Rain disrupted our plans to visit Chandragiri, leading us back to Kathmandu's historic centre. We explored the lively atmosphere of Basantapur Durbar Square, where my wife found traditional jewellery. Our journey continued to Patan, admired for its well-preserved architecture, and finally to Bhaktapur, which felt like a vibrant, living town. The day showcased a rich tapestry of culture, history, and daily life across the three squares.
Explore Kathmandu’s sacred Budhanilkantha Temple and monkey-filled Swayambhunath, navigate cash troubles and wrong buses, savour Nepali street food, and reconnect with old friends over sekuwa. Join us on Indrosphere for a day filled with spiritual discoveries, unexpected detours, laughter, and unforgettable travel memories as our Kathmandu adventure continues towards Chandragiri Hills!
Discover the spiritual charm of Kathmandu as we explore the magnificent Boudhanath Stupa, savour traditional Thakali cuisine with breathtaking rooftop views, and witness the devotion of pilgrims. Our day takes an unexpected turn when rain disrupts our sightseeing plans, leading to a disappointing momo stop and a relaxing dinner at Trisara. Join us for another memorable chapter on Indrosphere!
Our first full day in Kathmandu unfolded as a journey through faith, culture and unexpected discoveries. From a leisurely breakfast in Thamel to the sacred precincts of Pashupatinath and Guhyeshwari, every experience revealed another facet of Nepal’s spiritual heart. Witnessing ancient rituals, funeral rites and wedding ceremonies, we discovered how devotion intertwines with life, death and new beginnings.
On the heels of my final Family Medicine exams in Raxaul, I extended the trip with my wife, Tania, choosing a night bus over an EV traveller to Kathmandu. Between blaring movie speakers, a humble vegetarian thali at Darechok, and dawn in Thamel, the story shows how real travel begins when plans shift.
বসন্তের বাসন্তী পূজা ও শরতের শারদীয়া দুর্গাপূজা একই মহাশক্তির আরাধনার দুটি রূপ। মার্কণ্ডেয় পুরাণের দেবীমাহাত্ম্য, কৃত্তিবাসী রামায়ণের অকালবোধন, শাক্ত ও বৈষ্ণব ভাবধারা এবং নবপত্রিকার কৃষিভিত্তিক লোকাচার মিলেমিশে বাংলার দুর্গোৎসবকে দিয়েছে অনন্য পরিচয়। জমিদারবাড়ির আড়ম্বর থেকে সর্বজনীন মণ্ডপ—দুর্গাপূজা আজ বাঙালির ধর্মবিশ্বাস, সাংস্কৃতিক ঐতিহ্য, সামাজিক সংহতি ও সামষ্টিক আনন্দের এক জীবন্ত প্রতীক।
Khichuri is more than a dish—it embodies the spirit of Durga Puja. The aroma of Gobindobhog rice, the comforting warmth of roasted moong dal, and the earthy goodness of labra prepared with the season’s freshest vegetables come together in a harmony that evokes home, devotion and celebration. At every puja pandal, this simple feast represents community, the abundance of autumn and the enduring Bengali custom of expressing love through food. A bowl of bhog is not merely a meal; it carries heritage, memories and the very flavour of Pujo.
শরতের ভোর, শিউলির গন্ধ আর বীরেন্দ্রকৃষ্ণ ভদ্রের সেই চিরপরিচিত কণ্ঠস্বর— “আশ্বিনের শারদপ্রাতে বেজে উঠেছে আলোক মঞ্জীর...” বাঙালির মনে সঙ্গে সঙ্গে বেজে ওঠে দুর্গাপুজোর আগমনী সুর। আমরা বলি, “শুভ মহালয়া!” কিন্তু কখনও কি ভেবে দেখেছি, মহালয়া কি শুধুই পুজোর আগমনী বার্তা? নাকি এর গভীরে লুকিয়ে রয়েছে পিতৃস্মৃতি, কৃতজ্ঞতা আর মানবিকতার আরও গভীর কোনও অর্থ?
Mahalaya is more than the dawn of Durga Puja; it is the awakening of Bengal’s soul. Through Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s timeless voice, the fragrance of shiuli, the artistry of Maa Durga’s idols, and the sacred remembrance of our ancestors, we rediscover our roots. Wherever life takes us, Mahalaya reminds us that home is not merely a place, but an eternal feeling of belonging.
Sometimes history does not arrive with a trumpet. Sometimes it arrives quietly in a barrel. Bengal rum crossed an ocean as cargo and arrived in Australia as something far more powerful—money, influence, leverage, and eventually rebellion. What began as molasses and commerce became entangled with the making of a nation, reminding us that history often hides inside the most ordinary things.
