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.'

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Sworgadwari temple - a religious place to feel like in heaven

Sworgadwari (स्वर्गद्वारी) is a hilltop temple complex and pilgrimage site in Pyuthan District, Nepal commemorating the special role of cows in Hinduism. It is said to have been founded by Guru Maharaj Narayan Khatri (Swami Hamsananda) who spent most of his life in the vicinity herding and milking thousands of cows. According to traditional stories, some of his devotees followed him to see where he took the cows, but they never could find him. According to older people of the locality, he came from Rolpa to the present temple site and asked the owner of that land (landlord) to donate the land to him. He dug the land and obtained curd mixed rice and fire. 

He had explained that these things were those buried by pandavas in Dwapar yuga, when they worshipped in this place before departing to heaven. The landlord was astonished . He agreed to handover the land instantly. Thereafter the holy fire is burning continuously till then. Bivut (ash) of the firewoods burnt by the holy fire is believed to cure different physical disorders like headache, stomach ache etc.

Documentary on visit to Swargadwari temple

Before he left physical body the Guru gave some of his powers to a few disciples. On the day he departed his physical body by his own wish, a number of people gathered around him at the place where he habitually meditated. The Guru left his body after bidding goodbye to his disciples and other followers. His favourite cow also died at the same instant, then the rest of the cows miraculously disappeared within a few days. There are also accounts of cows emptying their milk by themselves every day at the same time, at the place where the Guru died. He had done many miracles during his lifetime. Once he asked Rolpali cowherds not to take the cattles in a particular area for grazing warning them of a huge landslide in that area. But they refused and were swept by the landslide. He used to tell fortune of the devotees. He was so much kind that no one returned from the temple without having food. He helped the poors to build their house. He managed to teach vedic scriptures and other religious scriptures to the children's. They may perform vedic worshipping in the temple after study. But, doing this is not a compulsion after study.

Swargadwari is counted among Nepal's top pilgrimage sites and is listed in a national inventory of cultural and historic heritage sites. It is the one of the popular Hindu's religious place. It is located in southern part of pyuthan district. Main visitor of this religious area are Nepalese and Indians. sworgadwari is also popular for the trekking. it takes two days to reach there by foot. The footfall in swargadwari increase dramatically on June–July. Anyone can reach there from two routes; from bhingri, and from Ghorahi. It takes around 4 hours from bhingri to reach swargadwari, and around 8 hour from Ghorahi, dang. but the routes are extremely breath taking. The route from dang is more dangerous in comparison to the bhingri road. This road has been recently rerouted for betterment and safe journey. It lies on the top of the hill, surrounded by pine forest. There are vast number of Rhododendron trees on the way and in swargadwari itself.

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Rice planting season commenced in Nepal

Nepalese farmers rice planting, monsoon season started in Nepal. The monsoon season in Nepal is supposed to be begin from June 10 to September 23 which accounts about 80% of total rainfall in Nepal.  Nepal  celebrate National Paddy Day on Ashadh 15 every year. 

On this day, known as Asar Pandra, farmers begin the annual rice planting season and mark the day with various festivities such as preparing rice meals with muddy water, mud being a symbol for a prosperous season. The agricultural sector contributes about one third of total Nepal’s gross domestic product.

A special cultural song Known as Asare geet

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Muddy Rains In Nepal

Different parts of the country experienced brief rain containing a noticeable concentration of particles of sand and dust these days. 

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division’s special weather report, the strong dust storm blowing across the desert in the Indian state of Rajasthan for the past few days gradually travelled over the Indo-Gangetic plains to enter the atmosphere of Nepal due to the westerly winds, resulting in mud rain. 

“The shift in direction of dust storm with rain carrying clouds caused higher concentration of dust in the rain. The precipitation mixed with dust and dirt particles makes raindrops muddy,” adds the report. The MFD has forecast more mud rain in parts of the country for a few days, as dust storm continues to blow across Rajasthan desert and is advancing towards the eastern region of Nepal. Weathermen said dirty rain was neither a rare event nor a dangerous weather phenomenon. “Dust particles are likely to affect the atmosphere of Nepal and cause mud showers until the monsoon gets active and spreads to the western region,” the report adds.

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Commercial Ostrich Farm In Nepal

Ostrich in Madhawaliya, Rupandehi

Commercial Ostrich Farm In Nepal

Which is the largest bird in the World? Name the biggest egg laying bird? Which is the fastest running bird on the land? All these common GK questions have same answer and its Ostrich.

Ostrich Nepal Pvt. Ltd is first and only farm in Nepal located in Gangoliya-1, Rupandehi between Butwal and Bhairahawa in 20 bigha (unit of land area) land which is biggest Ostrich farm of Asia.  They started the ostrich farming with 1000 chicks with the initial investment of 13 crore. The main aim to establish farm is to meet high demand of ostrich products (skin, feather, meat) in international market which are expensive. The farm also sells ostrich products in some hotel of Nepal.

Ostrich is the largest bird known and native of Africa which is distinctive in its appearance with a long neck and legs. It has capability to run with speed of 70 km/hr. It weighs from 60-140 kg. We can distinguish male and female via feather, adult male have black and female have greyis- brown and white color feather. Ostrich matures sexually at 2-4 yrs old where female mature 6 months earlier than male.

Ostrich is mainly farmed for meat, feather (decorative) and skin (leather products) which are marketed commercially. The price of Ostrich meat in the            international market is US$90 and in Nepal 2000 per kg.

The diet of Ostrich consists of mainly plant matters such as seeds, shrubs, grasss, etc. It also eats invetebrates like insects.

Ostrich has red meat low in fat with great taste similar to beef meat in taste and colour which is considered very well for health. Ostrich have fat but collected outside muscles which can easily be removed during processing, so this meat is famous with people who love red meat but think of body weight too.

Ostrich farm have many advantages which can be enlisted as below,

·     Donot require more land to graze as of livestock

·     Give products earlier than livestock

·     When Ostrich is slaughter only a little is wasted. Meat is sold in market, feathers and skin for leather products.

Ostrich Nepal Pvt. Ltd has started a new farm in Bijauri, Dang in 80 bighas besides Rupandehi with popularity of Ostrich meat and products inside the nation and abroad.

The world second largest bird Emu are also in the farm of Gangoliya which are about 300 in number. There are about 7000 ostriches in Gangoliya and 700 in Dang. This farm provide an employment opportunity to many people along with its famous in international market. Government need to promote such farm in Nepal with experts and researchers in this field. Then we can introduce Nepal from Ostrich in worldwide along with our pride Buddha, Mt. Everest and many beautiful natural scenario.

Upakar Bhandari

Department of Agriculture Extension

Agriculture and Forestry University

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Hydroponics प्रबिधि - पानीमा गरिने कृषि प्रबिधि

Pic: Hydroponics Technology

माटो बिना पानीमा गरिने खेति लाई Hydroponics प्रबिधि भनिन्छ जसको बिकास सन् १९२९ मा क्यालीफोर्निया बिश्वबिद्यालयमा अध्ययनरत William Frederick Gericke ले बिकास गरे l आधुनिक कृषि प्रणालीको बिशेष उपलब्धि मान्न सकिन्छ यो प्रबिधिलाई l विभिन्न बिकसित देशहरुमा यो प्रविधिको प्रयोग धेरै भएको पाइन्छ l

Hydroponics प्रबिधि बिशेष गरि तरकारी उत्पादन गर्न बढी प्रयोग गरिन्छ l यो प्रविधिले उत्पादित तरकारी छिटो बढ्ने र रोग किराको सङ्क्रमण पनि कम हुने हुन्छ l पाते साग , टमाटर , खुर्सानी , गोबी , आदि लगायतका तरकारी उत्पादन गर्न यो प्रविधिको बढि प्रयोग भएको छ l बिरुवालाई बढ्नका लागि माटोको सट्टा बढ्ने माध्यमका रुपमा प्रयोग गरिने चिजहरु : १. नरिवलको Cocopit, २. धानको बिया ३. Granite, Vermiculite , Perlite , आदि ढुंगालाई १६०० °C तापक्रममा तताएर कपासको फर्म जस्तो आकार दिने ४. भेडाको उन लगायतका विभिन्न बस्तुहरु जसले बिरुवा बढ्ने माध्यमका रुपमा बिरुवाको बिकासको लागि यस प्रविधिमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ l

इन्डोनेसिया भ्रमणका क्रममा लिएको भिडियो हेर्नुहोस्

यी बस्तुहरुले बिरुवालाई आवस्यक पोशाक तत्व भने उपलब्ध गराउदैनन l यस प्रविधिमा बिरुवालाइ आवश्यक सम्पूर्ण पोशक तत्व पानीको बहाब संगै उपलब्ध गराउने गरिन्छ l Hydroponics प्रविधिमा पानीको नोक्सान पनि कम हुन्छ l प्रयोग भइसकेको पानीलाई पुन चक्रीय तवरले पुन प्रयोग गरिन्छ l बिरुवालाई आवश्यक पोशक तत्व ट्यांकीमा जम्मा भएको पानीमा आवस्यक अनुरुप राखिन्छ र यी तत्व पानी संगै प्रवाह हुने गर्दछ l सुरुवातमा बढी खर्च लागेपनि यो प्रविधिलाई लामो समय सम्म प्रयोग गर्न सकिने भएकाले ब्यबसायीक रुपमा हेर्दा पनि महत्वपुर्ण कृषि प्रबिधि मान्न सकिन्छ l 

Hydroponics प्रबिधि आजको बढ्दो कृषि बस्तुको माग परिपूर्ति गर्नको लागि अपरिहार्य जस्तो बनिसकेको छl आधुनिक कृषि प्रविधिको एक फरक कृषि बिकास जसको प्रयोग सहरी कृषि फार्म जहा कम जग्गा छ र छिटो बजारको माग पनि अधिक छ तेस्तो स्थानमा अझ प्रभावकारी हुनेछ l मलिलो माटोको अभाब , धेरै रोगको संक्रमण भएको माटोमा पनि यो प्रबिधि प्रयोग गर्न सकिन्छ l नेपालमा Hydroponics Technology अनुसन्धानका लागि प्रयोग भएको र अझै बिस्तारित एबम ब्यबसायीक रुपमा अगाडी बढ्न सकेको छैन l यो प्रबिधि नेपालमा ब्यबसायीक रुपमा अगाडी बढाउन सकियो भने नेपाली कृषि प्रविधिले पनि फड्को मार्न सक्नेछ l यो खेति प्रबिधि बढ्दो सहरीकरण संगै जनसंख्या बृदिको को माग परिपूर्ति गर्नलाइ एउटा कोसे ढुंगा पनि साबित हुनेछ l     

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Agritourism In Nepal

Agritourism comprise of two words ‘Agriculture’ which means the process  of cultivation of crops, fruits, vegetables and livestocks for businesss and ‘Tourism’ means to visit place. any agricultural based operation or activity that brings visitors in the farm is also agrotourism .  Nepal is a land locked country situated on the lap of Himalayan. Nepal lies at the height from 59m to 8848m that has warm to cold temperature that favors different plants to grow in wide range of temperature. The climatic and geographic situation of Nepal is gift of nature to develop as agritourism country.

Pic (File Photo): Agrotourism

Agritourism is one of the sector of ecotourism. People visit these sites for gaining information on cultivation practice of crops, to experience the cultivation practice and so   on.  it helps in showcasing unexplored  area , promoting and  developing the economy and lifestyle of local people living in rural area. People are eager to know how the food is produced and talk with farmer what goes into the food production, this is provided by agrotourism.

Nepal is a agricultural country where about  65% people involve in the agriculture. There are plenty of natural resources in Nepal which help agritourism more popular and success in Nepal. The lower land in Terai can be developed as crops production areas, hills as fruits production and  mountain as the livestock production according to the geographical situation of Nepal. Several cultivation practices of agricultural products in Nepal in different way in different ares make it more interesting to vvisit for tourist. There can be observe different field situation according to the season. In Summer farmer involved in plantation of rice with Ashare songs  which make feel them avoid from hard work and make environment pleasant with songs.

Agriculture land in Gulmi

Agritourism has various different social, economical and cultural benefits to the nation. It helps visitors to know the traditional practice in these areas and also share their cultivatin practice also. Agritourism in Nepal need to have high investment and research so that the lifestyle and economic status  of people can be uplifted. There are many of beautiful places in  Nepal to visit by tourist but lacks the facilities of road network. There should proper development of the infrastructure such as road networks, communication, lodging and fooding facilities to visit such agricultural place with beautiful nature's  gift. Many of the NGO's are running projects for the development of agritourism in Nepal. With the colaboration with government agencies, different people and organization involving in agritourism can have a great role in the development of Nepal as Agritourism destination of the world. Then finally we can have  Nepal as the best destination to visit with agriculture knowledge and  experince here by touists.

Upakar Bhandari

B.Sc.Ag ,AFU First Batch

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