका गाइन्छ। असारे भाकाले थकित वातवारणलाई आनन्ददायी र रोचक बनाइदिन्छ।

पहिला पहिला गाइने यो असारे गीत अचेल सुनिन छाडेका छन l मानो रोपेर मुरी फलौउने समयका रुपमा लिने यो समयमा गाइने असारी गीत हराउदै गएको छ l आधुनिकता संगै हाम्रो अमुल्य संस्कृति हराउदै जादा सस्कृति क्षेत्र नासिदै गएको आभास भएको छ l 

Read More

Administrative division of Nepal

The administrative divisions of Nepal ( are subnational administrative units of Nepal. The first level of country subdivisions of Nepal are the Provinces. Each province is further subdivided into Districts and districts into Municipalities and rural municipalities.

Demarcation of Administrative division of Nepal

Fulfilling the requirement of the new constitution of Nepal in 2015, all old municipalities and villages (which were more than 3900 in number) were restructured into 753 new Municipalities and Villages. The former 75 district development committees (DDC) were also replaced by 77 new District Coordination Committees (DCC) which have much less power than the DDCs. At present there are 6 Metropolitan Cities, 11 Sub-Metropolitan Cities, 276 Municipalities, and 460 Rural Municipalities.

Details of the administrative division in the attached file

Read More

International Music Day...................... If music be the food of love, play on. Shakespear

”Music expresses that which cannot be put into words, and that which cannot remain silent.”
~ Victor Huge

There’s nothing in the world like the sound of your favorite song coming on, it just gets right into your head and your body and makes you move. Or maybe it takes you on a journey to a faraway place and time, where you languish in a memory of times gone by and people who are no longer present. Some of our favorite songs can lift us up out of depression and sorry, and make an otherwise horrible day suddenly seem like it’s not so bad. World Music Day celebrates music in all its forms and the impact it’s had on the world and the human spirit.

History of World Music Day

Music has existed for as long as mankind has found its voice, and quite possibly before. Every culture of the world has it’s own form of music, as distinct and unique to its area as language and cuisine. In the western world, we are familiar only with scale, that known as the diatonic scale which should be familiar to anyone who took music classes or choir in school. But this is not the only or even the first scale that music can use.

There’s the chromatic scale, which has 12 notes instead of the 7, and the octatonic scale, which has 8 notes, but these are just the beginning. In every part of the world, there are different scales and musical formats used, and these create a form of music that has its own signature. Then when you add in the cultural themes, the variety of instruments, and the forms of voice singing that can go along with it, music is a truly endless adventure. World Music Day celebrates this adventure and those that dare to take it.

How to Celebrate World Music Day

The best way to Celebrate World Music Day is to spend the day listening to all your old favorites, and if you’re truly feeling adventurous start exploring YouTube for music from different cultures. You can explore Finnish and Hungarian, Italian and Mongolian, and then start digging into the folk music. With sources like these, it’s easier than ever to explore the panorama of musical experiences the world has to offer, and you can do it all from the comfort of your own home. Of course, you could always pick up an instrument and start adding your own voice to the choir!

Read More

Yoga for Peace

Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.

Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.

Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.

The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.

Yoga for Peace

The theme for the 2018 celebration,  is 'Yoga for Peace.'

Read More